'Uncertain-T' Discovered After 50 Years: My Up-Close Look At The Hotrod Holy Grail

Not just lost for 50 years, but hidden for 50 years. The story of how the legendary "Uncertain-T" was found is one so steeped in mystique that to do it justice would require tens of thousands of words and more memory cards than I ever care to shove into a video camera. It is the ultimate Holy Grail of hotrods/showrods, and one of the great Holy Grails of car culture at large. I had the honor of being one of the first to see the Uncertain-T in over 50 years, and to speak with those who found it: Autopian cofounder Beau Boeckmann and legendary hotrod builder Dave Shuten. Watch to see what I learned.

[@mikeellis2944]

In the 60s Steve was a friend of my family. I was about 10 years old and he gave me a signed autograph with him in the picture and this car. I still have it to this day. Seeing your video brings back a lot of memories.

[@hawkeyepierce3199]

Could you possibly up load a little video on your Channel of you showing us the picture and giving a little story? That would be so awesome! 👏🏻🙏🏼

[@mikeellis2944]

@@hawkeyepierce3199 yeah, I can, but I need to find the picture I recently moved into a new house and everything is in boxes, but I know I have it because I would never ever throw that out. It was a treasure for me since I was about 10 years old. I’ll keep you posted. Thank you.

[@henryrhodus5172]

Just following to see the picture once you find it. I would love to see it as well

[@rickfitzgerald4426]

That is the ultimate! I saw this when I was about 11 years old. My father worked all the shows in LA so he took me with him on a weekend morning. let me wander from before the doors opened to closing time. Sensory overload and I don't remember ever getting tired. Every row up and down over and over. Thanks Dad!

[@rob1tnt]

So damn cool it's finally seeing the light of day! I feel a bit of sadness for Steve Scott If all he's said about how he lost the car & the broken promises he'd get to buy it back are true. Without a doubt tho it's in good hands! I have endless respect for the dedication Dave & Beau have put into saving these old show rods. As far as I'm concerned all the car guys that hate on these old show rods are guys that have forgotten how to have fun and have an imagination. Kids lost interest in custom cars when builders began only building cars to impress eachother.

[@firesurfer]

Ed Roth basically put that car on the map. He sold tons of t-shirts and posters of that car. See the Kustomrama site photo ''Born Bad. Steve built that car but Ed made it an icon. The model was $2.99 at Woolworth's in the Bronx.

[@afriendtoo6971]

Big Daddy Ed Roth and his Rat Fink tee shirts... As a 70 year old that brings back fond memories..

[@jeffp862]

Yup and a fued with Walt Disney made rat fink happen!

[@mypl510]

At one point, Steve Scott, was trying to crowd fund his own version of the model kit. Some actually sent him money, but it never took off. Apparently he is not an easy person to work with and will sue at the drop of a hat. Monogram claims they destroyed the molds for this kit, yet somehow some parts have shown up in other kits. Hopefully now that the car is found they will fix the molds, if they do exist, and bring back the kit for fans and collectors.

[@hotrodtiki200]

I understand wanting to restore it but there’s so many clones why not leave it as found.

[@Mopar46]

Glad to see it still exists. Some Kiwi dude went to the trouble of building an exact clone, but there aint nothing like the real deal!Glad it's in Dave's hands for restoration; he's the master!!!

[@ytwhite5930]

The day I've been waiting for...I'm old enough that I remember when "The Uncertain T" broke into the scene and like a fart in the wind,disappeared. I KNEW that it would show up someday.That day is here,thank you!I've been patiently waiting for a copy of the model kit to fall in my lap for years now.( unbuilt examples sell for big money) I submit that you guys show it in it's as found condition for a year or so.Seeing that red metalflake under the green says it all. Once it's restored,questions of it's "genuineness" will be raised.Presently it's indisputable...

[@jgar9377]

Whoever the clown in the white hoodie doing the interview is, was definitely the wrong guy for this job. He knows nothing about what he is looking at nor talking about, etc. etc. HORRIBLE interview.

