Elliott S. "Chip" Miller passed away in the early morning of March 25, 2004, in Rochester, Minnesota, at the age of 61. Miller was diagnosed with primary Amyloidosis in December 2003. The rare plasma cell disorder affects about 2,000 people each year. Currently, there is no cure.
Carlisle Events, host of 12 collector car, truck, and motorcycle events a year, attracted more than half a million people to its events in 2003. Included in the annual schedule are two huge automotive swap meets and individual specialty shows featuring Corvettes, Fords, GMs, Chryslers, trucks, motorcycles, sport compacts and imports. Founded in 1974 by friends Bill Miller and Chip Miller, the Cars at Carlisle shows attract automotive enthusiasts from around the world. Carlisle Events can be found on the Web at www.carsatcarlisle.com.
Historic Scarab Company Changes HandsMike Mullin, owner of Mullin Motors, Inc. has acquired the legal rights to the historic automotive marque Scarab and plans a 50th Anniversary Scarab II to compete with the Ford AC Cobra market. Although the Scarab's history is short-lived, these Chevrolet-powered race cars of the late '50s and early '60s are remembered as being one of the first serious and fundamentally all-American racing efforts.
The Scarab was the brainchild of Lance Reventlow, son of the famous Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton and Danish nobleman, Count Court Haugwitz-Reventlow. Later, the boy was raised by his new stepfather, actor Cary Grant. Lance was also good friends with actor James Dean, having breakfast together just before Dean fatally crashed his Porsche Spyder. Later in life, Reventlow married actress Jill St. John. Reventlow died in 1972 in a small plane crash near Aspen, Colorado.
Mike Mullin is son of the late J. Stanley Mullin, the Los Angeles attorney who managed Reventlow's Scarab-related legal business. Commenting on why he has purchased the rights, Mullin said: "When I was young, the Scarab captured my imagination in a big way. Its lines were gorgeous. I loved that classic '50s LeMans racer shape. As a tribute to the spirit of Reventlow, I want to create a 50th Anniversary Scarab II with the same basic look and all-American performance theme." Interestingly, the Scarab's badge originates from ancient Egypt. It was the symbol of rebirth and renewal.
The Scarab II will be powered by a modern Corvette engine. It's aimed at the performance-driving enthusiast that wants simplicity, affordability, reliability, and an alternate choice to the ubiquitous Ford AC Cobra. Mullin is now discussing the project with Reventlow's younger brother Richard. He is also in discussions with Chuck Pelly, the Scarab's original designer and Art Center College of Design alumni. Pelly's most recent work includes the new BMW X5 and X3.
To heighten awareness of the pending project, Mullin Motors will soon be offering Scarab-based shirts, hats, historic photographs, and other items at www.ScarabAuto.com.
Nostalgia Rod & Custom Assoc. Taps Sacto and Gateway For Events
The newly formed Nostalgia Rod and Custom Association (open to American-powered vehicles through 1972) recently announced they would be organizing a series of car events. They started off by backing the San Francisco Rod, Custom, and Motorcycle Show in Northern California in January and recently kicked off their own Western Rod, Custom, and Street Machine Nationals in Sacramento, California. The NRCA is now planning its second event at a new site: Gateway International Raceway in St. Louis. The event will include a cruise around the famous 1.5-mile speedway, some quartermile track time, as well as a vendor alley and big-name concert. Set for August 13 - 15, you can get more info by contacting NRCA, 931 Washington Blvd., #115-511, Dept. KC, Roseville, CA 95678, by calling them at (916) 786-9777, or checking www.nostalgiarods.com.