Bay Area guys Any History on this Old Hot Rod

I've lived in the Bay Area almost all my life ... but I don't remember ever seeing this car.

In fact, just last week I was looking through my father's old photographs & slides of 1960's and 1970's "rod runs" (Andy's Picnic, Bay Area 40's, Nor Cal Early Iron, etc.) ... but never came across any pics of a Hot Rod with such a unique body (T front half, A rear half).

Yes ... the Bay Area Roadsters still exist (click HERE to view their website) ... I know most of them (as well as several ex-members) ... and know that a few of them lurk here on the H.A.M.B. ... so maybe one of them will chime in ... though most are in their 60's or 70's ... and let's just say that their memories aren't what they used to be

 

if he was in pittsburg have someone contact frank Derosa if he's still slingin lead/bondo. he has been in that hood forever.good luck I understand how hard it is tracin this kinda stuff down

 

Lownrusty (Paul) from the hamb bought the car originally and I bought it from him. My understanding is that Paul bought the car from a widow in San Francisco, it is unclear if the widow's husband built the car originally or acquired it at some point. She also had a 32 roadster, which she didn't want to sell which is part of the reason that Paul was a bit cloak and dagger and did not want to bug the widow to much, which I totally get, really I would just like some photos or information on the car so I could make an attempt at getting the car back to it original look. Even just to find out what engine was in it would be cool.

The car has a similar look to Gary Heliker's roadster, but all leads on that front have not been fruitful. It is definitely not the Heliker roadster, but it is similar.

I have tried contacting the Bay Area Roadsters Club once and never heard anything back. May be I should give it another try...

 

I'm pretty sure that the contact e-mail address on the Bay Area Roadsters website (http://www.bayarearoadsters.com) is their webmaster's e-mail address (website was desisned and is maintained by the son of one of the members).

You might have better luck just sending a PM to the BAR members that are also HAMBers ... I sent you a PM with their H.A.M.B. user names.

Good luck!

 

I Think I recognize that T. If so, it was parked on the side yard of a house in Livermore for years. Until maybe 2001, 02.
On Via Granada near the corner of Elaine and Holmes. It was half under an old green tarp for years. Maybe the 5th. House on the right as you go south on Via Granada from Elaine? ( from memory and looked familiar on Google earth). Maybe someone that lives in Livermore could ask around the neighborhood . if that aint it. It’s a clone. San Francisco Widow story or not.

 

Holy ****...that is cool as hell. The story could be wrong for all I know. I am in the middle of the county so all Bay area towns sound the same to me

Was it just the body then or was it on a frame...engine? Thanks.

 

scotd54 ...

My in-laws live in that area of Livermore ... and I remember seeing a Hot Rod under a tarp on Via Granada ... but I think it is was a different car ... then again, I could be mistaken (it wouldn't be the first time).

I noticed in your profile that you live in Livermore ... you could be lucky_1974's hero if you knocked on the doors near the Via Granada house and found out that it was indeed the same car that Lownrusty bought from the widow in SF.

 

Yea, I guess i need to change my profile. I moved from Livermore about 4 years ago. A friend of mine did live on Via Granada and still lives in Livermore. he's retired so maybe he can find time to go ask around. I'll ask him today.

 

if I remember it was on a frame 'cause I remember it had a chrome/rusty rearend installed. and I wanna say it had a small block chevy. I am sure about the rearend.

 

Livermore is only about 45 miles east of San Francisco ... but worlds away from being anything like SF ... Livermore is a Bay Area suburb ... full of vineyards/wineries, ranches/cowboys (91st annual Livermore Rodeo will be held in June '09), and home to the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (& the HAMB's very own Bomb Factory Dragster).

Kinda like comparing downtown Minneapolis to New Richmond, MN ... both are in the "Twin Cities Area" ... but ...

 

Actually ... it was your introduction post that states you live in Livermore ... my bad for stating it was in your profile.

 

Got...I alway tell people I am from Minneapolis, and Maplewood is 3 miles for St. Paul so I get the nuances.

 

Man if that worked out it would be cool!!!

 

well, talked to my buddy, he remembers the T and he swears up and down it was black not purple. I don't know? it looks like the same one to me.

 

I kinda remember it being black too ... but I wasn't positive, so I just kept my mouth shut (I've been wrong before ... and it was several years ago that I saw it).

 

Try Von Franco or St John Morton.

 

I postes this on Luckys other post too so sorry about double posting it, i was looking thru some of my little books and came upon this article on a car, seemed familiar, and then bam it hit me, Lucky_1974's car.

and it was the cover car!

dunno if any history was found on your actual car but here it is from a little pages book ROD BUILDER & CUSTOMIZER Jan 1959

Look at the back section, the taillights and license lights match, and take a look at the bones, and its a 26/7 with a 28/9 back on it, i think its got to be it.

and i noticed the same striping is still on the body, its hard to see in the scans but its the same

 

Too cool. That thing was gorgeous!