Customs Spence Murray's 36 roadster R&C project car

Does anyone have a list of the Rod & Custom issues with the build for Spence Murray's 36 Ford roadster? If I remember correctly, the build made it through having the car in primer when R&C ceased publishing in the 70's.

I have the Hot Rod Year Book # 14 with some of the the reprinted build articles and Petersen's Complete Ford Book that shows the car finished with paint. I would like to try and find all of the original R&C issues . Thanks inn advance.

 

Spence is writing a recap of the project in Rodder's Journal but I don't know what issue it will be in. The R & C project build stories were in like 70, 71, 72, 73, I think, it was a long time ago.
Carl

 

I'm sure I have all the issues, I really enjoyed following that build from day one when he found the body in Gene Scotts back yard. Is the car still lost or has someone found it?

 

I also have my dad's yearbook with all the articles on that car, I loved it...

 

Spence is going back east to interview the current owner and that is going to be part of the story he is writing for Rodders Journal.

 

Neat car....had an AMC motor, I rememer that they had Joe Baillon do some lead work on it.

Also some neat pre patch panel fender repairs both fornt and back...

 

There is a nice article in Rodder's Journal number 40 on the '36.

 

That was a great build story in the late 60's and early 70's. I always wondered what happened to Spence's roadster - good to hear it is still around.

 

I remember him looking for its current whereabouts for a long time...I take that this means its finally been found?

 

Spence sold the car at the Street Rod Nats in Tulsa in, I believe 1976. The buyer still owns the car and lives in PA.

 

If you enjoy reading how Rods & Customs were built before the days of all the catalog after-market companies , these articles are for you! It took some time but I think I found them all , now its time to read them again!
Rod & Custom Magazine
Feb. 68 Project is introduced in Starting Line editorial
May,July,Nov,Dec 1968
Jan,April,May,July,Sept 1969
Feb,April 1971
May,Sept 1973
Peterson Complete Ford Book #4 1976
Rod & Custom specials #2 & #3 1977
Rod & Custom specials #4 , #5 & #6 1978

 

I've often wondered what happened to that car. As I recall, they had to really cut out a lot of firewall and X member to get the AMC and (I think) T10 4 speed trans in there. I also think the motor and trans were brand new units instead of being pulled out of a wreck, but I am doing that from memory.


Don

 

WOW! Great job, R&C RON! You really did your homework on that one. Thanks for all your efforts. Do you have all those mags?

 

This build was started in the late 60's and was slated from the beginning to be a 40's style build. This predates just about all other new traditional builds. Spence had connections with AMC from his Baja 500 racing which i beleive led to him getting the new AMC engine and trans.

 

Very cool... thanks for sharing !

 

Yes I do have all those magazines , I have been collecting for years' and its great to be able to share this stuff on the HAMB!

 

I know right where the car is and it looks exactly the same. Nothing is changed. Also, it is not for sale and the owner is very privite !!!! I tried many times over the years to talk him into getting the car back out but he wants nothing to do with that. The car is very well maintained and in good driveable condition(but goes nowhere). I do have pic. of the car somewhere. I will see if i can find them. Tom

 

I think you are correct, I seem to recall the same thing. I know I have all or some of the story in an old year book, I will have to take a look for it.

 

The car still looks exactly the same as Matthewsgarage said...in fact it still has the original California plate on it too. Nothing has been changed. The only thing that was added was an electric fan because the car was running hot.

It's funny that this thread popped up today...Not going to let the cat out of the bag..but you all might be seeing it soon....

 

Thank you for taking the time to find them all! I'm sure I have them up in the attic, great to know what I'm looking for now. Bob

 

I followed that car build when I was a kid. It blew me away that they found it in a junkyard. I think it was a '35. Then they cut up a coupe for the frame they found in a junkyard. The engine was out of rod & customs AMX or javelin project car that somehow burned up! This is all from memory!

 

Thanks R&C Ron! This is the list I was looking for. Now my search begins to find all of the magazines.

 

What a great car!

Spike