I've been watching the videos of this restoration taking place near me in New York State. The car is pretty cool for 1938 and the work being done is amazing. I'm not sure if this would be considered off-topic but I thought other people would enjoy watching the videos as much as I did. I don't know the guy doing the work but he can be pretty funny. Details about the car from the Youtube Channel for QuickSpeedShop: Built in Batavia, NY in 1938 by Charles Thomas and his friend Norm Richardson. This is a completely hand made vehicle. Named the Rocket Car or Future Car this vehicle was way ahead of its time. Features like 4 wheel independent suspension, full belly pan, 4 fender skirts, rear looking periscope, unibody construction, flush mount tail lights and gas filler, etc gave the Rocket Car a unique look and foreshadowed the American automotive future. Follow along as this unique piece is saved from the grips of Mother Nature and restored to its former glory.
jonnyzepp, you are right. The videos Josh posts are entertaining. He is a member of our local "Rochester Street Rods" car club and a good friend of Batavia native **** McClurg who has been heading up this restoration. This update and image of the Rocket Car was posted by a reporter yesterday. The Rocket Car: An incredible restoration project motors ahead here in Batavia, NY. The Thomas Rocket Car was designed by Batavia native Charles D. Thomas back in 1938. Thomas, as well as welder Norm Richardson, built the car here in Genesee County and attempted to get one of the “Big Three” in Detroit to buy into their vision. It didn’t happen and the car, only one in existence, more or less faded away. Several years ago, what was left of this prototype was found in a barn in Lockport, NY—it was in rough shape (bottom image from Batavia Daily News). Ultimately, Batavia car enthusiast **** McClurg took possession of the car and has been meticulously restoring it for the last five years. The body work and paint job are complete, focus will now turn to the mechanics and interior. McClurg owns Old World Collision in Batavia and has a great operating base to get this work done—various fundraising efforts have gotten him this far. The Rocket Car will be pulled today in the Batavia Memorial Day parade, making a rare public appearance with its sparkling new paint job. Big thank you to Cathy Moore Norton, former WNY resident who now lives in Michigan. It was her father who made the discovery of the Rocket Car in Lockport.
The Jalopy Journal
