Generally we use the Hall of Fame format to discuss exhibits, those honored, or other goings on at the National Rod and Custom Car Hall of Fame. This month we'll take a different tact and zero in on a just finished vehicle currently on loan to the museum; Mark Moriarity's homage to Ed "Big Daddy" Roth's car-building style, the "Futurian." Mark, in fact, did everything in building his car, as Ed had traditionally done, including building up the body shape from a mixture of 60 percent vermiculite and 40 percent plaster-soaked newspaper, i.e. "Spitwads!" Then tediously grinding, sanding (and yes, changing), then finally 'glassing, grinding, and sanding again (did I mention itching?) until the body was completed to the image in his head. The work was, in fact, too time consuming and exhausting (both physically and mentally, as it demanded every waking moment not at his day job) that of the 4-1/2 years the project was ongoing, Mark snuck in a year of R&R while he caught up on non-car related things.
Some of the technical aspects of the "Futurian" are a handbuilt frame from 2-inch round, mild-steel tubing, a '37 Ford tube axle, a '57 Chevy rearend suspended via coils in cups and hairpins, all fabricated by Mark, and all chromed by Bo-Decor of Eagan, Minnesota, and AIH Chrome of Dubuque, Iowa, with all pre-plating polishing done by Mark. The engine is a '62 Buick 215-cid aluminum V-8 bored .030 over, with TRW pistons, Crower cam, Offenhauser valve covers, and a 471 Cragar-equipped blower (he built his own manifold), A Weiand top plate carries six Stromberg 97 carbs with SP tops, quite an impressive intake system. The engine is painted House of Kolor Kandy Purple over Silver Metalflake, while valve covers, distributor, blower, exhaust manifolds, carb plate, carbs, and blower belt cover are all chromed. All this reflective wonderment hooks to a Buick dual-path automatic painted Silver Metalflake. Brakes are activated by, now get this, an OEM '38 Chevy master cylinder (there are brakes at the rear only, something we don't recommend, but then again, this is a show rod, not a daily driver). Rear wheels are 15x7 Radirs mounting 8.20x15 Radir slicks, while fronts are Radirs too, 15x4, with 125x15 blackwalls. Paint is PPG custom mixed Off White with Silver and Violet Pearls, and Gold and Silver Mini-Flake. Roth-like paneling was laid out by Dennis McPhail, and sprayed in House of Kolor Kandy Purple fogs over an Orion Silver base, then covered with PPG Global Clear. All paintwork was done by Mark, with pinstriping by Mike Iverson.
The 1/4-inch G.E. Acrylite acrylic bubble was formed by Masterglas of Lakeville, Minnesota, using a 3/4-inch plywood ring made by Mark. The interior is pearl white vinyl tuck 'n' roll by Bob's Upholstery of Hastings, Minnesota. Everything was done by Mark, including the grille, taillights, steering wheel, shifter, license frame, etc., etc. Mark does however send out a special thanks to friends John Schleicher, Shawn Yost, Bill Michaelson, and Terry Tower.
As a point of interest, Ed Roth was well aware, and had given his blessing to the "Futurian" project, and Mark kept him up to date on the project. Ed was completely baffled as to why anyone would want to do what he was doing several decades ago. Unfortunately Ed passed away before the little car's completion, but we just know he's taken a glance or two downward with an approving smile. Oh, and did we mention that Mark not only restored Roth's "Rotar," but the "Globe Hopper," and "Road Agent" as well. So, what's next on Mark's agenda? How 'bout a Crosley-powered trike with a wild Rothesque 'glass body created from...you guessed it, "Spitwads," and lots of that itchy, gooey stuff too.