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The Fabulous Venus Car

The Venus is a one-piece custom fiberglass car body designed by Kenneth McLoad in the early 1950's. The actual number of Venus bodies made remains unknown as…
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 8y
Collection by
Patrick McLoad
This is a newly discovered photo of a Venus that was constructed in Pasadena, Texas. Many thanks to Paul Long and his wife who passed it along to me. I'm still trying to gather more information on this Venus, so watch the Venus Update blog. Clearly, the left rear taillight suffered some damage, which may have been why this photo was taken. Click for large version. Texas, Venus, Tail Light, Pasadena, Pasadena Texas, Paul, Left, Car, Fabulous
Texas
Venus
Tail Light
Pasadena
Pasadena Texas
Paul
Left
Car
Fabulous
This is a newly discovered photo of a Venus that was constructed in Pasadena, Texas. Many thanks to Paul Long and his wife who passed it along to me. I'm still trying to gather more information on this Venus, so watch the Venus Update blog. Clearly, the left rear taillight suffered some damage, which may have been why this photo was taken. Click for large version.
A photo of the completed '51 Mercury Flathead engine that was in the Massachusetts Venus. The distributor is an electronic ignition unit from Mallory; cap will be replaced with black. Top air filters will not fit under hood, so will run with screens and foam inserts only. Period-correct Offenhauser heads and Offy dual intake manifold; correct and restored Stromberg 97 carburetors with fuel rail and pressure gage. Engine color will probably change after all is said and done. Rat Rods, Mopar, Gasoline Engine, Speed Boats, Tractors, Mechanic, Flat Head, Truck Engine, Kustom
Rat Rods
Mopar
Gasoline Engine
Speed Boats
Tractors
Mechanic
Flat Head
Truck Engine
Kustom
A photo of the completed '51 Mercury Flathead engine that was in the Massachusetts Venus. The distributor is an electronic ignition unit from Mallory; cap will be replaced with black. Top air filters will not fit under hood, so will run with screens and foam inserts only. Period-correct Offenhauser heads and Offy dual intake manifold; correct and restored Stromberg 97 carburetors with fuel rail and pressure gage. Engine color will probably change after all is said and done.
A before and after composition of the clutch and brake pedal mechanism. What a nightmare it was to finally get this sorted out! The green tape on the frame shows where the Venus firewall sits. One of my tasks (yet to do) is to move the master brake cylinder backwards to where the brake and clutch levers correctly enter the lower firewall. (I may or may not need to alter the crossmember holding the transmission). Isn't this fun?! Restoration, Tape, Composition, Brake Pedal, Pedal, Motors, Autos, Cylinder
Restoration
Tape
Composition
Brake Pedal
Pedal
Motors
Autos
Cylinder
A before and after composition of the clutch and brake pedal mechanism. What a nightmare it was to finally get this sorted out! The green tape on the frame shows where the Venus firewall sits. One of my tasks (yet to do) is to move the master brake cylinder backwards to where the brake and clutch levers correctly enter the lower firewall. (I may or may not need to alter the crossmember holding the transmission). Isn't this fun?!
Perhaps by mistake, the Venus was placed in the highly-coveted "anchor circle" usually reserved for the most unique and high-dollar museum pieces. To the left is Fred Astair's Rolls-Royce limousine. Museums, Rolls Royce Limousine, Antique Cars, Museum, Museum Piece, Limousine, Reserved
Museums
Rolls Royce Limousine
Antique Cars
Museum
Museum Piece
Limousine
Reserved
Perhaps by mistake, the Venus was placed in the highly-coveted "anchor circle" usually reserved for the most unique and high-dollar museum pieces. To the left is Fred Astair's Rolls-Royce limousine.
