Customs Bonneville Custom......Does anybody recognize it?

Saw this at Bonneville today in front of the Nugget. Does anybody recognize it?

 

its from the NW

 

Of Coarse I recognize "The BOMBER" !!!!!! Very Important piece of history right there!!!!! It will only get recognized by a small handful of people on here. Im very mad that the first year I have missed in the last 5 years is the year that the Bomber makes his return.

 

From the little pages

 

It was built a long time ago,I remember articles on it in the little books.My all time favorite 39/40 coupe.Rod Action did a big spread after it got restored years ago.Beautiful lines.

 

Wow, that's kickass!

 

I saw it and talked to the owner last night. The car was a feature car in a 1954 hot rod mag he was showing me. They restored the car as it appeared in the mag minus the race motor since they drive the car. He was a nice guy from Washington.

 

Did it run on the salt? And what did it run. Very smoth lines.

 

Doug Rice 1939 Ford...

Some photos from the early 50's at Bonneville

 

Talking about history.

 

Too cool.

 

Doug Rice 39 Probably one of my favorite cars of all time.

 

There is some more info and some great old photos on Doug's 1939 Ford here: richardsoncustomautobody.com

 

It was really cool seeing that car! My dad instantly noticed it as a car that he used to see in the little pages. It was also (we think) and old Rod & Custom cover car. Beautiful car!

 

Besides its own salt history, the car was used as a tow car for Doug's roadster.

I once read that the coupe broke down one year on drive home (crankshaft?), and that he drove several hundred miles in the roadster pushing his wife (and the coupe) with the tow bar! He said it would surprise gas station attendants when they'd pull in and fill up the car in back. Great story!

The car was owner built over time while being used as daily transportation.
Among the interesting features are the painted Cad Sombreros, and a later model Ford rear window.

 

I snapped a few pics today. Owner said it was built in 52 as rikster already stated. Built by doug rice, and was the only car he built. It's bad ass to say the least.

 

Rikster Thanks for the link. 39 Bonneville Boomer is slick as a whistle.

 

That is super nice!!! i would really like to see some pics of it going down the salt!!

 

Posted these on Mac's thread, as well.

Click to enlarge.

 

Wow. Such a beautiful car!

 

Always knew it as the Doug Rice car, been in love with it since I was a kid. I still remember my dad who enjoyed the 80s look cars bagging me out for having a pic on my wall in about 84!
Its a treat to see it back on the salt!!

Doc.

 

That car is so awesome! It's on my top 10 list!

 

-Brent- Shot #2 or #8 would be good H.A.M.B. calendar material!

 

That would be the dumbest luck EVER! Hahaha... It was taken with a $100 camera I got in Aruba and without my glasses (just sunglasses). I'm still learning how to use it. I have to say, the colors in the photos are close to spot on. I've got some more coming tonight.

 

Thank you so much Brent for the photos,you took some great shots man.There are a lot of people who just see this car and think it's just another custom on the salt not knowing the history.Someone mentioned .... "it has a smallblock now because the owner likes to drive it." Well I think Doug Rice liked to drive it as well WITH his hopped up flathead,he drove the car from Washington and raced the car on the salt.I still cant believe my first year missing speedweek and thats the year this car is there!!!!!!!! Just my luck. LONG LIVE THE BOMBER!!!

 

Thanks for the compliment and you're right, there are some folks out there that talk out of their butts. I saw this car from about a mile away and my heart started POUNDING! I had only seen photos in books, couple internet pics, and on Rikster's site. The level of fit and finish on this car is pretty well done.

You know, I heard a lot of strange comments this weekend about cars from spectators. I'd never claim to know a lot about things but I do know when I hear B.S.. I spent about an hour checking out the Bass Coupe and let me tell you, I was educated by a few people on his car, hahaha.

 

Great pics Brent...but it's way better in person, eh? I slobbered on it at the Nugget last night....just...surreal

 

I agree.

Good for you for slobbering on it... more history!

 

Figuratively slobbered.......if I'd REALLY slobbered on it,I imagine "I" would be history!