David Bradshaw Photos - Vol. XXV

[Lee Martin]

Some outstanding Ruger car photos from David. We spoke briefly about them last night and he has some great insight into these unique pieces. With that said I'll turn it over to Mr. Bradshaw.

William B. Ruger, Jr., with Rugermobile



Rugermobile powerplant, a high performance Ford 427





Rugermobile (right) w/ 1936 Cadillac



1936 Cadillac ready for Cadillac V-16.



1936 Cadillac front suspension.



1936 Cadillac V-16, potent in its day





V-16 crankcase, about ready for separate cylinder blocks and cyl heads



V-16 crankcase with chain driven generator----which drives water pump



Ruger takes notes on Packard V-12, about to receive new body.



-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Building carpal tunnel one round at a time"

[bradshaw]

As many Ruger enthusiasts know, Bill Ruger loved things mechanical, two of those great loves firearms and cars. He named his Blackhawk and Bearcat after Stutz automobiles. As I recall, both featured high displacement straight six gasoline engines, with the Bearcat a hopped up power plant for sportier driving. Ruger named his first revolver, the Single Six, after a Packard engine. The Rugers hold the late Mr. Packard in immense respect. I imagine a few Brits do as well, since Packard turned the Merlin Rolls Royce engine into a fighter plane monster, which, along with John Browning's machine guns, in the hands of supremely desperate and audacious pilots helped save Great Britain from Nazi invasion. Bill Ruger, Jr., inherited his father's blood interest in cars, abetted by a fever for old fire engines. Bill, ,Jr., bought his first fire engine at age fifteen, in rough shape. Many years later, he had it restored. Today it sits with one of the two Rugermobiles. I believe the Rugermobile actually has an official name, but at every mention by William senior and William junior, with a couple of mentions by the late second son, Tom----of the car that William Ruger wanted to launch into limited production----I have only heard it called the "Rugermobile." So that is the appellation I use. When I was just a young shooter who happened to, allegedly, throw lead to good effect, I was invited to the Ruger table and exposed to rather heady conversation on gunmaking, manufacturing in general, and if I could bring Bill Ruger, Sr., back, and rewind my life, without hesitation I would leap at the chance.

In our conversation last night, Lee Martin let slip the word "plinking," then immediately apologized.

"Do not apologize," I said. "I don't care if someone plinks," I said. "It just happens that I do not. The word is not in my vocabulary." Way I look at it, if you have time to plink, you have time to shoot straight. I don't think Lee Martin Plinks, either. Not the way he and his father build handguns and rifles.

Bill Ruger, Sr., truly revolutionized arms making in the twentieth century. Intense curiosity and ambition together with hard work and experience in arms during World War Two enabled him to develop the greatest rimfire semi-auto pistol of all time, which paved the way to his single actions and his monumental 10/22. This progression has done more to properly arm blue collar America than Remington, Winchester, Colt and Smith & Wesson in the years following WW II combined.
David Bradshaw

[curmudgeon]

David, I will add a plus plus to that. Your linguistics are better developed than mine. ATB, LEJ

[dmize]

One of my more psycho Uncles "built" a 427 and put it in a 57 Ford truck with a narrowed 9 inch,12 inch slicks and front sub from a 1970 Mercury Police Interceptor that I rode in a couple times.... I cannot imagine that car with those skinny tires.

[curmudgeon]

Never had the pleasure of meeting Bill Jr. or Tom , but became quite close with Steve Vogel another true gentleman. LEJ

[jayhawker]

I met Tom at one of the Bianchi Cups many years ago. He was a true gentleman. Mr. Bradshaw, I am a "plinker", meaning I get no thrill in shooting at paper targets. Much rather shoot at reactive targets. Since most of this is with handguns, Most at small targets up close. The late great Joe Bowman gave me instinct shooting lessons with a sightless BB gun shooting at 35mm plastic film containers. Eventually shot at quarters. Great fun. Merry Christmas to all.

[bradshaw]

jayhawker, I don't want to accuse you of being anti-seMANtic, but it sounds to me you prefer deliberate fire. Paper is no more dignified than any other preferred target. Seems that to put bullets to work is a main preoccupation of members here. Glad to share the photos, which were taken this past week. A Merry Christmas and the best in Health to all,
David Bradshaw

[oregon45]

Could "plinking" perhaps be defined as thoughtless shooting? As in shots taken with no regard to trigger squeeze, sight-alignment, follow-through, etc.?

It would seem that choice of target would be immaterial to whether someone is "plinking" or not. What is IHMSA but reactive targets?

[seancass]

I think it's unfair to define "plinking" as indiscriminate shooting in no particular direction for no particular reason.

Plinking is the act of shooting guns for the fun of it. You could plink at a 1000 yards with a precision rifle using the utmost care. You can also plink at tin cans at ten yards with a thirty dollar revolver. You can absolutely learn as much or more while plinking than you can in serious competition. When you take a newbie or youth out shooting, your focus is on safety, technique, and having fun. That's plinking. Plinking is what keeps shooting interesting.

Plinking is not useless noise making, its how most of us were introduced to the shooting sports. It's guns for the love of shooting. And shooting for the love of guns.

[contender]

The thread is about the pics & the excellent history of the cars Bill & Bill jr enjoyed. A discussion on "plinking" & what it means should be a topic in another thread. I think David & Lee were just adding to the conversation.
The info, with an insight to Bill & his family & all is part of a bigger picture of Ruger Firearms history. I for one enjoy all of it!

[COR]

Dec 24, 2013 6:30:27 GMT -5 contender said:

The thread is about the pics & the excellent history of the cars Bill & Bill jr enjoyed. A discussion on "plinking" & what it means should be a topic in another thread. I think David & Lee were just adding to the conversation.
The info, with an insight to Bill & his family & all is part of a bigger picture of Ruger Firearms history. I for one enjoy all of it!

Amen Contender...

this kind of a history lesson from David Bradshaw is invaluable...be thankful we get this type of insight and intimate knowledge of true Ruger history. I love these posts. Thanks for sharing these.

[seancass]

Dec 24, 2013 6:30:27 GMT -5 contender said:

A discussion on "plinking" & what it means should be a topic in another thread.

Sorry, just making conversation. Didn't mean to interrupt.

[bradshaw]

Thanks all around. With my appreciation to Lee for providing this forum. Information shared is strength.
Let us continue,
David Bradshaw

[cmh]

As always I enjoy your pics and info Mr Bradshaw..... he had.excellnt taste in autos as I always liked cadillacs and packards as well

[oldschool]

Dec 24, 2013 12:10:56 GMT -5 bradshaw said:

Thanks all around. With my appreciation to Lee for providing this forum. Information shared is strength.
Let us continue,
David Bradshaw

David, thanks to you and Lee for providing the great pics and discussion. I know I've thoroughly enjoyed seeing them, along with your commentary. We are all richer for the opportunity to share in some of your firearms background.