The Ford Barn

mrcorvair · 04-12-2015, 09:44 AM

Got another one. Back in the early 70s I lived in So. Ca. I came to know a gentleman Bill Woods. He lived and breathed flatheads. He was the most knowledgeable and helpful V8 person I ever encountered. He helped me assemble my first flathead engine and transmission for my 41 Merc which I still have. He lived in La Canada and worked at JPL. I came back east in 1972 and kept in touch with him for a few years. I've often wondered what became of him. He's probably gone by now but who knows? Anybody know him? Anybody remember him?

bobH · 04-12-2015, 06:01 PM

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I worked with Bill, as I was at JPL for over 40 years. I first met him about 1968/69, when we were both on the same project. For years and years, his newest-ever car was/is a 53 Jag that he bought new. He had/has five other cars, two 40 coupes, two 40 Merc coupes, and a 37 coupe. I suspect he has been introduced to more modern machines in more recent years. All of the Fords have been rodded - he didn't have much use for stock engines. The 37 has (and had) a 304 in it, from way-back when, when almost no one had even heard of a 304. He has 296's in the other cars. One of the 40 coupes is a low-mileage original. And, one of the Merc coupes is also low-mileage, but currrently sporting one of his 296's. His prime daily driver for many years is one of the Merc coupes, last I heard, somewhere in the 900K miles-range. This one, and the Jag, are the two cars he used for yearly vacations, which were to Canada one year, then Alaska the next year, and alternating year-to-year. I've seen him drive all of the cars, except the 304-37. I never saw the 37 in running condition.
He was definitely my 'mentor' for flathead stuff, when I was trying to get back into it in the 70's. I haven't been in touch with him for about 6-7 years, and I currently have a mutual friend who is attempting to contact him. If I learn anything, I can keep you posted. I talked to a member of the SoCal regional group (EFV8 club) a couple years ago, who had recently (then) spoken to Bill. At that time, he was doing well.
By-the-way, if you are 'mrcorvair', and had any contact with LaCanada and JPL, did you happen to know Harry Cotrill and/or Maynard Hine - both were Corvair nuts, and Maynard still has his 62 which he bought new.
Bob

04-12-2015, 09:44 AM	#1
mrcorvair Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: McDowell, Va Posts: 141	Bill Woods Got another one. Back in the early 70s I lived in So. Ca. I came to know a gentleman Bill Woods. He lived and breathed flatheads. He was the most knowledgeable and helpful V8 person I ever encountered. He helped me assemble my first flathead engine and transmission for my 41 Merc which I still have. He lived in La Canada and worked at JPL. I came back east in 1972 and kept in touch with him for a few years. I've often wondered what became of him. He's probably gone by now but who knows? Anybody know him? Anybody remember him?

04-12-2015, 06:01 PM	#2
bobH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: so cal, placerville, vegas Posts: 1,394	Re: Bill Woods Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I worked with Bill, as I was at JPL for over 40 years. I first met him about 1968/69, when we were both on the same project. For years and years, his newest-ever car was/is a 53 Jag that he bought new. He had/has five other cars, two 40 coupes, two 40 Merc coupes, and a 37 coupe. I suspect he has been introduced to more modern machines in more recent years. All of the Fords have been rodded - he didn't have much use for stock engines. The 37 has (and had) a 304 in it, from way-back when, when almost no one had even heard of a 304. He has 296's in the other cars. One of the 40 coupes is a low-mileage original. And, one of the Merc coupes is also low-mileage, but currrently sporting one of his 296's. His prime daily driver for many years is one of the Merc coupes, last I heard, somewhere in the 900K miles-range. This one, and the Jag, are the two cars he used for yearly vacations, which were to Canada one year, then Alaska the next year, and alternating year-to-year. I've seen him drive all of the cars, except the 304-37. I never saw the 37 in running condition. He was definitely my 'mentor' for flathead stuff, when I was trying to get back into it in the 70's. I haven't been in touch with him for about 6-7 years, and I currently have a mutual friend who is attempting to contact him. If I learn anything, I can keep you posted. I talked to a member of the SoCal regional group (EFV8 club) a couple years ago, who had recently (then) spoken to Bill. At that time, he was doing well. By-the-way, if you are 'mrcorvair', and had any contact with LaCanada and JPL, did you happen to know Harry Cotrill and/or Maynard Hine - both were Corvair nuts, and Maynard still has his 62 which he bought new. Bob