John von Neumann

16/12/1921 - 23/12/2003

Record updated

John von Neumann may never have achieved the national or international notoriety awarded John Fitch, Carroll Shelby, Briggs Cunningham, Phil Hill or the many other speedy contemporaries representing racings Golden Age. Instead, von Neumann will undoubtedly remain as one of the few eminent individuals whose business sense and direct involvement in racing, especially on the West Coast, were the main catalysts sparking the unprecedented growth of imported sports car racing following Americas emergence from the World War II. Born just a few years following the worlds first global conflict in Vienna, Austria, von Neumann spent many hours of his adolescence satisfying his voracious appetite for the automobile at Max Hoffmans showroom, also of Vienna. With Europe on the brink of another world war, the von Neumann familys affluence enabled them to escape the tense environment and migrate to America in 1939, setting up shop in New York City. A couple years later following the 'day of Infamy' (December 7th, 1941), the U.S. Army was von Neumanns new home, and his overseas duties afforded him the opportunity to experience Germanys outstanding transportation engineering first hand, especially the very reliable vehicles manufactured by Volkswagen works. With the war over, it didnt take von Neumann long to trade the hustle and bustle of college life at NYCs New York University for the University of Southern California, Los Angeles wide boulevards, and the Golden States milder weather. And while Southern California was incubating the Hot-Rod as a future American icon, California was also witnessing great growth in the sports car arena as well. Weaned on a love for foreign badging, von Neumann, after a few trades, was not only gathering with other area enthusiasts with his Jaguar SS100, but more importantly, joined Roger Barlow of Roger Barlows International Motors, and Taylor Lucus to form the California Sports Car Club. At the clubs first organized outing at Palos Verdes on August 31, 1947, von Neumanns SS100 posted the fastest timed lap. What could be perceived as the next logical step, von Neumann found himself selling Healeys, MGs, Jags, and other badges for Roger Barlows Intl Motors. And what may have been interpreted as mismanagement at the top, von Neumann left Barlow Motors to capitalize on its customer service shortcomings, and, to fill that void, started Competition Motors, an automotive service shop in North Hollywood. Competition Motors began selling MGs as a sub-dealer through Barlow as well. To advertise his companys preparation abilities, he began racing an MG TD, von Neumannn had raced a TC since 48. Never resting on his laurels, von Neumann would additionally add the two German marques, Porsche and Volkswagen, to his newly formed Competition Motors Distributors, Inc. in 1952. To build awareness for the Porsche, von Neumann repeated his MG 'formula of success' by racing Porsches between 52-54, and then kept Porsche a winning marque by hiring West Coast racing star, Ken Miles for the 56 season. Married to Eleanor Bigelow, and adopting her daughter, Josie, all were involved in the business. In fact, Josie regularly joined John on the race circuit, actively competing in main events and was the first woman to be licensed by the United State Automobile Club. As business flourished, John found himself enjoying the view from his very first Ferrari, a Ferrari 500 Mondial, capturing a second-place in class at Palm Springs in 54. He would never look back as the Ferrari became his weapon of choice on the racetrack. In 1957, a Ferrari showroom was added. With business continuing to grow, commitment and time restraints forced the end of von Neumanns racing career seemingly when many of his peers were heading to the next plateau. His decade plus of mostly West Coast racing exploits might have ended at Valle de Bravo in Mexico City in 59, but his legacy to the sport would not be his laundry list of successful accomplishments on the track, but his interminable zeal to promote the sports car as a racing platform and bring it to the forefront of racing. Competition Motors continued to prosper as Von Neumann returned to Europe and partner, Sam Weill, now elevated to president, ran the company. John von Neumann sold out to Porsche and Volkswagen in 71, but never lost his love for the automobile. He continued into old age enjoying the good life, and for the most part, from behind the wheels of one of his Ferraris. Sadly, his ride through life ended on Christmas Eve, 2003.