Bill Waddill

A photo of Bill in his roadster taken in front of The Speed Shop. Opened in 1948, The Speed Shop became a popular destination for car enthusiasts and a vital resource for specialized automotive parts. Photo from The Fred Thomas Photo Collection.

Bill Waddill was a Midwest hot-rodding pioneer. Born and raised in Flint, Michigan, he left a significant mark on the local and national hot rod scene through his contributions to both car culture and automotive engineering.

The Speed Shop

Waddill began his career in automotive performance in 1948 when he opened up The Speed Shop, located at 3318 Fenton Road in Flint, Michigan. The Speed Shop was one of the few sources at the time for specialized automotive performance parts, such as dual and triple carb manifolds, high-compression finned heads, and custom ground cams. This made the shop an important resource in an era when such items were hard to come by outside of major cities.

As drag racing and the desire for enhanced car performance started gaining traction in the East during the 1950s and 1960s, The Speed Shop became a popular hub for car enthusiasts. Waddill's business grew steadily, necessitating a move to larger quarters. He utilized major hobby publications for advertising, attracting local and national customers and boosting his reputation in the field.

Gear Grinders of Flint

In 1948, Waddill also contributed to establishing a local hot rod club named The Gear Grinders. Based in Genesee County, where Flint is located, the club was partially named for its local roots and may have drawn inspiration from an existing club in California, the Gear Grinders of Bell. Waddill was elected as the club's first president and led a group of initially twenty-three members. The club was known for its association with Flint, which was a recognized name due to its automotive industry.

Bill Waddill's 1932 Ford Roadster

Waddill was not just a businessman and club organizer but also a hands-on mechanic and car enthusiast. In 1951, he proudly showcased his custom-built deuce roadster, which was equipped with a 59A block that had been bored and stroked, Edelbrock heads to enhance the compression, and an Edelbrock triple carb setup to feed the engine. Waddill drove this modified roadster to the Bonneville Salt Flats, where he achieved a speed of 130 mph in the Modified Roadster class, a feat that he proudly displayed on a plaque in subsequent car shows. The car underwent further modifications over the years, including an engine swap to a Nailhead Buick fueled by four carburetors, and a change in color from black to maroon.

Racing

The Gear Grinders club actively participated in the local and regional hot rod scene. They attended the first Detroit Autorama and other regional shows, showcasing their meticulously built vehicles and winning numerous trophies for outstanding craftsmanship. They also participated in early drag racing events, including the Ecorse Road competitions in 1953 and the Amrhein Road Races near Detroit in 1954. By 1956, the club was a part of the Michigan Hot Rod Association and contributed to the construction of a drag strip in New Baltimore, north of Detroit. The Gear Grinders continued to be active into the 1960s, evolving from a group of young enthusiasts rebuilding old cars into skilled mechanics and automotive craftsmen, producing award-winning creations that gained public admiration.

A Mentor and an Inspiration

Over the years, Waddill continued to actively participate in drag competitions and was well-documented in magazines like Hot Rod, Hop Up, Car Craft, and National Dragster. Despite the West Coast being the focal point of hot rodding during the 1940s and 1950s, Waddill and other Midwesterners were able to keep pace with their Californian counterparts, absorbing the knowledge and skills necessary to be competitive in the hot rod scene. Waddill's influence extended beyond the track; he was known to mentor young hot rodders, offering advice and sharing his knowledge of automotive performance.

Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame

Waddill's contributions to the hot-rodding community were formally recognized in 1991 when he was posthumously inducted into the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame. This recognition acknowledged his lifetime of supporting the hobby, helping others, and advancing the field of automotive performance. Waddill's impact, both locally and nationally, confirms his status as a pioneer in the hot rodding scene and his enduring legacy in the world of automotive performance.

Bill Waddill's Cars

Bill Waddill's 1932 Ford Roadster