Finally...more work on the roadster in December!

I had Darren from Oz Rods make up the bushes needed for my steering column. It uses an early F100 outer, with HQ Holden inner, as this gives me the correct top spline to suit the repro Vintique 40 Ford wheel. I kept the column high to allow for pedal room, always a problem in RHD cars.

I realised that the standard length radius rods I bought from Speedway Motors should have been shortened a little, to suit the frame. Once again, Darren came to the rescue, and they will now sit much better with 70mm removed!

The column is now just about mounted, and with two bits of DD, and some box tubing, I have mocked the alignment of the steering, and everything seems to be fitting just nice. Think I might pull the motor forward about 10mm, it will then clear the firewall in the bellhousing bolt area, and save me doing more "glass work. I still can't decide if I should cut the firewall on an angle about 7" up, to create an angled kickboard. This also makes it easier for the pedals....And speaking of pedals,,,,think it's going to have three of 'em!

I had fitted an angle iron piece to the bottom dash brace, in readiness for the column drop. Now this is finished as well, just a simple bent 1/8th plate with a bottom "cup" that also has a threaded location bolt that secures the column from ever wanting to move up or down. Once I decide on the pedal location, (and how many of them), I can finish all the firewall internal cross bracing.

Yamba 2011

One of the nicest cars of the run...a flattie powered stock height 5 window coupe...now who wouldn't love this in their garage?

Yamba rod run is one of our "must do" events, think we have only missed 2 out of the 20 they have had. Carpop has driven many different cars to this run, but my all time favourite is his roadster!

Here's a shot of our "Deuces Limited" club taking over the BBQ area as usual. Shane was either behind the camera, or behind the wheel of his T bird......but he will shock 'em next year with his re birthed "3W"

Jarrod never ceases to amaze me, this kid has the hot rod bug bad, and knows EXACTLY how to make 'em look HOT!

 This shot shows how far back I recessed the small block, so that the 2 inch longer big block engine will also fit in at a later date. The distributor cavity was once a baking dish, that I glassed in from behind, then cut the front out and sort of smoothed off a bit! Also have to do a little trim in the corner of the bellhousing area, but an easy fix later.

 When I raised the engine, the floor had to be cut out, and I am about to make a flat steel plate to bolt to the box tubing, then glass the tunnel to it....don't really need a removeable tunnel, but it's out now...may as well. Got bored the other day, found a bit of 3mm MDF, so made up the door trim panels, and mounted the door handles....bet you can't guess what the door openers  came from..  (Lada Niva..who said they were useless!)..they were perfect for my flat black theme...

 Started on the seat at the same time. It's from an 80s Hilux, narrowed about 4 inches, laid back the back section about an inch, and mounted low enough so it can slide in under the body...I will just make a cover strip to cover my ugly box tubing ....with a hefty roll on the front, it should be real comfy, and sit you down low....I have an 80s Corolla handbrake that just fits in between the box tubing, and clears the seat just enough.

 I didn't want to cut up these pipes, so the Chev sits a bit higher than normal....I like using stock type fuel pumps, so had to ensure all this cleared. The line of the steering column to box looks pretty good, and I will replace the wooden shaft once Darren Silich finishes my modified early F100 column.

Had some old tin kicking around at home, as well as some MDF and ply......so now I have my boot area just about worked out...just need to make all the bracketry to hold these pieces in place. I love working on the lines of trying to use as many bits and pieces I find at home, or at a swap or ebay, to go into this project....but I enjoy it...even if it takes me all day to make something I could have paid big bucks for....there are some items you just have to pay out on, so anything saved is worthwhile.......anyway....got to go look on e bay for some bargains

Oz Rods

 I spent a couple of weeks helping out over at Oz Rods while Darren took his vacation, this is a must see shop if you haven't been there....a month ago, I met Pete Chapouris and Jimmy Shine who were there for the So Cal roadster deal, and two weeks later, Duane Mayer from the Coddington "American Hot Rod" show called by!

 The guys who get all the work done at Oz-Rods....their is usually about 20 to 25 cars in the shop at any given time, most having full builds...check their web site for more details, and check the links to you-tube videos on both the shop, the SoCal car, and the new Shannons add featuring the roadster!

 Don't know where this was...but a cool pic all the same!

Les Winter just got this Deuce coupe in from the US. It will be kept basically as is , just get it running while he finishes of his Model A sedan delivery.

August 2011 update

 I used an old baking dish to form the recess in the firewall so that a big block will fit with distributor clearance...however, I now also have to fit a toeboard to the firewall, which will also give the extra clearance needed for the top outer bellhousing bolts! The lower 2/12" of the recess has to be filled, as I have decided to push gauges thru from inside....

 No more baked potato now...the tray is in...I am going to cover this and mount my fuse panel in the upper area, and cut two holes in the lower parts for my volts and oil pressure gauges...I pre drilled and welded an angle to the rhs cross brace, just in case I need some mounting holes.

 All the rear bracing is just about done, I made some hinges that work just fine, the cross brace was mounted to the rear so that my seat can slide back under the back of the body for more room. Also, I might need to get a roll cage in here somewhere, so now I have some room to work it in. (can't stop an old drag racer from havin' fun, can you!)

