Here's the definitive recent history: Tom Wilford arrested it's decay and kept it safe for most of the last decade or more. I drooled over it through pics and talked to Tom about it a couple of times, but my good buddy, Mike Guffy, beat me too it and initiated the resto by commissioning Jeff Kirkpatrick to build the Chassis. Mike also began collecting the missing parts (no one better at this). I made a deal with Mike for the car midway through Jeff's work in '08. Although I hadn't worked with Jeff before, I was blown away by the progress pics, so I asked him to keep cooking on it. Once Jeff rough fitted the body to the chassis, we moved the whole car up to Eric Lindberg's shop in Minnesota so he could do the tin work, help gather and fit the remaining moving parts, including some crucial period engine components, and get the motor cackling. I asked Eric because he had done some exquisite work for me restoring the Gas Ronda Long Nosed Mustang and completing a restoration on the Clare Sanders, Jungle Jim Nova, both of which I had also picked up from Mike several years back. Eric is among the very best guys in the country for drag car restorations, particularly the mid 60's factory light weights and A/FX cars. While Mike had the car he had done a lot of work examining old pics and talking to guys that knew the car from the period, so he had compiled a fairly complete list of what was needed beyond what he had already found. I drag Mark Moriarity into most of my projects, and this one is no exception. Mark has also been helping us examine photos, collect parts and coordinate the various tasks. I asked Fritz to blow the color on because in my estimation there is simply no one better--there's a big difference between a run of the mill candy job and the flawless work Fritz lays down. He did the restos on the Druid Princess and Mega Cycle for me. The veiling on the Princess was impeccable. I admire Fritz's stuff so much that I even once owned his Roswell Rod, but it's now back in his hands where it belongs. Fritz will also coordinate the lettering and decals. Then Mark and I are going to have to figure out where to do the final assembly--my secret plan, Mark's garage! Anyway this is a kick ass project and we're having a ton of fun with it. I originally hoped to get it done for GNRS. Don't tell Fritz, but I am resigning myself to the L.A. Roadster show or Bakersfield in the Fall--What's your vote? Ralph PS If you have, or are aware of, any period pics of detailed interior or mechanical areas we would love to see them for varification. Thanks
I will look to see if I can find photos of the car when it arrived from Tom Wilfords via Walt Austin's shop and the Hot Rod reunion. Here is how the Austin looked when it left Jeffs and headed to Lindbergs.
Mike, I would like to add the stop at Walt Austin's shop to my history above. Was there work done there? Ralph
No It was just my hill billy way of getting it home. I had Tom drop it off at Walt's place so they could bring it to Bakersfield so my buddy Bill Lininger from Ohio could drop it at my place on his way home from the Hot Rod Reunion. Kind of a bear hunt or a guffey goat rodeo.
With the brain trust involved you know this car will be CORRECT when it's done.No better team out there then this.
hey FRITZ...yea BIG john is our hero for sure! but your the hero, for the man your restoring it for! bet U never thaught of that. hell man thats my job HA! so keep us up on progress, man i mean it, don't make me come up there HA! call me POP,,,or the old FART!
Jeff & Guffy I have Movies of My Car & the Football at Indy in 69 or 70 when KS had it get a hold of me mine is going to be done for BG HRR Trouble
This is one cool project and I do hope you post some pictures as you go for us and thanks for the posting for all to see.
Thank You about the story in New Zealand Hot Rod I was so glad to be a part of it. They are vey cool guys over there and if your asking if my car is done not yet but almost,as per the Maz car I don't know how far that is. Trouble
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