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History BILL….SMITH’S....ROADSTER

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Austinrod, May 28, 2019.

  1. Austinrod
    Joined: Jun 14, 2012
    Posts: 2,331

    Austinrod
    Member
    from Austin

    IT’S OFFICIAL
    I’m the new owner/caretaker of
    Bill Smiths 1934 Tudor turned roadster.
    Was in the 56/57/58/59/61/81 National Roadster Show
    under the series 100 street roadster class
    Won first place
    1st annual Fresno Autorama back then too.
    3 Car Craft magazines
    2 Hot Rod magazines
    Plus many more......

    Painted:
    1.Tampa Turquoise
    2.Sunset Orchid

    The History:

    1934 Ford Roadster Custom owned and built by Shamrocks of Alameda car club member Bill Smith of Alameda, California.

    A Basement Full of Tools

    Built from a retired Tudor Sedan, the build was started in 1955. Bill modified the body by cutting off the roof and moving it down to form the trunk. He was 17 or 18 years old when he started the build. His father, William Smith Sr., was a professional metalman, so the Smith basement was according to George Burnley of Cars Magazine full of tools; "Nearly every weekend or holiday finds one or more of the Smiths hard at work on some intriguing do-it-yourself project."[1]

    Tired of Altered Stockers

    In 2019 Bill's younger brother John Smith told later owner William Young that he was about 9 years old when his brother bought the car and immediately started chopping it up; "I couldn’t understand what he was doing," John told William. Bill told George Burnley that he was tired of seeing cars in local shows that were just altered stockers, "which, while well built and individualistic, lacked being radical enough to suit his taste and capabilities."[1]

    Oldsmobile Powerplant

    Borrowing his dad's tools, Bill modified the frame to accommodate a 1952 Oldsmobile powerplant. Up front, he installed a 1940 Ford front end. A Ford torque tube was installed as a front transverse member and a piece of 3/8-inch plate was bent to a channel and welded to the rails as a front engine mount. The frame was X'd with a 6-x-2 1/2 inch channel, and the rear crossmember was modified to hold a 1950 Oldsmobile rear end adapted to Ford springs. A 1940 Ford steering box was turned on its side in order to integrate the 1940 Ford front end with a 1949 Oldsmobile shaft. A 1955 Chevrolet master cylinder and pedal assembly was adapted to the combo.[1]

    Chopped, Channeled and Sectioned

    The body was channeled and reworked to meet the '34 fenders and rear valance. For space up front, the cowl was moved back 13 inches, widened 10 inches, and sectioned six inches. The total height of the altered body, from the ground to the top of the cowl was 38 inches. Inside, Bill fabricated a new dashboard that he made from grained station wagon metal side-trim, giving it a look of rich hardwood. The top of the dash came from a 1954 Oldsmobile. The window frames of the original doors were cut off, and the remaining shell was reworked to fit the roadster-type doorways. The original top from the tudor was grafted onto the rear of the body, giving it a stock appearing trunk. Bill made a deck lid that he installed in the old roof-opening. Up front, he installed a 6 inch sectioned 1932 Ford grille that he mated to the 1934 Ford fenders. The grille strips were duplicated in brass and chrome plated. Bill then fabricated a 5-piece hood that he punched 60 louvers into. It was dressed up with custom made bumpers, Dietz headlights, Stewart-Warner gauges, and motorcycle taillights. It rolled on Oldsmobile wheels that Bill installed with whitewall tires and 1955 Oldsmobile Fiesta hubcaps.[1]

    Light Turquoise

    The Smith's painted and upholstered the car themselves, and the first iteration of the roadster was painted Light Turquoise. The interior was upholstered in matching Blue and White Naugahyde.[1] Once completed, the car was shown at the 1956 National Roadster Show. By the time of the show, Bill had replaced the original Oldsmobile HydraMatic transmission with a 1953 Oldsmobile unit that he converted to floor shift. Later the same year, the car was featured in the August 1956 issue of Rod & Custom Magazine. The story was titled "Roadster With a Flair."

