Glenn Miller - At Last!

1/30/07

Pictures of "Yester-Year"

I want to share a couple of my favorite pictures from last year...so lets do it! -


Stock and chop....4 Banger and all! Nice.

A shoebox and Hines... SWEET!


Chopped, shaved and nosed 40's Hudson. Awesome! Compared to a Mercury...I think I might just go this route first. Why not DARE to be Different? Cool!


An awesome blend of cars. The boys w/ thier toys having a great time; and believe me, it was a great time at that event!

1/24/07

Come to "The Lot!"



Introducing one of the coolest little mags that I have seen in a long time.

Inspired by Tradition and the Passion for the Cars, Hobby and Lifestyle; Rob Payne, aka: "HellboundGasser", with his heart and soul, finally put together the 1st inagural issue of "The Lot" Magazine. As you grace the pages, you can feel the past coming to life; as it's seen through our eyes today.

Its not for the "reading" type, but a grand example of a cool "picture" led magazine, that captures today's latest ideas, rides and past examples of what roamed our gone/but not forgotten drag strips and roads.

You NEED to add this to your library! It's truly a "solid" conversation piece!

Rob...Two thumbs up, your hard work has paid off and I cant wait for the 2nd issue. (though I with the 55' would have graced the pages of the first one, anyways - put me down on your subscription list!)

Congratulations!

For more information or to order, email: straycatec@hotmail.com

The magazines cost: A measly $5 + shipping.

What are you waiting for?

Traditional Roadster For Sale! WOW!




This has just come up for sale; A 1931 Model A Roadster! I'm fully amazed at the detail and whole Traditional look this car has. Amazing craftmanship and definitely worth every penny its being offered for. $18,000.00

If you want something to get in an go...this is the ticket...and be careful, you might get a few of them too when your behind the wheel.

Here is some info on the car:

1932 american stamping rails with stock model a front and rear crossmembers. 1961 Buick 401 Nailhead, Muncie 4 speed, Bendsten bellhousing, 9" with 4.73 Posi, Offenhauser 3x2 intake with correct carb bases and progressive linkage. 40 front rims 450-475 16 and 700.16 on the rear. Chopped 2" 1932 upper stantions, 2" chopp Deluxe windshield. Guide headlights, f1 steering 40 front brakes, Buick drums, etc. Stewart Warner gauges ,etc. Runs strong and aint scared of smokey burnouts. yeah it sucks but I gotta do it.Please no tire kickers, just something fast and easy, this is a hot rod not a street rod or whatever you want to call it.

Contact Info: ~ Rusty (Dirty's Hot Rods & Speed Shop) 214-537-7423

Good Luck on the Sale, and Congratulations to the new owner, whom ever that may be!

1/19/07

Metal Planetary Ring Roller



What the! Yep, another HF tool. You can use this to make cool rings or arches for your custom projects. I use 1/4 to 1/2 'Hot Roll' round stock like our "Custom Fathers" did in the old days. Rolling metal for custom headlight rings, panel reformation. For many years, I have by-passed this tool for the price, but now, its affortable and I'm jumping on the bandwagon of savings. For $59.99, why not? Check it out!

Harbor Freight #36790

MAKE METAL WHEELS AND RINGS! High quality, precision machined roller forms rings out of hot rolled flat stock. Metal sizes up to 3/16'' x 1'' and up to 1/4'' round. Create rings from 3'' diameter to as large as you need. All surfaces are heat-treated and hardened for long life. Create chandeliers, plant holders, ornamental iron work and more.
Handle: 13-1/2'' long
Weight: 13-1/4 lbs.

Just a side note to the Ignorant: There are some people in the metal community who think those who use HF tools are unqualified, time wasting, metal bangers. Its sad that folks out there dont offer praise to them, but rather cut them down at the knees...spitting "Amateur wanna-be!" We "bottom feeders" are learning and working metal to achieve in our project what we dream of. Customs, metal working, wood working or even lawn cutting doesnt make you a professional w/ a $5000 tool.
Those who think that, I feel sorry for you or then, maybe I don't. Come to the real world and see what REAL people do...It just might amaze you.
There is nothing worst than a "Knee-chopper" at a show. I have seen people do that in front of cars with the owners present. Makes you want to pop them right in the mouth.

1/18/07

FOR SALE: 1956 Mercury 2-Door Hard Top



Im selling a complete 1956 Mercury, 2-door Hard Top. A great candidate for chopping and making a complete custom. Has alot of rust issues. Will need patches and alot of love. Its a complete car. I also have a clear title. $2000 obo or trade for $$$ and Banger/Flathead speed parts or Model A coupe/Roadster body. It can almost be considered as "Parts Car" Status.

Email me at chopped50ford@yahoo.com if interested.

1/17/07

Banger Speed Parts!


Check out my latest score. An early Zephyr 2x2 intake for my banger motor.

This will be my first set of 97's that I have ever own. Im very excited to be in the process of building this motor. I dont think you can get any more traditional with a banger...other than using a Flathead V8.

The banger motor is in my Model A Sports Coupe that im currently building.
Some plans for the Sports Coupe are; Chopped windshield and door frames. Soft top. Banger motor w/ T-5 conversion. Model A rear w/ 3.54 gears. Hairpins front and rear.
Ill post progress as I proceed.
Enjoy.

1/15/07

OT - Those Born 1923-1979!

This is way off topic (OT), but it's impact on me was big enough to share. The difference of today and our upbringing. Scary. What do we have to look forward to in the future of the next Generation?

