History BILL….SMITH’S....ROADSTER

Understandable. Looking forward to seeing what they look like.

 

O, I get it NOW..yer da boss, > an opinions no longer wanted or appreciated.. got it !!!!

 

Nope. Austinrod is the boss on this one, and he has been trying to return the car closer to its look as conceived by Mr. Smith. Why tell him to reinstall the Ford bumpers when he is obviously working toward recreating the period nerf bars?

 

because he is asking opinions, and cars evolve, just like the likes of people.
the bumpers, IMO looks a lot better than the nerf bars..
I feel the two-tone red paint looks great. why take it apart just because you can..
And I am from a nerf bar generation.
Cars come apart so darn E Z and take so long to get back together, Ask me how I know....
I am just encouraging him to drive it and have FUN...

studying the pictures, It look like there was never clear coat put on fenders,, Is that a possibility ? With clear coat the fenders would "POP"

 

Thanks guys yes I’m trying too have it pretty close too how it was


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I didn't even notice that mismatch until you pointed it out. You will have a very hard time getting a fender respray to match the rest of the car. In my personal opinion, I'd keep it just like it is, or paint it...

...one of those colors to return it to its original form. The red looks good but those soft pastels really suit it with all the chrome and the whitewalls. Once you pull the fenders off, it's not a lot more work to pull a roadster completely apart.

 

TOMMY THE GREEK striped wheel cover done in 57/58
By the man himself will soon go back on the Roadster



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New red shocks on in back
I know the angle is wonky but that’s how it was done in 55



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Bill Smith just sent me the original shift knobs from
56 & 57 years yahoo!!!!
You can see one of them in the pictures below







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Passed away in 2002


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So this is what the original wheel cover looks like on the Roadster it will look better once nerf bars are installed.
Only problem I have are the 560 tires on it are too small and too much movement about 2” every direction.
So I might have too get 670 tires unless someone has an idea about fillling the space.



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At the T-bird resto place I used to work at, we would always have to source a fairly worn 6.70-15" bias tire to put in a '56 T-bird Continental kit, it was the only one that would fit. A new tire would never quite close and a size smaller was too small. It was an issue.

Honestly though, if I had something with original Tommy the Greek pinstriping on it, I'd hang it up like artwork in a safe space and not risk damage to it. Perhaps you could source another blank spare tire cover and have a local pinstriper recreate the pattern on it and keep the original in a safe spot. That way you could also change the background color to white for now, which would match the current red paint job better.

I love the history of that particular piece but I don't think I would use it like that, and the colors don't really match the current paint anyway. If the car got repainted to the original color I might think differently.

 

Good point


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Are you still on this? Just because you can't finish a project doesn't mean Austinrod can't. Looks like the car is in good hands to me.

 

you MIGHT be Right,,,,,,,,Life happens,,,, keep smilin'

I really really Want to finish a project.

MY plan and GOD's plan, guess my plan don't count....?

 

What about a 640-15 tire? 27.30” OD.


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NOTICE ANYTHING ABOUT THIS COLOR COMBINATION ?

 

Framed the AUTO MECHANICS April 1957 issue






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All the centerfolds I found of Bill Smith’s 34 so far



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these parts were painted 2 hours apart with same paint mix.......Red is TUFF

 

Getting nerf bars made there not like the original ones because those materials are hard too source.
They are a little bit bigger too




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Nerf bars are on still need too get them polished or chromed





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...I really like threads like this...it's good for the Heart...fantastic return to the Yesteryear @Austinrod

 

I guess nerfs like the originals would be okay, but I just can't get the image of how good your car would look with a pair of '41 Lincoln bumpers - appropriately sectioned and fitted, of course - would look on your car. But then...I never was much of a nerf bar fan except on track roadsters...

 

I HAVE NEVER seen a car enhanced by having spotlights installed. again..I say..
I think the reason customs had spotlights was to light up the straight sections of the road where the HOT RODS could race at night. ( Illegally)
And so do-dads could be sold by J.C. Whitey

 

Red lacquer



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@Austinrod Looking back at the Original Nerf Bumpers in the Magazine I'm on the fence with these...Reading into your talk of the New Nerf setup being all you could come up with mechanically on short notice.

Is it material or process that has become hard to find?

I am not against a mans right to change whatever they feel might benefit as in if it's better visually and fits with the period why not...Whats your opinion? I haven't seen a full on 3/4 from the front.

The Garage shot color looks better to this pic above as it is a bit Overexposed and you lose something there too.

I know your working on a hardcover replacement for the spare...

All this above regarding the Nerfs may change with Shine and New Pics and Angles so I always look forward to the next rung on the ladder knowing full well how much you respect it's former Heyday...

 

Since it’s rainy season I made a quickie poncho for the roadster



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I'm in with the crowd who are seeing the new nerfs as a bit ham-handed.

The new ones look well made and will likely provide more protection than the originals but, aesthetically, they miss the mark.

If you do have plans to reproduce the look of the original nerfs in the future, you have my complete support.

Take my musings for what they're worth, and---no matter what--- keep enjoying this great machine!

 

Bill Smith @

1983 Nostalgia Nationals - Baylands Raceway Park - Fremont California





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