Bob Schoonhoven's 1921 Ford

1921 Ford Model T Roadster Pick Up owned and built by Bob Schoonhoven of Battle Ground, Washington. Known as "Lil' Louie," Bob's pick up toured the circuit between 1967 and 1975. This photo of Bob's roadster was taken at the Portland Roadster Show. Photo courtesy of Richard Laughlin.

Photo courtesy of Richard Laughlin.

In 1968 "Lil' Louie" was featured on the cover of Rod & Custom June 1968, who called it "One of America's Top Ten T Buckets Ever Built."

After the R&C article, Bob fully chromed the undercarriage and put diamond-tufted leather and a 3-colored candy psychedelic metal flake paint job under the body. He also chromed the V8 60 block, headers, pan, and transmission. Photo courtesy of Richard Laughlin.

The remains of the historic hot rod as they appeared in December of 2020 when Richard advertised them for sale. Photo courtesy of Richard Laughlin.

Photo courtesy of Richard Laughlin.

Photo courtesy of Richard Laughlin.

Photo courtesy of Richard Laughlin.

Photo courtesy of Richard Laughlin.

Photo courtesy of Richard Laughlin.

Photo courtesy of Richard Laughlin.

Photo courtesy of Richard Laughlin.

Photo courtesy of Richard Laughlin.

Photo courtesy of Richard Laughlin.

Photo courtesy of Richard Laughlin.

A photo of Dick's wife with the big trophies that the car won back in its show car days. Photo courtesy of Richard Laughlin.

Old photos of the car from Dick's collection. Photo courtesy of Richard Laughlin.

The Official Kustomrama Washington Division Supporter T-Shirt. Click here to order yours today.

Kustomrama Marketplace - Historic Hot Rods for Sale

1921 Ford Model T Roadster Pick Up owned and built by Bob Schoonhoven of Battle Ground, Washington. Known as "Lil' Louie," Bob's pick up toured the circuit between 1967 and 1975.

"Louie Louie"

According to the later owner Richard Laughlin, the build was originally started as a basic neighborhood hot rod in a basement in Vancouver, Washington in 1961. "In 1963 a band called " The Kingsmen," from David Douglas High School, across the Columbia River from Vancouver, Washington, had a huge national hit record with their party song "Louie Louie," Laughlin told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama in December of 2020. According to Dick, the car was named after the popular song. "All the teenagers then, myself included, rocked out to "Louie Louie." The record was banned in some conservative areas because the parents thought there were some hidden vulgar lyrics and we "kool kids" would play it at slow speed to find the nasty words. Of course, the controversy made sales skyrocket! "Louie Louie" was the number one party song for decades! The Kingsmen played at my little high school in 1963 and I thought I was Mister Kool when I strode up and made a request for a song I liked. The tall band member said they would play "Moon Doggy" for me because my request wasn't selling. I wasn't too upset though, because heck, 14 years old me had actually spoken to one of "The Kingsmen".....very kool!"

"One of America's Top Ten T Buckets Ever Built"

Bob kept improving "Lil' Louie, and by 1967 he had turned his hot rod into a show-stopping sweepstakes winner. In 1968 it was featured on the cover of Rod & Custom June 1968, who called it "One of America's Top Ten T Buckets Ever Built."

"Chrome Chrome"

It became a multiple sweepstakes winner, bringing home 12 large trophies. After the R&C article, Bob fully chromed the undercarriage and put diamond-tufted leather and a 3-colored candy psychedelic metal flake paint job under the body. He also chromed the V8 60 block, headers, pan, and transmission.

Disassembled and Put to Sleep

In 1975 the car was disassembled for a "flip body," never to be re-assembled again.

For Sale

In December of 2020 Richard Laughlin of Portland, Oregon advertised the remains of the car for sale. Dick had spent the last 3 years replacing any missing rare and valuable parts. And when he advertised it for sale it came with a fully-chromed V-8 60 block and headers, Edelbrock finned aluminum heads, Edelbrock dual carb intake with period carbs and air cleaners. Dick had all interior engine pieces with rebuild parts in boxes, and turned crank and cam, correct flywheel, chromed starter and generator, and many other chrome goodies. V-8 60 3 speed gearbox, complete with shift plate, shifter, and NOS first reverse shifter gear. Empty chrome gearbox included along with a "Happy Tiki" shift knob. The original body tub, front and rear fenders, running boards, gravel pans, bed, gas tank, and tailgate were in mint condition. The folding top and diamon-tufted interior were missing. Dick did also not have the Lincoln 12-inch rear brakes, but he had 1946 - 1948 Ford truck rear brakes.

Parts and Memorabilia Included in the Sale:

• A fully-chromed V-8 60 block and headers.
• Edelbrock finned aluminum heads.
• Edelbrock dual carb intake with period carbs and air cleaners.
• All interior engine pieces with rebuild parts in boxes, and turned crank and cam.
• Correct flywheel.
• Chromed starter and generator, and many other chrome goodies.
• V-8 60 3 speed gearbox, complete with shift plate, shifter, and NOS first reverse shifter gear.
• Empty chrome gearbox included along with a "Happy Tiki" shift knob.
• Minty, minty, minty original body tub, front and rear fenders, gravel pans, etc.
• Nice bobbed bed with gas tank and tailgate.
• Mint running boards with brackets.
• Hurst Airheart disk brakes.
• Lincoln 12 inch rear brakes.
• 1946 - 1948 Ford truck rear brakes.
• Chromed hairpins, batwings, radius rod.
• Chromed steering column, original style wooden T steering wheel, F1 steering, etc.
• Halibrand 201 rear end mated to 1937 - 1940 Ford bells.
• Halibrand front sprinter wheels, American 5 spokes on the back.
• Chromed Model A front bumper.
• King Bee headlights with chrome stanchions.
• Chrome tall T windshield and support rods.
• Correct open car dashboard with several period instruments and two tachometers.
• Two Model T side lanterns, and one Model T red lens lantern stoplight.
• Model T style radiator with period surround and nice Motometer with chrome wings.
• Nice Model A frame, bobbed for Model T, no rust, been on frame table, painted frame. Also have 2 chrome frames, top and bottom, for never-built flip body.
• One dozen large and very large sweepstakes-style trophies.
• Clean, legit title.
• An empty chrome trans box and a nice, clean V8 60 3-spd transmission complete.
• Bob fabricated a beautiful set of chrome swing pedals and I have those.

Dick is asking $14,950 for the historic hot rod. Cash only. It is located in the Hawthorne District in South East Portland, and Dick will provide professional photos of all parts available upon request. Hard copies of Rod & Custom cover page, article, and other Roadster Show photos are also available. Since the car is disassembled Dick can crate it up for shipment at no charge. Buyer pays shipping, but he will not charge for local cartage.

Get in touch with Dick at 503-235-0297 or dolaughlin@centurylink.net for more information.

Magazine Features and Appearances

• Rod & Custom June 1968