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History Is the Joe Gemsa T roadster still around?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by alchemy, Jan 12, 2013.

  1. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 21,879

    alchemy
    Member

    I was digging in my old magazines today and came across the September '67 Rod and Custom with the pale yellow '25 T roadster on the cover. The car with the OHC B motor and red Buffalo wires. A vintage style build (even in 1967) by Joe Gemsa, called the "King of the 4-Bangers".

    Did the car survive to today? I hope it didn't get scavanged for parts.
     
  2. Pete Eastwood
    Joined: Jul 27, 2011
    Posts: 1,302

    Pete Eastwood
    Member
    from california

    That was a neat car, I knew Joe, & remember seeing him drive it a number of times.
    I hope it has survived.
     
  3. 25mercury
    Joined: Aug 14, 2010
    Posts: 115

    25mercury
    Member
    from California

    It's in Northern California. Current owner is a member of FAST and is restoring it.
     
  4. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 21,879

    alchemy
    Member

    Here's a pic for those who might not know it.


    .
     

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  5. It's amazing that I remembered the car after you posted the photo of the magazine cover.

    The grill shell is really what stuck in my mind,,I'm glad to hear it is being restored. HRP
     
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  6. Kevin Lee
    Joined: Nov 12, 2001
    Posts: 7,648

    Kevin Lee
    Super Moderator
    Staff Member

    I have another magazine with that car featured. (stashed away somewhere) I dig that car – the grille shell is from an International.

    Believe I asked a similar question concerning it's whereabouts here a few years ago but can't remember what the outcome was.

    Edit: Completely skipped 25mercury's post. Sorry.
     
  7. hiboy32
    Joined: Nov 7, 2001
    Posts: 2,797

    hiboy32
    Member
    from Omaha, NE

    That is a cool roadster. Didn't he design and build the ohv head?
     
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  8. bgaro
    Joined: Sep 3, 2010
    Posts: 1,189

    bgaro
    Member

    what are head lights? packard?
     
  9. So-Cal Speed Sacramento
    Joined: Sep 6, 2008
    Posts: 459

    So-Cal Speed Sacramento
    Alliance Vendor
    from Sacramento

    yes it is! it's hiding here in Nor*Cal ...
     
  10. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 21,879

    alchemy
    Member

    The article says the headlights are '17 Studebaker. The grille is a '34 International.

    25merc and SoCalSac need to get us some current spy photos.

    There's another '20ish T roadster from the same era with a similar weirdo-vintage vibe I remember. It was built with tall wires and low-slung body, and a very small 4-banger of later years. The owner/builder was a tall guy and seemed to barely fit into the car. Featured in an off-brand mag of the time, pictured doing dusty slides, I have a copy somewhere and will try to find it soon. I'll post pics and info when I can.
     
  11. Bruce Lancaster
    Joined: Oct 9, 2001
    Posts: 21,681

    Bruce Lancaster
    Member Emeritus

    I think PHR was the other magazine that covered the Gemsa car.
     
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  12. Kevin Lee
    Joined: Nov 12, 2001
    Posts: 7,648

    Kevin Lee
    Super Moderator
    Staff Member

    Ah, I think you're right. I still have stacks of things to go through since the move – wish I could find that magazine and scan/post it.
     
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  13. Jay Tyrrell
    Joined: Dec 9, 2007
    Posts: 1,631

    Jay Tyrrell
    Member

    It would be cool to see more of it!
    Jay
     
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  14. 4-port Riley
    Joined: Oct 20, 2005
    Posts: 303

    4-port Riley
    Member

    The head on that car was a "Gemsa", first designed and built by the Morales Brothers of sprint car fame.
     
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  15. Ocean56
    Joined: Oct 5, 2009
    Posts: 128

    Ocean56
    Member
    from Michigan

    That is one of the baddest Ts I've ever laid eyes on!
     
  16. falcongeorge
    Joined: Aug 26, 2010
    Posts: 18,339

    falcongeorge
    Member
    from BC

    Those look like exhaust pipe retainer rings from a Triumph. Did he counterbore and tap the exhaust ports?
     
  17. falcongeorge
    Joined: Aug 26, 2010
    Posts: 18,339

    falcongeorge
    Member
    from BC

    Seth Hammond??
     

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    Last edited: Dec 16, 2013
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  18. The37Kid
    Joined: Apr 30, 2004
    Posts: 32,100

    The37Kid
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Seth still has his T and it has a DO Fronty. Glad to hear the Joe Gemsa T is being restored, it was in Massachusetts for many years in a collection. Bob
     
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  19. falcongeorge
    Joined: Aug 26, 2010
    Posts: 18,339

    falcongeorge
    Member
    from BC

    I think that might be his "hillclimb" car??

    [​IMG]
     
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  20. I have the issue of PHR from '64 with the Joe Gemsa T. I will scan the article tonight.
     
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  21. [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2013
  22. falcongeorge
    Joined: Aug 26, 2010
    Posts: 18,339

    falcongeorge
    Member
    from BC

    Thanks so much for posting that Jimmy, an amazing car, especially in the context of 1964! Was it ten years ahead of the curve or 30 years behind?;)
     
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2013
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  23. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 21,879

    alchemy
    Member

    Wow, I never saw the posts about the Hammond T or the Gemsa PHR feature. Thanks guys! I really dig that Hammond car. Any current pics of it?
     
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  24. swifty
    Joined: Dec 25, 2005
    Posts: 2,461

    swifty
    Member

  25. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 21,879

    alchemy
    Member

    OK, I scrolled through the first couple dozen pages and found the scans of the old Street Rod magazine, and the alluding to the current whereabouts of the Hammond T, but didn't see any actual current pics. Is search friendly enough to find "current" pics of the Hammond or Gemsa Ts?
     
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  26. I just picked this up from a local man. I'm going to keep his name diclosed for the time being I was told that this car was in Hot Rod Magazine in 1956 and later found it what to me seems to be the Joe Gemsa T. This car has been weathered and stored for many years I am in Southern California and the guy I got it from is very well known and so is his father I do believe that this car is the real deal but I can't be completely sure without more forensic investigation I will let you decide
     

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  27. This is the real deal
     

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  28. Some patina you just can't fake
     

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  29. The37Kid
    Joined: Apr 30, 2004
    Posts: 32,100

    The37Kid
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    What happened to Joe's T after it left Massachusetts? Was it parted out and the engine and wire wheels used on other cars? Good luck with the rebuild, it was a nice T back in the day. Bob
     
  30. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 21,879

    alchemy
    Member

    Did you get anything else in the pile?
     
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