Hot Rods Gray Baskerville 1932 Ford Roadster. Any info on the details?

Been reading a lot lately about the Baskerville 32 Roadster. One of the articles I read mentioned it had a Model A windshield but I'm not seeing it.

Also, it had that funky aluminum air cleaner lid that looked like an upside down sombrero. Where did that come from?

One article said it was painted in 75 Mustang red. Is that true?

I think that's a stock height headlight bar but I'm not sure what lights he's running. Thoughts?

Anyone know any of the interesting little details on it? Just curious about such a cool little car.

Thanks in advance.

-Ron

 

I remember when he had it entered in the 50th Grand National Roadster Show at the Cow Palace in 1999. When he showed up, they wouldn't let it in the door because of the primer spots. He was pissed !!!!!!

 

The current care taker is Jim Shelton.

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The air cleaner looks like a spun aluminum one-off.

 

Find a copy of R&C with the '32 roadsters rod test. Exact issue escapes we right now but it was either '73 or '74.

 

A local guy who grew up in the LA area told me a friend of his owned the car before Gray made it famous. I don't know the details of who did what to the car or when, but it sure is a nice '32. Bob

 

Paul Horning built the car with an Olds in it, and it became Gray’s after Horning died in an accident.
Ron, from appearances that looks like the small block that Gray built with an eye toward clean emissions, good gas mileage and street performance all rolled into one.

 

Pete & Jake's did a refresh on the car in the mid 70's. There's been write ups on in Rod & Custom with the full history.

 

Here’s an old article on it
https://www.google.com/amp/www.hotrod.com/articles/0309sr-1932-gray-baskerville-ford-roadster/amp/


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Why have the primer patches never been sprayed out in top coat? Just looks unfinished to me.
I remember seeing the car at the Deuce 75th anniversary at the GNRS.

 

Once its finished, it no longer has potential ..... not my quote. Gray maybe. Bill Burnum???

 

Because Gray ran it that way. Since he passed it has been preserved the way he ran it.

 

I think I figured out the air cleaner lid. Looks like a MOON turbine wheel cover flipped upside down. Ha!

 

The Car is synonymous with the word "driver". I believe those primer spots were the results of the Car's daily driver status. And Yes, it is finished!!!

 

Back up for the evening crowd.

 

Saw the car at the Nugget in West Wendover during speed week. Primer spots and all. To a East coast kid it was reet! Miss ol dad.

 

It was never that clean when Gray had it, it was usually covered with LA smog "fallout" and the paint was pretty well oxidized. Gray parked it in "the pit" at Petersen a lot, outside and unprotected from the elements. It was truly a daily driver for him, and how he loved that car.

 

One of my favorite deuce roadsters. HRM hasn’t been the same without Gray’s crazy writing style and enthusiasm.


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why try to improve a beauty like that with all of the history connected to it and "Dad"

 

For years, Hot Rod came in the mailbox every month. And then he was gone. Love this car, and a the fun and good times it stands for.

 

Were it all colour coordinated it would become an almost faceless 32 roadster (another red 32.) As it is and will always be a memory of "Dad" , a time capsule of his passion .

 

I believe the primered fenders kept Gray and the Roadster out of the LARS one year, and he left them that way as a reminder. Bob

 

I was at SoCal Las Vegas a while back and Ol' Dad's deuce was sitting on the showroom floor. I asked what it was doing there and the counter man casually replied "leaking oil I believe". If Gray had been there and said that, I am sure the statement would have been followed by that marvelous cackle of his. One of the replies in this thread mentioned his penchant for fun. Many years ago I was at El Mirage and saw Ganahl sitting on the tail gate of his '56, fiddling with his camera. This was when they were both working at Peterson. I asked him where Gray was and he pointed at the course. Sure enough, there's Gray standing 10 feet from the center of he course taking pictures as the cars are entering the lights. I looked at Pat, he shrugs his shoulders and said "He's braver than I am" If there was an event we were both attending, we always managed to laugh and swap lies if only for a few minutes. Every time I see that patchwork red roadster, I have bittersweet thought, glad the car is still around to remind us (Thank you Mr. Sheldon!) and sad because Ol' Dad isn't behind the wheel. I'm sure that I am not alone with those feelings.

 

One of the true "characters" of the hobby! His writing was always a fun read and the stories about him we're always about him having fun, That's what I miss. 'Ol Dad even had his own vocabulary!! The Roadster perfectly embodies That, Thanks for preserving it.

 

To even consider painting that car would be a crime. That car, lumps, bumps, primer spots and all, is a living embodiment of a rodding life well lived.

Gray was a great cheerleader for the hobby. Someone who entertained, informed, and reminded everyone not to take things too seriously - that it was all about fun with cars.

I wonder how many miles he rolled on those steelies over its decades on the street?

I think a testament to Gray was that although I never met the man, I was deeply saddened by his passing. I think many felt that way. Hats off to the Shelton's for understanding and preserving that car as it was.

(Thanks Ol'Dad . . It really is Sooo Bitchin!)

 

@Boatmark I can only echo your sentiments

Gray's writings were lyrical, humorous and very descriptive all at the same time.

I often wonder what Rodders Journal would be like if he was a contributor, or Hop Up, for that matter

 

I see it tooling around Boulder City maybe 1-2 times a year.

It's an icon of our hobby/lifestyle.

 

It is in the best hands it could possibly be in. Jim is the perfect caretaker.

Mick

 

Always enjoyed his articles and stories.He is sure missed here.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

 

Ol Dad and his roadster is what attracted me to this hobby. Mr. Shelton thanks for taking care of the roadster as you have. A lot of us will never be able to see this hot rod and would appreciate photo of it in something like a build thread. Better close ups if you will. A you tube video would be great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks again........