I think it's great for it's historical value and to see what kind of ****py workmanship could slide by on a show winner. Years ago I acquired a show T bucket from the early 60s. It had a plethora of neat ****. Moon tank, domed SW gauges, jag rear, Boranni knock off wires and Firestone indy tires, nailhead with 2 fours. The dam thing was un drivable, it only steered in one direction and the drag link had a 6" dog leg in it so it twisted and tweaked when you steered it. I never was a fan, even as a kid, of the goofy **** some of the big name builders did for shows. Hell, one of Roth's fell apart in the transport truck, I think it was the original Mysterion, could be mistaken though. Lots of those cars never even had guts in the engine, or so I heard.
BTW and since you mentioned him, I dig what Junichi Shimodaira has been building. Especially the Galaxian.
Not only is there a lot of love for these examples of retched excess, venerated by younger guys today, but, in 20 years, young folks will be oohing and aweing over big sedans with painted bumpers, tweed interiors, pro street tires and hideous pastel paint jobs, with Heartbeat graphics. We overlook so many sins, in the interest of "preserving how it was".
When parts are almost none existent at the time and the wallet is thin you become creative, some are cool and some not ,you have to admire there p***ion for CARS/TRUCKS
Just noticed your avatar Joey - It is one of Doug's Headers early Logo Stickers from L.A. before he moved to Anaheim. We still use the Willy's Logo.
I think it's pretty neat, as mentioned, in the context of the times. Time tends to soften opinions, years ago, I drug home my first car, a '37 Ford. All the old guys I knew told me how ugly 37-39 Fords were. Just like how ugly late 50's cars were once considered ugly, and on down through automotive history.
That thing could ugly y***ir Arafat to death.....make ray Charles wince in pain........UUUUUH Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
WESTPORT, Wash. - Jerald C. "Jerry" McBee, 67, died at his home in Westport on Friday, Dec. 28, 2007. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008, in the chapel at Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Wash. Burial will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, at Helix Cemetery. Mr. McBee was born July 24, 1940, in Elsberry, Mo., to Harry M. and Blanche Kay McBee. He came with his family to Oregon at a young age where they lived in several towns as his father worked in the construction business. He spent most of his school years in Athena and Helix and graduated from Helix High School in 1959. He joined the National Guard and served in active and reserve duty. He graduated from Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton and later received his bachelor's degree in education from Oregon State University. He returned to BMCC, where he shared his mechanical and metal-working skills as a teacher. His love for motor sports led him to a new career of exhibition wheel standers. He spent more than 10 years wowing audiences from coast-to-coast with his wheel standing White Freightliner powered by a V-12 Allison aircraft engine. He married Rhonda Bellinger in 1986. They spent the next 21 years together in Westport, where they owned and operated McBee's Silver Sands Motel. During this time he also became widely known for his unique artistry in turning rusted-out hulks into cl***ic street rods. His other love was fishing for salmon and albacore with friends and family. R.I.P
I like it. Looks like they used a chromed Ford expansion tank on the Olds motor, which seems odd to me since those things are known for leaking, must have had to do with the radiator placement. That alone makes me think this car must have been street driven.
It can't be from the 60s. Back then weren't they all flat black/rusty with red wheels and wide whites?
Rapping pipes, churning tires and a look of determination embody the sport in one relatively simple illustration. It has been, and will continue to be, one of my absolute favorite logos.
Just an FYI … Jerald C. “Jerry” McBee is actually Gerald R. “Gerry” McBee’s twin brother. "Jerry" was also a hot rodder … his channeled ‘29 roadster was featured in the April 1963 issue of HOT ROD Magazine (see @J.Ukrop’s Show Car for the Street TJJ Blog). That stated … just last month, "Gerry" p***ed away : Gerald Ray McBee July 24, 1940 ~ October 7, 2021
Thank you Hemi32 for your obituary notice. I know nothing about the McBee brothers other than the features on their cars in the sixties, but I think that to get two cars built while still in your twenties that are magazine worthy is huge. My build skills at that point, not near as good. I remember thinking twins with the same name was wierd, but in hindsight, I think smart parents. Twins look alike and you will always get the name right when you call one.
55 Olds engine in 66? These guys were already traditional. Seems an odd choice with all that was readily available at the time. Unless he already had it chromed out and multi carb from a previous build. Trendy Build of the times. Molded in body, odd front end treatment, was probably cool for a few years. Good lesson to skip the trends. Show rods, then wire wheels, then the pastel 80's- 90's. They all have a shelf life.
Like the "Golden Sahara" and the "Aztec", some of the early customs, in my opinion, were **** ugly, some were gorgeous. Some of the show rods didn't look too bad, some just didn't make any sense. But I can still appreciate the work, if sometimes not the workmanship and thought that went into those vehicles. It's all a matter of opinion. And we all know what they say about opinions.........
It’s not the worst show rod I’ve ever seen… tend to agree with some others regarding the kooky Roth aesthetic. Some of that stuff is only cool because it’s legendary. I like some of the features on this car… but not many.
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