Cyclops Invasion at Bonneville

February 23, 2020 8 CommentsCyclops, Racing, Stan Mott

Bonneville will Never be the Same.

In September 2019 the Cyclops Racing Team showed up in force at Bonneville. Racers and spectators were astounded when Jack Englehardt’s entry was clocked at a blazing 17.4-mph, which was smashed by Glenn Thomas with a phenomenal 20.5-mph!

Within the Cyclops-shaped hospitality tent, Cyclops builders/owners/drivers toasted the victories beneath the official Cyclops moosehead. This was just part of the merriment enjoyed in the tent over the three race days.

Will the Cyclops Bonneville Record Car be ready for next year? We’ll have to wait and see!

Cyclops Racing Team: Glenn Thomas, Jack Englehardt, Kelvin Merne, and Jim Duconing,

Photos!

The Dean’s Garage Book is Available!

8 Comments

February 23, 2020 at 6:24 pm

Keith Ashley

Funny this appeared now. I just read the Stan Mott account of his Cyclops adventure in your book. He’s a guy I would enjoy knowing.
February 23, 2020 at 6:41 pm

Don & Nancy Perdue

We’ve been waiting for this for thirty plus years, so pleased to see our dreams come true! Will the Cyclops Team be back on the salt again this year to best your world records? Love the cars, love the tent – all in all a Great Team!
February 23, 2020 at 9:01 pm

Norman

LeMans next, I hope? Is there a relative of T. Tom Meshingear to be a part of the Team?
February 24, 2020 at 1:13 pm

Dave Smith

How fast did the Cyclops Police Interceptor reach?
February 24, 2020 at 3:06 pm

DICK RUZZIN

I love it!

I have been a Cyclops fan since first seeing this sensational machine as a concept in Road & Track Magazine sometime in the 1950s when I was a design student.

Someone should do a scale model, maybe a magazine page cut-out.

Thank you Gary for bringing this great story to us!
Dick Ruzzin
February 24, 2020 at 3:49 pm

Stan Mott

Cyclops won the 1960 Le Mans placing 1, 2, 3. All recorded in the esteemed August 1960 issue of Road & Track magazine. But if we here in Automobili Cyclops SpA are in the mood we might give it another shot.

Regarding Cyclops’ massively successful 2019 invasion of Bonneville, we intend to make it an annual affair. We have a number of secret projects in the works to greatly enhance the Salt Lakes Racing Association’s 2020 World of Speed event this coming September 11/14. Stay tuned!
February 27, 2020 at 6:00 am

Glenn Thomas

The Cyclops Police Interceptor was a body transplant that Kelvin just completed before taking to Bonneville. He took the one he built, a few years ago, and mounted the body on an ATV. Dave, to answer your question, I’m not sure since he did not get timed, but I did ride with him, on the flats, and I’m guessing we were topping 30. That was quick enough for me. Sitting that high and going that speed was a little scary.
February 27, 2020 at 5:08 pm

Stan Mott

I have received word from Cyclops enthusiasts who can’t seem to locate Cyclops dealerships to buy a Cyclops in order to join the 2nd Cyclops invasion of Bonneville this coming September 11/14.

I know the feeling. I’ve had problems myself locating Cyclops dealerships over the last 64 years.

The solution of course is to build your own Cyclops! Construction details can be found on the internet by typing in “build your own Cyclops amazon”.

See you at Bonneville!

Stan Mott
Minister of Propaganda
Automobili Cyclops SpA

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Book is excellent reading. I like all the practical jokes that you played on each other. Haven’t put it down yet.

Paul Alflen
Gary, Just received your book and read part of it, and can’t wait to finish it! EXCELLENT BOOK WOW! Thanks!

Carl Kofron
It’s a book whose pages you’ll return to again and again…sometimes just to look, other times to read and learn and to laugh!

Helen Hutchings
It brought back so many memories. The book captures some of the antics that took place. I recommend Gary’s book for anyone that has an interest to get a glimpse of an era long gone.

John Manoogian II
Very impressed with the emphasis on the “people stories.” Most people think of GM in terms of the cars, whereas you focused on the designers that created the cars. Congratulations on your excellent and personable narrative.

Roy Lonberger
Great book! It will provide many hours of interesting reading. Thank you for writing and publishing it!

Charles Pieier
All the wonderful anecdotes and photos bring laughter and smiles of recollection of the years at GM Design. The other content is equally entertaining, too! One can keep returning to its pages, finding a new topic of interest each time.

George Camp
Gary’s book focuses on the people who drove designs and events at GM Design. It is always informative, sometimes funny and sometimes sad. Picture are breathtaking. Extremely well done.

James Rice
Thank you Gary for this wonderful publication vicariously delivering the human condition nectar recalled from the good old days at GM Design.

Bill Boudreau
Closest thing to an actual time machine I have experienced! The photos, quotes and artwork really transported me back to what was a fabulous time at GM Design.

Len Casillo
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed The Future is Back. Great stories and wonderful comments! Excellent selection of illustrations and photos!

Peter Brock
The book is providing lots of interesting reading along with so many great photos, illustrations and renderings.

Sheldon Payne
It’s like going to a family reunion and meeting all your old friends, the studios and the models all over again. I can almost smell the fresh clay reading your book.

Ron Will
Reading the stories and anecdotes of designers who shared their experiences in this book allowed me to vicariously imagine what it would have actually been like to have worked in a studio. Thumbs Up Gary!!

Steve Sicklick
Great book Gary. It’s like taking a trip down memory lane!

Dennis Burke
I’ve enjoyed the Dean’s Garage book. I know a lot of the designers and places you mention; it’s like a reunion or old-home week.Thank you very much for putting everything together in such a beautifully organized, fun, illuminating way.

Michael Lamm