Spence is an old friend.  We were introduced many years ago by our mutual friend, Kurt McCormick.  I had followed Spence's work since I was a kid...buying those "little pages" and absorbing all of the pix, stories, and, info in every copy.    In fact, I still have EVERY COPY of those early R & C's that I bought, and they're all tucked away year-by-year in my Archives !  So, putting this Interview with Spence together, and recording & documenting his history,  was truly a long-awaited, personal pleasure for yours truly.

From working at Link's Custom Shop, to building a show winning custom, to his media career which began in January,1953, and spun-off of his association with two other Industry Legends - Dean Batchelor & Ralph Poole - at Hop Up Magazine, Spence brings to life a story that you may have heard about, or, read about in the past.  BUT,  right now,  you can hear Spence - in his own voice - tell his personal history for the first time on the Hall Of Fame Legends Series WebSite.   JK

1953-2009: HAPPY 56th ANNIVERSARY, SPENCE !    

(Top: Link Paola's Shop Sign; Above left: Early Hop Up Magazine; Above right:  Spence Murray's award-winning '49 Chevy custom built by Link Paola )

(Above left:  Spence Murray & Jonnie King on Darryl Starbird's boat;  Above right: The first Issue of Rod & Custom, May, 1953 )

SPECIAL NOTE: Through the years, Spence's career led him to become an all-encompassing Professional:  Editor, Writer, Photographer, Historian. To his credit he's written many books through the years,  including one on his love for the story of "Mutiny On The Bounty" about Pitcairn Island & its residents entitled: "Pitcairn Island: The First 200 Years".

 He continues to contribute to the  R & C Industry with Features in R & C, the newest version of Hop Up, and, truly great stories in The Rodder's Journal, among others.

[Some of the pix on this page courtesy of  Rik Hoving's really cool Site:  http://members.fotki.com/Rikster/ ]