[@saratoga123321]

Awkward TV guys always score the big “discovery”. Couldn’t be any more staged or it’d be a soap opera

[@Merylstreep1949]

Could you possibly do the bathtub car and the Pink Panther cars story please????

[@foamslayer]

Restore it? You want the original so you can make it look new.....this will never made sense to me.

[@seanthebaptist4030]

I heard about this car and it going missing years ago from a friend. Always found it very compelling and really hoped one day it’ll finally be discovered and here it is!! Now hopefully we can find chassis 39 of the McLaren F1 that went missing in Mexico back in the late 1990’s

[@richardelliott8352]

I had no idea Galpin had a collection of that kind of scope. I always figured it was a bring your kids, free hot dogs, promotional, low content type of display that wouldn't be worth going to see, not considering the kind of business volume the prodigious Galpin group has.

[@Hapfletcher]

I have a buddy with a 29 roadster first place winner of the National Roaster show... its also been hidden away for close to 55 years. Al Rogers, ’29 Ford Roadster Named "Seven Year Itch".. its still all original

[@abyss5350]

Let’s all be buddies we can be one big ol group of buddies and have like a pizza party and i can like sleep on y’all’s couch and watch t.v. And drink y’all’s beer it would be great and we can be like best of the best of buddies just make sure the beer keeps flowing and the pizza stays hot of course id be in charge of the t.v. Remote control because im the remote control sensei my new buddy old pals

[@unclemarksdiyauto]

Wow! Super cool! In my 60 years, I have never heard of this car. Thank you so much for showing it to us and being the next caretakers of this piece of automotive history.

[@jeffp862]

Don’t restore it!!! The way it sits is the story of its journey. It is its soul

[@MarkWladika]

Rat Fink approves.

[@thescalemodelcarguychannel8681]

That is so awesome and I'm lucky enough to own one of the original model kits! Not a 3d print or resin copy 😊❤

[@dfactoryrat653]

🐭👍

[@N-Scale]

Always loved the car and never could afford the model Kit !!!!

[@lagh84]

I had that model, yes the models were mostly $2.00 at the time.

[@kelvinwebber90]

I still have the model..built up painted all there except rope and figure! I put it in clear model case. Been thinking about selling it but don't know where!!!!!

[@Detah_]

I've always been more of a JDM weeb but seeing this thing has renewed my interest in American cars and hotrods. They do have a certain charm to em. I mean I'm two years older than Steve when he built this in his parents garage. Wish I had that level of skill.

[@modelermark172]

I'm almost 65 and I've been building models for over half a century. I remember this iconic show car. I never got to see it in person, but photographs were everywhere, as was the Monogram model kit; which I unfortunately never got to build. Here's hoping that Atlantis Models has the tooling, and will bring back this groundbreaking piece of Kar Kulture, one day soon. Thanks for sharing this with us! My Like is in the 1.9Ks

[@dennismetz3553]

Happy to hear & see that the Uncertain T has resurfaced ! Considering it's current condition I'm also happy to hear that it will be restored to it's original appearance. History needs to repeat itself with a reissue of this icon in model kit form. I imagine this would be entirely doable for the Galpin team ! Hopefully they'll reach out to the guys over at Round 2 models & make it happen for all the fans of this car.

[@martinedwards4522]

dont get the extreme lengths to hide it

[@skipbarrett5412]

Fact is ROTH'S got paid to bring their cars to the shows. So Uncertain T probably did win big trophys back in the day. Meanwhile, it never stomped Roths ROAD AGENT, Beatnik Bandit, etc. They were not in the running for trophys.😮

[@jamesrey4275]

Please dont restore it.

[@joecamel133]

Agreed. There is already a clone, or 2, that represent it in show condition so I'd leave this alone except for getting it running and driveable.

[@dalesmth1]

I remember hearing about this in Texas, In the early 70s. My dad was a Hot Rot guy then. And had a magazine cutout framed in his office.

[@davesnothere8859]

I think Isky T is the most famous hot rod, MIlner's duece coupe, two lane blacktop 55. 41 willy's from hot rod.

