Once upon a time, before the invention of cable television and Internet grocery shopping, human beings would routinely go outside, hook up a flat tow bar to the family station wagon, and drag their sports car to the race track for a weekend of fun. At the track, they’d remove their windscreen, tape-up the headlights, put some more air in the bias plies, don a helmet (one with perhaps less protection offered than a modern bicycle helmet), and head-out onto the track to test the bond between man and machine.
Vacaville, Vineland, Bridgehampton, Road America, & Mid-Ohio were all popular destinations. It was easy to be an amateur racer back in the day; there was little barrier for entry. Whether you had a TR3, Lotus Eleven, or a Bugeye Sprite, you were eligible and welcome to compete.
The halcyon days of sports car competition are in the rear view mirror, but they are fondly remembered even today; even if you weren’t there with your own car, or a kid following around your dad in the paddock, you’re still a vintage racer at heart, and you understand.
Our new Vintage Racer shirts are inspired by an actual weekend in July, 1958. On that day, the racers and spectators scattered about the field probably didn’t think it was a particularly special moment in history. It was just another fun weekend to kick the tires and light the fires… but to us, that was a moment in history that means a whole lot.
July 6, 1958 was just a few months after the launch of the very first production Sprite (AN5L/501), and thus the Frogeye was still quite novel, which makes the car’s appearance on the poster (that inspired these shirts) all the more special!
Celebrate with us by pre-ordering your very own vintage racer t-shirt. Choose from crew neck or long sleeve varieties. Shirts will be available to ship in 4 to 6 weeks. Click the photo above to reserve yours today and let your racing spirit shine!
