History Harold Murphy's "El Matador" Story, Part 2...

TO ALL OF MY FELLOW HAMBERS'...



I worked overtime over the Weekend to finish this up. As promised,
here's PART 2 of Harold Murphy's story of his owning & restoring the Legendary "El Matador".

Harold sent me LOTS of Personal Pix for the story, and called me a couple of times to give me more info...like the DuPont Award that he won, and is shown with the story, and is a special story on its own that you'll find out about.

Check-it out when you can ! You'll see & hear it all at this Link to MURPH'S "EL MATADOR" STORY, PART 2: http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage157.html

All the best to each & everyone !

Jonnie King www.legends.thewwbc.net

 

great storie , i remember reading a magazine article years ago , about this car being restored after the fire , it was a masive under taking , and a beutiful return to the road , Bravo for the restoration and the story being posted ,

 

Great job. We are heading out to the Long Beach Motorama with Murphy in a few weeks.

 

Thanks for saving another piece of history. The stories behind the scenes are as important to save as the vehicles themselves. Thanks to you for your efforts of recording the history of our love of hotrods and customs, and the people who made it happen.

 

Awesome! Thanks for creating this audio and posting the links for all of us to enjoy!

 

Very cool. Thanks for sharing.

 

hotrod1940, captainjunk#2, travis, billylo & THEKID49...

It'a real pleasure to share these stories with you ! Thanks for taking the time to check-'em out and give feedback on 'em.

The H.A.M.B. is a SUPER "connection" for all of us to learn from these fantastic men who've each, in their own way, given to the R&C Industry for all of these years.

Yes, THEKID49, Murph called me the other day and said that you guys were heading to Long Beach ! That's always a cool show...wish I could be there too !!

Jonnie www.legends.thewwbc.net

 

Travis...again thanks ! Good seeing you in Salina, and your recent pix shown here on the H.A.M.B. are just super-cool.

BTW: That story that Murph added to PART 2 about the DuPont Calendar and the Legend who presented the DuPont Award to Murph is a great personal touch.
http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage157.html

With that in mind, you need to put a book of YOUR pix together !

Jonnie www.legends.thewwbc.net

 

I'm shocked that you don't get more people posting comments. I know we have a lot of
lurkers on here so hopefully they are checking out your kool site. Love your interviews
it gives us a chance to hear the history that we all crave.

The El Matador story was awesome, I knew part of the story but didn't realize all the
details. Very kool to hear it from Murphy himself.

Keep up the good work Jonnie, Your doing your part keeping Kustoms and Hot Rod history
alive. We are all digg'n it.

Happy Trails, Mick

 

I have done one and I have been kicking around the idea of doing another. Probably along the lines of the best of 2011

Keep up the good work!

 

When that car came out I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever seen. In my 60 + years I still don't think anything is better.
Great job !!

 

A few pics of the man himself and El Matador might be in order at this point. Taken March, 2010 in West palm Beach. Murphy's wearing the cowboy hat and drinking some water.

 

I always try to mention that the design of this car was by a friend of Bill Cushenbery named Don Varner and he designed several cars for Bill Cushenbery. When I owned the car I struck up a friendship with Bud Anderson of AMT model company and he told me of Varners involvement in several of the Cushenbery cars. Cushenbery was the metal man, but the wild designs were Don Varners. Like to meet the man some day.

 

Mick,

Sincere thanks ! It's an honor to do this with the hope that those who've never had a chance to meet these Icons in-person, as well as future generations of R&C Hambers, can actually hear their personal stories & learn from these Legends.

Stay safe & well...

Jonnie

 

19Fordy,

Thanks for the pix ! Great shots, especially the one with Murph in the background.

It's interesting that this Legendary kustom is slotted-in with the rest of the rides. It always deserves "special parking"...ahead of the pack.
http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage157.html

Jonnie www.legends.thewwbc.net

 

Most people going to todays car shows don't realize that this was the absolute top show car on the circuit over fifty years ago. Few even realize that this is a Ford, it is that radical.

 

hotrod1940,

Very true, and even in Salina when Harold had it displayed, I heard a couple of younger viewers wonder what the car's origin was.

Also, great point about Don Varner ! A superb designer on many levels.

Thanks for your input !


Jonnie

 

Murph is a good guy and worked hard on the resto of the Matador....FYI, The '57 Ranchero in the background, above, is his, too.....
Great job Harold!!

 

I love the El Matador. I still have the 1961 issue of Rod And Custom that had a feature on it that I bought when I was 10 years old. When it was being restored they offered these t-shirts to help with the restoration cost. I also bought their book that I enjoy reading. I wish that Danbury mint would make a diecast replica of it so I could have one of my own. Bill

 

I love that car, it was my older brother Mike's favorite Kustom back in the day.I had the pleasure of working with Murphy when I first moved to Florida with a couple bucks in my pocket. He generously let me use his shop to work from, and kept me busy. It was a very stressful time for me and if not for him it would have been much worse. So anyway Mike flies down and set it up to introduce him to Murph. They hit it off right away and Mikes diggin on the El Matador, and Murph asks him if he would like to take it for a ride!!!!! I will always remember the smile on my brothers face when he got back. I am so fortunate to have him as a friend. Hurts my neck when I talk to him tho!

 

Thanks, Sonny...your last sentence is understandable though 'cause Murph is 6'7" !

Murph is a kind and genorous soul and your story, plus the others on this thread prove that time-and-time again.

Thanks !

Jonnie

PS: For those of you who missed the upper Link MURPH'S "EL MATADOR" STORY, PART 2: http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage157.html

 

as much work as was done on the car, it's too bad the steering wheel and column are such an afterthought. by the looks of the steering wheel cover, it still hasn't been addressed. don't get me wrong, but that wheel(and column) is like a herpes sore on a supermodel. i'd bang her, but it would still be there, right on her lip...

 

I agree, that is why I am looking for the parts to make it correct. I already bought the gauges, now to find the wheel. Don't tell Murphy though, I have not told him i got the gauges yet.
If anybody has a '55 DeSoto steering wheel laying around, I would like to buy it.

Mike

 

I have a desoto wheel you can have FREE,but the chrome center is missing! any help to you?

 

Thanks! PM sent

 

Two more pics I took that day. And then there's the T-shirt hanging on my garage wall signed by the man who resurrected this famous car.

 

hallelujah!

 

That's why the H.A.M.B. is so G-R-E-A-T !

Thanks marccustom ! Sgt. Preston was right: "The Mounties always get their man and, occasionally, a DeSoto steering wheel !"

And, THEKID49: Don't worry I won't mention any of these items to Murph...but I know he'll be greatful to all involved.

BTW: The neat part of PART 2 is when Murph explains the problems involved in doing the resto to begin with ! And, thanks to Ellis for the eMail. You're right listening to that is a REAL eyeopener !

Jonnie www.legends.thewwbc.net

 

One thing I realized looking at the picture above is that the headrests must have burned in the fire as they were made of wood. Murphy would have had to remake those also. That wouldn't be easy. So much work went into that restoration that it boggles the mind.

I was tempted to keep those headrests as souvenirs , but I just couldn't do it.

 

The headrests are the original. They were not in the car at the time of the fire.