Jackson Jambalaya

This week has been a pretty heavy one for JJ as far as the news and local scene goes.  Consider this post to be a break.  A former Jackson resident has been searching for this car he once owned for the last two years on the hope that he can buy it back.

Zack Methvin posted this message on Craig's List.


To all of you who have taken an interest in helping locate this car, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, your efforts are extremely appreciated! I'm still on the hunt for this car. I've had a handful of really good leads but unfortunately they have not been "this car". Please contact me anytime day or night (even @ 3am, LOL) if you happen to stumble across this car. Also, for those of you who may wonder, I currently live in Denver, CO so it would be very difficult for me to do this search on my own. I am from Jackson and sure wish i could look for it but life has other plans for me right now. Also, to those who may wonder, i have contacted all the Mississippi classic car clubs and the Mississippi Street Rod Association.


My dad built this 1923 T-bucket roadster from scratch in the mid to late 70's. In 1979 he sold the car to Joe Speed who owned North Jackson Honda-Yamaha where it remained until the late 80's. Joe then sold the car to a man who lived/lives on or around the Ross Barnett Reservoir (possibly Ridgeland area) and that's where my info stops. No one seems to know this man's name or info who bought it from Joe. I have been looking for this car for several years now in hopes I can locate it possibly buy it back. This car is a priceless part of my childhood and I would love to find it again.



I've tried researching the last known license plate number (MS Antique #1196) and have had no luck. I do not have the VIN number or any other official documentation. I have spoken to Tommy Muha, the man who painted the car many years ago. Tommy said he did in fact see the car near the Ross Barnett Reservoir in Jackson some years back but is was in passing on highway 25 and he is 100% positive that is was this car. It is my belief that based on a handful of sightings the car is still located somewhere in the Jackson, MS area. I would be extremely grateful to anyone who might know anything about this vehicle or offer advice as to how i can track this car without a VIN number. I can't afford to hire a private investigator so my options are pretty much going to be someone seeing the car and getting the owners info for me. I have attached the only pics I have of the car, PLEASE NOTE, these photos are from 1978/79. With the exception of the body, this car was built 100% from scratch by dad and was show quality. There is nothing on the car that could be considered a "kit" part.

For those of you who may remember dad (Lonnie Methvin), He originally owned Northside Texaco next to John Bennett's Union 76. Somewhere around 74/75, dad bought Briarwood Gulf (corner of Canton Mart Rd. & I-55 Frontage Rd.). The T-bucket was built during this time period. On rare occasions it could be seen parked out front of the Gulf station. For additional reference, on occasion dad would also have his 65 Blue Corvette Roadster and/or his 67 Gold Corvette Coupe out front. After he sold Briarwood Gulf somewhere around 1979, he moved to Briarwood Texaco for the next several years.

 Since the 70's, more than likely this car has been thru a lot of changes. However, the interior, paint, brass radiator and steering setup i suspect would more than likely still be as original today. Last time I saw the car was in 1986, at that time, it had 70 series tires w/ Cragar Tru-Spoke wheels and a blower intake setup that Joe Speed installed.

The following are some distinguishing characteristics that will identify that this is the car i'm looking for:

1. Hand cut walnut dash with centered gauge cluster (Stewart Warner Gauges)
2. Steering column came from a VW bus, it was shortened and comes up thru the floor straight up n down.
3. The steering wheel was a custom made 6" dropped "T" style with brass spokes and wood ring that was originally purchased from the Florida Rod Shop around 1976/77.
4. The interior was a medium tan color diamond style tufted and pleated.
5. Brass Radiator.
6. Paint color was a 1976 Cadillac "fire-thorn" red.
7. Brass carriage lights on the cowling.
8. 70's style Mustang/Pinto automatic floor shifter
9. It did have some pin striping on the body sides in the door corner area and on the tailgate. Also had a big letter "T" on the cowling at the base of windshield.
10. Originally had a Chevy LT1 350 with an Offenhauser cross-ram intake.
11. TH400 Transmission.
12. Had side "wind wings" that attached to the sides of the windshield frame.
13. Headlights are from a 1931 Chevy.

These pictures will help show some of the car's unique characteristics i spoke about above.

If you have knowledge of where this car is or might be, PLEASE drop me an email at gzmethvin@outlook.com.