International Motor Sports Show 1958

The program for the 4th annual International Motor Sports Show, with the Rod & Custom Magazine’s Dream Truck on the cover. The truck was one of the main attractions that year, but it never made it to the show as it was wrecked on the way over.

A photo of Spencer Murray's 1958 Chevrolet Pick Up from the show. The Rod & Custom Magazine’s Dream Truck was shown on the cover of the program for the 1958 International Motor Sports Show. It was one of the main attractions that year. Unfortunately, it was wrecked on the way to the show. In 2019 Dave Wallace Jr. told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama that Spencer Murray's tow vehicle continued to the show at the request of the promoter. "It was even awarded a trophy, though I can't recall the category." Over 300 cars attended the show in 1958. Photo by Spence Murray from The Petersen Archive.

A photo of Bud Hurn's 1931 Cord L29 from the show. Bud had owned the car since 1953, and he displayed it in several shows. Photo courtesy of Cindy Schuetz.

Bud Hurn and R.A. McGregor photographed next to Bud's Cord. Photo courtesy of Cindy Schuetz.

The 4th annual International Motor Sports Show was held October 25 thru 26, 1958 at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Des Moines, Iowa. The Rod & Custom Magazine’s Dream Truck was shown on the cover of the program. It was one of the main attractions that year. Unfortunately, it was wrecked on the way to the show. In 2019 Dave Wallace Jr. told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama that Spencer Murray's tow vehicle, "a rolled-over Chevy also customized by Barris, continued to the show at the request of the promoter. It was even awarded a trophy, though I can't recall the category." Over 300 cars attended in 1958.

A Lasting Impression

Richard Fleener of Oskaloosa, Iowa attended the show with his best friend. "We were only 12 years old but that show changed my life," he told Sondre Kvipt in 2019. "I wanted so much to grow up and have a car in the show. Of all the cars in the show that year, that display left a lasting impression. Both the tow truck and the show truck were on display on the show floor. A display board told the story of their damage on the way to the show." Approximately 12 years later Richard fulfilled his dream to show a car at the Des Moines Veterans Auditorium, having a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window that he showed for two years. He won his class both years, and was also awarded for best use of color the first year.

Cars Attending:

Bud Hurn's 1931 Cord L29

Spencer Murray's 1958 Chevrolet Pickup