The Jalopy Journal

**Ryan** · 12-14-2009, 10:22 AM

Almost a year ago, I got an email from Tom King. I didn't recognize the name, but I recognized the scans of vintage ads that were attached to the email. See, Tom King was the inventor of the King Shifter and his ads were found all over hot rod public...

To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

**Ryan** · 12-14-2009, 10:25 AM

Tom King also sent along his life story. Much of it isn't related at all to hot rodding, so I didn't include it in the article. However, I can't resist including it here as it's just damned entertaining... Enjoy:

Quote:

Removed at the request of Tom.

BCR · 12-14-2009, 10:28 AM

That is a great story! Can't wait to see the new shifter.

hugh m · 12-14-2009, 10:49 AM

Great story, now go call your kids.

olskoolspeed · 12-14-2009, 10:50 AM

Interesting piece of history. Thanks for posting.

Strange Agent · 12-14-2009, 10:54 AM

Wow. That's a really cool piece of hot rodding history.

333 Half Evil · 12-14-2009, 10:54 AM

Man, this guy has had a busy life. What an interesting read. I've seen old ads for the "King Shifter", it is cool to now read this. Thanks Ryan for sharing.

**onedge** · 12-14-2009, 11:26 AM

good one, thanks for the read.

DaveInc · 12-14-2009, 11:45 AM

It does sound like a good book will come out of this, and possibly a movie!
Thanks for sharing.

Lucky Burton · 12-14-2009, 12:38 PM

Strangely I find myself wanting more... Fill in the blanks ya know?
I would buy his book...Lucky

autobilly · 12-14-2009, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCR

That is a great story! Can't wait to see the new shifter.

Looks like a bunch of new shifter assemblies with extension housings and trans stuff behind his coupe in the "nerf bar pic".

fuel10922 · 12-14-2009, 03:52 PM

This is one of the years best! Makes you wonder where Hurst would be if Mr. King would have stayed in the shifter business?

1935Ron · 12-14-2009, 04:57 PM

Very cool,,, !

Shamus · 12-14-2009, 05:34 PM

Tell me more about being the leader of an elite Special Forces Team at such a young age.

autobilly · 12-14-2009, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shamus

Tell me more about being the leader of an elite Special Forces Team at such a young age.

That bit reminds me of the movie A Beautiful Mind.

donnie · 12-14-2009, 09:13 PM

Wow, whats the chances of 2 guys in the same state creating shifters. Good story.

What does it mean that the Cadillac could be "flat shifted" with his shifter?

**Tuck** · 12-15-2009, 12:06 AM

donnie, just like straight line- pull back, push forward, pull back.... 1,2,3d...

burbanite · 12-15-2009, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shamus

Tell me more about being the leader of an elite Special Forces Team at such a young age.

Tell me too...

donnie · 12-15-2009, 07:46 AM

Thanks Tuck
In Line shifters in 1962? cool, I thought they where a late 70s thing.
I see the first add Ryan posted is a reversed K pattern. I have never heard them called a K pattern. All I have heard is H pattern. But I can see why a 3 speed would be called a K.

Bugsy · 12-15-2009, 08:17 AM

This is one of the coolest storys I've read in a long while. What a great bit of hot rodding past and history in general. Only in America!!!!!!!!!!

12-14-2009, 10:22 AM	#1
Ryan Administrator Join Date: Jan 1995 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 13,624	The King Shifter Almost a year ago, I got an email from Tom King. I didn't recognize the name, but I recognized the scans of vintage ads that were attached to the email. See, Tom King was the inventor of the King Shifter and his ads were found all over hot rod public... To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

12-14-2009, 10:28 AM	#3
BCR Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Riga, Kansas Posts: 1,231	Re: The King Shifter That is a great story! Can't wait to see the new shifter. __________________ www.BigCreekRestoration.com GoldChainers CC Flat landers chapter

12-14-2009, 10:49 AM	#4
hugh m Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: ct. Posts: 1,783	Re: The King Shifter Great story, now go call your kids. __________________ www.waterwheelboatcarts.com

12-14-2009, 10:50 AM	#5
olskoolspeed Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 428	Re: The King Shifter Interesting piece of history. Thanks for posting.

12-14-2009, 10:54 AM	#6
Strange Agent Old School HAMBer Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Stephenville, TX Posts: 2,912	Re: The King Shifter Wow. That's a really cool piece of hot rodding history.

12-14-2009, 10:54 AM	#7
333 Half Evil Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: West Olive Mi. Posts: 1,376	Re: The King Shifter Man, this guy has had a busy life. What an interesting read. I've seen old ads for the "King Shifter", it is cool to now read this. Thanks Ryan for sharing. __________________ John "Bogus" Larsen Sr. 01/23/1939 - 07/13/2012 I MISS YOU DAD R.I.P GOODSPEED my friend.

12-14-2009, 11:26 AM	#8
onedge Alliance Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: cream ridge Posts: 987	Re: The King Shifter good one, thanks for the read. __________________ "TOO MUCH BOOGIE WOOGIE"

12-14-2009, 11:45 AM	#9
DaveInc Newbie Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Richmond, Virginia Posts: 68	Re: The King Shifter It does sound like a good book will come out of this, and possibly a movie! Thanks for sharing.

12-14-2009, 12:38 PM	#10
Lucky Burton Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 1,546	Re: The King Shifter Strangely I find myself wanting more... Fill in the blanks ya know? I would buy his book...Lucky __________________ Lucky's Hot Rod Shop 207 N. Lake st. Burbank, Ca. www.LuckysHotRods.com Sidewinders, Modifiers

12-14-2009, 03:52 PM	#12
fuel10922 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Georgetown, Kentucky Posts: 1,301	Re: The King Shifter This is one of the years best! Makes you wonder where Hurst would be if Mr. King would have stayed in the shifter business? __________________ Rod Kings C.C. Brotherhood of Street Racers (Hot Rod Division)

12-14-2009, 04:57 PM	#13
1935Ron Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New Jersey (refineing country) Posts: 1,285	Re: The King Shifter Very cool,,, !

12-14-2009, 05:34 PM	#14
Shamus Grenade Inspector Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NC Posts: 364	Re: The King Shifter Tell me more about being the leader of an elite Special Forces Team at such a young age.

12-14-2009, 09:13 PM	#16
donnie Grenade Inspector Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NC Posts: 173	Re: The King Shifter Wow, whats the chances of 2 guys in the same state creating shifters. Good story. What does it mean that the Cadillac could be "flat shifted" with his shifter?

12-15-2009, 12:06 AM	#17
Tuck Tech Editor Join Date: May 2001 Location: Hollywood Posts: 4,855	Re: The King Shifter donnie, just like straight line- pull back, push forward, pull back.... 1,2,3d... __________________ *UPDATES HERE!*

12-15-2009, 07:46 AM	#19
donnie Grenade Inspector Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NC Posts: 173	Re: The King Shifter Thanks Tuck In Line shifters in 1962? cool, I thought they where a late 70s thing. I see the first add Ryan posted is a reversed K pattern. I have never heard them called a K pattern. All I have heard is H pattern. But I can see why a 3 speed would be called a K.

12-15-2009, 08:17 AM	#20
Bugsy Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 820	Re: The King Shifter This is one of the coolest storys I've read in a long while. What a great bit of hot rodding past and history in general. Only in America!!!!!!!!!! __________________ The "Dust Bowl Spl." http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=681152

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