Billings Bodies

Ted Billings first ran a marina on Lake Quinsigamond in Shrewsbury Massachusetts in the early 50s and collected and restored prewar cars as a hobby. Later the hobby became a full time business and the marina closed. In the 1970s Ted constructed 8 to 10 Derham Tourester bodies. All of these cars had original J engines, most had original chassis, and a couple had "other" rear ends and transmissions. Almost all are indistinguishable from an original car unless you are an extreme expert.

Ted owned a number of auburn speedsters, a 540k Special Roadster (which he paid $6500.00 for and returned to the seller because it leaked too much gas and oil on the garage floor!). He also owned a laGrande Dual Cowl which was one of 3 (I believe) to have the factory 2 carb blower engine. The car came out of south american where it had been used as a race car. That car was sold around 78/79 and I've always wondered where it went.

Ted died in the early 80s but the restoration shop is still there and run by Byard Libby. There is currently one duesenberg in the shop as well as two Issota Franchinis, a Packard V12 Dual Cowl and a bunch of other neat stuff.

A.J.

Billings of Mass installed replica derham tourster on chassis whos bodies were built by Amesly of Pa . Randy

I see references to bodies by Billings from the '70s, and am curious about who this was, and where he was located. Or is he still around? How many Duesenberg bodies did he build? Where they all Toursters?