    Pinstriped by Tommy the Greek

    Bill's roadster was also shown at the 1957, 1958, and 1959 National Roadster Show, and it was known for winning every show it entered. When the car was shown at the 1957 National Roadster Show Bill had installed a pair of brass windshield posts and a windshield. It had been painted red under the fenders, and it was dressed up with dark blue and white pinstriping by Tommy the Greek. According to the souvenir program from the show, that iteration of the car featured a 4" bore, aluminum pistons, Iskenderan cam, and four Stromberg 97 carburetors on a handmade intake. It also ran handmade exhaust manifolds.[2]

    Sunset Orchid

    By 1958 Bill had repainted the car Sunset Orchid. He showed that iteration of the car at the 1958 Fresno Autorama, and according to the souvenir program from the show, it also ran a Mallory ignition.[3]

    Fiberglass Top

    Later on, the Smiths fabricated a top out of fiberglass for the car. The top was reinforced with steel before they covered it with white Naugahyde.[1] It was shown with the top on at the 1959 National Roadster Show. By then Bill had also installed a 1955 Chevrolet steering wheel and a set of Dodge 15" wire wheels with original cast brass chrome plated hubcaps.

    I Was Mortified as a Teen...

    Christa Smith, Bill's daughter, remembers the car from when she was growing up; "I was mortified as a teen when my first boyfriend, who had a fast 69 Camaro, told me that “a couple of old guys blew their doors off” on City Line Rd one night—dad in the 34, of course," she told William Young.[4]

    The Rebuild

    In 1981 Bill wanted to go drag racing with the old custom, so he decided to rebuild it. During the rebuild, he installed a 402 turbo big block engine that Luther Lane had built for him, a 400 turbo transmission, a Buick rear end, disc brakes, and a leather interior. The interior was stitched by Hank's Trim Shop. Ron La Komy repainted the body white, while Tommy the Greek was once again hired to stripe it.[4]

    Sold to William Young

    In June of 2019 William Young of Austin, Texas bought the old custom from Bill. Bill had decided to part with his old custom, and he advertised it for sale on Craigslist. In order to bring it back to its former glory, William began the transformation by installing a set of steelie wheels that he dressed up with 1954 Ford hubcaps and Firestone bias-ply whitewall tires.[4]
    From Kustomrama

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    Sent from my iPad
     
    Last edited: Aug 16, 2019
    VANDENPLAS, clem, fordflambe and 22 others like this.
  2. Automotive Stud
    Joined: Sep 26, 2004
    Posts: 4,304

    Automotive Stud
    Member

    So lets seem recent pics?
     
    Austinrod, nochop and Stogy like this.
  3. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 17,096

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    Any idea what parts are 34?
     
    Stogy likes this.
  4. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I'm Nervous...Some survivors Get the Ugly cut off as some disturbingly say, so I cross my fingers and hope for the best...That is an interesting Roadster...pretty Classy...Thanks @Austinrod for sharing this...;)
     
    chryslerfan55 and kiwijeff like this.

  5. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Fenders and Rear Apron or splash pan and maybe running boards...not up on all the fancy names...:D
     
  6. nochop
    Joined: Nov 13, 2005
    Posts: 3,818

    nochop
    Member
    from norcal

    Pics? Or did you find the pictures?
     
    Stogy likes this.
  7. Austinrod
    Joined: Jun 14, 2012
    Posts: 2,331

    Austinrod
    Member
    from Austin

    First look
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


    Sent from my iPad
     
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2019
  8. just needs un-street rodded
    would make a nice resto and return to compete for the AMBR

    Not to change the subject but this one in the background caught my eye.
    09D3B5F6-EC9D-4DAF-83F1-D1EBFEE09761.jpeg
    There is so much automotive porn in that pic
     
    Last edited: May 28, 2019
    Carter, alanp561, Austinrod and 11 others like this.
  9. Petejoe
    Joined: Nov 27, 2002
    Posts: 12,264

    Petejoe
    Member
    from Zoar, Ohio

  10. Fordors
    Joined: Sep 22, 2016
    Posts: 5,373

    Fordors
    Member

    The T with the big rake? Mickey Himsl’s Moonshiner.
     
