The famous west coast drag racer ‘SILVER DOLLAR’ is 1941 Willys gasser pick up, Rob Mullins of Batavia is the proud owner of this iconic gasser which raced from 1957-1965.

By Kari Strunk

This is the true story of the well-known gasser named “The Silver Dollar”. Well, maybe it’s not as well known to the “average Joe,” but ask any local hot rodder and they will surely recognize the name.

You may never even have heard of the term “gasser.” They are named gassers because these types of racers only competed in gasoline-fueled drag racing as opposed to using methanol or nitromethane. The Silver Dollar is a truck hot rod drag racer that made its way all the way from the west coast to right here locally in Clermont County.

Now here comes some automotive lingo. If you aren’t a gear head this may be like reading a foreign language. Hang in there, the story gets interesting.

The man responsible for creating the easily recognizable Silver Dollar is none other than Mike Bamber.  As the original owner of this 1941 Willys gasser, he built it from a stock steel truck.

He was a rather tall fella and therefore installed the gas pedal on the passenger side to accommodate his 6’2″ frame.  The fact that the engine sat back was yet another reason for this unusual alteration.

He decided to keep the original steel cab and doors but the remaining body is fiberglass.  It is powered by a 283 punched out to a 355 CI engine with a Hilborn injection.

The hood is a Cal Automotive and even sports the original sticker.  It features a B&M Hydro Stick 4-speed transmission and a Larry Bowers GMC 6-71 blower.

An unexpected touch is the Corvette valve covers.  The rear end is an Oldsmobile.  Suspension is leaf springs and there is a Falcon radiator.

It sits on American Racing mags with M&H Racemaster 10.5-15 slicks.  The windows are blue plexiglass with an added feature-the last racing number can still be slightly seen at just the right angle.

Mike raced it in the A/Gas Super class from 1957-1965.  It ran an impressive 10.04 at 139 mph.  Mike was known as a “holeshot artist.”

It was a well-known truck running a small block Chevy and competing against 450 CI and bigger engines.   This absolute relic is recognized for its high stance and because of this; the rules were altered in the National Hot Road Association (NHRA) world.

Revised height limits were implemented soon thereafter.

After the engine blew at its final race in 1965 at Lyons Drag Strip in California the truck sat in the garage patiently waiting for a new engine. The hemi was sitting just beside the gasser ready to be installed, but before that could be done, something traumatic occurred.

A wayward driver ran into the garage. And what happened to be in the path of the careening car but the engine and the Silver Dollar itself. The engine was hit and pushed into the gasser leaving quite the damage.  The engine never made it under the hood.

The battered truck was left as is.  Bamber ended up storing it in his mother’s barn for over forty years!  After decades sitting lonesome in the dark, a good friend bought it from him.

That second owner, Chris Unger, pulled it out from the depths of the darkness and into the light of day.  After Chris got the truck back into shape, he then took his chances and sold it at Barrett Jackson. Anthony Ribeau (Hi Speed Rod and Custom) then became the caretaker for some years.

This brings us up to present day and much closer to home.

Anthony then traded the iconic truck to its current owner, Rob Mullins of Batavia.  After seeing Rob’s gasser collection, Anthony felt very comfortable about the trade and knew the truck would be in good hands.  The fact that Anthony noticed Rob’s spare Willys door painted as the Silver Dollar door for wall art was a huge help in sealing the deal.

Today, the gasser’s home is in a historic, unassuming converted church which sits on US Route 50 between Owensville and Milford.

The quaint, white church is decked out with the standard car memorabilia. Rob has everything from old gas signs, oil cans, license plates, racing helmets, vintage gas pumps, wheels and tires and the list goes on.  He also has on display a few pictures of the Silver Dollar in its glory days on the track.

One can only imagine hearing the engine and smelling the fuel spewing out of this cosmic beast.

Rob stated, “It’s a very good feeling sharing the truck with family and friends.”

This truck is definitely appreciated by all especially since Rob is ready and willing to let others get an up-and-close look at it.

He generously allows young and old to sit in it and “get the feel of what a real piece of history is,” as he says.  It’s wonderful that so many now get to enjoy it after all those years hiding behind barn doors. Rob would like to especially thank Anthony Ribeau, for “making everything happen” and to Josh Shaw, for all his help with the Silver Dollar.

The Silver Dollar is among an impressive collection of twelve currently in Rob’s possession.

Rob started collecting at the ripe age of thirteen. He worked diligently all summer for his uncle in order to save up to buy his first car, a ‘70 Chevelle.  Today he has a varied mix of rides.  From his ’36 Ford Rumble seat coupe to the ’59 Chevy Apache truck, aka Cooter.

The ’59 is the standout favorite of his.  He enjoys all the smiles it brings to children’s faces.  He said it’s his son’s favorite as well and they’ve made a lot of memories with it. He’s driven it on dates with his wife, Amy, before they got married and drives his son to school in it. It’s become part of his family.  He related, “It’s just a good old truck.”

Rob is currently in the process of having a ’50 Mercury built in memory of his father. He gifted the car to his father; however he unexpectedly passed away before it could be completed. Certainly, this build will be a special one.

Rob hasn’t strayed far from his roots as he grew up right outside of Owensville. You may recognize his name already as he is the owner of Mullins Maintenance/Building and Grounds Maintenance.

He also knows how to mix business with pleasure. One of his company’s trucks is a 1956 GMC. Rob is an avid fan of the Fastiques Car Club. This club hosts the annual Pumpkin Run Nationals.

He is impressed with the club’s charity donations which stem from the show’s proceeds. You can help be a part of this endeavor by attending this year. You’ll be sure to see a few of Rob’s diverse collection on display. This hometown show is held at the Clermont County Fairgrounds in Owensville usually the first weekend of October.

So, as we all sit house-bound during these chilly winter months, we will patiently wait for the days to come when the salt has washed away from the roads. Once the streets are cleared, then we can go cruisin’ or watch others cruise in their hot rods. Either way, let’s enjoy the thriving hot rod scene right here in Clermont County.