Hot Rods The 60 year history of a little California Hot Rod

I've got some pics and a LONG story to tell you all and it's gonna take old fatboy awhile to get everything loaded and posted, so I'm just marking my thread spots right now...stay tuned...

 

This is a story of a young man named Harold Barnes who was in the Navy stationed in San Diego in the summer of 1963. Harold owned a nice '55 Chevy 210 mild custom and was searching a local paper when he came across an ad for this little '27 T rpu for sale. The original builder/owner is a mystery that I'm hoping some of you older guys might help me with.
Harold doesn't remember the guys name, but he remembers the town of Chula Vista? Anyway, the guy wants $750 for the roadster which Harold doesn't have...so they trade straight across title for title.
Harold is now the proud owner of this little hot rod and sets about making it his. It's painted in a grey primer and has no interior...so the first thing Harold does is take it to a little town south of San Diego to a Mexican upholsterer (not Tiajuana) for a tuck and roll job ($100).

 

a few more pics in primer...by the way, that 1963 California license plate is still hanging on his shop wall...yep, he's still got it.

 

In the fall of 1963 he decides to paint it fire engine red...notice also that it only has a stock flathead and a column shift tranny...he also puts some different tires and wheels on it...that isn't pinstriping...it's pinstriping tape...

 

In 1964 he leaves the Navy and returns home to Tulsa where he really goes to town on the little '27.
He tears it down and installs a new '48 flathead with all new speed parts...cam, heads, twin carbs, etc. and a new floor shift tranny. He also decides to paint it metallic blue and add a bunch of chrome to the front end.
It's now 1965... about this time that he starts a car club with several other roadster owners... they call themselves The Tulsa Roadsters. They are still going strong now 50 years later...as a matter of fact they will be celebrating their 50 year mark next month.
The last color pic is of Harold in the car.

 

He also decides to put a new set of Astros with M/T knock-offs and slicks out back...

 

Fast forward to 1973...Harold decides to update the little rpu once again...this time he paints it with 8 coats of candy apple red over 3 coats of gold pearl...he also added another carb, and more chrome.
Then in early 1974 an 18 year old 3wMe was home on leave from the Air Force. I attended the World of Wheels at the Tulsa Convention Center where I took two color photos. You can tell I knew nothing about what I was looking at by reading the description of the car on the back.
The last two pics are of Harold attending the 1975 Nats in Memphis and the 1976 Tulsa Nats.

 

Long story, Larry? Get it goin', and take some heat offa me! I'm notorious for yarn spinnin'...

 

In 1976...two years after I saw the T at the show, Harold gets the bug for a 1931 Model A Sedan and sells the T to a buddy of his named Jimmie O'Brien. Jimmie shows the T for the next 16 years, but doesn't drive it much. He didn't trust the flathead...and because of the small radiator, it overheated a lot...also, with no shocks, it didn't ride very well, and it had bump steer...so in 1992 he tore it down to redo it with a small block chevy, an automatic, and GASP!...independent front suspension! He also wanted to run full fenders, and bought everything he would need for the conversion.

Well thank god life got in the way and the little car sat in pieces in his back shop for the next 23 years.

 

The sad news is that he sold off the entire chassis, running gear, wheels and tires...everything was gone except for the body, windshield, bed, deuce grille, headlights/stands, and gas tank.

Then three weeks ago I was looking around on Craigslist and an ad caught my eye...it said Original Tulsa Roadster Club car for sale. I looked at the pics, but didn't recognize the car. So I called my buddy Ted (Mr.Mac here on the Hamb) because he used to be President of the Tulsa Roadsters, and asked him if he knew the car. He said that's Harold Barnes old car!...here's pics from the actual Craigslist ad...

 

Damn Larry, how long you gonna keep us waiting? My attention span ain't so long no more!!!! BILL RINALDI

 

Pictures are worth a thousand numbers.

 

YES...I BOUGHT IT

how could I not?

and HRP...first pic has cat checking out the firewall

 

3 window: Now that you marked your territory we are on the edge of our seats.

 

I've read to page 5

 

Patiently waiting! HRP

 

Some one call and see if Larry fell asleep.

 

I one makes a post because the thread is moving at a snails pace, shouldn't the reply be (IMpatiently waiting) ?

 

haha. I wouldn't say I had better things to do ... because I don't. I'll start the crock pot bud. Keep cookin'. I've eaten worse ... trust me.

 

Cool story - know that resizing pics can take time - we will wait for you at the next food stop

 

I like this car.

 

For cripes'sake Larry, three cups of coffee in me and you make me wish I wore some of those Depends "geezer diapers", that was a close one!
Got goosebumps reading this (right after the "ruh roh").
Here's the thing; my folks took me to La Mesa (San Diego) in 63' to visit my aunt and uncle,
I was just nine years old, but I remember this very vividly, I went out one morning exploring the heighborhood, heard an unfamiliar sound then this roadster p.u. goes right by me (I must have looked like Bambi in headlghts) because this was my first encounter seeing the kind of car I had been dreaming of building a model of since my first visit to the hobby store.
Now I can't say it was the car you're talking about, but in my minds eye; it sure resembles it. Sorry that I can't lend any credence to your story but just wanted to say thanks for bringing back a fond memory from my youth.

 

A POEM
Larry, Larry. Quite contrary.
When does your story grow?
I sat and waited. Got frustrated.
Now I've got to go.

 

Through all the years and changes the nerf bars stayed. Thanks for sharing, what a cool little hotrod.

 

Too fun! Larry mines...and re-sizes!
Thanks 3W!

 

Larry's takin a nap. Remember he's old.

 

So far so good,I hope this story is going to end up that it now belongs to 3wlarry and his always trusty sidekick,the cat. HRP

 

That thing looked great in the world of wheels 74 pics

 

cool plot killer HRP. I like it !

 

I don't know anything but I'm sure hoping for a happy ending!

Larry is the kind of guy that could do the car justice. HRP