TO ALL THE KIDSWHO SURVIVED the 1930's 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's !!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant. They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.
Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.
We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when werode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking. As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags.Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat. We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle. We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and
NO ONE actually died from this.
We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool Aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because .
WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING !
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.
No one was able to reach us all day.
And we were O.K.We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride downthe hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or chat rooms....... WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!
We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.
We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.
We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!
Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of.
They actually sided with the law!
These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!
The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned
HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!
If YOU are one of them . . . CONGRATULATIONS!
You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good
And while you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave (and lucky) their parents were.Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?! The quote of the month is by Jay Leno:"With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks,” Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?" For those that prefer to think that God is not watching over us go ahead and delete this, if not, pass a link to this on to someone, its so true.

1/13/07

Is this a DEAL or what?!


Look what I stumbled upon today. If money wasn't an issue, I would be all over it like white walls on a custom Merc. Seeing deals like this makes me want to cry.

A nice 35' Ford 5-window on the Fordbarn that can be had for under $7,500 bucks.

Check out the pictures on www.Photobucket.com : Username: Javiern54 Password: Javier

Good luck to the one who gets it, I could only wish it was me.

Contact: Javier* - 805-899-2253 - Santa Barbara
*I dont know this fellow or have any interest in the car (except for myself :) ), just passing on deals as I see em!

1/11/07

Ford Model A ~ Replacement Sheetmetal




Im not a big fan, but a great deal can be found now and again. I was doing some "window shopping" for some Ford Model A patch panels on www.Ebay.com and I came across this great store.

Theres a large variety of pieces at great reasonable prices and combined shipping for those multiple purchases (at one time)

Check it out - I dont know the person who owns this, 09-40 Ford Sheetmetal ; I'm only passing on the good news. I hope it helps out my fellow gearheads.

Here is the link: 09-40 Ford Sheetmetal
If you have purchased from this store; post a comment.

1/10/07

Shrinker/Stretcher - By Harbor Freight


Here's another new HF offered unit. The shrinker/stretcher jaws. They look to be the same, as for performance, im not sure. Thier price of $239.99 is nice as well.


Check out the following specifications:


RECREATE COMPOUND CURVES
Hardened steel jaws have powerful force to curve and angle any mild steel to 18 gauge, aluminum to 16 gauge
Predrilled base mount holes
Great for auto body trim work, and door panel edging
Units can produce tight angles, 3'' radius
Powder coated for rust preventionOverall dimensions: 19-3/4" x 6"L x 2-14/16"




I have USA made units that I purchased on Ebay some time ago (long before these were offered here). I have used them extensively and love em'. Very durable and function without visible flaws.


Without getting into a political and scientific hack discussion about these, I would probably pass considering I paid the same amount for good ole' US of A units.
Let me just add: It's always smart to shop around. Never impulse buy. Research the tooling then make the plunge.

They could be worth the try...especially for the Hobbyist on a strict budget.




1/8/07

Is it too good to be True?


I am always in the market for tools to assist in my metal work. Especially if they are affortable. I ran into this beauty; hoping its not just skin deep. Most good English wheels run about $600 - $1200 these days. If your on a budget like myself, those are some huge numbers that could take all year to save up. Lots of missing lunches.


Harbor Freight has had a reputation for "not so good" machines in the past, but I do know by experience they have been trying to improve on thier stuff over the years.


Read on for the specifications!

Giant 27-3/4" throat capacity lets you fabricate compound curves on large pieces. Ideal for shaping, fabrication, smoothing dents or weld seams in fenders, hood and trunk panels.
Quick adjust lower anvil yoke for easy leveling
All steel construction
Will handle sheet steel to 16 gauge , copper and aluminum to 14 gaugeThroat capacity: 27-3/4"; Welded frame: 4" L x 2" W x 1/4" thick; Includes: Top anvil: 8" diameter x 2" W top anvil, Lower anvile: 3" diameter x 2" radius with dual sealed ball bearing mounts (additional anvils in picture sold separately); heavy duty welded steel stand with four 1/2" mounting holes and anvil die storage; Maximum height: 5 ft. 3/16" H; Overall dimensions: 40-7/8" L x 34-1/2" W x 25-1/2" H ITEM 95359-0VGA



I use all Harbor Freight (Central Pneumatic) air tools, hand tools and some machines. I'm very happy with them. I have broken only one tool, only because I dropped it.


Would I give this a chance for $350? (That includes the additional Anvils.)
I just might.
If you have this unit, please add comments to todays post. Thanks!


1/7/07

Vintage Motorcycles - BSA


















Im not into bikes, but as I was helping a buddy of mine move around some his his rare parts, we stumbled on this bike. Its a 60's BSA, bobbed and customized. Alot of minor work done, mostly complete. The rake and style is awesome! Could you imagine what you can do with this thing! Enjoy the pictures. It is for sale, $2000 obo. Email me at chopped50ford@yahoo.com if your interested! Im sure it wont last long.

1/3/07

The present meeting the past


Old photos are always a treat for the Traditional Hot Rodders. Seeing how they did it way back when, the styles, the parts, the makeup of the cars.

I have recently have had the opportunity to help out a friend who's dad was a huge racer back in the 40's and 50's; but recently passed on to the "Gold Road" in the sky.

The picture you see is a fellow friend of my buddies Dad who just recently passed last year. If I would have known his impact on the hobby, maybe I would have made and attempt to say "Hi" and drum up conversation.

Then again, why should there be a reason. Stop and say "Hi" to the guys who made our great hobby what it is today.

Without them, and these great photos...no telling what our builds will be like today.