I think I first saw the "Norman Timbs Buick Special" in an Almquist catalog, but recently stumbled across a feature in the October, 1949 issue of MotorTrend Magazine... <BR><BR>To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.
I'm not positive it's the same car , if not very similar . I could have bought it from a guy I know about 10 years ago , I think he wanted $15,000 for it at the time . You can see it in the Nicolas Cage version of Gone in 60 seconds right outside Robert Duvall's shop in bare aluminum . Take a look and let me know if it's the same , we were curious about the history of it and I can let my friend that had it know what the story was .
More positive proof that something was in the water back in the early 50's! I can't imagine how much time it took to form those panels. Body still looks to be in great shape...interesting project car to say the least. Looks as if it may go faster in reverse! Here is a link to the article in a magazine: Click here (scroll down 10 articles) Patrick
Not sure if I really like it but I can certainly appreciate it. From the front it has got sort of a carp thing going on. Back end is great. Do you know of any of the details of where it was found or how it was identified?
This a very interesting car that is being restored by Dave Crouse and his team at Custom Auto in Lovelan, CO. (Ithink I have even posted pics of this car before). Supposedly it is based on one of the Audi streamliners. You can see some of the pics here or go to my picture site at http://homepage.mac.com/mrakdesign/PhotoAlbum5.html. You can also see the progress on this car at http://realhotrods.com/index.asp?fuseaction=carsprogress02 Also Jake is on here sometimes ad can illuminate some on this car. Sorry for scooping you Ryan, but this fine car has been in the works for a while.
Awesome!!!! Scooping is encouraged around here! Are you the same guy that sent me the restoration photos?
Don't think so, but I have put these pics up here a couple of times, mostly in threads based around the Audi and Auto Union cars that it is based on. I saw it in June 06 at Custom Auto, right after the Goodguys show in Loveland, it was in pieces then. Now it looks as if the chassis and body are ready to go together. Jake Yenny (oldneb5window) is a member here, though he doesn't post that much, and he is one of the main guys over at Custom Auto (a great guy and awesome builder one top of that). There are a couple more pics of the shop over on my pic site. Those guys build amazing cars. Henry Astor's new 32 roadster are amazing, and I have driven Henry's sedan and can attest to their excellent build. Just wish that I had the money for Jake's 27 modified, it is a great car. Can't wait to see some more updates.
Well t t t timing is everything. We just finished a whole article about The Timbs Special in the NEW Hop UP vol. 9. (Pick one up at the GNRS or on the website www.hopupmag.com)
Great to see som emore update photos of the car and its chassie... Amazing stuf. Thanks for sharing This will be so cool to see driving down the road again.
I just took a look at Custom Auto's website and was surprised to see a couple of Dave Duthu cars there, especially his Chet Herbert Beast IV Streamliner. Dave is a friend of mine and I'd heard about the Bonneville racer he bought, but had not seen any photos. He also has a saltflat bellytank racer that he says will remain unrestored, as well as a bunch of other cars that include a Bugatti 35 and 37. Dave owns a little shop here in Houston, Lone Star Vintage Restoration. I'd love to take the Venus to those guys in CO for final paint and for mounting the body (and a couple other things). Thanks for posting. Patrick
Styling looks very much like a '30's, art deco, cast aluminium, styalised roadster ornament that I have. You may have seen them, they were fairly common at the time.
I'm trying to picture how eloquently (ungainly) the woman in the dress would appear attempting to enter and exit the car with that dress and high heels...
All due respect for it's history and tradition, but that thing is kinda ugly. The cockpit being so far forward really throws the proportions off.
Y'know, looking at these early pics makes me realize there were a helluva lot of super talented aluminum body builders back in the day... Who were these guys? .... Rickster, got any info? Valley did aluminum bodies, didn't they?
Just a little more info on the Timbs Special the car had independant rear end. you have to realy like your passenger due to the seat arangment. and the color was a dark gold metalic maroon. the car is in primer now and the car runs great we test dorve it before the body went on. hopefully the car will be completed soon. It has definatly been a diffrent car to work on and interesting to restore and be able to trace some of t he cars history and the men who worked on it. If I can figure out the picture posting i will try to post some diffrent shots of the car. Rex Rogers