12-11-2013 My best find to date!

[insontis]

I need someone to jump for joy with me, but first..

Does anyone know anything about a race that occurred in 1962 in Indianapolis that involved Firestone? A Sales Drive? Either way, I know a thing or two about "Gorham Sterling". 462.8 grams of it.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you my latest find, in all its grime and glory!





And yes, $8.98 was the total cost.

 

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[Beachkid23]

Wow that's an awesome find. Was it at Goodwill? That will definitely make for a good good day congratulations!!!

 

[insontis]

It was at a DAV thrift store. I always thought I'd find silver dishes, etc at Goodwill due to the massive amount of silver plated items they always seem to have. The DAV thrift store rarely has any at all making it even more surprising that I was the first to find this!

 

[vwayne1]

I'm jumping man!! That's fantastic. Btw, there probably was no event at the race. It was most likely a sales promotion at a dealership ran in conjunction with the 1962 Indy race. Very cool!

 

[cherrypicked]

That's an awesome find! Congrats!

 

[jamey]

sweet

 

[CladSpends2]

Nice find. Seems like a little donation to the Disabled American Veterans might be in order. After all, they gave so much.

T.

 

[Rodbuster209]

WOW! right on, great find!!!!

 

[insontis]

I'm jumping man!! That's fantastic. Btw, there probably was no event at the race. It was most likely a sales promotion at a dealership ran in conjunction with the 1962 Indy race. Very cool!

Aw, a sales promo isn't as exciting. There's still some connection though I guess. That being said, hopefully there is more value here to a collector than to the refinery. I imagine a Nascar fan might have a home for it?

 

[insontis]

Nice find. Seems like a little donation to the Disabled American Veterans might be in order. After all, they gave so much.

T.

I agree. I do regularly shop at their store & normally provide both material and monetary donations, but this may merit something more. Perhaps a percentage of the final sale when I do find a buyer.

 

[frankendime]

I'm green. Great find!!!

 

[RJGMC]

OK, That is just straight up theft without a threat! Nice job!

Keep in touch. The cold can't last forever.

RJGMC
HI BOB!

 

[insontis]

OK, That is just straight up theft without a threat! Nice job!

Keep in touch. The cold can't last forever.

RJGMC
HI BOB!

Will do Bob! Can't wait for the warmer weather to start swinging again! I'd love to give my thrift finds some close competition!

 

[clovis97]

Aw, a sales promo isn't as exciting. There's still some connection though I guess. That being said, hopefully there is more value here to a collector than to the refinery. I imagine a Nascar fan might have a home for it?

You lucky dog!!!!

I doubt a Nascar/taxi cab fan would want that, but an Indy car fan would.

I think it is a sales award for selling the most tires.

The winner of the Indianapolis 500 has his name and face put on the Borg-Warner trophy, which is probably the most well known trophy in motor sports. This trophy is owned and kept by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The Borg is made of sterling silver too, and was created by Gorham, so I would guess that is why Firestone chose to give a sterling award created by Gorham. If I recall correctly Gorham is still the supplier for the trophy, and casts the face each year for the new winner.

The winner of the Indy 500 receives a 'baby Borg' trophy that he can take home and keep. If you ever find a baby Borg, you could come close to paying for your kid's college tuition.

Rodger Ward won the '62 Indy 500, if you were wondering.

 

[clovis97]

If memory serves me correct, Ward won the race on Firestone tires.

 

[insontis]

You lucky dog!!!!

I doubt a Nascar/taxi cab fan would want that, but an Indy car fan would.

I think it is a sales award for selling the most tires.

The winner of the Indianapolis 500 has his name and face put on the Borg-Warner trophy, which is probably the most well known trophy in motor sports. This trophy is owned and kept by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The Borg is made of sterling silver too, and was created by Gorham, so I would guess that is why Firestone chose to give a sterling award created by Gorham. If I recall correctly Gorham is still the supplier for the trophy, and casts the face each year for the new winner.

The winner of the Indy 500 receives a 'baby Borg' trophy that he can take home and keep. If you ever find a baby Borg, you could come close to paying for your kid's college tuition.

Rodger Ward won the '62 Indy 500, if you were wondering.

Wow thank you so much. A lot of good information there indeed! Hopefully I can find such an Indy fan who'd be interested in the piece.

Do you think it would be better if I removed the tarnish and cleaned it up? Or should I try to sell it as is?

 

[diggummup]

Very nice find! There has always been fierce competition between Firestone and Goodyear when it comes to tires and Auto racing. There has been one of these that have sold at auction, with the same inscription. It may have been the actual one you own. Of course your in Missouri and it was sold in Ohio but how many winners could there have been for the 1962 Indianapolis race Firestone sales drive. Unfortunately it sold for less than scrap prices at the time it was sold, $350. Still a piece to be proud of finding. AuctionZip.com - Live Auction Locator - Fast,Easy, and Free! it's under STERLING FLATWARE, HOLLOWARE, JEWELRY, WATCHES:10 1/4" Gorham sterling bowl 1379, engraved Firestone 1962 Indianapolis Race Sales Drive Winner.

 

[vwayne1]

How many winners of this award in 1962? Probably one at each tire store, or at least each selling district in the country. And even in 1962 that would be many. And odd to me that it doesn't say 500. Maybe it was a different race at Indy. They probably run many a year.

 

[clovis97]

How many winners of this award in 1962? Probably one at each tire store, or at least each selling district in the country. And even in 1962 that would be many. And odd to me that it doesn't say 500. Maybe it was a different race at Indy. They probably run many a year.

There has only been one race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway until the track ownership allowed the taxi cabs (Nascar) to run in 1994.

If we are splitting hairs, there were multiple races in the very early years of the track, dating back to the 1909-1911 era.

In '62, there was only the Indy 500.

Being a life long fan of "the track", as it is known around here, and the Indianapolis 500, it is very common to see references to Indy and the 500 without using those terms. The Speedway owns the rights to 'Indy 500', and has been protecting them for years.

 

[clovis97]

Wow thank you so much. A lot of good information there indeed! Hopefully I can find such an Indy fan who'd be interested in the piece.

Do you think it would be better if I removed the tarnish and cleaned it up? Or should I try to sell it as is?

If you want to try to learn more about the piece that you have, post a question here:

Eagle104's Nostalgia

Some of these guys have unbelievable knowledge about the Motor Speedway, and the Indianapolis 500.

Just be respectful and willing to learn if you post there.
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BTW, there are dealers that only deal in Indy 500 and IMS stuff, and there is one big swap meet every May that only deals in 500 collectibles.