 Side bracing is almost finished, but I think I will do a full wrap around 3/4 rhs from one side to other, welding to the sides and centre cross brace...that should keep it rigid!..I am playing with a basic small door opening mechanism..this is version 1........probably 10 more before I figure out what and where I want it!

 I shed a teardrop when I saw this finished...haha.I get to use my old number plates again.....looks traditional, with the model A boot lock!...since these photos, I have also got the cowl vent in and working, and the bracing under the headlight posts, and couldn't help but cut the holes and put the gauges in.....must thank Oz Rods for all the help with the parts this thing is consuming...

I folded up a metal tray that will eventually be glassed in, and will catch any water in the boot area, just have to figure some sort of drain of this to the underneath.....the chalk mark shows where the glass floor has to be cut out and lifted to give the 9" some clearance. I haven't c nothed it yet, and it only just clears now...I also have to cut a relief in the glass above the frame, as the TAC now require a 500mm x 10mm thick flat strap to be welded on top of the frame over the c'd section........

"Back to Brunswick" rod run

 "RUFUS" loves going in the hot rod...bit of a squeeze getting his 50kg in, and typically, all he wants to do is drool out the window.........dad does the same..haha.

 Legends in their own lunch boxes!....but how cool to get a Top Six pick from Pete Chapouris and Jimmy Shine!...Rod Brewer and Peter Paynter did an awesome job putting on this run..the water didn't worry it that much, sun came out on the Sunday display..look forward to next year when they bring out "John Milner"...hope they find him a yellow deuce coupe to drive in!

 Ken and Julie..what can I say...the re-birth again of this Deuce many door, and the look and finish is spot on! Love it..wonder how many people walk past this, and don't realise how significant this car has been with the start of hot rodding in Australia, and that it has been a hot rod in different forms since the 60s

 Love the back grounds when all you were trying to do was take a photo of Norm and Ellies way cool 3 window, when the man out back is explaining about the first time he met Dolly Parton!

Same with this shot, as Prince Harry gets caught not stopping to look at our Tudor!!....and what's with the midget-ish girl standing on my rear bumper!

hiboy steelout..time off for Laidley Powerfest

 Ever tried to steel out a 'glass body?...way more work than what you think, well, what "I" thought anyway, get the bend close...too much..rebend..try again..cut another 3mm off....it's all good fun, and keeps me active!! Here's the deck lid partly finished, the plates that are tacked in will be tapped for hinges, and I've since added some diagonal braces like I saw on Ken Brownlees http://www.deucecustoms.com.au/ webpages. It's harder than I thought to get box tubing to fit in the compound shapes of the fibreglass...now this gets all glued and covered, just hope I pick the correct goo!...will try "Techniglue" and "Bostic Seal & Flex", and hope the outer bits stay connected to the inner bits!!  hahaha

 Everything here has its place..the long curved pieces go along the deck lid edge, and will join the two 90 degree bent sections shown, that go around the rear of the seat area. The two pieces at the tunnel area are made wide, as I want to cut the tunnel out, and have it rebolt to the top of the box tubing , giving more room for a variety of trannies.....27/6th..changed my mind..not cutting the tunnel..the toploader fits, so does a T 350, so that will do. I cut the firewall off another 5 mm at the join, and the leading edge, and had to split it down the centre, and it all fits much better now!

 The roughed out idea for the deck lid shown, and the new firewall section...I cut out the stock style firewall for more clearance, as I want to set this up to clear a 454 Chev, just in case I change from my 11-1 350.. Then I will know the small block will fit easily...will have to do a crash course in fibreglassing soon....Anita!..buy me a copy of "D.I.Y. glassing for Dummies"..

 Took today off (26-6-11) to go catch up with friends at the inaugural Lake Dyer Powerfest, held at Laidley between the A.S.R.F and SEQ Powerboat clubs....very good roll up of hot rods, classics, and muscle cars, and the boat racing was entertaing for anyone who has never seen or heard this up close....the egg beaters were fast, but the old drag racer in me loved watching the "BAD" boats..blown alcohol bigblocks, injected small blocks...they sounded awesome! Will have to put that spare 283 in my tinnie and have a go..haha

 The winter weather was spot on for this event, if they have it next year, make sure you go.

And to top off the day.....look at this..a 55 Mercury Monterey owned by our Qld State ASRF director, Colin Chapman.....To think I owned this once! I bought it from an add in the Trading Post for $1800 up Gladstone way, It was mid 1980s sometime, didn't know a lot about it, but it was running, and I had my camper, so I put Anita in behind the wheel and headed home to Brissy. I didn't interest me at the time, lots of little things to fix, so I made a quick sale..it was gone in a week......kicking myself now that I just didn't put it in the shed...that's life, we've all got stories like this!

