Hi guys, I recently purchased a 29 ford roadster that may have an interesting history that I would love to discover, and was hoping somebody might be able to help me out. The facts are that the car was purchased by a local guy here in the Detroit area in 1983 and was put in a garage and hasnt moved since. The title is in the name of a guy in Birmingham, Mi dated 1973. The title was in an envelope with the following information hand written on the outside of the envelope: -29 Ford Roadster Lowboy -58 Tri-Power Olds Motor, J2 -3 speed Lasalle Cadillac gearbox -Auburn Instrumentation (boat tail) -Dual Ignition (Walker) -1st Place 1963 International Rod and Custom Show in Chicago The previous owner claimed that the car may have been built by a guy named Tom Jones. The car appears to have been untouched for at least 30 years. Feel free to cross post to other sites, and show to anyone you might think could help! Thanks! Below are some photos:
that car is well known....on hamb Your buddy did a thread on it a month ago, and then the owner of this site wrote a Jalopy Journal blog on it, comparing it with a blue 32 survivor. Now that you posted what show it was at, someone should be able to tell you more.
Thanks for your interest guys. I dont even plan on wiping any dirt or cobwebs off until I can learn some history. It is currently not even able to roll and making it roll will be my first project. The rear appears to be stuck. Brakes or Torque Tube axle froze.
Your car is too cool! Great score, a real window of history. Its possible your clutch disc is set up on the flywheel, and the brake shoes might have froze fast to the drums. Are those Inglewood Positraction tires? Best of luck with her past story.
I was thinking the same thing. It looks like it is in pretty good shape. What is that small plaque under the right hand gauge? Any clues there?
"-1st Place 1963 International Rod and Custom Show in Chicago" Maybe a magazine back in 1963 did a photo feature of the show? Old time Chi town rodders might recognize the car. Possibly, there's a long standing car club in the area that can help you out on it's history via archive photo albums or old time member recollections.
the 1963 international rod and custom show took place at Chicago's navy pier. the host club was the gas hoppers. the show was featured in the April 1964 car craft showtime usa coverage. as well as popular hot rodding around the same time. I have checked both issues and sadly no pics of this neat little roadster. there is a picture of a '32 ford that took 2nd in street roadster class. I have to point out for '63 there's not much chrome on this car for a 1st place win and the roadster classes are always full of competiton. I have been asking around with the old timers If they remember it but no luck yet. still a cool find!
To answer a few questions, yes those are Inglewood Positraction tires, good eye. The tires are white striped on the outside and red striped on the inside. They still hold air although they are dry rotted. The plate on the dash says Walker on top and Dual Power on the bottom. This is referring to the Ignition. I have never seen anything like it. Two coils feeding into the top of the cap and a rotor with triggers 180 degrees apart.
incase any wants ryans entry about it...http://www.jalopyjournal.com/?p=20017 that will also lead you to the other thread about this one. i really love it btw.
I don't think it would hurt anything to clean it up a bit. It is very very cool!!! Great find, good luck. Keep us informed when you learn things. Tim
My immediate plans include just trying to get it to roll. Then for sure it will be in the basement at Detroits Autorama whether I can get it to run or not. Long term plans include fixing the mechanicals so it can run and drive but it will never be restored as long as it is under my watch!! I love the patina and will enjoy it as is!!
Breaking news on your roadster!!!!!!!! C'mon it was built by freaking "Tom Jones"! Nobody? Huh?.......AAaahhh!
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