Michael Umansky
Guest Columnist
Cannonball Baker
Michael Umansky - Guest Columnist: Cannonball Baker.
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Michael Umansky is a lifelong automotive enthusiast with a passion for cars of all makes, models and eras. His hobby business, Classically Driven, started 15 years ago by selling a few older car brochures online as a creative way to help cover the cost of University. Since that time, he has sold thousands of unique, original pieces to collectors in more than 50 countries. Michael primarily trades in original sales literature, badges & emblems, vintage photographs, posters and design studioadvertising agency concept art. He’s always looking for unique, one-of-a-kind items and to connect with fellow enthusiasts. ClassicallyDriven.com, [email protected]
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Some of Michael Umansky's articles:
Cannon ball Baker Document Collection: Issue #8 Nov/Dec 2019
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In early motor racing, few personalities made a greater impact than the larger-than-life Erwin George “Cannon Ball” Baker. Best known today as the namesake inspiration for Brock Yate’s Cannon Ball Run. Baker in his day was a highly accomplished racing driver, famous for setting over 140 car and motorcycle point-to-point speed records.
A master promoter, many manufacturers took Baker up on his “no record, no pay” guarantee and hired him to set records and win publicity for their vehicles. It’s in this context that Baker formed a lifelong professional relationship (and apparent personal friendship) with automotive executive Jim Watson. |