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RE: World Wide Imports

To: "'SDviewpnt@aol.com'" <SDviewpnt@aol.com>, morgans@autox.team.net
Subject: RE: World Wide Imports
From: "Willburn, Gerry" <Gerry.Willburn@trw.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1999 11:19:58 -0800
Worldwide Imports (and it's derivatives) was the West Coast MORGAN
Distributor (Fergus was East Coast).

Angell Motors, Pasadena was the dealer in the until about March 1953.
Cavalier Motors, Los Angeles was the dealer from Jan 1953 until mid 1954.

In 1955 Worldwide Motors entered the scene.  Our 1955 DHC (3174) was one of
the first cars imported by Worldwide (11 Jan 1955).  Worldwide (Rene'
Pelendini)  became a distributor and had several dealers in the late 50's
and early 60's  During this period, Lew Spencer began driving Rene's Race
Car and started the Baby Doll series (I through III).Rene' was also the AC
distributor during this period and Lew also drove Rene's AC.

Late in 1961 Worldwide was sold by Rene' to Lew and the distributorship
became Lew Spencer Imports (Spencer's Spensive Imports). Lew continued to
race MORGANs (Baby Dolls IV and V).  About the beginning of 1965 the
distributorship was bought by Ruel Sutton and Gordon Pflug and the name
changed (logically) to Sutton & Pflug.  Lew went off to Shelby's Cobra
empire.  In the middle of 1967 Gordon left the firm and it became Sutton
Motor Imports.

When MORGAN withdrew from the U.S. market in 1968, Sutton Motor Imports
became a dealer in used MORGANs, parts and service. Ruel took on one of his
salesmen,  Martin Widefield as a partner and the name became Sutton &
Widefield.  After a couple of years Ruel left the firm (and started Robin
Hood Campers) and the name became Widefield Motors.  In the Mid 70's Martin
sold the firm and it became Scarti Motors, still used cars, parts and
service.  Scarti quietly left the scent in the late 70's.  By then, Bill
Fink (ISIS Imports) had managed to get the MORGAN federalized and became the
new U.S. Importer.

I think all of the Worldwide, et.al.. records have long been lost.

Gerry


> -----Original Message-----
> From: SDviewpnt@aol.com [SMTP:SDviewpnt@aol.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 1999 9:58 AM
> To:   morgans@triumph.cs.utah.edu
> Subject:      World Wide Imports
> 
> <<Price sticker for #4484 by World Wide Import in LA to Crane Sports &
> Import
> in
> SF Retail price $3418.00 ($15.00)>>
> 
> What is the history of World Wide Imports?  Since I've not been able to
> find
> them, I assume they are out of business.  Are their records still
> available?
> I would like to research my 1956 Plus 4, chassis #3468.  MMC sent a copy
> of
> the original delivery log and I know the previous owner.  I'd love to fill
> in
> the gaps.
> 
> Best to all,
> Steve Dreiseszun
> (In Sunny Phoenix - Today's high in the 70s)

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