by Steven Silverstein
AONE Director

1. Physical documents

Paperwork with the car – letters, receipts, titles
Previous owners
Geographical location of the car (both current and previous locations)

2. Physical details of the car

Serial numbers
Engine builder’s marks
Color of paint (multiple layers) and striping
Remaining graphics – race numbers are critical, sponsors’ stickers, etc. (even sun-faded paint outlines of old numbers are clues)
Rollbar ID (SCCA Logbook, only after the late 60’s/early 70’s, depends on the region)
Options on the car – most of the windshields and rollbars are "one-off" custom-made components.
Existing damage
SCCA competition badges (scrutineers, participation, etc.)

3. Rumors – initial leads

Books with documentation regarding a similar car
Photos
Magazines – R+T, Sports Car Graphic, Sports Car Wheel, Competition Press, etc.
Race Programs from the appropriate time period (entry list)
Active competition years
Drivers

Keep in mind that all of these clues are important, but you need to have a direction to begin your search. First, start to establish the geographical location where the car competed. The physical documents can assist in finding previous owners and locations, and help set the time frame. This will enable you to reference race programs and entrant lists from that region. If possible, narrow the search by identifying those drivers that competed in similar cars. There may be dozens but, as you discover details, the search will narrow through the use of reference books, magazines, and documents to see if there are any matching details. Photos are typically the most reliable and telling resource. This will take time, effort, and patience.

Let’s assume that you identify an East Coast Guilietta that you know competed in the SCCA in the 1963 time frame. You might want to start looking at the programs from the tracks in the Northeast or Mid-east and collecting the names of drivers in F-P driving Alfas. Nick England has one of the best sites, which documents races at Virginia International Raceway (go to the "history" section). Almost every race is documented. As a side note, this site provided some of the first "competition" images of my car.

The entrant list is key. This list can provide names, hometowns, sponsors, and race numbers. Check Nick England’s web site and you will quickly discover how important the documents he has posted are to your search. You can also find old race programs on eBay and through vendors at Vintage race events.

Now start looking for unique details that would help to set your car apart – rollbars, race numbers, windscreens, colors, and other specific features. Ironically, the mirror mount and the windscreen sent me on my search. These modifications are very subtle, but remember that these were hand-fabricated items not found on any other car.

Eureka! Let’s say that you have narrowed the car down to a few possibilities. For example, there were three Alfas running the VIR National event in ‘63 in F-Production. (Of course there were Regional races too, so the search can expand to be very lengthy.)

Could one of these be the car? Now the difficult task of finding photos is required. This is where Sports Car Graphic, US Autosports, Sports Car Wheel (SCCA) and others become invaluable, thanks to the many race reports. As photos are discovered, you can start cross-referencing the details of each car. It will take time to find images – lots of time. It really is a process of elimination – eliminate the cars that have no matching details.

Finally, you have narrowed it to one or possibly two drivers. Where do you continue your search? The SCCA has an archivist, Pete Hylton, who will search the driver’s records for about $25.00. Pete will provide you with a list of all the races that this driver ran. You may want to establish parameters, such as "races in which they drove Alfas only". There are other race researchers who will do a more thorough search, but typically they do cost more, so you’d better be sure that you have identified the correct driver. Possibly they could assist if there is doubt.

Once you have established the race record, it is then very easy to search reference magazines and books for race reports on that specific race. You might end up being amazed at the number of photos that can be discovered. Just remember to document everything – you’d be amazed how a meaningless detail can solve the puzzle.