  11. Austinrod
    Joined: Jun 14, 2012
    Posts: 2,331

    Austinrod
    Member
    from Austin

    The trunk is made from a 1934 Tudor roof
    WOW
     
    Last edited: May 30, 2019
  12. thanks
     
  13. Atwater Mike
    Joined: May 31, 2002
    Posts: 11,625

    Atwater Mike
    Member

    Car was originally a '34 sedan. Roof was cut and moved down to form the 'trunk'.
    Body was channeled and fitted to meet the '34 fenders, also '34 rear valance. '32 shell, and one of the owner's 'special hoods'. Guess who the owner was/is.
    There was a lengthy article on the 'build' in R&C, and others. Car is a native from hereabouts. (Central valley, CA.)
     
  14. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    That's what I'm saying...I hope the latest iteration is close to what you have shared with us...Ouch I just saw it...The Jones's found it...total billity...okay I'll shut up...:(
     
    Last edited: May 28, 2019
    alanp561 likes this.
  15. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 17,096

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    But really it’s a wheels and tires change away from looking pretty much the same in black and white. That may be one of the only cars on the planet that looks better with a continental kit with the full cover etc.

    Looks like the windshield might be a hair taller than originally, or maybe the back has lowered down a bit. The photos of it with the top up seem to have more rake and would change how tall that windshield looked with the top up.

    Don’t hate the new bumpers but the old beefs were cooler.
     
    Carter, Sandgroper, kiwijeff and 2 others like this.
  16. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I always find it interesting when something is visually nailed...and yeah it's very subjective...someone has to f...:confused:...I meant F-Up the masterpiece...

    That said many collectors or buyers who snag these gems up do actually see these for what they are...Works of art...

    It's kinda like putting the Statue of Lincoln in an IKEA Chair...why?

    I'm glad I got to see the studio shots at the top...that was really sharp...Tires wheels, boards, bumpers...yes it would be easy to resurrect it but it had the Soul ripped away...I leave it at that...Nice StreetRod...
     
  17. Was ugly before....ugly now! It's cool cause it's an old build, but it's horrible!
     
  18. Like somebody wanted an MG.
     
  19. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    :rolleyes:...Hey @Austinrod that was One Hot Trophy in 59 wasn't it...Man She's Hot...;)
     
    alanp561 and Austinrod like this.
  20. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    The second one maybe but not the top one...two different cars.
     
    Last edited: May 29, 2019
  21. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I think the WW's the Caps (over the wires), lighter color it carried itself well in 59.

    @Tim there are no pics of the top on from the front...It's interesting as it looks like the Top is folding up at the Show even though it look to be a Rigid Carson Style...the windshield looks to have been a design challenge as there's none then a lower and a slightly higher as you said or is it Photo Distortion?...it may have better suited a Duvall style shield...
     
    Last edited: May 28, 2019
    Austinrod likes this.
  22. Austinrod
    Joined: Jun 14, 2012
    Posts: 2,331

    Austinrod
    Member
    from Austin

    Do know what R&C article year and month ?


    Sent from my iPad
     
    Stogy likes this.
  23. Austinrod
    Joined: Jun 14, 2012
    Posts: 2,331

    Austinrod
    Member
    from Austin

    Top is long gone I heard


    Sent from my iPad
     
    Stogy likes this.
  24. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Probably the same Custom Shop or builder...this one apart from looking a bit MG which @Bad Bob mentioned also shares a likeness to Edsels Third Special...not to mention the use of a Roof much like the one in question for the trunk or is that almost a Boat tail.
     
    Last edited: May 28, 2019
    Austinrod likes this.
  25. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Along with the Scrap Iron Custom nerf style Bumpers right...sad
     
  26. 51504bat
    Joined: May 22, 2010
    Posts: 4,755

    51504bat
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Looks kind of like a kit car now.
    [​IMG]
     
  27. Somehow......I would rather have a 34 sedan......but thats just me.
     
  28. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    @Austinrod your leading us on here...you have ownership of it and your taking it back to 1959 right?...o_O...it's okay to dream Eh!!:D
     
  29. WiredSpider
    Joined: Dec 29, 2012
    Posts: 1,258

    WiredSpider
    Member

    Was that Hank Rootliebs old car?
     
    302GMC, lurker mick and Stogy like this.
  30. Austinrod
    Joined: Jun 14, 2012
    Posts: 2,331

    Austinrod
    Member
    from Austin

    Different car but similar
    One obviously was first and dictated the second


    Sent from my iPad
     
    Stogy likes this.

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