The Hot Rod Company

My fuel tank and other goodies showed up today! Feels like Christmas in June!

Check out the Hot Rod Company!

Thanks Mike!

Joyrides Presents... Cole Foster

Mark Kawakami, (Joyrides Art Comp.) recently did a write up on amazing builder/fabricator, Cole Foster. Check out his write up and pictures on his website, or... click HERE

Harbortown - One World Studios at it again!

Okay, Zack and Scott are up to no good again! Check out their latest invention!



Check out their website and look for it at a theater near you! (always wanted to say that)

ONE WORLD STUDIOS

See you guys soon!

Regulate

Rear quarter windows will be functional soon...

Pinstriped piece of history

One of my most prized posessions. This was painted by Doug Dorr a few years ago. It resides on my living room book case. Was given to me by the Road Devils at a show. Very thankful to have it!

Thanks again to the Road Devils and Doug Dorr.

This really makes me miss my Triumph! Good times!

Auto Union Type C

Everyone needs one of these... Sweet sounds of 16 CYLINDERS!

Friday Inspirational Randomness

Big thanks to Mark Kawakami!

Last weekend, Mark Kawakami of Joyrides Art Company, came in and took some shots while I was working. Never had anyone do that before and these might be the only proof out there that I actually DO work and not just talk about hot rods all the time. I feel bad for the people that have to listen to my jabber all the time...

I'm just starting to learn more about photography and really have plans to take it further in the future, so naturally Mark's work is inspirational. Hopefully I can learn a thing or two from him.

Check out his Blog site for more awesome photogaphy and if you want to see my silly mug working on my never-ending battle of Ford Model A, he has a ton up there from that Saturday.

Mark Kawakami's Joyrides Art Company

Thanks Mark! Pleasure to have you in the shop!

Some Randomness

A few pictures from Saturday's breakfast...



My buddy Kevin's little man. Day dreaming!



Don't see too many Columbia, two-speed rear ends. Super cool!

More poop to post

This is why Chinese made air tools suck! Broke this angle grinder in half! Look at those casting voids!!! They went all the way through to the interior of the body!!! POS! Really sad that manufacturer's still think saving money by using Chinese manufacturers is a good idea...














Still doesn't look much different to me... UHG!














Got the steering blister cleco'd in place, finally. Took me long enough...














End of the day, and still so much incomplete.

Progress... I guess

First time it's seen the sunlight in almost a year. Rolled it out to clean house a little. Been doing a lot of sheetmetal work, but still have a ton left, not to mention spending some serious time doing some more hammer and dolly work and warming up the shrinking disc. Little by little though.

More parts will be showing up next week to finish the Hemi up and fill the gas tank void...

Need to get that tail end up a bit. Spring settled out more than I expected. I will add another leaf and a spacer block to make it happen. No big deal.

All about timing...

This ought to keep the record from skipping...

Out for a drive...

Yet another cool video of a sweet Model A banger roadster! Love it! Can't get enough! Watch all the way till he hits the highway and you'll get to hear the banger!

Thanks to both of the Jims for uploading that... the video Jim and the Roadster drivin' Jim!

This weekend...

...While in Vegas, I dropped in on my good brotha', Chris Nichols. Everyone needs a 1974 Norton 850 Commando restoration project in their living room! Going to be awesome, for sure! I love Nortons!




















While there, I also got a chance to go to a cruise-in real quick.

Bass' Coupe

Still one of the coolest Hemi powered Model A's out there...

Artist - Chad Hill

If you like traditional hot rods and the art that goes with them, you'll dig this talented artist... Chad Hill. Recently featured on the cover of Hometown Hot Rod and also designer of cool threads for Hot Rod Chassis and Cycle.

Check 'em out!
Chad Hill - Django Studios

Startin' 'em early!

Shame on Speedway Motors!

Probably one of the most sought after carburetors in history is the Stromberg 97, 2bbl fuel atomizer found stock on various early Ford Flathead V8 engines. It's by all means been one of the most popular carbs for hot rodders and racers for decades.















With nostalgic racing and traditional hot rodding being at an all-time high, these carburetors are in demand and the prices keep going up on rebuildable cores to keep the flame lit on traditional engines. In response to this, various reproduction components like throttle shafts, bases, tops and linkage parts are now being produced. Of course it was only a matter of time before someone started reproducing Stromberg 97's and parts for the 48 and 81 models.

But what's the scoop? As a lot of you have noted, there are now TWO companies making reproduction carbs. Or should I say there really is only ONE who is making an AUTHENTIC reproduction 97 and another, well... keep reading.

First, and most important on the list is a genuine reproduction Stromberg 97. These are the real deal, very authentic and even some improved engineering.





















These are not what I'm interested in talking about though. Take a peak at their website and read about them for yourself. Then continue...

Stromberg-97

What I really want to talk about... or maybe I should say CAUTION YOU about, is what Speedway Motors is up to lately.

Speedway has decided they would like to respond in their own typical way to the popularity of the early Stromberg 97. They have decided to put out a low-cost reproduction 2bbl that resembles this carb. However, they have failed miserably! They had them produced using an "over-seas resource" and took absolutely no consideration toward form, fit, or function or QUALITY of the carburetor. In fact, based on the reviews and heated discussions, the $300 price tag that they have put on the unit, seems will multiply with the amount of future problems associated with this "reproduction" part.



















I generally try to stay out of things like this, but I have to say it's very disappointing to see such a nostalgic part get reproduced in such a terrible manner. I commend the idea of providing economical parts for the hobbyist hot rodder in these times where every dollar counts, but if the attempt results in future heartburn and a couple hundred dollars added to the "swear jar" trying to make a low quality part work, what's the point?

Lately there was a review done by vintage carb builder, Jere Jobe, of Vintage Carburetion North. He gave it a TERRIBLE review. If you are considering buying one of these steaming piles of reproduction crap, I seriously suggest you read his review. You can read it in this link (word document):

Speedway 9 super 7 review

Spend a few more bucks and buy an original and have it rebuilt or buy an authentic reproduction. I think you're in for great heartaches if you buy into Speedway's 9 super 7.

Vent over.

Swiss cheese is good!

By the way!

I love banger roadsters too! Lookin' good Chris!!

Hemi of the day

This is one crazy 392 shoved in this Model A coupe! Runs on nitro too! WHOA! And TWO McCulloch superchargers! Pretty insane setup!

Did I ever mention...

...I really like videos of people driving their hot rods??! It's nice to live vicariously through someone elses windshield...

Thanks to McFly for posting this video on the HAMB from the Relibility run this weekend. Looks like a BLAST! Makes me want to cut the roof off my car just so I can run with these guys!

The run is put on by the Pasadena Roadster Club, is invite only, and are traditional roadsters only! Keepin' it alive! Awesome!

And so it begins...

Started the assembly process for the Hemi this weekend. Shouldn't take much to finish it up at this point.

Just a few teaser pics...

Friday off-topic post...

And now.... time for something a little different!

A few of you know I've been playing drums since I was 10 or something, so I always appreciate creative drumming. This dude ROCKS! If you ever played NES when you were little, then Super Mario Bros was probably in the player until you found every stupid trick to beat the game... How's this for a theme song? Thanks to my buddy Brian Cartwright for tuning me into this.

Crazy stupid stuff! More car stuff later...

Mario 1



How about Tenacious D!!!!?? BWAHAHAHA!!!