Woody and Marsha are driving their dream car, a virtually brand-new 1956 Buick Roadmaster convertible. Their story is one of coincidence in a close family that expanded to include a son-in-law who would make that dream car a reality.
Woody and Marsha Davis were thrilled 16 years ago when their oldest daughter, Laura, announced her marriage plans. And the good news continued when the son-in-law-to-be shared Woody’s passion for cars. More than that, the new family member is Paul Gale, renowned restoration genius and the driving force behind BIG DADDY’S CUSTOM CARS in Azle.
Paul’s personal journey is a story in itself. A successful career in general contracting that he left because his real passion is building … not commercial properties … but cars. Disappointed in the shop that was working on one of his treasures, Paul decided he could do a better job, and Big Daddy’s was born. His work has received the highest honors in the “car hobby.” Paul’s big heart and philanthropy are as legendary and special as the work that emerges from his shop.
The connection between these two families by marriage has resulted in an extended family that has drawn even closer because Paul wanted to show his love and appreciation to his wife’s parents. Paul’s private plan began when he learned that a ’56 Roadmaster “rag top” was number one on his father-in-law’s dream car list. Maybe he could find one and restore it as a personal project with a secret plan to ultimately make it a gift to Woody and Marsha.
Woody was born in 1956 and has deep nostalgia recalling times with his dad, who was a big fan of cars from the fifties and sixties. The ’56 Buick, his dad’s favorite, takes him back to those close father/son relationship days. By 1968, the car-afflicted 12-year-old was learning about things mechanical by shadowing his larger-than-life dad … a natural mechanic. Woody recalled a tale when Dad was under a 1965 Oldsmobile to replace the starter. The car was lifted to the top notch of the bumper jack on a gravel driveway with dad underneath, wrestling to remove the starter! The jack was bowed, wobbly, and precarious! Woody was scared and greatly relieved as Dad emerged with starter in hand. About 5 years later, Woody was learning to weld at his first “real” job with the Union Pacific Railroad. When his class assignment was to fabricate something that tested his newly acquired skill, Woody remembered that still scary episode with his dad under the Oldsmobile, so Woody built a pair of jack stands that “could support a Sherman tank” … and he still has them!
Paul started the Roadmaster search in early 2025 and fortunately, found an excellent example in an online auction. With only 40,000 original miles, the car had great “bones” but was in serious need of Paul’s skilled, meticulous attention to detail. He could “see through” the cosmetic shortcomings and was the top bidder. It wasn’t until a close inspection that he realized just how good the car was. Now the fun began. An all-new, hand-crafted, leather interior and convertible top from the hands of the best upholstery guy in Texas, Gordon Burke, a friend of mine for 30 years who introduced me to this great family. The paint and chrome were in remarkable condition and sparkled like jewelry after days of hand polishing … all the way down to every single spoke on the glamorous wire wheels. A complete, front-to-rear servicing and replacement of every critical component makes the 70-year-old cruiser run, drive, and operate as good as it looks.
Roadmaster was at the top of the Buick line for decades. The final one was built in 1996, right here in Arlington. In 1956, 553,799 Buicks were built … less than 1% of that number were Roadmaster convertibles. Just 4354 to be exact. Perhaps 25 still survive … rare and beautiful! And BIG, almost 19 feet long, 7 feet wide, and 400 pounds, over two tons! Powered by the fabled 322 cubic inch, 255 horsepower, “Nail-Head” V8. It is incredibly smooth and powerful, but more importantly, it was originally built with great attention to detail and restored with an even deeper commitment to excellence and quality.
Paul and his son Duane, along with the team of craftsmen at Big Daddy’s, had a short time from the successful auction until Paul’s planned date of delivery to Woody and Marsha on their 50th anniversary, July 18, 2025. Woody and Marsha were looking forward to their big day … little did they know, their kids, Laura, Kyle, and Curtis, were busy putting together a party with family and friends scheduled to arrive from Arkansas, Nebraska, Tennessee, and Illinois. Dressed in chauffeur’s garb, including the hat, Paul’s plan was to pick up Woody and Marsha for an anniversary ride in the Buick. Unfortunately, a last-minute mechanical issue forced a change of plans. The dilemma became a high point when Paul substituted a very red, very large, fully customized Ford truck as the limousine to deliver Woody and Marsha to their surprise anniversary party. The Roadmaster convertible was there, and Woody’s dream became a reality when his daughter Laura and her husband Paul gave him the keys and the title to the best 1956 Buick in the world!
This is more than a car story … it is a love story, and it’s all in a very special family.
