Rod & Custom Dream Truck?

Bob Metz - the Fin King. I was surprised to discover that Mr. Metz had a shop in Shelbyville, Indiana, where my Mom's family was, and is, from.

Turns out my great grandfather knew Bob, and took me to his shop to meet him soon after the truck was finned. I was awestruck with his ability to work metal, and amazed that a small town guy could get so well known in the custom world that he would be asked to work on something from Barris. Nice guy.


Mutt

 

This has nothing to do with newbies, if you read the whole post. It has to do someone posting an innocent request and it gets hijacked with a boatload of baloney and baiting. Being a fng or newbie has nothing to do with the quality of a post. Senior members are equal opportunity offenders on an equal basis.

 

I'm not usually one to call people names (other than politicians), but I just keep thinking "Idiot" when I read the above post.

Ben

 

I keep getting this picture of him watching the Indy or Daytona 500 with none of the starting cars finishing the race. Must drive him crazy wodering were the original drivers go.

 

I believe your are thinking of the Wildcat truck that burnt in the '58 Barris shop fire. That was a different truck.

 

We're all dickheads too. Just not as quick to snap at shit. And I gotta admit, it is easier to take from someone I've "known" for years here.

 

That's exactly what I was thinking. That was a killer truck too

 

I remember seeing a TV show about the history of this truck, and how it was geting flat towed behind another truck on its way to a show and the whole thing rolled into the ditch. Pretty mangled up, but some years later its was restored and I cant remember what show it was but it kept my attention

 

I think that's going to leave a scar!

 

I can't believe half the crap I have read on this! Some of you idiots make new FNG's like me think H.A.M.B. stands for hokey ass menstral bitches. I don't believe the truck was a complete loss but the point was that it is not the same as when it was originally done. After the accident it was redone and done well but it wasn't the same people doing it. That is what was lost and changed. Look up the word "original" then critisize somebody for their opinion and tell them stupid shit about a heart transplant! WTF!? So pull your thongs out and let your ego's breath!

 

How about instead of bitching about what is restored or not original anymore we all go build things NOW that people 50 years from now will have this debate over?

 

Thanks for including a couple shots of my truck in this Dream Truck debate. WOW !! lots of mis-information out there. Glad there are so many people around that enjoyed the "R & C Dream Truck" as much as I have over the years. My truck will be done next month. Hopefully hit some shows this year and try and team up with Kurt McCormick and get both trucks displayed together.

 

I'm with you. When I started buiding the clone i really wanted the stepside version without the bulbous rear or the scoop over the windshield. That rear looked great with the fins however. Everybody has different taste. That truck with the section, chop, and front end work was the coolest thing around. My gold clone should be done month. Glad to seee there is still so much interest in the old "R & C Dream Truck"

 

Glad to hear you like my clone. I'm with you, that rear was out of place on the stepside version. Plans are to scallop the Gold truck in purple and fucia in the original scallop configuration. Kurt

 

Thanks for including the 2 shots of the truck getting the fin treatment. I have never seen them before. My gold clone reportedly has the original Dream Truck rear fenders. I talked to Barris at Carlisle a few years ago and he remembered the fenders were in the bed of the truck when it was delivered back to him after the fin treatment.

 

The lunar lander is so unoriginal that it never existed, and still does not exist to this day. I think I may try to redo it, just so it can exist in the first place.

 

Saw a movie at Kurts.made by Spencer Murrary after the truck pulling theDream Truck both rolled over.Shows pulling the Dream Truck back
on its wheels and loading it up.-----------------------TWOCHOPS

 

Jim when your right, your right! Twenty owners twenty paint jobs is not going to change a 58 pontiac built by GM. nor will twenty paint jobs change any other recognized vehicle

I actually own a clone myself (kinda sorta, if you squint real hard and imagine hahaha)

 

Who made this great steering wheel? Anyone else make something like it? Doen't have to be white.

 

That is a mid 50's Corvette steering wheel. Pick one up at the next swap meet .

 

Oh yeah. I think I can get one like it from that Maserati 3500 that's abandoned in the woods.

I like that flat wheel look.

 

I saw the Dream Truck alive and well this past fall at the Glenmoor gathering...looked real to me.
Here is my post on it (with pictures)...
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=71346

 

Spence's guts always amazed me on that Dream truck. Takes guts to think you can take a basic NEW TRUCK, get 40 or so different customizers to agree on how to build it. (Think 40 tomcats in a garbage can with 1 mouse), and put it in competition in the show car circuit against the best of those same customizers cars.

 

I never figured that people on this board weren't hip to the Dream Truck. That truck has me inspired to chop and section my 54 3100. Getting the beltline down near the top of the bed really makes these trucks look good. I never liked the fins. I agree with some of the prior responses about "updates" and overdoing. Showing customs was a way of life and a fresh idea in those days. Some really crazy shit was done huh? You must admire the talent and craftsmanship, even if it isn't a thing of beauty in every way.

One point to this is that the truck was always a "work in progress" and who knows how it woulda ended had it not been wrecked. I read a retrospective on this project in one of dad's R&Cs when i was maybe 12-14yrs old and instantly fell in love with it. More recently a rendering of a new Chevy SSR done to mimic the beloved Dream Truck was printed. Not a bad idea either, but how many would know what and why.

Original...I've been a restorer at many levels for decades. It never ceases to amaze me how few do research, let alone can't grasp the concept of "authentic" vs "original". In the end it doesn't matter. It's about a respect for history, old-world talent, and preservation. Enthusiasts and OEMs have archived the knowledge and processes to create and service parts of treasured autos from the past. I have a true blueprint for a 20's Rolls Royce roadster from Rolls. It's 1/8th scale and provides enough detail and proportion to do whatever you need to. Things like this are available if you look. Thanks go to Rikster for his unending collection of custom artisans and their work. Inspiring is an understatement. Good luck HSLD. Hope ya come up with a bitchin truck.

 

You are not correct. The famed Wild Cat pickup was burned in the Barris shop fire. The Dream Truck never burned, but was wrecked in a towing accident in 1958, and was restored 20 years later. I wrote the book on the Dream Truck after years of research, and I know the entire history of the great Spencer Murray Dream Truck!

 

i have read a few articles about the dream truck.. i know a few of the original customizers. the truck was restored to, as best as possible, it's pre-crash state. the guy that did most of the work on it in the late 70's was carl green.. when i asked him about it (seems to me that this man is lacking credit where credit is due) he said he tried to preserve the original builders mods.. the only place he had trouble was with winfields fender mods. carl is a humble guy.. he did what most said couldn't or shouldn't be done without blowing his own horn.. remember that name, some way cool stuff is on it's way from the hands of this guy real soon..

 

Sir, welcome to the fray. It would be cool to get more insight from you on this topic. Way to much miss information on famous vehicles. Thanks,-MIKE

 

My vote is for the very first version with the tricky exhaust piping-typical Spencer Murray if you recall his full custom Chevy car. I also preferred the bitchin' purple paint in the first version. And I agree that most all newer editions of cars never improve looks, only make them different. And most importantly, Alex Zydias does not deserve such an ignorant, rude remark. If any of you ever have the opportunity introduce yourself and you will find a true gentleman.

 

Isn't that the original setting in the Barris exhibit in the NHRA Museum??

 

yes it is. heres one that was on ebay not long ago. guy claims it was built buy some of the original builders of the dream truck back in the day for an r&c customer that wanted one. was never finished back then. this truck is supposed to have the original rear fenders from the dream truck. can anyone confirm or deny? looks to be the same truck posted earlier in this thread.