2012 INDUCTEES
Model T Era Legends
Grover Ruckstell - Designer, Racer, Manufacturer
Glover Ruckstell was born on May 5, 1891 in San Francisco, CA. He attended school and lived most of his life in California.
In 1913, at age 22 Ruckstell operated an automobile service and machine shop in Maricopa, CA. There he built his first
two-speed axle for a truck used in the local oil fields.
In 1914, Ruckstell joined the Mercer Automobile Company and eventually was in charge of the experimental department at the
Mercer factory. He was also part of the Mercer Racing Team and drove in numerous races around the country.
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Jack Gallivan - Designer, Manufacturer
During World War I, Jack E. Gallivan was a Federal employee working at Chanute Air Base in Rantoul, Illinois.
He worked with the Wright-Martin Co. in developing production capabilities to build the French Hispano Suiza
aircraft engine in the United States. After the war, he continued helping in the development of an improved Hispano Suiza aircraft engine.
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MODERN LEGENDS
RON MILLER - Race Car Owner, Builder, Driver
Ron Miller of Ron’s Machine Shop, Shandon, Ohio has rebuilt over 2000 Model T, Model A and other antique engines since 1982.
With the Antique Auto Racing Association, Ron raced his Model T Speedster for 17 years. The speedster is equipped with
Model A crankshaft, full race cam, Joe Gemsa flathead, Zenith carburetor, DU-4 magneto, 6” dropped front axle, 6” Z-Frame
and 81” wheel-base.
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MARK HERDMAN - Restorer, Collector
Mark Herdman is from Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. He is a pioneer collector and restorer of Model T based racers
and speedsters in Australia. He bought his first Frontenac cylinder head in 1982 and has been building a large collection
ever since. He currently owns seven Model T based racecars and two Model T speedsters.
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2012 RESTORATION of the YEAR
1923 Mercury Speedster owned and restored by Bud Voth
The Mercury Body Corp. in Louisville, KY built the Mercury speedster body from 1921 thru 1926. Bud Voth’s Mercury
body is serial number 265 and was built in 1923. The Mercury body was unique because of the special parts that were
included with the body. These original special parts include: splash aprons, Mercury radiator shell with Fedders
core, a dropped axle with the word Mercury embossed on it, special rear frame kick up channels, a 5-piece hood with 13
louvers on each side, a footrest, a spare wheel carrier with special wing nut, cowl vents, large and small step plates,
a special gas cap, and barrel shape headlamps. Also available were a three-piece windshield, top bows and a canvas top,
and motorcycle type fenders.
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