[@peterwarden7471]

There is another video where a guy from New Zealand build a replika following the modell, but stearing right.

[@bacop001]

This is amazing a true legend , also X sonic just hanging out wow

[@paulreichelt1259]

Gaplin buying up all the show cars and hoarding them away for themselves.

[@oldblueshhrchannel1847]

Awesome! Amazing it’s still complete and not stripped down and harvested for any parts.

[@judgejury3230]

I know Steve Scott and some of this story is not true. I think it belongs with its original owner, that wants it back dearly.

[@charleswilliams8197]

I think that I really would of took this car pretty fast to scrap yard no doubt about it none what so ever people for real people for real okay thanks Charles Williams

[@lonewulf5150]

His baby? Didn't take very good care of his baby.

[@glennhales7302]

Yes....a holy grail model kit, indeed!

[@alleyoop1234]

I do not remember even seeing that kit on the shelves, unlike Lil Coffin !

[@NemencioSauceda]

Crazy thing is I saw this model when I was a kid at a garage sale codent get it back then and haven't seen enething like it since I still would love to have won

[@scottfelsted3203]

What about Bill Cushenburys Silhouette? Where is that?

[@dogpatchfab]

Thanks for sharing the find, can't wait to see it in Detroit

[@spacestuff]

Anyone notice the vintage pinball machines?

[@davidwoodham1307]

Hi there bro that shithot looking hotrod ilove old kustoms and hotrod mate keep up the great work mate

[@JohnDymowski]

What happened to The Paul Revere and the Raiders Coach??

[@Merylstreep1949]

Wow❤nice

[@mattskustomkreations]

How can one place have all these famous show rods? I would expect this at maybe a place like The Petersen, but I didn’t know Galpin Ford had a museum.

[@scotthannum9207]

Love it! I saw the model as a kid (I was 5 yrs old), bought it but it was before I new how to paint models so I assembled it in its white plastic state out of the box. Saw it in the magazines back in the day, just always felt a connection to this thing. I still have the assembled model in a display box that sits behind my desk on my bookcase. kzbin.info/door/Q0OdCsiP1HXr-qfJeQRryw

[@randomplayer6247]

that’s my holy grail model kit i’m a builder

[@itsaRooster]

Why does guy look like Dracula? 😂

[@ldnwholesale8552]

There was a similar car here in Oz in the 60s. Clone? No idea. Still around again no idea. This car? Drive it?? With no front brakes?

[@Goomer]

I remember it from the 60's when I was a Kid. I thought it was Big Daddy's creation.

[@ronstewart9792]

Awesome video. I got to help set this car up in a display in the 60's in Lincoln, Nebraska when he had it in a car show there.

[@Dudeface167]

I would love to see Jay Leno have this on his show.

[@alastairwatson3201]

This is a weird way to contact you but contact you weirdly I will. I just read Adrian’s excellent piece on the 240Z. Unfortunately, it was rendered almost unreadable by the overlay of an annoying ad in which someone sprayed wax on David’s Jeep. It took up half the screen; it couldn’t be removed or minimised, either. Very, very distracting. Then I tried to subscribe and make a comment. What a trial! An ultimately fruitless trial, ‘coz the email confirming my subscription said it didn’t recognise my email. Autopian is a truly great media outlet but glitches like those described above aren’t going to increase your readership. Please rectify so that we can all enjoy Autooian content.

[@McGowJobs]

I think the only other '60s showrod on this level that's still missing is Cushenberry's Silhouette, and it doesn't probably carry as much swagger as the Uncertain-T.

[@dennishedrick5108]

I would love to have a clone of that

[@deangarlitz5587]

My most favorite Hotrod. I've always loved this car. I have a picture of me standing next to Martin Bennetts recreation/clone from New Zealand when it was at World of Wheels in Kansas City. I'm glad it's been found.

[@alleyoop1234]

I have a 1963 Monogram Big T kit in the box, just wondering it that car is still around..

