More work on the 55

We spread more mud all over the old 55 Ford truck and got the inside insulated . I was able to lay out the dash drop down for the ac ducts and controls, Albert had previously mounted the ac unit and it tucks under nicely.The details are killing us now , just kidding there are so many small things that have to be done to finish and get to paint.The plan is to get it all put together and check all the fit and clearance issues and make sure all the welding is done. Then blow it all back apart paint the underneath side of the cab and the bed . The frame will be taken apart painted then assembled plumbed and the shiny wheels will be mounted up . Hopefully we can remember how to assemble it all ! P.S. the acuators on the tilt front end work great !

68 camaro

Got a chance to go to test and tune at Holley Springs Motor sports park ,and help Al Richards , Kenny , Doug and Mike with Al's bad alcohol injected small block. At the end of last season the car blew a tire and hit the retaining wall and had a lot of damage , consequently the first time out the car was pulling the wheels high and turning right hard ! The guys checked all the chassis and made ladder bar adjustments and have helped the problem a bunch. the little yellow 68 Camaro still has some details to work out but this crew will figure it out , and soon we will make it all shiny again !For me its just a lot of fun at test and tune without the pressure of racing rounds ! A few 6.04 E.T.'s in the eighth weren't too bad for a car that wasn't hooking up . In the off season Al built a bigger motor and with a ton of compression and all the expensive goodies. Couple that with a new ignition and new slicks the Camaro will soon be flying !

Dashing Nova

The dash is now installed and wired up and the gauges look really cool . Next we need to make braces for the stereo head unit and get it wired and rockin! Can't wait to hear it cranked up to a little Johnny Winter, Still Alive and Well !!! Hell yeah ! The plans include building a console between the pro car buckets and paint it gloss black ! That 'll be a first for me it will be a challenge to try and make it not look to home made or goofy . We keep getting closer to the finish line. With the trunk area completed and wired up next the glass needs to be installed then start tying up all the little loose ends and run it some to check out the engine and set up the tune up !

Little added fluff for the nova

Got a good start in the trunk area making covers for the battery and wheel well areas. The battery side will have two separate pieces , one for the battery and one for the stereo amp mount. Both of these were made by building a frame work and stretching tee shirt material over it then fiber glassing the shirt much the same way speaker enclosures are made.After that drys more glass and mat are added then a little bondo to smooth it out. It really did not have to be to smooth because we intend to carpet it all. On the drivers side Mike is building a cover with a small storage unit in it that will be carpeted as well. Then the fun of wiring up the stereo begins !

the ole 55 gets some attention

Well we got a bit more work done on Albert's truck, and its been a while since we last gave it some love ! Our attentions were first aimed at the one piece front cap, the hinges were welded on and then the cap was stiffened by the addition of some wooden bracing that were fiber glassed in using mat and resin first , to be followed by woven glass cloth. While I toiled away at the glass ,Big Al hit it hard fabricating the power brake booster and master clyinder mounts , this was a bi #%@*&!!!! but as usual Albert completed his task ! it worked out nice too. The cab mount had to be cut and sectioned for the unit to fit into and a sheet metal brace was fabed to be welded to the frame , that Albert is a stinkin genius ! The steering column saw a little action too, all the measurements for the shaft and joints were made after the rack was installed .All we need now are a few more borgison joints and a support stand.

The front cap was remounted after the glass dried and metal plates were made to mount electric actuators to it and mounts to the frame measured out and viola , we now have a magic front cap that opens and closes at the touch of a button ...Man it is soooo cool ! And to top off our weekend a little POR -15 was smeared inside the cab of the truck , all this thanks to Curtis (da main) , Mike( my mustache is bigger than yours )Albert and Willie , we had a good time !

1936 Fordson Sedan delivery

These are a few shots of my English Fordson sedan delivery , it is quite an unusual car it was registered in London in 1936 to a plumbing company, Although used as a commercial vehicle it is tiny by today's standards due in part to the fact English roads were so small .Fordson was attempt by Ford motor company to build cars in England they partnered with a tractor builder from England and used a 8 hp. motor ! Its really cool and very rare, I have been told by a English car club they feel like it may be the only sedan delivery in America .Sadly I may have to sell this bit of history, anyone know Jay Leno ?I think he.d be a great owner for this car!

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!

We wish you all happy holidays and may the Lord bless your familys with peace , love and prosperity in the new year !

The nova bruiser is awakened

Well thanks to Albert and Mike we've made a little progress on the Nova .The front cap is now installed including the grill and bumpers that took a little massaging to fit well. Got quite a lot of the wiring done too , and we got to hear it fire up for a short while but it was getting late !None of us realized it was 11:30 when we finally cranked it off with open headders and let it rip while we tried to adjust all those little things!,...Well we were soon to find out quickly that the time was late cause we woke up my mom who was rattled out of bed by the old rumbler!We all had a good laugh bout that!The big block sounded good and I was happy to smell a little smoke !We might have a small issue with the steering column ,it was a column shift and I ground off the shift lever and filled the subsequent hole but it seems to have a lot of slop in the action of the switch , even with a new switch.I'll take it back apart and give it a once over !

Happy birthday Betty

Happy b-day to Mom! Funny , but i thought she was 39 not 79, my how time flys when your having fun ! Betty has spread a lot of joy in her life as a Mother, wife ,den mother, sunday school teacher, co-worker! Always a person that was willing to help others with out question, and do more than her share too!I want to thank her for all she has done for me and our family, as well as my friends too! We all love ya !!!!!!!!!!

Memphis Rodders Reunion

Glenn Martin and his son ,Chris took me to the rodders reunion in Memphis .It is a gathering of folks who have raced , hot rodded ,or who like a good time . Dinner is served and the proceeds go to the Shriner's burn center , such a great cause and the camaraderie was nice too. This year the honoree was Hooker Hood ole 99 ,"The Tennessee Tornado ". A cool multi media show presented his career and he was interviewed by several folks close to the racing operation.

Exhibits of photos were at a couple of tables and slide shows were randomly being shown of old cars and drag racing as well as dirt car stuff . Money had been raised by the Classic Chevy club and the Memphis Street rodders to give to the burn center as well ,it was a special evening and so cool to see all these people helping others as well as recognizing the accomplishments of a great racer. Hooker raced for many years and thousands of people enjoyed watching him tear up the dirt tracks across the south , heck he raced well into his 70's !!We also got a treat by being able to sit at the same table with Jeff Swindell the current points champion in the World of Outlaws, what a class act !!