Just read the entire thread - great story! So glad you saved this car! I vote salt flats version.... .
As it raced at Bonneville!!!!!!! Hope you can get the dash plaque and track nose, I think the same deal happened with a Don Orosco restoration. Making a reproduction is not the end of the world if the guy won't move off it. I'd have a handfull of cash when I went to see the nose and plaque and hand it over once a price is set. That price will be cheap in five years.
I really like the original look of the car better than the salt flat look. So, there's one vote for the feature look.
Here is a question for you, was the whole body originally a Coupe, and has Roadster doors added? The reason I ask is the section under the door looks taller than a Roadster, a photo of the door sill should answer things.
I'm surprised that nobody has asked about "Miss Carol Potter" who posed with the car for the mag story. If she's still with us, it would be very cool to get current photos and maybe a story from her, wouldn't you think. Hey, maybe she has the track nose!!!!!!.....or some other parts to the car....or some photos.....or a great story that should be included with the history of the car....maybe she used to go "spoonin" in the car.... I vote Bonneville restoration. Maybe Miss Carol was there with Bob and the car!!!!!
Personally I would restore it to how it was in the HRM feature. But it would be easier to restore to Bonneville condition. You did get the windshield frame that was in the interior didn't you? Great to see you respect its history and want to restore it.
I vote for the HRM spread i think either way though would be cool casue either way you can't go wrong!!!!
I like the Bonneville look better BUT I think I'd restore to Hot Rod feature car. I'd think it'd be worth more that way and more people would identify with that than the salt version. But it's your car now, do what you'll be happy with.
The Bonneville car is a classic hot rod race car with historical significance. No choice but to go that way.
The article from "Hot Rod" Nov 1950 says the front is a Roadster Pickup and the rear clip is a "Coupe" with the decklid leaded in
Whatever you do take lots and lots of pictures. They will need them for the magazine article. I'd restore it to the Hot Rod feature car.
"Miss Carol Potter" was the owner of "Ralphs Muffler Shops" wife ,or daughter...........I still haven't figured out which,yet The car was entered at Bonneville in 1951 as "Ralphs Muffler Special" (car #513) Ralph Potter was the owner of "Ralph's Muffler Shops" He was also the Sponsor I think him and Bob Hamke were best friends
I like the Bonneville version better , but I have to agree that the mag feature would be the way to go. Then make a clone of the Bville car 'cause it's cooler...
Windshield frame and front axle are bent from the wreck But not rusted out Both can be saved Here are some parts I got with the car........including the rear "Nerf-bar "ends <div style="width:480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w37.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w37.photobucket.com/albums/e63/tri67chop/SCTA 1927 Ford/9ebbef19.pbw" height="360" width="480"></div>
That is excellent! The more original parts the better and they will make things much easier with the resto. There are only minor details that differ from feature & b-ville versions. Use the windshield for when you drive it and take it off when displaying with the torneau.
This is great, it almost feels like we are all part of this with you. This is the kinda stuff that makes the internet so cool, gearheads from all over the world looking over you shoulder as you go through this..keep it coming please...
This is the same Idea I thought The car finished in 9th at Bonneville at 149 MPH (Fastest time turned by a Non west coast car) But took many first places as a "Hot Rod" at shows I probably wouldn't have bought the car if it wasn't for Jimmy B 's Post of Identification Always post your find here Just proves one thing................. ALWAYS FOLLOW THOSE "WILD GOOSE" CHASES Power of the "HAMB"
Im going to have to cast a vote for Salt Flats. That thing sitting on the salt in its former glory would be beyond words. Good luck.
For sure the Hot Rod magazine version. There are so few cars left that are still reconizable as a HR feature car. The Bonneville story is an important part of it's history. I'd get on that hard while there maybe some one around there who actually went with the car. As for the tag I'd be suprised if the guy would give it up just because you have the car. But if you drove it up his driveway finished that would probably be a different story. You are one lucky guy on this one. Best of luck.
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