History Mystery roadster - Looking for history

Many thanks in advance for any leads on the history of this unique little roadster that my friend, Tony Thacker, purchased about 3 years ago. Many of you have probably seen this already and some have probably heard the story. This car was owned from March of 1958 until October of 2020 by Cliff Gildart of Pasadena, Ca. The car was only registered for 1958 during his ownership and was parked at the end of that year until it was pulled from its garage three years ago when Mr Gildart passed. We have been unable to find a single person who even knew about the car ( other than Pasadena hot rodder Richard Loe, who remembers seeing the car in 1958 when he was 12 years old! ) , let alone any of its history. By all accounts, Mr Gildart was not a hands-on enthusiast and most certainly purchased the car as a finished roadster. Because the makeup of the car is so unique ( full-fendered '32 Ford with a '27 roadster body ) I have to believe that someone somewhere out there will know the car, its origins and its builder. Whoever did build the car was quite gifted and built many clever details into it. It did have side curtains when it was found and shows evidence of having had a top, though the top was nowhere to be found. The shell is leaded and peaked, it has a '40 engine, trans, brakes, wheels, column/steering wheel, and rear end along with an original Dago axle. Because no history is known for the car before Gildart's purchase in early '58, I am left to speculate on where it may have come from based on its features and style. My gut keeps saying Pacific Northwest but it is only a feeling I have. Again, this is not my car and I'm only doing this because my curiosity is killing me. Also, someone, somewhere built a high-quality and very unique little roadster ( most likely sometime in the early to mid 1950s ) and they deserve to be credited along with having their name attached to it. Again, any leads or information leading to finding out anything additional is greatly appreciated.

 

I’d drive it

 

Not in any of Al Drake's books ...
Whoever built it was a craftsman. One of the best posts we've had ...

 

Personally I think it is a local Pasadena car. @Steelworks I tried phoning you on the weekend with the phone number listed in your email you sent me. Wanted to see if you could take some detail photos particularly of chassis while on AHRF stand.

 

I love what they did with the head light bars.

 

That car is sexy
Almost too good to be true.

 

The biggest thing that stands out for me is the leaded in turtle deck this was done on a few cars not a lot. So if it had earlier history this is something to be on the lookout for. Was it any other colour or signs it was a different colour?

 

Has a European sporty car feel to it. I love it!

 

That is Little Book stuff, the truth is out there!!

 

To me, it definitely has PNW style, but I could be wrong as I am mostly an East Coast person.

 

WOW! What a time capsule. Hopefully some more info on it will show up.

 

There are other pics around...was it featured on Hotrod online...can't recall where the pics I saw were...

It was Motortrend...



https://www.motortrend.com/features/1927-ford-model-t-build-stress-management/

 

Depending on the age of those tires, there's not much I'd change on it.

 

The only thing that I don't particularly like is the filler panel in front of the radiator shell but if it was mine I would leave it as is. Just one of those things I never cared for. I have always loved the look of a '26-'27 T roadster with Model A fenders and chassis and this one is just that much better!

Dave

 

Just to clarify, those look like 32 frame, fenders, rad shell (dropped) and running boards.

 

@RodStRace , Right, I got that. Like I said, this one (because of '32 stuff) is that much better than Model A stuff.

Dave

 

Gotcha! It is sweet. I figured I'd have a good comparison shown to help point out the differences.

 

Paging @Pist-n-Broke @saltracer219

 

I have nothing I can add for help. Too bad we lost Al Drake last year.

 

I have nothing to contribute except these two shots I took at GNRS last year. We came by to look at it a couple times, sure would be interested to know it's history as well.

 

Watching!

 

The body fits so nicely on the rails, wonder what went on there. Narrowed? Straightened

 

I can't help other than to comment on just how wicked cool that car is!

 

Perhaps this is where Total Performance got their idea, although Total Performance used model A fenders.

 

I’d like to see the inside of the qtr.
how it was blended

 

Yes. A seriously talented builder, for sure.

 

A little more background on the car's previous owner, Cliff Gildart. Cliff owned the car as early as 1958, but possibly took possession earlier than 1958.

Cliff Gildart Timeline:
1933 born HUBERT CLIFFORD RUNNACLES --- June 24, 1933, LONDON, England (Father was English, Mother was Irish. Parents either divorced or were never married).

1946 -- Cliff arrives in the USA with his mother, an Irish "War Bride" in MAY. His mother, Birdie McClean marries American soldier, James Gildart. She brings her 12 year old son, Cliff to start a new life in the US. They first settle in Paris, TX, but by 1949, they have moved to Ventura, CA. Cliff's mother and step-dad married in 1946, divorced in 1948, and remarried in 1949.

1946 --- Cliff takes his new step-dads Surname and becomes Hubert Clifford Gildart

1949 - The Gildart's remarry each other moving from TX to settle in Ventura, CA.

1952 -- Cliff (19 Years Old) is a student at PASADENA JR. COLLEGE

1953 - Living in Pasadena - Address: 667 E. Washington Ave A with his parents

1956 - Living at 984 East Howard Street in Pasadena, CA with his parents. Listed as a "student".

1957 --- Living at 303 W. Calaveras St. Pasadena

1957 - Working at C&G Flying A Service Station - 1491 E. Washington, Pasadena, CA

1958 - Cliff (25 year old) registers his roadster for the first and only time

1959 -- Cliff changes his name from HUBERT to HEATH

1959 -- Cliff is an attendant at SHARPE'S FLYING A Service Station in PASADENA - at 1414 E. Washington, ST in Pasadena, CA

1961 - Cliff Owns his own Gas Station in Pasadena "Cliff's Flying A Service Station"

1963 - Cliff is still living at 303 W. Calaveras St in Altadena, CA

Somewhere in here, Cliff takes a job as a Parole Officer

1967 - Cliff retires from his job as a Parole Officer.

1970 - Cliff buys his final home where the roadster is eventually discovered. Address: 1856 N. Michigan Altadena, CA.

1986 -- Cliff opens his book store in Pasadena - "Cliff's Books" 630 E. Colorado.

2013 - Book Store Closes

2021 - Cliff Passes away age 88 - His house and cars are sold.

 

Jimmy, my apologies. GNRS is a hectic weekend for us and when I saw a call coming in from Australia I was sure it was spam. I wish I had picked up. Would have been good to talk to you. It is interesting that your hunch is that it was a ( if I'm understanding you ) Pasadena car, all along. I will only say that I've now spoken with many born and raised Pasadena hot rodders who were around and active all throughout the 1950s and not a single one of them had ever seen or heard of the car. If it was being driven and used in and around Pasadena during those years, most of these guys would remember it... or so I would assume. But, anything is possible. BTW, I will be around the car again and would be happy to get you some photos of the chassis. Thanks for chiming in here.

 

A good question. There are no signs of it having been another color during its life as a hot rod. Funny enough, the paint that can be seen in places under the top coat of off-white is the original Ford black. One large spot on the door has chipped off and that original 1927 paint looks pretty nice!

 

I completely agree. The silhouette has a faint Jag SS thing going on. Funny that both of the owners ( Gildart and Thacker ) were/are Brits!