HOLY ****! I'm from Daisetta originally. There are no "goldchainers" in that town of 700 or so. Several car minded folks though. My buddy, who still lives there, is finishing a 23 T-Bucket while his dad is still working on two projects. A '37 Chevy Truck and an old Packard. Good stuff. It's Oilfield, Hunters, Fishermen, and folks working to get food to the table. Let me tell you....that is the last thing I would expect to find in that town. I'm interested in finding out who owns it.
I second that... that thing in black primer at the Laguna show. That guy is either full of it, or very misinformed....
Moriarity is the guy that restored it in 95. It dissapeared for a while... and now it looks like hes bidding on it to buy it back. whats all the hubbub bub?
the bubble for that was made by using a pizza oven to heat the lexan (or plastic or whatever it is). They had drilled a hole in the center, then after it was hot they put wieghts around the outside and shoved an air hose in there, shot air in there and walla a one off, no mold, bubble. Amazing or so the legend goes
Doesn't actually say it's original paint, just that its still in good condition, although the statement is misleading.
"This is a collector's dream, and it is probably the only Roth car not in a private collection." .....SOoooo, that'd mean it's owned by the government or a corporation right? Even if it was in MY garage, it'd still be a "private" collection. They say it like there's somethin' wrong with that....??? Sorry, just nit-picking....'cos I can't afford it.
i realize that this car was built in a garage similar to what its resting in now, but that doesnt mean it should be in one now. its a genuine piece of americana, rolling art in my opinion. it is to me a crying shame to not see it in a museum where everyone can enjoy it. maybe some place like Don Garlits' museum, where it will be seen and appreciated by the m***es and maybe encourage future endevours for younger folks. i would have never put it on ebay... thats like putting the mona lisa on home shopping network. i mean, how many bubble top cars even get built now a days? how many "newer" car enthusiasts know that you dont have to build a car from a catalog? i hope the guy who's selling gets his *** nailed by the IRS on capital gains or something. i guarantee he didnt pay anything like $75k for it.
According to Roth's book,the engines were mounted at 90 degrees from stock,which means the crankshafts were verticle.He did not convert them to dry sump lubrication.While running it at Autorama in 1964,one of the cranshafts broke due to no lubrication.Roth mentions that a guy named Ron Aguirre was at the controls when ths happened.The rotor flew off into the crowd injuring a lady.He says "my eternally appologies to those people,especially an unnamed lady who suffered for many years after". The book I have,called Hot Rods by Ed "Big Daddy" Roth was penned in 1995.He states the owner at that time as being George Goodrich. Someone previously posted a question concerning why the bubble seal was red.In one of the original pics in the book,it is red,in 1964.Hope this helps.
I'm with Tuck on this. Mark bought it in the early 90's and totally rebuilt the thing. A frame off if you want to call it that. The history on all of Roth's stuff is REALLY foggy at best (because like it or not Roth was a ********ter) so when a guy goes to restore one of his cast-offs he has nothing to go by really. It's not like restoring a Chevelle. I don't see what the big deal is. I wouldn't pay $75 large for it, but I can't say it isn't worth that. Who knows what it's worth - there's only one right? And as for the bubbles, that's not how it was done. The lexan is put between two sheets of plywood - one with a hole cut into it (cut to the shape of the bubble) the hole for the air nozzle is cut into the back peice of plywood and it is blown from behind. The lexan/plywood sandwich is hung with the hole facing down usually so let gravity aid int he process. Kinda like this:
It ended up going for 200, 000.00. I hope the guy made a good chunk of money off it. It would be interesting to know the history, how he got it , for how much and how long it was stored.
umm Ron a Hamber down in MN who is a Huge big daddy fan & has restroed a few of Daddys stuff along with building a kool *** org fibergl*** car restored this I think with his kid & if Mark M wants to talk bout it I am sure he will ....
I'm going to be selling the Knott's Berry Farm Berrywagon that Roth built when he worked at the sign shop at Knott's. If you're interested let me know. I talked to Mark about it but he wasn't willing to pay the shipping from California for it.
$200,000 was the reserve 1Badwillys top bid was $85,000----not enough to meet reserve. Check out the other things the buyer has won----seems legit----big $$$ items. BIG Beatles fan! Marcy
So, the high bidder would have had to known the reserve, in order to get the spread from $85k to $200k winning bid.....
not necesarily. if his high bid happened to meet (or exceed) the reserve he won it for the reserve price.
At that price, I would suspect the new owner has some ambitious plans for Rotar's future. Possibly a restoration to original condition or maybe its worth more just as it sits?