Steel floors welded in

The first time the car saw sunlight as it rolled out of Hitman Hotrods

 

 

Next it was off to the body shop.  The top had been chopped 4.5” before I bought it but the seams needed serious work.  Although it was a beautiful body with no rust, it had been in a building where a fire had occurred and some warpage was evident.  The chop was finished, the body smoothed, an insert was put in the roof, a hidden gas door installed, the firewall was modified, and then it was onto the interior.  I wanted everything on this car simple and unobtrusive and hopefully I executed well.  I have nothing against chrome but I wanted this to reflect the simplicity of the cars we were building in the sixties.  I made an aluminium panel on which to mount the steering and a single ’32 gauge panel with speedometer and 4 gauge set.  A trim bar below contained 12 switches controlling all other functions.  Two simple black buckets from Speedway were installed.  A Speedway hotrod column with Grant wheel and Speedway components turn the Unisteer rack and pinion.  A ’49 Ford pickup gas tank was installed in the rear seat.  A frame was built over the tank to form a small seat and two 6V Optima batteries connected in series formed the arm rests.  To have flow through ventilation a power rear window was fabricated.  New tinted glass and window winders were installed all round. 

 

Wood kit is installed and sound deadener/ insulation is applied every where

 

 

I ordered a roof insert from Howells of Texas,  Cost tons and it was the worst mistake I made on the car.  It was just a piece of 18 gauge that needed to be fitted but we finally got it right.  I could have bought a sheet of steel here and installed it with less trouble and saved $500.  A bead of adhesive is run between the metal and each oak roof rib keeping everything solid and quiet.

 

 

When I saw this, I knew I was on the right path, note the Buick on the engine stand

 

 

 

 

 

Ready to go home for the first time

 

 

 

 

I took the car home for a while to work on various pieces like brakes, lighting, cooling etc and then it was back for painting.

 

 

Dupont Lime Light has been applied by Randy Emond

 

 

 

 

Beautiful rear fenders fashioned by Gary Geady of Port Colbourne

 

 

  Wilwood cylinders are used to brake front and rear as well as clutch.

 

 

Wilwood pedal setup.  Whoops, the clutch pedal didn’t quite clear.

 

 

Note how the lower half of the firewall has been pulled back to facilitate the engine

 

 The aluminium dash has been kept clean with switches mounted below

 

  

The gas tank filler will be covered and upholstered

 

 

 

 

 

 

-- Edited by wuga on Saturday 5th of October 2013 12:58:13 PM

Just wanted to say thank you Jeff, Gary, Larry, Janice, Bruce, Richard, Steve, Neil, Ray, John, Ed, Rhys and John for all your kind words. Sometimes when you try something slightly different, you never know if it will work. Your words are especially important because you live the life. Thanks Bruce for suggesting Neil, it couldn't have worked out better.

Warren

-- Edited by wuga on Saturday 5th of October 2013 08:21:18 PM

 

The upper adaptor from the bottom side

 

 

The upper adaptor as seen from the top

 

 

Intake manifold for 3 Strombergs

Another view

Triple Stromberg setup

Headers I built with inserts in each tube

 There is also a baffle in the tip that can be tuned

Induction complete with the bologna stacks

Induction with finned air cleaner

Where we are today

The car is currently at Candy's Rod Shop for some sweetening.  Will probably be there until Jeff wants back in.

Your dedication sure paid off. Beautiful work.

Janice

sweet. That car makes that colour look wicked.

A camera cannot capture the colour of this hot rod, as it is just awsome. The stance is killer, as mothers and young children would be scared to see the gow job, thunder by.... A PERFECT Hot Rod !!!

Very very sharp!!!!!!!

Spring Armdrop.......hmmmm......... you will be having guys lining up to have a go against that beautiful ride!

Great  history, great Hot Rod!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Thanks for posting the project, Rhys.

That is PERFECT! I love the colour too!

Hey Warren,
That gorgeous car sure would look good at the ELTA summer bash next year. Along side of Norwell's deuce (I doubt it), Sherwood's 31 and Bruce's 29 and maybe even the Candyman. Now that would be a line-up, Hell I'd even park my ol' boot somewhere close.

-- Edited by Rochie on Monday 7th of October 2013 08:39:17 AM

All Ya gotta do is SHOW up my friend....just show up and quit threatening....I WILL have beer!!!   OH!!! and all the therapy you could ever need!!! Right on the street!

-- Edited by Rochie on Monday 7th of October 2013 04:50:39 PM

wuga wrote:

---

 

 

 

 

When I saw this, I knew I was on the right path, note the Buick on the engine stand

 

 I usually take some old car mags with me when I head out to work. Started to go through Sept 2006 of Rod and Custom and found this picture on pages 14 and 15. Dream Car of the month. Thought that was pretty cool! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Having seen the car in person and even touched it pictures do not do it justice.
Don

Well, it's been a while, not that things haven't been happening, it was just that I wanted to wait until the car got home and I got some pictures before I posted again.  The car was at Candy's until Christmas week.  While it was there, Neil wired the car using the fuse panel I had installed.  It is so neat and runs are so obscure, I couldn't have asked for any more.  Pictures show behind the dash and working lights, tail, signal, four way, backup, dash and interior.  I wanted to keep attachments to a minimum therefore the reason for the licence plate frame lights.

 

 

Neil also ran all hydraulic lines, again clean and minimal.

 

 

I installed a pinion parking brake from TSM.

 

 

When the car left Candy's, it went to Nando at Shannonville upholstery.  The buckets are from Speedway.  Nando then matched the panels.  The headliner was done in a black headliner material and the black carpeting covered the rear section over the gas tank.  The series connected Optima 6V batteries are under the rear arm rests.  I can't imagine anyone sitting in the rear seat, but in the event, a removable cushion rests between the batteries.  The power rear window is also seen in the picture.

 

 

I had the headlight pods and the rad insert powder coated Satin Black.

 

 

Finally today, I'd like your opinion.  I had these wheels and thought they give a nice retro look to the car.  I think both looks have their place but for normal street look, what way do you think I should go.  If I go with the steel wheels, I will put a 155/80-15 tire on the front which is about the same size as the  spoke wheel tire.

 

I will be away for the next six weeks and hopefully by the time I get back, my engine will be finished.

Thanks for looking

Warren

I would go with the aluminum mags. No question.

Dog Spit is looking great Warren! The mags are definitely the way to go!!

The wiring looks so much nicer when it is all black [Ez Wire kit I presume], takes a little longer but worth it.

-- Edited by Model A Guy on Tuesday 11th of February 2014 01:55:54 PM

The mags seem to go with the build style of the rest of it. The steelies are great, but on a more conservative style build IMO.

Mags ….or we'll come and get you!!!

VERY NICE! Hats off!

Gotta go with the race look .The car screems race car.Mags all the way.Unless you go the ultimet route and go with, chrome reverse,skinnie front and fat back(not smoothies),pie crust whitewall slicks and pizza cutter white wall(inner and outer,motorcycle style) on the front.Beautiful look whatever you choose. Ed

you nailed it,stance,engine,story behind the build,excellent work,and it needs to roll on the mags,they finish the look.

Mags !!!! Use the steelie's for the salt (Bonneville), or give the mags a good coating of "Pam" or WD40......

Looks great Warren !

you know thats an awesome way to save space with th ebatteries, two 6 volt units.  i might have to try that.  what is that v8 rover engine from?  a land or range rover?  are they tough enough for supercharging?  very interesting