a little blakely family backgound
Richard Paul "Dick" Blakely was born in southern Illinois on February 16, 1943. His father Paul and mother Mary Sue operated small businesses in Indiana and in Martinsville, Illinois around the time Dick was in High School. After graduation Dick enrolled in Rose Polytechnic Institute in Terra Haute, Indiana with plans of becoming a mechanical engineer. He was soon bored with the idea of attending class believing that he already had a firm grasp of the engineering program. As you might expect, the professors became frustrated with his attitude about attending class and likely threatened him with the possibility.of not receiving grades that would lead to graduation . Dick was confident that he understood the concepts and asked to be given written tests so he could confirm his grasp of the program content. This drove the professors crazy because he "aced" every test they gave him. Finally, following his second year at Rose Polytechnic Institute, arrangements were made for him to transfer to the University of Leeds in England where he successfully completed all remaining requirements to receive his diploma as a licensed mechanical engineer.
dick spends some time in england
Dick Blakely - photo by Mike Knepper, R&T Magazine 1975
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When Dick arrived in England in the mid-1960's Colin Chapman's Lotus Engineering, Ltd. was busy developing both road cars and competition cars that were light weight, high performance vehicles. "In its early days Lotus sold cars aimed at privateer racers and trialists. Its early road cars could be bought as kits, in order to save on purchase tax."
wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Cars At the same time other companies in England such as Dutton, were developing their own "kit" designs that were clearly influenced by Lotus. Dutton was the largest maker of kit cars in England from 1970-1989. |
 A 1959 aluminum body Lotus Seven
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A Dutton, likely from the 1970's
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blakely auto works
After receiving his engineering degree in England, Dick returned to the United States and was hired as a mechanical engineer by J..I Case, in Rockford, Illinois where, in a short period of time, he improved their construction equipment, earning several patents in the process. He then joined Rockford Screw Products where he reported directly to Jack Shugard, the VP of engineering, alongside Denny Myelle. Soon after Dick's arrival at Rockford Screw Products, Jack told Denny that "Dick was the sharpest engineer he had ever seen, including all the engineers at Sunstrand".
The fresh ideas Dick brought with him from England for building small sports cars stuck with him. He was convinced that he could build a nimble, fun car that would be better than the ones he saw in England. In his spare time he began working on a prototype and by the early 70's Dick was driving his creation around Rockford. He attracted a lot of attention was soon convinced there was a market for such a car. By 1972, working in their spare time, Dick and Denny, his colleague and friend at Rockford Screw Products, had designed, built and sold their first production run of 15 Blakely "Bantams". They sold out quickly. Both Dick and Denny knew they were on-to something big!.
The fresh ideas Dick brought with him from England for building small sports cars stuck with him. He was convinced that he could build a nimble, fun car that would be better than the ones he saw in England. In his spare time he began working on a prototype and by the early 70's Dick was driving his creation around Rockford. He attracted a lot of attention was soon convinced there was a market for such a car. By 1972, working in their spare time, Dick and Denny, his colleague and friend at Rockford Screw Products, had designed, built and sold their first production run of 15 Blakely "Bantams". They sold out quickly. Both Dick and Denny knew they were on-to something big!.
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In the early 1970's the Bantam was offered in kit form for around $2000. Wheels, tires and the necessary Pinto parts would have added about $500 for a total sale price of around $2500. The Bantam was a real treat to drive, with a total length of 130", a wheelbase of 90" and a total weight of 1300-1500 lbs. the number of features that could be added, however, was limited. Their goal was a Bantam designed for "maximum performance, minimum everything else" . |
In 1975 writers from Road & Track Magazine came to Rockford to write a story about Blakely Auto Works. After spending some time with Dick and Denny they wrote "The association (between Dick and Dennis) seems to be a good one. Blakely's role is more or less a combination of mad genius/absent minded professor. (Denny) Myelle, while no less enthusiastic, provides the calming influence and the business expertise."
R&T November 1975 p.52
R&T November 1975 p.52
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Following the success of the Bantam, Dick and Denny began development of a more sophisticated model. By 1974 the Bearcat had taken shape. With a wheelbase of 93"and a total length of 145" this new design was built on a 2" x 4" x 1/8" steel tube frame with a body able to accommodate two 6'5" adults. The Bearcat design included a 7 cubic foot trunk, locking doors, functional side curtains and the option of having either a folding convertible top or a hardtop. The result of these improvements was the production of a solid, quick, great handling, practical, fun car that could be used as a daily driver. In 1975 Blakely Auto Works moved from a shared shop in Loves Park to a larger facility in Davis Junction. That move allowed them to continue product development resulting in the growth of their business. |
"I drive a lot of cars, but it's been a long time since I enjoyed anything as much as the Blakely."
Road & Track: Mike Knepper
Road & Track: Mike Knepper
"The Blakely Bearcat is the most exciting auto of its type I have ever driven. The combination of design, engineering, quality and driveability may render it the best kit car ever."
