History BILL….SMITH’S....ROADSTER

I’m working on it


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...Hey...that's interesting...good luck on that...

 

I think the windshield probably has a soft curve to the top and that’s as flattering as it’s gonna get. I think the Duvall would look good with the front half but make the add look even squarer than it is.

 

Can't help you on the build article in R & C, but there's a feature on the completed car in the April 1960 Car Craft. Builder is listed as Bill Smith from Alameda, CA.

 

Thanks Terry
Any photos from the build


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Found it



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Okay so what's the point of all this? It doesn't look like the car was ever really "lost." So is there a new owner that's going to return it to it's former glory? Or is it just lost in the '90's?

 

It looks like a fiberglass kit car.

 

It’s not, it’s all steel


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Interior and engine pics
Does the quarter mile in 12 seconds they said Lol






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It's a real shame. We all know it's got real history here, but because it's lost in the '90's and it doesn't have it's Ford proportions anymore it winds up looking like those '70's gazelle things.

 

So Bill Smiths’s roadster started out as a 1934 Tudor sedan
And they made it into a roadster
Was also at the 1957 and 1959 GNRS under the 100 series
Street roadster class





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IT’S OFFICIAL
I’m the new owner/caretaker of
Bill Smiths 1934 Tudor turned roadster.
Was in the 1957&59 National Roadster Show
under the series 100 street roadster class
And some autorama‘s back then too.
Can’t wait too start transforming it too how it looked back in 57/59 look!



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No, henry Rootlieb built a very similar car. I believe that Henry's car is back in his family.

 

Cool
Please tell me you're going to put it back in pink

 

have fun … not my cup of tea... but any change back from what is now can only get better.. Chevy steering wheel and Big block to boot.. classic !

 

Dayuum...Congratulations and I am really enthralled about your taking it back...Lucky Custom I say...A Traditional Punch Back and entirely warranted...look forward to the Journey back...right here I Hope...

 

It’s was two different colors back then light turquoise and light pink
I’m leaning towards pink but I need too see more pictures. still owned by original builder owner he’s 82 now


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What was the original power train? (To lazy to go back though and look)

 

Just got word it comes with original Tommy the Greek striped wheel cover he did the louvers too!




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I'm glad you got it since you seem to appreciate it for what it is. It's also neat (and surprising) that you got it from the original owner/builder.

I'd love to see it returned to exactly the way it was built and shown in the late 50's, but if I was on a real budget, I could live with the red paint and tan upholstery, even the bumpers if I had to. Wheels/tires, dash and steering wheel, spare tire and running board covers would go a long way toward giving it the look it originally had. The paint was put on by the original builder (or at least, under his ownership) so it wouldn't be a huge shame to leave it. If I was going to repaint it, I'd do it in whatever color the striped spare tire cover is.

Interesting that roadsters where that hard to find even then, that someone would do all that work 60 years ago. I'd like the concept a lot less if it were a modern build, but I like it a lot for it's history.

 

Agreed Red is passable and as @Tim said as a whole, much is as was...add the lost details stand back and have a look...under the hood well I have to read all the added details...that question is probably answered already.

Original Owner...that highlights ones growing with the changing Hotrod/Custom Scene...Some did some didn't...he upgraded some but not all...I am surprised he ditched the removed parts...perhaps he wheeled and dealed them away.

I find most Older fellas aren't into Hamb Period Correct my way...

 

The car was salmon in this photo
With the white wheel cover
Still deciding on maybe that color



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53 olds 53 hydro 53 olds rear end
Now it had 396 350 trans


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Here’s everything done too the 34





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The red to the pic is period correct as well and the savings on paint could fund a drivetrain swap...that said you could still paint it down the road...

I am as one who wasn't there back then stunned by the overall number and types of colors in that pic...neat O​

 

Man you heard the saying boots on the ground...in the seating department its damn near Cheeks on the Floor...

I guess it's got a some channel going on and that is why the top and the Shield is as high as it is...

I am sorta surprised that he didn't mod the bottom of the shell at the time in a 34 style to match the fender sweep...

You mentioned the trunk area is a modded 32 3W roof...I wonder why he didn't use the 34 aft roof as they aren't that different are they?

One other observation is the 3/4 view top left main pic the hood Louvers appear to look like a wavy banner/flag...

What a cool story and find.​

 

It’s from the cover of this car craft mag



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...Ahhh...1960 I popped out of the womb that year......it was a great time in Hotrod/Custom...

Look at the caps top right kinda Golden Sahara...ish

@Austinrod your pretty up on this stuff...Does the former and only previous owner know some faithful vintage soul is going to be returned to it's newer self?

 

PLEASE recreate the top!