History Bringing the Dick Williams '27 Roadster Back to 1953

Of course I remember the Williams roadster. I just had not been paying attention on this rebuild. I remember when Blackie had it. I met him one time at the GNRS, maybe ‘98. I always tell people he made me feel like he knew me all my life. I have zero charisma compared to him.

 

all images by Eric @Anderson​

 

image by Josh @slammed58buick Mishler
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image by Davey Jenkins
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I just love that belly pan. I sold all my ’27 T project parts this last year. What the Hell was I thinking?

 

image by Jez Hoye
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That fire wall is a work of ART....

 

image by @R&C RON Brooks
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Darryl @hollenbeck32 Hollenbeck (Vintage Color Studio) with the (restored) '53 AMBR he painted:

image by Terri @Born a HotRodGal Hollenbeck
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Darryl @hollenbeck32 Hollenbeck poses with the talented Deven Hitchens and his "1953 AMBR" artwork:

image by Terri @Born a HotRodGal Hollenbeck
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Looking at the car now, I remember as a kid wondering how the doors open with those side pipes? Now I see from looking at the door tops, that the doors are welded into place. The new question is why does it still have the hinges? In any case, this has always been one of my favorite cars ever.

 

images by Danny @Gotgas Vandergriff​

 

I'm going to be the heretic here. I like the red color better, maybe because that was the version I saw pictures of first. The wide rear tires not so much.

 

Watched this work of art from afar. What a wonderful job done bringing this back for all to view and experience. Thx 3-Dog & Team Brizio!!!!

 

Perfect.

 

yes, also restored....famous Hot Rod cover car.

 

Because a thread can never have enough pics ...

images by Steve Brackett




images by unknown photographer (via James Morisson)​

 

images by Joey @J.Ukrop Ukrop​

 

X-cpe, I also liked it red, The picture of the Rootbeer Brown version was at Andy's Picnic (Andy Brizio) at Crow Canyon Park in Castro Valley CA. 1975.. I was there and remember the car well. But the car needed to be restored back to it's AMBR version. Be cool to have all three versions. Here's some pictures of the way it was through the years.

 

images by Michael @Michaelcozman Corazzelli
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I love all versions of this car…But I really, really appreciate that it no longer has the exposed rear hairpins.

 

Roy Brizio poses with the past owners (Dick & June Falk) and the present owner (Ross Myers):

image & caption from vintagecolorstudio's January 27th Instagram feed​

 

I totally agree!

 

From the February 5th & posts:

America’s Most Beautiful Roadster winning Dick Williams roadster from ‘53 was immaculately restored by Roy Brizio Street Rods. The ‘27 Ford roadster is now owned by Ross Myers. Body and paintwork by way of Vintage Color Studio {Darryl @hollenbeck32 Hollenbeck} with interior from Sid {@Hotrodstitcher} Chavers Upholstery, and brightwork from Sherm’s Custom Plating. H&H Flatheads {Mike @Capitan Insano Herman} prepped the 286-in Merc Flathead. Had a prime location and was a hit with all rodders.

images by Tim @notrod13 Sutton ... with words by @Brian Brennan or Rob @RF Fortier​

 

image from roybriziostreetrods' March 9th Instagram feed


image from the March 9th Roy Brizio Street Rods Inc Facebook timeline​

 

This was an exceptional car when it was built (exceptional even among AMBR winners), and its restoration returns it to the top shelf.

 

Just realized I never posted Mike (@Capitan Insano) Herman's pick for the 2022 GNRS "H & H BEST DRESSED FLATHEAD AWARD":

image from the hotrodshows.com website
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Thank you @HEMI32 & @jakespeed55 for the wonderful journey of this masterpiece. Dick Williams was truly an aviation engineer/Hot Rodder aware of the advantages of lightweight but strong tubular construction and aerodynamics. I believe Bonneville was a stronger influence on this build than a hot rod build per say. Congratulations to all involved on a job well done! PS did they get the correct ignition?

 

Here's some final assembly photos that I neglected to post:

all images from the Roy Brizio Street Rods website
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It is interesting to note that this car and the roadster Ryan posted today have recessed firewalls yet none of us building them today do that?!? We are taller on average these days............