The 2011 roadster project

 This project really started back in 2007 with the purchase of a Stage 1 style frame, and the thought of maybe putting together another hiboy....ordered the body in 2010 and started collecting parts....I want to use as many "bits" from my own stock pile, so I had a choice of a 454 big block, or an 11-1 350, or a stock 327, and decided on the 350...it's a 4 bolt, steel crank with a solid cam, forged 11-1 pistons, and then I found a good set of late model "fuellie" heads with roller rockers, so don't ask what fuel I intend running!..I used a street/race type intake, a Holley Street Dominator, and for ignition, I will either use my Mallory Super Mag, or a Vertex look-alike electronic...and I've got a 750 D/Pump, so might take it to Willowbank one day!

I want the rough flat black look, so the finished car should look similar to this, just enough chrome and polish to set her off...not sure if I'll paint the grill bars this time...think I made the front radius rods too long, so they might get a shorten by a few inches...The Moon tank looks cool out front, and I have a stock style tank for the back, some 39 teardrops, and the chopped w/posts so far. The body is about to be steeled out, but first,I cut the original style firewall out in favour of a flat style....just in case I want to shoe horn in that 454 one day......and now I have a trans decision to make.....first off, it was going to be a 4 speed, so I bought a saginaw at the LA Roadster show.....then I found a Top Loader..so they are stronger, so it has been temporarily fitted...but at this years Cooly Rocks, I heard a bunch of those pro street type cars with big convertors, so it just might get the TCI 4000 stall convertor I have, with either my Powerglide, or I still have a Turbo 400 and a Turbo 350!...Just in case, I also just snagged a 3.9 LSD 31 spline centre off e bay, so thats going in, and out with the 3.5 open with cut down EA 28 spliners..(See..now I have more bits left over for the next car after this...isn't this the way all hot rods are built..by changing your mind every two weeks..haha..)      later..

returning home from Geelong

 Heading for home!.things were goung fine until my coil died...lucky I keep lots of spares onboard.

 Rod Hadfields latest creation, his interpretation of a model car his grandfather gave him!..awesome up close, the workmanship and detail is extrodinary.

More bits in his museum...the recently restored hearse has been used for a local already. Once again, amazing detail.

More shots from Geelong..mainly 1932 Fords..hahaha

 My kind of car!..Plain and simple, but stunning..no need to over complicate the build!

 And likewise for this roadster..you could have fun changing the look with wheel combos.

 What can I say....the licence plate says it all!

 Right out of the 60s show car scene................

Time to go back to Brisbane..had a quick stop at Rod & Carol Hadfields property...more on their shop later. They have done a wonderful job on this property, transforming the acreage, replanting, reshaping land, redirecting water...the mans a human dynamo!..Well worth a trip to Castlemaine Victoria to see Hadfield Hotrods and see what their is in this area...aussie history and hot rodding is overflowing around here.

At Geelong Street Rod Nationals

 Here's me with my old deuce tudor...all three of my previous deuces ended up in Victoria..such a strong state for hot rodding...you can see more on the Nats on you tube.

 Wouldn't you love this in your shed?..I would..I can see me going down the steel merchants to get more steel for the new roadster project...more on it in another blog.

 One of the outstanding cars of the Nats. You have to see and hear this car..awesome, mega cube motor..bullet proof drivetrain, all looking like a stocker..go to http://www.youtube.com/ and type in Steve Costa geelong, and you should find him featured in the go-whoa segment.

 Up in the back blocks..my old deuce roadster..you can tell I like the Volve truck burnt orange paint..haha.

Top Street Rod this year..love it!..you can see lots more on http://www.hotrodfeatures.com/ as well as http://www.hotrodhotline.com/ and check our club at http://www.deucesltd.com/

Geelong street rod nationals

 Early morning at narrandera, just over half way...believe it or not, there was a biggish rod run in this town same weekend...but we wanted to go to the Nationals...besides, we were here in '73, '75, and '77!!

 This is Charlies Deuce in Texas..a hot rod with history!..it raced at the NHRA races in 1955!

 All steel gathering for more pump pain...well, should only cost about for or five hundred dollars to get there! Where else can you have this much fun for $500!....and did I mention we stopped about a zillion times!

Our trip to Geelong  on the Monday before Easter was going to be a straight forward, 3 day run thru the outback, down the Newell Highway, and I was hoping to be able to show my US co pilot Charlie Duran from Deuces Limited in Texas, what the Aust. bush was all about...kangaroos..semi trailers..pot holes.....you get the picture. Well, we did not see one live 'roo!..lots of dead ones, barreled over by the trucks. Would hate to hit one with the deuce! Fuel was hovering around buck fifty a litre..so for you US readers, that's about $6 a gallon in your terms, and we had 1800 km (1125miles) to get there. A few pesky problems with loose bolts and a shorted lead hampered the trio of cars, as we dodged ruts and trucks, but eventually, a big rut took out the oil pan on Darryls 3 window just before the Victoria state border, so out with the trusty "graffiti good friends " list, and an hour later, we were in Tocumwal having the pan rewelded ON THE CAR by Paul McCallum, a very talented local rodder. 4 hours later and we were on the scent of hot rods, usually only a 5 hour trip from the border......wrong....another loose bolt..I lost the headlights momentarily..but we eventually rolled into the event at 9,30 Thursday night. More on the nats next..and the return trip as well........stay tuned!