Bill Carash
Bill Carash of Oakland, California was an excellent craftsman and an expert welder. Bill didn't join any car clubs. He was an active motorcyclist, and bought a 1939 Harley-Davidson 80 about the time he graduated from high school. Later on, the flathead engine was replaced by a 61 cubic inch OHV engine.[1]
In 1945, at age 17, he began to build a custom roadster around an enormous 1932 Cadillac V-16 engine. The car, known as the Bill Carash Roadster, was completed in time for the 1950 Oakland Roadster Show, where it won an award for originality in the Street Division. After the first roadster was completed, Bill bought a new surplus 1000 HP Allison 12 cylinder airplane engine intended for use in a P-39 airplane. Those WWII planes had engines behind the cockpit and a drive shaft to the propellor, that made adapting it fairly easy so he planned to build another car around this engine. He got an offer he couldn't refuse from someone who needed the engine for an airplane, so he sold it before the build was started.[1]
Spence Kerrigan, a friend of Bill that assisted Bill when he built the Cadillac powered roadster remembers that Bill was offended by the term "hot rod". To him it was a derogatory and synonymous with jalopy or what he described as a Model A Ford with a Ford V-8 engine and tail lights hung on with balling wire. Roadster was more correct for the type of car that interested him.[1]
Bill rand and operated an auto repair shop in Oakland together with his friend Dave Moore. Dave had a jalopy with a Cadillac V-12 engine. They ran the shop until they both moved to Berry Creek, California. In Berry Creek Bill and Dave were neighbors.[1]
Bill passed away of Laukemia August 25, 1999. At the time he was living in Berry Creek, California. When he passed away he had a huge collection of cars, and he still owned his Cadillac Roadster and the 1939 Harley-Davidson.[1]
Bill Carash's Cars
Bill Carash's Roadster
Bill Carash's 1941 Cadillac Convertible
Cars Built, Reworked or Restyled by Bill Carash
References
Did you enjoy this article?
Kustomrama is an encyclopedia dedicated to preserve, share and protect traditional hot rod and custom car history from all over the world.
- Help us keep history alive. For as little as 2.99 USD a month you can become a monthly supporter. Click here to learn more.
- Subscribe to our free newsletter and receive regular updates and stories from Kustomrama.
- Do you know someone who would enjoy this article? Click here to forward it.
Can you help us make this article better?
Please get in touch with us at mail@kustomrama.com if you have additional information or photos to share about Bill Carash.
This article was made possible by:
SunTec Auto Glass - Auto Glass Services on Vintage and Classic Cars
Finding a replacement windshield, back or side glass can be a difficult task when restoring your vintage or custom classic car. It doesn't have to be though now with auto glass specialist companies like www.suntecautoglass.com. They can source OEM or OEM-equivalent glass for older makes/models; which will ensure a proper fit every time. Check them out for more details!
Do you want to see your company here? Click here for more info about how you can advertise your business on Kustomrama.