Betty Skelton Passed

[Steven B.]

From the NCM:

Hall of Famer Betty Skelton Passes

Corvette Hall of Fame inductee Betty Skelton Erde lived in the fast lane most of her life, setting speed records both on the ground and in the air. A resident of The Villages, FL, she earned the nickname "First Lady of Firsts", setting many records and being the first female test driver in the auto industry.
Betty was inducted into the Corvette Hall of Fame in 2001, and passed away at the age of 85 at her home on August 31.

[Bob H.]

Re: Betty Skelton Passed

would loved to have met her.

Orlando Sentinel Sept 6th:

Betty Skelton grew up in the fast lane and lived there most of her life.

She set speed records on the ground and in the air. In between, she piloted a stunt boat at Cypress Gardens and tried sky diving.

Skelton died Aug. 31. She was 85.

She was born in Pensacola and formerly lived in Winter Haven, but Skelton had lived in The Villages since marrying Dr. Allan Erde, a retired Navy surgeon, in 2005. Her first husband, Donald A. Frankman, a Hollywood director and producer and Navy veteran, died in 2001.

Video: Japan: Six months after quake NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. asked Skelton to fly some drivers from Pennsylvania to North Carolina and they became friends.

France invited her to Daytona Beach during Speed Weeks in 1954 where she drove the pace car before climbing in a Dodge sedan and setting a stock car speed record for women at almost 106 mph.

Soon she became the first female test driver in the auto industry, working for Chrysler's Dodge division.

In 1959 she became the first woman to undergo NASA'sgtaylor@tribune.com or 407-391-9681Orlando Sentinel
os-obit-betty-skelton-erde-20110906

[Greg M.]

Re: Betty Skelton Passed

Those attending the Straight Axle Club National Convention in Kissimmee this passed January, right after the NCRS Regionals, had the opportunity to meet her. After touring the Garlit's Museum, we shared a lunch with her at the local country club. Several pictures from her past experiences were shown on a projection screen and she gave a very nice presentation. She will truely be missed!

Greg

[Dana B.]

Re: Betty Skelton Passed

Yes, she will be missed.
I met her in '01 at the Corvette Museum.
This was her CM induction into the hall of fame.
I brought a tribute ,1956 Daytona pace car in her honor.
She enjoyed driving my tribute car,and had fond memories of the flying mile with Duntov and Fitch.
http://www.corvettemuseum.com/labor_...01/sun-3.shtml

[Michael F.]

Re: Betty Skelton Passed

I never heard of her and it appears that is my loss, I do however pray for her family and those who were fortunate to have know her, may she rest in peace.

[Jim B.]

Re: Betty Skelton Passed

[John N.]

Re: Betty Skelton Passed

Sally and I took 2 SR cars to the NCM for the Betty Skelton induction into the Corvette Hall of Fame display. Below are three pictures of Betty with the 1956 Sebring Corvette. The 1956 Factory SR car is in the background on the first picture.









Below is the display board that was used.



This is a picture of Sally and my youngest son, Matt



Bill Locke and the Florida Chapter had Betty and her husband at the NCRS meet for many years.

I believe she picked up a new Corvette at the time of induction.

She also worked for Campbell Ewald (Ad company for Chevrolet).

At Sebring in 1956, she was assigned guard duty on the factory cars. She started to run off Ed Cole who was hanging around the cars! (She had not met him before).

You could listen to Betty's life stories for hours or days and enjoy.

A life well lived!!!!!

Regards.

[Bruce B.]

Re: Betty Skelton Passed

John,

Thanks for the great pictures,

Bruce B