The unrestored Venus was quite a popular display at 2004 Keels & Wheels concours. The fellow on the right (in the hat) is John Bookout, a Shell Oil executive and avid car collector. Note the horrible mixture of taillights, and how the butchered hood scoop looked on the underside of the hood! Other than just removing some clutter in the engine compartment, this Venus was definately shown "as found" as requested by show organizers! Popular, Collector Cars, Engine, Shell, Avid, Oil
Popular
Collector Cars
Engine
Shell
Avid
Oil
The unrestored Venus was quite a popular display at 2004 Keels & Wheels concours. The fellow on the right (in the hat) is John Bookout, a Shell Oil executive and avid car collector. Note the horrible mixture of taillights, and how the butchered hood scoop looked on the underside of the hood! Other than just removing some clutter in the engine compartment, this Venus was definately shown "as found" as requested by show organizers!
Unrestored Venus on display at 2004 Keels & Wheels, photo courtesy of Kurt Geist. Design, Display, Courtesy, Photo
Design
Display
Courtesy
Photo
Unrestored Venus on display at 2004 Keels & Wheels, photo courtesy of Kurt Geist.
Venus on display at Keels & Wheels concours at the request of Bob Fuller who wanted people to see exactly what project cars such as this look like before restoration. I had placed a framed board showing publicity photos of the original Venus, along with a short story of how this one was obtained in Massachusetts. Cars, People, Board, The Originals
Cars
People
Board
The Originals
Venus on display at Keels & Wheels concours at the request of Bob Fuller who wanted people to see exactly what project cars such as this look like before restoration. I had placed a framed board showing publicity photos of the original Venus, along with a short story of how this one was obtained in Massachusetts.
Unrestored Venus on display at Keels & Wheels concours, May 18, 2004. A cold front with heavy rain had passed through the day before. Man, was it cold that morning! Cold Front, Heavy, Visiting, Cold, Unknown
Cold Front
Heavy
Visiting
Cold
Unknown
Unrestored Venus on display at Keels & Wheels concours, May 18, 2004. A cold front with heavy rain had passed through the day before. Man, was it cold that morning!
This somewhat optimistic article (from the "new" Venus Corporation) appeared in the Houston Chronicle on April 22nd, 1956. It states that 17 cars had been built which I personally find very doubtful. Note that it mentions Charles Markle Knipe (Markle Steel) as heading up the company, though his name does not appear on any legal document. I have contacted the Knipe family to see if they have any photos or documents in regards to the Venus, but unfortunately, they have choosen not to respond. Houston, Houston Chronicle, Markle, Charles, Steel, Car Low, Company
Houston
Houston Chronicle
Markle
Charles
Steel
Car Low
Company
This somewhat optimistic article (from the "new" Venus Corporation) appeared in the Houston Chronicle on April 22nd, 1956. It states that 17 cars had been built which I personally find very doubtful. Note that it mentions Charles Markle Knipe (Markle Steel) as heading up the company, though his name does not appear on any legal document. I have contacted the Knipe family to see if they have any photos or documents in regards to the Venus, but unfortunately, they have choosen not to respond.
These are the folks removed (for no particular reason) from the "Venis Corp" photograph. They have been identified as Frank Schulgren, his wife, and her sister. Frank was a principle in the new group who planned to reproduce Venus bodies on a massive scale. (See Chronicle article). Photographer, Reproduce, Scale, Body, Bodies, Photograph
Photographer
Reproduce
Scale
Body
Bodies
Photograph
These are the folks removed (for no particular reason) from the "Venis Corp" photograph. They have been identified as Frank Schulgren, his wife, and her sister. Frank was a principle in the new group who planned to reproduce Venus bodies on a massive scale. (See Chronicle article).
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Wanting out of the car business, Ken McLoad sold mfg rights to a small group of guys who formed the "Venus Corporation". Unfortunately, it didn't last very long. The Venus in this particular photo is believed to be a previously built Venus (as opposed to new) that was simply re-painted in a dramatic two-tone fashion. It is definately sharp-looking! Note the addition of a trim piece under the door, and a Venus emblem. Mfg, Sports Cars, Sold, Building, Corporate
Mfg
Sports Cars
Sold
Building
Corporate
Wanting out of the car business, Ken McLoad sold mfg rights to a small group of guys who formed the "Venus Corporation". Unfortunately, it didn't last very long. The Venus in this particular photo is believed to be a previously built Venus (as opposed to new) that was simply re-painted in a dramatic two-tone fashion. It is definately sharp-looking! Note the addition of a trim piece under the door, and a Venus emblem.