[@graverunnerofficial6235]

Congratulations

[@JohnCunningham-sy5ug]

Yes I remember this car ! As a kid I loved Hot Rod magazines. Really enjoyed all the outrageous customs.😊

[@nathangoshawk]

Discovered hot rods as an early teenager in the 60's, although I was never a fan of the 'wild' showcars but there are 4 cars here; all black, all fords, 3 roadsters and a five window coupe, that are truly gorgeous!

[@getoutndrive]

We are glad to hear that the Uncertain T is in the Galpin collection and will be restored to its former glory.

[@jamesonpace726]

Even for 1965 it's the Goofyist thang I'm evah done seed....

[@roywhitman7109]

Wow! What an incredible find & story!! Congrats!! 👍

[@alecweinstein4990]

He says it's the biggest one left hiding, but what about Silhouette? The top and some parts were found after it was stolen in '83 but that's it

[@chrisnorman5659]

Where's that Love Button

[@streetlegalsprintcar]

Now find VANESSA! ❤

[@orthogluchensnable6777]

Where’s the Rat Fink

[@richradley2706]

$85 Top price on ebay

[@PowersJulian]

This is incredible!

[@MAPRTX]

WOW GREAT FIND

[@johnhart125]

Built this model when car in mags and shows. Seen couple.times

[@NadeemKhan-l2f5q]

What’s my name doing in there? Ha ha. What an incredible hot rod this is.

[@martinharris5017]

WOW! This car has been missing for so long. Its in good hands at Galpin.

[@boblister665]

I remember that cars from magazines when in high school

[@jucedcustoms2274]

Thanks for keeping the dream alive!

[@motownXJdad9565]

very cool hot rod👍👍 so is this where youre at now David? no more Jalopnik?

[@rodneysmith7272]

I'd love to see a series of videos where they are restoring this car to its original state. Very cool

[@trainnerd3029]

If there is such a thing as a car that deserves to be restored and driven… This is it!!!

[@markklement4994]

Nice hair

[@GeekGinger]

Doesn’t it need a lot more rust to be one of David’s many holy grails?

[@WTU208]

1:32 the coolest car ever? Possibly.

[@rockin38]

Ian Rouselle would love this .....this needs to be restored and placed in the customizers museum.

[@tommccallan8802]

It will be..By Galpin

[@denzel270]

Let's hope they do a diecast model of this car.

[@mikram2613]

Keep us informed on thr restoration

[@jeffprice2008]

I'll see you in Detroit

[@Johnny-dz6vl]

We need to see the restoration. 😊😊

[@mattvenzke500]

Cool,the last one!

[@haroldbirge6881]

⚡🍀👀⚡

[@Axial_Andrew]

Unless you happen to find the original Mysterion body floating out in the Midwest somewhere, this is pretty high on the holy grail list...😎

[@henrybourdon6712]

I had a 27 t body and had the same idea for the tilted body but not as much. I had to move and leave it behind because i had too much stuff to transport too far. I was born in 59 but was too young to have the model kit or seen it in a car craft mag . Nice to know now i was not the only one to think of something like this and yes i would have driven it as a normal car to work and fetch food.

[@Kamil-yb9xz]

Approved beast 💪

[@vr6swp]

The Mysterion is the biggest holy grail

[@47yoToxicBrig]

It’s a repro

[@martinharris5017]

Roth destroyed the original Mysterion. Dave Shuten built an exact clone which is as close as we'll get to the original. There is an amusing story that Ed wanted to report the bubble top body as a crashed alien spaceship.

[@firstnamelastname8060]

Blackie's Blackie is the biggest, given its history and provenance. Bar none.

[@slvrktman7824]

Another icon going to get over restored?

[@markr9113]

I gave you a thumbs down because you only talked about the car history and not about the car. You didn't mention the engine size or the transmission.

[@28highboy]

never understood these creations and was not a fan of the cartoon show cars, the rat fink - Ed Roth or most of the movie cars. The show cars from the 60's many had engines with no internals and such. Seemed like a complete waste of time besides being hideous