History Norm Grabowski's rarely seen '23 Touring

Norm's '23 Touring was featured in the 1960 film "Sex kittens go to college". Norm played a role in the film too.
I have bought a '21-'23 touring and would like to replicate Norms car. This is one of the best executed early T touring hotrods I've seen. Unfortunately this car was re-built as the ugly Porter for the series "My Mother the car" so was lost to posterity.

These are the only two decent pictures I have of Norm's car.



Does anyone know where I can find more. Was it featured in Hot Rod magazine. I'd like to know more about the car.

This is what I've bought to build.



From what I can see it has '40 wheels and brakes, a dropped front axle and smaller headlights mounted inside the stock Model-T units. Model-A bumpers and hydraulic shocks mounted at a silly angle. It was painted bright red. Steering column and wheel appear stock. I'm sure Norm used a real steering box though. Also what engine? Flathead V8 with '39 transmission would be ideal. Rear axle - '36? '40?

Ideally I'd like to retain the original T frame. Any inspiration on making this rigid would be appreciated. I've never built a car on a T frame before. I'm thinking of a rigid X subframe which bolts inside the original frame.

I love the tires. Are they still available?

I think I can build this for a reasonable price. I have most of the V8 parts already.

Ed

 

I'd start with looking for a box section aftermarket frame, or building one.
Be a lot less hassle than trying to strengthen a wet noodle.

 

My memory tells me that Norm's phaeton was on the cover of Hot Rod in the very early sixties, maybe '61. I'll look and see what I can find.

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/full-fendered-t-s-thread-official-maybe.787861/

 

I'd like to be able to drive the end result on a public highway. A reproduction frame rules that out over here. It'll have to be based on the T or on A rails. Anyway it's a Ford nearly 100 years old so I'd like to keep as much Henry metal as possible.

 

Here you go. At the time of the Aug. 1960 Hot Rod article, it had a flathead, the text mentions he is replacing it with a chevy, I am sure I have an underhood photo with the small-block in there, I will try to find it.

 

That helps!
Some things about it are a bit awkward. I wonder if it would be better to improve it too.

 

Think I'd rent the movie Sex Kitten goes to Collage being the Car was used in it. Who knows what kind of info you'd find.
The Wizzard

 

I asked Norm about the chassis at Pleasanton when he accompanied Franco with the Kookie clone.
He said the 'T' frame underwent major boxing, cross members, etc.; Steering was '56 Ford pickup Gemmer box, '56 mast jacket. I asked how he re-positioned the pitman arm to center it with the steep angle. (that Gemmer shaft uses a partial spline and a pinch bolt, so the pitman arm can't be 'clocked' simply...)
Norm probably didn't do that part, he said he didn't know.
I can't see any reason to use 'T' rails, if 'A' are available. Some guys used 'em to utilize outboard gas tanks (under the fender aprons) or because they were there.
An older movie with this tub in it (with Norm driving) was "Girls' Town', starring Mel Torme'!
The tub was in rust and primer, flathead mill, filmed in the storm drains ("Los Angeles river") See Mel "The Velvet Fog" as the bad guy, hustling underage girls to Tijuana in the slave trade!

 

While the magazine text says it was on "T" rails; I seem to remember it being on A rails; which may account for the funny "boxes" that I always figured covered "A" frame horns.

edit: Well; I guess Mike's previous post nixes that idea.

 

Wow - some amazing info coming up. What happened to it after it was converted into a Porter?

 

Having seen what you can do with cars, this is a most excellent idea, and I'll follow along.

Norm certainly enjoyed some nice female company in those movie days.

 

Now I'm not so sure. It sure had some goofy features. I don't like the front frame horns, the bumpers, the rear tank and the headlights.

 

Was this the same car painted yellow and used in one of the "Beach" movies that had one or both Frankie and Annette in it?

 

Car was on the cover of the March 1961 HRM with Marty Holmans T bucket. The bucket was featured in that issue but no feature on Norm's T touring.

 

The car does have a lot of the right stuff going on. If you used this car as inspiration with your differences it would be a hell of a car, for sure.

 

Back in the day I loved this car, considering it was built over fifty years ago still looks good.

 

It was in the Bill Harrah collection in Reno until one of the auctions. I'm looking for a few magazines I have with the T in it. Bob

 

The My Mother The Car "Porter" seems to have been in private hands since around 2008 in Edmonton, Alberta Canada. The owner apparently knows of the car's history and previous ownership if you read some of the comments posted with the video here.

 

I'm going to send you a private message with an email for a friend of mine who was good friends with Norm and also built a clone of this car 3 or 4 years ago.

 

Wow what's with that windshield wiper? That is crazy - LOL!

 

I'd like to have been a mouse listening to Norm's musings during this photo shoot. I'd venture he had Ms.Van Doren crackin' up...

 

Screen shots from "Girls Town" looks like a considerably different car (although could be the same body). Either way Norm G. is definitely driving the car. Can't believe I've never seen this episode of MST3K! Watching it tonight!

I'd like to see more pics of this T if they exist.

 

Thanks Shifty. Ijust couldn't find the mag although I knoe I have it in my collection.

 

No. The yellow one in BEACH PARTY (1963?) was a '26-'27. Just saw it about a week ago.
-Dave

 

Thanks for the clarification Dave

 

Ed, Just found this photo of a T Crark build. You can keep the stock T chassis and just add another frame rail under it then box both, should make for a firm ride. Bob

 

I like that frame idea. Bit different, but obviously would work.
-Dave

 

That is Tom Red Hynes T touring, it still exists today and now owned by his son Rod ----> Saugus Drag Strip Early 50s