Shoemaker Ford Special: When it was new

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

When it was new

Most of the photos are black and white -- but the one color image shows that the car was painted gold.

This seems to explain the gold paint on the steel wheels. (The car had Dayton Wire Wheels, but the back-up steel wheels appear to have been painted to match the body.)

1 comment:

Russ ParkerAugust 17, 2013 at 3:23 AM
G'day from Australia,
That is one VERY special "Special". I owned a vaguely similar Sports/Racecar in my younger years down here, but lost track of it some years back... I hope someone like you has it.
Please restore it as close to original as possible.... I would love to see some pics of your progress along the way!!
Thanks for sharing the pics and info.
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Shoemaker Ford Special

This is an attempt to track down the history of a 1950's fiberglass special. The car (or possibly cars) were designed by Ben Shoemaker of Massillon, Ohio.

Shoemaker's business, Fiberglass Unlimited, manufactured a wide variety of products -- from sailboat hulls to church steeples. He also made bodies for the Bobsy Sports Racers...and he made this car.

I can track it from its construction in the late 50's to when Shoemaker sold it in about 1961. At that point it disappears -- only to reappear in Connecticut in the mid-80's, minus its engine and transmission, painted red, and sporting some modifications that suggest it was raced (or that someone intended to prepare it for racing).

If you recognize the car, post a comment. I'd love to learn more about it.

Richard C.