Automotive Self Expression - The Kit Car Phenomenon: Gavin Engen
Automotive Self Expression - The Kit Car Phenomenon: Gavin Engen
Development of the Bearcat "S" began in 1976 as a second generation Bearcat incorporating several modifications including a new smoother hood design with a 'tipped back' nose, gills on each side of the hood and a chrome strip extending from the nose to the windshield. Removal of the 'spare tire' bump from the trunk lid cleaned up the back of the car while a new dash design provided for a more complete grouping of gauges. In the spring of 1977 Art Herschberger, who had a small aftermarket business in Princeton, Wisconsin became a part of the Blakely team as their Vice President of Marketing with 40% ownership in the company. Denny continued as the majority owner and company President as Dick left to explore other business opportunities. It was agreed that Dick would receive a design royalty for each Blakely produced. Denny and Art increased their marketing efforts and looked for other ways to improve the product and increase sales. That included entering into an agreement with Bremen Sport Equipment of Bremen, Indiana, a respected fiberglass company capable of improving their already excellent fiberglass components.
In early 1979 Art acquired controlling interest in Blakely Auto Works and moved it from Davis Junction, Illinois to Princeton, Wisconsin. Following the move, Art continued making improvements to the Bearcat"S". This third generation Blakely featured significant changes to the hood, fenders, windshield, bumpers and interior while also adding a much improved folding convertible top. The result of those changes can be seen here in the 'new' Blakely Bernardi.
The Bantam was the very first car Dick Blakely produced. It was a no frills car designed to provide "maximum performance and minimum everything else". After Blakely Auto Works moved to Wisconsin, Art began a thorough review of both the Bearcat and the Bantam to find ways that each car could be improved. This resulted in a re-design of the Bantam frame adding strength to the frame while also simplifying the assembly process. The body pieces of the new Hawk were pre-assembled, the front and rear fenders were widened, and the dash was re-designed to improve the visibility and the number of gauges, to put the driver in complete control. With all of these changes the second generation Bantam became known as the Hawk.
blakely design
After Dick left Blakely Auto Works, Seth Atwood, President of Atwood Consolidated Industries, a large manufacturing company in Rockford, approached Dick about helping him design and produce "a personal automobile combining extraordinary efficiency, safety and comfort with maintenance efficiency and outstanding craftsmanship." * The three wheel commuter car he had in mind would become known as the CERES. Dick agreed with the understanding that he could, on his own time, develop a new Blakely in the Atwood shop using Atwood tools and equipment. With that understanding, Dick and Blakely Design began the process of developing the CERES and the BARON.
*Creative Cars Corporation, Rockford, IL Ceres sales brochure 1983
*Creative Cars Corporation, Rockford, IL Ceres sales brochure 1983
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Harry Bentley Bradley, a renowned car designer and Professor at the California Art Center, College of Design in Pasadena agreed to assist in the development of both the Ceres and Baron concepts. Design parameters were sent to him as the first steps of the project. That was followed by the sharing of conceptual drawings leading to agreement about the final design of both cars. Harry then provided instructions regarding preparation of the armatures for each car that would be used during his visit to Rockford. On that visit he would create full scale models of each car. During Harry's short visit he was able to complete both 'cars' in a matter of a few hours. The designs were sculpted in 'mud' over steel and wood armatures that had been constructed on two separate rolling 'chassis'. . . one for the Ceres, the other for the Baron. |
Four design proposals for the Baron, shown below, were submitted to Blakely Design by Harry Bradley for review and comment.
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The agreed Baron design, shown on the left, quickly took shape and became the beginning point for the new Blakely. While the scale model had a classic beauty reflective of high quality sports cars from earlier times, there was a sense among the team members that the Baron should have a more unique, modern, yet purposeful look.
Both Dick and Roger Graning, a gifted local designer who was a part of the Blakely Design team, began thinking and talking about a number of subtle changes that could help achieve those goals. All of the team members offered their opinions and there was real excitement as these ideas began to take shape. It took a few months for the rolling 'plug' to evolve before the team was ready to create a mold of the Baron. In the Fall of 1981, the mold was finally completed and the first of four Baron bodies was produced. Baron #1 was completed and licensed in the Fall of 1981. It was used as a rolling test bed for further development. Roger Graning drove the car daily to help sort out any issues that might arise. Gary Stacey currently has Baron #2. Baron#3, shown here in primer, was later painted red and used for marketing purposes. A removable fiberglass top with a split rear window was fitted to both #1 and #3 Barons. |
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The #4 Baron body was the beginning point for development of the E-CLASS. In early 1982 Emmons Coachworks began work on what was to become the next generation of the Blakely family of fine cars. In 1983 Dick joined our effort as we developed aerodynamic structural bumpers, a steel windshield frame and cowl welded to the main frame, fenders with built-in headlights, a redesigned hood that provided needed clearance for the carburetor and air cleaner, flush mounting of all legally required outside lighting, a rear-opening hood that allowed air venting at the windshield, and hidden wipers. The folding convertible top, electric windows, Chevy 305 V-8 with automatic transmission, leather interior, air conditioning and 4 speaker sound system completed the package.
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The E-Class, first titled in 1987, has been driven over 17,000 miles and in September of 2015, received the prestigious New Kent Winery Award at the 31st Annual Classics On The Green car show in New Kent, Virginia.
Additional information about each car is available by selecting one of the black "buttons".
by Larry L. Emmons copyright Virginia Motoring 2017