Hot Rods The Howerton & Moal Tulsa Roadster (2019 AMBR Contender)

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Long-time friends Jackie Howerton & Steve Moal have teamed up to build an AMBR contender for car owner Bill Grimsley*.

Here's some photos of the "Howerton & Moal Tulsa Roadster" taken Wednesday morning during the "AMBR Judging":

image by @Brian Brennan



images by (AMBR Judge) @Greg Stokes



images from the Moal Coachbuilders Facebook page
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image by John Gilbert
(from his STREET RODDER "70th GNRS America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Move-in Day" article on the HOT ROD Network)​

... and some photos shot during the Wednesday afternoon/evening "Setup":

images by Brandon Glymph​

* NOTE: @Jive-Bomber Jay featured Bill Grimsley's Moal built "Gatto" in his (December 22nd 2009) The Jalopy Journal Blog entitled: All Aluminum, Hand Built, Ferrari V-12 Powered = Breathtaking.

 

Here's Thom Taylor's interview with Steve Moal & Jackie Howerton today at the GNRS:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=793594567657494

33.5 minute video from The Rodder's Journal Facebook page
(i.e., you may need a Facebook login to view it)
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Here's (Moal Coachbuilders designer) Alberto Hernandez Mendoza's (circa 2012) concept drawings of the "Jackie Howerton Special Racecar":

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Here's a few of my snapshots of the "Howerton~Moal Special" in the MOAL Coachbuilders "corner" at the 2018 Goodguy's West Coast Nationals held at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, CA:

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Here's some photos of the "Howerton & Moal Tulsa Roadster" on display at the 2019 Grand National Roadster Show:

image by @R&C RON Brooks





images by @Greg Stokes


image by @40LUV


image by The Rodder's Journal (@TRJ or @J.Ukrop)








images from the Moal Coachbuilders Facebook page




show cards​

 

'Traditionally Styled' faux race car.... Usual fabulous Moal craftsmanship, but just misses the mark somehow. At least it isn't babyshit green....

 

As much as I like the car I kind of have to agree with Steve. There is just something missing that needs to be there to get it to the mark. I think that it is the working too hard to look like someone thinks and early lakes car floor would look like with the exposed engine plate. The Judges may love that look though.

After watching the Rodders Journal interview video with both Moal and Howerton's input
I actually understand the car a whole lot better and what seems undone as a street hot rod is intended to be that way to represent the circle track roadster idea. There is one hell of a lot of detail in that car for sure.

 

Just an FYI ...

It’s not an “early lakes car”... as both Steve & Jackie explained in the video, the roadster’s chassis is "dirt track race car" inspired ... sort of what (a 20 year old) Jackie would have built (circa 1963) to run on his local Tulsa, Oklahoma dirt tracks ... with Ford roadster body panels modified to fit over its 104" wheelbase chassis.

Also note that the graphic on the cowl of the "Howerton~Moal Tulsa Roadster" represents the #42 car that Jackie drove to victory in the 1974 Hoosier Hundred:

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It is absolutely a beautiful car that's for sure. With that said if anyone is trying to tell you that this is the type of car that was running on dirt tracks in Oklahoma or anywhere else in and around 1963 then they are blowing smoke up your butt. If that is what they are trying to portray they missed the mark by several miles. If on the other hand they are building a young boys dream car they may have done a damn good job.

 

...I actually like it, looks like it should be on the Bonneville salt.

 

It looks like a winner to me!

Sent from my SM-G900V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

We were on a trip to Pomona in 2014 and where lucky enough to stop by Jackie Howerton's shop. the sketches and start of this build.

 

Unfortunately to me adding the 42 as done looks like a zit on the prom queen. Utilizing his number in the interior or under hood details would have been a better decision to me. It's definitely a nice car though and we all have different tastes

 

One word "bitchin"

 

Great interview. He's my kind of guy.

 

Man...killer car for sure.

 

Love it all. Hopefully, my A coupe will also look good in this more "oval-ish " flavor. Gary

 

Awesum as expected from Jackie !!!!!!

 

Love that guy, I would be his shadow just to hear him talk about his cars. I can also relate to the "run out of gas" statement.

 

He says it's all Ford but has a Chevy engine. It also needs a dual windshield. I wonder what this thing cost to build? $500k?

 

She`s a big$ beauty, but looks to me the body is below the scrub line?

 

I've watched that car since Jackie started on it years ago. It was amazing to watch him do full scale drawings of the body and chassis on his frame table before he started building it.

Sent from my SM-G900V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

The frame horns look like something they didn't know how to deal with and left there until a better idea comes along. Theres some Moal cars near me and I can study one inch by square inch for hours, the workmanship is unparalleled, but this one is off the mark.
Did Hilton get that '32 in the judging? I know he was thrashing but didn't know if it made it out there, any pics?

 

The interesting thing about Jackie is he likes to build cars that he likes and doesn't give two f**ks what anyone else thinks. He has said that's why he never enters a car as his own in a show.

Sent from my SM-G900V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Great looking car! Study the cockpit of a Bugatti GP car and you can see a lot of similar design features.

Bob

 

"...I actually like it, looks like it should be on the Bonneville salt."

Only as a poser – long way from being a competitive car.

 

Thank you for that fine bit of comedy.

 

Hmmmm, let me give it a run and then I'll tell you what I think!
Got a feeling it would be some fun!!!

 

I like it. It has a good flow and a lot of neat details. It probably wasn't built to please all of us HAMBers. But it is still cool.

 

Would have liked to have seen the Alberto Hernandez Mendoza's drawings followed more closely, frenched '32 style grille, rounded rear, etc. Still nothing I could have built even in my dreams!