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History Gratiot Auto Supplys "Li'l Billy", a.k.a. "The Bear" The REAL Story!

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Harms Way, Jun 21, 2011.

  1. Harms Way
    Joined: Nov 27, 2005
    Posts: 6,894

    Harms Way
    Member

    From the cockpit,....[​IMG]
     
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  2. 296ardun
    Joined: Feb 11, 2009
    Posts: 4,673

    296ardun
    Member

    Thanks for posting, look forward to more...
     
  3. No disrespect intended to Angelo nor was I implying he was dishonest with the history/build of Lil' Billy.

    I just find it funny Pauly was so dead certain of the history even in the face of factual information been found pertaining to the roadsters pre Angelo days.



    Great post btw! :cool:
     
  4. Harms Way
    Joined: Nov 27, 2005
    Posts: 6,894

    Harms Way
    Member

    I agree with your post totally,... and don't think it was being disrespectful to anyone. It was more in reference to the other threads on this car and some folks getting there knickers in a bunch.:cool:

    I truly hope the information in this thread is taken to heart,.. and history corrected,.... "credit where credit is due".
     
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  5. Harms Way
    Joined: Nov 27, 2005
    Posts: 6,894

    Harms Way
    Member

    Well,.. It looks like this thread is dieing on the vine a little,... I thought it would cause a little more stir,:cool:, considering the controversy and mass appeal of this car.
    Anyway, Just to put it to bed without any question, Here is one of the "Nail in the coffin" pictures to remove any doubt. Bob did a really nice job on this little roadster,... And I think he deserves the credit he should have gotten for the past 50 years.

    Good job Bob !

    [​IMG]
     
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  6. Mattbee
    Joined: Feb 5, 2010
    Posts: 1,161

    Mattbee
    Member

    WOW! Great history and Pictures!
     
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  7. hlfuzzball
    Joined: Jan 27, 2005
    Posts: 215

    hlfuzzball
    Member
    from Michigan

    So who did the aluminum work ?
     
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  8. Harms Way
    Joined: Nov 27, 2005
    Posts: 6,894

    Harms Way
    Member

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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  9. Damn cool T...



    Thanks for posting!
     
  10. Harms Way
    Joined: Nov 27, 2005
    Posts: 6,894

    Harms Way
    Member

    Hoe do you guys like this one ? (on it way to the drag strip)

    [​IMG]
     
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  11. nowaxn5
    Joined: Apr 15, 2007
    Posts: 818

    nowaxn5
    Member

    Awesome. I just love to see these old pics guys took of their cars at home. Just a run of the mill neighborhood.
     
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  12. Ron Mayes
    Joined: Mar 24, 2006
    Posts: 708

    Ron Mayes
    Member

    I think Dave Crane has the rear end out of this car !!!
     
  13. Harms Way
    Joined: Nov 27, 2005
    Posts: 6,894

    Harms Way
    Member

    Dave's got some really cool stuff,..( I mean like,.. the coolest :cool: daddy-o) And we have talked about this car,... I really don't think he does,.. But I'll have to give him a call.

    Some of Dave's stuff,...
    (Wally, who is on the HAMB, let's Dave dust off the Puffer for him, Both great guys, and I am proud to call them both friends,.. Walts Puffer looks great with this collection,... no better place on earth for it.)
    [​IMG]

    Now back to Bob Tamplin's old drag car !
    :D
     
    Last edited: Sep 14, 2011
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  14. Harms Way
    Joined: Nov 27, 2005
    Posts: 6,894

    Harms Way
    Member

    Couple more pictures from when Angelo had it.
     

    Attached Files:

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  15. -Brent-
    Joined: Nov 20, 2006
    Posts: 7,349

    -Brent-
    Member

    The Hemi/wire wheel version is a hotrod I'd love to hit the strip with. The car looks flat-out intimidating. The "trumpeted" exhausts in the later version are very cool, as well.

    How'd this car do at the track?
     
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  16. Harms Way
    Joined: Nov 27, 2005
    Posts: 6,894

    Harms Way
    Member

    When originally built and ran,.. Bob said it liked to get "Good and sideways!" if you let it get away,....You had to drive every inch of the ol' 1320.
    His fiancé was watching in the bleachers when this happened,.. and that lead to the sale of the car.
     
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  17. I recognize the car...know very little, beyond this thread, about it. Appears to be well built.
     
    Last edited: Oct 16, 2011
  18. So, who did the tin work?
     
  19. Harms Way
    Joined: Nov 27, 2005
    Posts: 6,894

    Harms Way
    Member

    And BTT
     
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  20. ancient history time! the question still remains "is bear/lil billy" T roadster still around???
    Curt R
     
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