Rodney roadster gets a few hours work.....

This last two weeks has been hectic, Toowomba for a few days, then Maroochydore for another couple, never ending rain and wind has kept me busy...still taking trees to the dump!...anyway, started thinking about access to the battery, so decided to hinge the whole seat...started by making a trial pivot point at the front....

Then, using the back mount point, I am trying this plate, secured to the floor, and a thru hole to lock the seat down...also notice the plate for the earths to go to, and most of the wiring runs in the cavity between the fibreglass body and the steel floor

A piece of tube welded to the seat frame, then cut the centre out to go on the pivot....

Scoured Capalaba Spare Parts wreckers, but couldn't find the type of latch I needed, so decided to make my own, a simple plate/bolt/ slide deal that works just fine.

Even though I mounted these indicators, I'm not happy...to me they stand out like a wart on the end of your meat mallet....so I'm just not sure....maybe if it was mounted further under...or maybe some of the harley style might look better....but..

I saw these on US e buy and have them on the way, leds with indicator and stop built in might do...they look a bit washed out....so, watch this space...

 

I have the doors finished as I want them, with a bit of extra bracing and some Sikaflex and bondo to hold them together, so now to finalise the door trims

My first choice was to cut out some 3mm MDF....then I thought about not using upholstery and using painted alloy or ply...so now I have ply.....think I might just paint them flat black and start covering them in decals.....or abstract paint....wallpaper...

 

I collected a bunch of bits to hold the trim on....so it will either be the ruff n ready metal thread screws....or maybe the nice stainless button-heads...but probably the proper upholstery pieces....

10 sleeps 'till the Street Rod Nats....w.t.f!

Can't figure out how to turn this picture straight.....but you get the message...only 10 days to the Nats.....doesn't look like Rodney the roadster will get there...have to just take Trixie, the Tudor........hope we see some fine weather for Easter!!

And talking of good weather, our latest coffee run was hot!....hot sun, hot rods, and plenty of interested lookers...we hit the IGA carpark at Cleveland with a great roll-up of about 25 cars

Some people came down from the old folks home to check out the cars...caught this ol timer trying to decide if he prefers 32s to 29s....

Couple of slant grille models keeping all the flat grilles in line....love the mix of cars and new faces we are getting.....maybe it's time I looked for a more permanent venue , where there is some shade and seats...this was a scorcher after 3 hours of sun!  I had created my own weather system in my armpit region!!

Like flies around a sheeps date when someone lifts a hood side!! 'Twas hard to get a photo, but worth it...lots of good detail here to take in.

After the Toowoomba run, the local paper did a follow-up story....with Robyn and Penny the stars...woop woop!

 

One more event before the Nats...Ormiston swap this coming weekend....see ya there!! I'll have your 30 tudor on the trailer ready....just bring me $10000....it's gotta go to a new home, otherwise i'll have to rat-rod it....hmmm....Ralph, the ratrod!   sound "catchy"

Toowoomba , great place for hot rods and good times.

Time to head up the hill for the annual Toowoomba Rod Run....I changed out the wheels again, with bigger 265s on the rear, and put the knock-offs on for a dress up....between the roadster and the Tudor, I now have 5 sets of wheels to mix and match...don't be surprised if you see steelies on one side and 5 spokes the other!!

Wheels...paint choice...ride height....almost nothing else matters if you want a car to look "right"...Chuck Poulsen nails it with everything he builds!

Flatheads...can never get enough of them, and this new model A from the sunny coast was detailed well, once again, Craig used his "NOT 032' plates just to rub it in.......

I luv pickups and trucks, and Neil Popes 32 also had the look....the Real Wheels and paint colour ....spot on.

Warren and Kerry Wilkie at T R&C throw the doors open on Saturday arvo to show the latest projects in the shop......hiding in the corner is another pickup complete with the seldom seen Buick engine...cool!

Another new-ish car on the road is Graeme Robinsons all steel 32 Victoria....came in from the USA a while back and he has been busy, along with Warren and crew at Toowoomba Rod and Custom Shop, with the freshen up including  new frame , drivetrain , trim, and Tork Thrust Originals

Looks like 200mph standing still!!...John Davies tudor made it into Top 10.

Hot rodding will carry on forever, while we continue to allow the kids to get involved so early in life....love to fast forward 20 years to see what these future rodders wil be driving!