Motor Trend Cover, May 1954 Whereabouts of this particular Venus is unknown. Classic, Car Magazine, Auto, Road Test, Chrysler, Future Trends, Magazines
Classic
Car Magazine
Auto
Road Test
Chrysler
Future Trends
Magazines
Motor Trend Cover, May 1954 Whereabouts of this particular Venus is unknown.
Motor Trend Article, Page 2 Sports Car
Sports Car
Motor Trend Article, Page 2
Motor Trend Article, Page 1 Mindfulness, Mind Numbing, Photo Story
Mindfulness
Mind Numbing
Photo Story
Motor Trend Article, Page 1
Kenneth W. McLoad Kenneth, One Piece
Kenneth
One Piece
Kenneth W. McLoad
Article about Venus in Houston Post, March 20, 1954 Post, March
Post
March
Article about Venus in Houston Post, March 20, 1954
Ad in Houston Post, March 28, 1954 Prints
Prints
Ad in Houston Post, March 28, 1954
Venus #1 (Massachusetts Venus): Chassis was disassembled, sand blasted, epoxy primed and black epoxy painted. Engine was also completetly rebuilt with new components, including pistons, valves, and a new Schneider ¾ cam. New finned Offenhauser aluminum heads; Offy dual-intake manifold; and dual Stromberg 97 carburetors completetly rebuilt. Dual exhaust headers (Red's) as well. (Crummy little air cleaners will not fit under hood, and have been discarded (Chinese junk). Shoe Box, Stromberg, Pistons, Flat, Hot
Shoe Box
Stromberg
Pistons
Flat
Hot
Venus #1 (Massachusetts Venus): Chassis was disassembled, sand blasted, epoxy primed and black epoxy painted. Engine was also completetly rebuilt with new components, including pistons, valves, and a new Schneider ¾ cam. New finned Offenhauser aluminum heads; Offy dual-intake manifold; and dual Stromberg 97 carburetors completetly rebuilt. Dual exhaust headers (Red's) as well. (Crummy little air cleaners will not fit under hood, and have been discarded (Chinese junk).
The Venus #2 hood next to the Massachusetts hood. Note how terribly chopped and modified the Massachusetts hood was compared to the original hood that Jack Kovar allowed me to borrow a long time ago. Rather than finding a low-profile carburetor, some idiot felt it was better to heighten the hood scoop. Getting this hood scoop back to original sleek configuration took a lot of artistic body work (Danny Kurtz) and wampum! The Borrowers, Jack, Scoop, The Original, Low Profile
The Borrowers
Jack
Scoop
The Original
Low Profile
The Venus #2 hood next to the Massachusetts hood. Note how terribly chopped and modified the Massachusetts hood was compared to the original hood that Jack Kovar allowed me to borrow a long time ago. Rather than finding a low-profile carburetor, some idiot felt it was better to heighten the hood scoop. Getting this hood scoop back to original sleek configuration took a lot of artistic body work (Danny Kurtz) and wampum!
Callouts of Venus features on the friction toys. Toys, Friction, Packard, Toy Car, Buick, Bumpers
Toys
Friction
Packard
Toy Car
Buick
Bumpers
Callouts of Venus features on the friction toys.
Three Nomura friction toys of the Venus, front view. I have original boxes for all three of these. The light-blue version was the hardest to find; took years for one to come along. These are now very expensive collector items! Models, Pedal Cars, Toy Pedal Cars, Toy Plane, Car Model, Car Soap
Models
Pedal Cars
Toy Pedal Cars
Toy Plane
Car Model
Car Soap
Three Nomura friction toys of the Venus, front view. I have original boxes for all three of these. The light-blue version was the hardest to find; took years for one to come along. These are now very expensive collector items!
