P89DC
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 19
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Post by P89DC on Dec 2, 2018 12:16:00 GMT -5
Has there ever been complete documentation about the Rugermobile design and components? All I've ever been able to find is some vague pictures of the Rugermobile and one of an extra 427 Ford big block. It would be nice to see something close to a Hot Rod Magazine pictoral detailing all the important systems. Front/rear suspension, steering, cooling, engine, transmission, rear differential, brakes, etc. It's clear Mr Ruger Sr spent time selecting and designing all of that. Are there plans to document his automotive efforts?
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caryc
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,040
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Post by caryc on Dec 2, 2018 15:14:09 GMT -5
Never heard of it. I remember the Oscar Myer Wiener Mobile but no Rugermobile.
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Post by kings6 on Dec 2, 2018 15:48:36 GMT -5
Bill Ruger was a real auto buff as well. He built at least one beautiful open top car. If I remember correctly, David Bradshaw's avatar shows his Ruger bisley on the front of Bill Rugers' car.
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k2nd
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 40 
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Post by k2nd on Dec 2, 2018 21:54:41 GMT -5
Bill built 2 Ruger Touring cars and wanted to build more but there were so many government regulations he said it wasn't worth the headache. He also looked at buying Harley-Davidson when AMF was looking to unload it. But the H-D company execs that put the funding together to buy it from AMF begged him to stay away. You can read about it R.L. Wilson's "Ruger and His Guns"
k2nd
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Post by contender on Dec 2, 2018 22:53:57 GMT -5
Yep,, only 2 Ruger Tourer cars built. One in 1969 & one in 1970. Featured in a few auto magazines,, and even Playboy. I have a lot of pics & info on them. I'll see if I can get a few posted. I also own a license plate from one of them.
When Bill Sr. passed,, Bill Jr. got them. Not sure where thay are going right now.
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Post by contender on Dec 2, 2018 22:55:49 GMT -5
Ok,, here is a picture of the pair.  Here is another picture,, showing an earlier license plate.  And finally,, the picture of the license plate I own.  |
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P89DC
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 19
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Post by P89DC on Dec 3, 2018 8:34:46 GMT -5
All I've ever seen is vague pictures and descriptions. I hope Contender or another member can provide details. As I understand them, the Rugermobiles weren't frivolous promotional vehicles as the Weinermobiles were. If you haven't heard of them you haven't been paying attention.
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Post by contender on Dec 3, 2018 9:34:17 GMT -5
Ok,,, from my weak mind where my memory resides.
Bill was tinkering with the idea of building cars. He had a passion for classic old cars,, (look at the names of cars & his guns!) He wanted to use a fairly common chassis design, with normally available main parts,, such as the Ford engines & transmissions,, (which I think these two cars have) and build a car that look like an old classic. In the 1950's, 1960's & 1970's there were a lot of "kit" cars available,, and Bill was looking at building these things instead of selling kits.
As a designer,, and engineer,, he was always building stuff,,, and these cars were a project. He finally gave up with the explanation of "too many government regulations" (meaning it was going to cost too much,) and how things would have to be redesigned when Ford redesigned their engines & transmissions etc.
The idea was well received by many in the auto world,, as judged by some of the magazine articles. I have copies of some of the magazines, the promo flyers, etc. Heck, they even had a company Christmas card with a drawing of one of them on it. I'd have to get into my paperwork to make photos on this to share them here. I may try & do that later.
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P89DC
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 19
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Post by P89DC on Dec 3, 2018 17:30:27 GMT -5
Bill was tinkering with the idea of building cars. He had a passion for classic old cars,, (look at the names of cars & his guns!) He wanted to use a fairly common chassis design, with normally available main parts,, such as the Ford engines & transmissions,, (which I think these two cars have) and build a car that look like an old classic. In the 1950's, 1960's & 1970's there were a lot of "kit" cars available,, and Bill was looking at building these things instead of selling kits... ...I'd have to get into my paperwork to make photos on this to share them here. I may try & do that later. Contender, thank you for your excellent insight! That explains the design motivation. I have always wondered why he choose to emulate such an old fashion look. I understand those old kit cars, a boss at one of my high school jobs had a Buggatti replicar based on a Volkswagen beetle chassis. I hope you're able to find and post your information. It would be a shame to lose the complete story. I missed the original Playboy article being that I was in third grade. I probably just looked at the pictures instead of reading the articles.... |
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jsh
.327 Meteor
Posts: 884
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Post by jsh on Dec 3, 2018 18:57:25 GMT -5
I knew about the Rugermobile, but for someone to have one of the plates!
You guys cease to amaze me. That is just neat!
Jeff
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Post by mike454 on Dec 3, 2018 19:06:35 GMT -5
All I've ever seen is vague pictures and descriptions. I hope Contender or another member can provide details. As I understand them, the Rugermobiles weren't frivolous promotional vehicles as the Weinermobiles were. If you haven't heard of them you haven't been paying attention. Not entirely true. I've read the bulk of gun magazines dating back 100 years as well as most gun books dating back at least that far. I have been paying attention, and can only remember reading about them in the Wilson book and perhaps them being alluded to in a magazine article. I think you're being a touch hard on caryc  |
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Post by wheelguns on Dec 3, 2018 19:18:02 GMT -5
I saw a rerun of I believe “shooting usa”. On it was an interview of Bill Ruger from 1998 I think. It was good, and they talked about the cars. You might be able to find it on the net.
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Post by contender on Dec 3, 2018 21:42:16 GMT -5
Looks like I need to dig out my magazines & such,, !!!  Stay tuned! |
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Post by mike454 on Dec 3, 2018 21:54:49 GMT -5
Looks like I need to dig out my magazines & such,, !!! Stay tuned! I imagine with owning that licence plate you have a bit of related ephemera. Can't wait to see what you dig up! |
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Post by contender on Dec 3, 2018 22:09:47 GMT -5
Ok,,, it will take me a little time to get a bit of what I dug out uploaded. First,, the factory flyers on the 1969 & 1970 cars.  and,, the back side of this flyer;  Playboy Jan 1970  And the one page picture & info on the car that was in Playboy (I apologize that it's sideways.)  The AutoCar magazine, October 1970  upload image freeA reprint of the article in AutoCar,,, It was easier to photo this than it would be to try & get pics out of the magazine  Press release, from Ruger; NOTE; the Ruger Car Division at the top  Motor Trend magazine; A reprint with the Ruger car;  Part of the article in Motor Trend  |
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