Ran across this while surfing-http://www.356services.com. Click on estate auction. Was this car a 1950 AMBR runner-up, or is there some confusion with the Niekamp roadster? Very nice, but like to have seen it before it was (over)restored. Nice '36, too.
Yeah, I thought that AMBR tie was wrong, too. Strange there was another roadster so similar to the Niekamp car. Even the color looks close. I still wonder how many liberties were taken in the restoration. Sure looks fancy for late 40's-'50.
I was in that club with Dick. It was the NorthBay Rodsters not roadsters, out of Vallejo Ca. Been a long time and I have CRS but I don't remember that windshield or that upholstery and seems to me it was painted a light gold iridescent but that was a long time ago!!!!
Is that an alternator(!) hiding in the underhood pic? If I'd noticed that I'd never have started this thread.
The blue is too blue and the tan is too tan, but man that is a beautiful car. Anybody have any old color pics? If it was gold I bet that looked really cool with all the chrome.
It is a fantastic car I agree the body and interior colours need changing they make it look like a Niekamp roadster wannabe if you look at the second pic from May '51 HRM it has that metallic paint look to it. The windscreen post are visible in both period pics, as was the case back then the windscreen was taken off during shows especially if it was shown in the lakes roadster class.
I love it for it's history and all the work involved. But the front end doesn't look quite right, the headlight placement is really odd. Something about it looks very street-roddish....I dunno. I'd like to see more vintage shots of it.
Great hot rod with great history... I always wondered about the front suspension, very interesting.....
Yeah, that rocking spring shackle/shock mount is something I've never seen. Don't see why it wouldn't work though. Any thoughts on that??
I noticed that it is now in Hemmings Motor news for sale. The King roadster spent part of its life in the Reno area. During that time a couple of my friends owned it. I had a lot of fun in that car. R&C published a letter I wrote to them after it appeared in '93 about my experiences with it. It looks to me that the cowl area was changed in the last "restoration". The cowl line is now gone. I have attached a photo of it as it looked in the late '50's to early '70's time period.
Hey this is an old thread but I thought I’d post sone pictures of the King roadster to show its evolution from 1947-1951 timeframe. The Martins were members of the Northbay Roadsters in Vallejo at the time and their club worked on the car for the Oakland Roadster show. The Martins are friends of mine and have these photos hanging on the wall of Kyle Martin’s shop.
Just does nothing for me. That windshield is awful. Not a fan of the nerf bars & head lights either. Just my opinion, not that anyone cares. We are the same age though.
@proartguy posted this in thumbnail and I really like this version It's interesting that this is a standalone look with a different windshield to all the others an the interior has a nice period vibe to it as well. @proartguy do you know when this pic was taken? It matches @OldRacer's description. It just goes to show surviving doesn't mean complimentary survival albiet I have seen far worse post Hamb period transitions. Credit to Photographer, Owner
Some from Cal-Neva dry lakes I have these in my Collection, they were from Dick King's estate. & finally an illustration I did.
Cool hot rod! Would probably look better if it was painted and upholstered more subtle colors, like the Niekamp roadster for example. Is the windshield made from later 1930's coupe windshield pieces?
Regarding the high headlights and nerf bar....I remember California had bumper and headlight height laws. The officials regarded hot rodders as dangerous, street racing misfits and would enforce the tough equipment laws in a heartbeat. I believe the legal headlight height was 24" from the ground.
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