Three distinct tin-toy friction cars of the Venus were made by Nomura of Japan. In this rear view, you can clearly see the design elements of the rear deck. Tin Toys, Toy, Tin, Rear View
Tin Toys
Toy
Tin
Rear View
Three distinct tin-toy friction cars of the Venus were made by Nomura of Japan. In this rear view, you can clearly see the design elements of the rear deck.
Pulling Venus #2 (winch) into the enclosed trailer. Winch
Winch
Pulling Venus #2 (winch) into the enclosed trailer.
Sean McLoad pressure washing the hood. Pressure Washing, Pressure, Hood
Pressure Washing
Pressure
Hood
Sean McLoad pressure washing the hood.
A quick pressure wash of Venus #2. Note how high the front suspension sits without weight of engine. Engineering, Weight, Quick
Engineering
Weight
Quick
A quick pressure wash of Venus #2. Note how high the front suspension sits without weight of engine.
Jack Kovar (left) and Patrick McLoad on day of Venus #2 load-out Patrick, Spaces, Favorite, Favorite Places
Patrick
Spaces
Favorite
Favorite Places
Jack Kovar (left) and Patrick McLoad on day of Venus #2 load-out
Venus #2 as found. Hood scoop in perfect shape. Has '55 Chevy grille, front bumperettes, and a couple of extra fog lights. Note the emblem and metal piece surrounding the grille. Lights, Metal, 55 Chevy, Chevy, Fog, Grilles
Lights
Metal
55 Chevy
Chevy
Fog
Grilles
Venus #2 as found. Hood scoop in perfect shape. Has '55 Chevy grille, front bumperettes, and a couple of extra fog lights. Note the emblem and metal piece surrounding the grille.
This is Venus #2, recently obtained from Jack Kovar who owned this car for about 30 years. It had never been worked on, and is exactly as he bought it. This Venus is complete body-wise (doors and external hinges), however is missing the engine and transmission. This is the SAME Venus as the one with the Continental kit. Hinges, External
Hinges
External
This is Venus #2, recently obtained from Jack Kovar who owned this car for about 30 years. It had never been worked on, and is exactly as he bought it. This Venus is complete body-wise (doors and external hinges), however is missing the engine and transmission. This is the SAME Venus as the one with the Continental kit.
This is the Venus with Continental kit in our garage, post-Hurricaine Carla. The strip of tape at the rear wheel indicates flood water level (we lived 3 houses down from Sims Bayou in Garden Villas subdivision, near Hobby airport). This Venus does still exist, only one of two. Garages, Water, Flood, Bayou, Subdivision, Wheel, Garden Villa
Garages
Water
Flood
Bayou
Subdivision
Wheel
Garden Villa
This is the Venus with Continental kit in our garage, post-Hurricaine Carla. The strip of tape at the rear wheel indicates flood water level (we lived 3 houses down from Sims Bayou in Garden Villas subdivision, near Hobby airport). This Venus does still exist, only one of two.
The original venus "plug" (or master) has been sprayed with release compound. From here, multiple layers of fiberglass cloth are wetted with epoxy resin and laid onto this body. When fully dried, the fiberglass is lifted off; turned upside down, and becomes a mold to make more Venus bodies. This original master has probably been destroyed by now. Resin, Plugs, Spray, Turn Ons, Destroyed, Release, Epoxy Resin
Resin
Plugs
Spray
Turn Ons
Destroyed
Release
Epoxy Resin
The original venus "plug" (or master) has been sprayed with release compound. From here, multiple layers of fiberglass cloth are wetted with epoxy resin and laid onto this body. When fully dried, the fiberglass is lifted off; turned upside down, and becomes a mold to make more Venus bodies. This original master has probably been destroyed by now.