Quinn Publications, which owned Hop Up, expanded their offerings with a new book, Rods & Customs. The title was more glamorous than his duties – writing photo captions and typing mailing labels. Soon thereafter, Spence quit his job at Link’s and joined Hop Up as Associate Editor. In fact, Bachelor had Murray write the article on the trip. Sharing that much time with Bachelor – who would go on to become one of rodding’s most influential car builders and journalists – triggered in Murray an interest in writing. But the photo spread morphed into a lengthy road-trip saga, as Spence and editor Dean Batchelor drove the Chevy 6,000 miles from SoCal to Indianapolis and back to a car show. Within days, Hop Up lensman Ralph Poole called, lauding the car and arranging a photo shoot. Spence and Link chopped the (repaired) top, then smoothed, shaved and lowered the car in tasteful custom style.Īfter the car’s completion in 1952, Spence Murray mailed photos to a fledgling magazine called Hop Up. Paola had found a donor car that had been rolled by the previous owner. After the war, Murray picked up where he left off, customizing cars.Ī notable project was a ’49 Chevy coupe, a restyling effort that ended up customizing Murray’s career. Like so many young Americans during this era, Murray’s career was put on hold by a World War II stint in the Navy. That led to a’41 Chevy convertible he and Link Paola restyled together. Murray’s first car was a ’41 Ford convertible, which he mildly customized at age 16. He learned to do so at Link’s Custom Shop in Glendale (owner Link Paola was an early customizing pioneer) where he was a body sander and a tow truck driver. There wasn’t much Murray couldn’t do when it came to four tires, a steering wheel, and a typewriter.Ī Southern California native, Spence Murray was born in 1927 and by his teen years he was customizing cars. He published more than two dozen books, and inadvertently pioneered the Baja off-road racing craze. Murray spent more than six decades as an influential writer for a host of hot-rod related magazines, including serving as the first editor of Rod & Custom magazine in 1953. Longtime hot rodders and fans of smart automotive journalism were saddened by the recent passing of Spencer “Spence” Murray, at age 93. Spence Murray – Hot Rod Journalist Extraordinaire
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