The radiator was test fit so mounts can be made. The coil springs were removed so the spacers could go back in to set ride height. The frame was then set up with a level to go back to ride height. With the upper bar of the hair pin set parrallel to the frame the front end was mocked up. The torsion bar has several pieces. First is the center adjusting block. This puts the tension on the bars. Two tubes were turned down so they can be pressed in and welded. Two torsion bars are inside. One end goes into the center piece the other end is splined and holds a aluminum arm.. It passes through a bushing at the outside end of the tube. Adjustable links connect to the axle. The center piece has adjuster screws to apply tension to the bar. Its all just mocked up here. The arms are not shown they were in the mill. The car was not buffed last week. Dick needed his family. They were sanding and buffing today. When i called they said its unbelievable how it looks. Maybe i will get it friday on my off day.
I need to add another comment on the torsion bar. On a stock post 50s era mopar as you crank up the torsion bar bolt you get two things. A higher ride height and a stiffer suspension. There is now way to seperate the two. We are setting my car up with adjustable links. That way i can raise the height without making the ride stiffer. With the sixteen position front shocks i think i can get the front end dialed in. There is a lot of planning and mocking up before we weld it in. The wheelbase looks like it will be 124 inches. That should be nice and stable at the top end.
Because no one makes parts to put a tortion bar on a hot rod we made our own. The brackets in the mill will be welded on the frame to hold the main tube. Brackets were made to bolt the arms heims to the bat wings. The arms were machined so the heim joints fit inside for a cleaner look. The panard bar showed up today. Once the axle is centered the bracket will be welded to the frame. I picked up the body today. Pictured are dicks son todd on the left and chuck. Dick finished his last chemo treatment monday. So the worst is over.
His son said he is ok. Kind of grouchy today. I said great he is feeling better. He is getting back to his grouchy old self. The doctor said it will take a few months to start feeling better. Thanks for asking.
This is what the brackets look like on the frame. Its set up to be removed for servicing or replacement. The center piece shows the arms that twist the tortion bar. Two set screws do the job.
The early funny cars and altereds used the vw rear tortion bars. We looked at posssible using those. Even with the heavy duty off road bars they were still to light for my car. I think its cool to have tortion bars on a chrysler hot rod. We feel if this set up can survive in a dirt sprint car with all the abuse they see it should work in my little street car. If i fail we will do something else and move on.
As i have mentioned before this build is more about my friends and showing off their talents. Next up to introduce is my friend john shepard. I have known him for 20 plus years. I first met him when i was looking for a guy to apply gold leaf to the 65 dodge. Ever since then john has done all of my pinstriping. He has also done a few antique bikes for me. This is his full time job. In january when i had the sample panel painted i brought it to john to get some ideas. We went over some designs and colors. He has a eye for what will work. He is very easy to work with as ideas are bounced around. When i brought him the body he tried several colors on the car for a look. Some worked some didnt. It all wipes off. We wanted a old drag car look. I told him think of the cars of george hurst or tommy ivo. A finished over the top lettering job. Gold leaf had to be part of the plan. John applies real gold leaf. With real leafs slight imperfections it makes for the perfect look. Silver leaf thats rarely seen today will also be included. Here are a few teaser pics. Im proud to show case johns work for everyone. There are not many craftsmen left that can do this kind of thing. Its a real thrill to be part of the planning and watch him work. I get it back tommorro. Its going to look great in the sun.
Squirrel i have never seen you use a four letter word on the hamb before now. so i will take it that you approve.
You may have known him for 20 plus years but you must not like him very much? Making him pinstripe all those louvers, it's a wonder the painter still has his sanity. lol Beautiful work on his part looks great.
I think the body shop had it the worst. Theres only 168 louvers. This is the second time these guys have done it. I might have used up a few favors.
I'm just picturing those guys having to bandage up their hands after going over that big cheese grater a bunch of times. This car is rad.
Dennis rolane and i punched all those louvers in at dennises famous r and b chassis in kenosha wi years ago. Tragically killed in a freak accident he was another great talent from the local area. I filed each louver razor sharp edge when we were done. I needed the bandages.
yes he is. lil john had moved to california by the early 70s or late 60s. dennis continued building cars until he died. due to his diabetes he was using a scooter. while crossing a street he was hit by a car. the driver said the sun was in his eyes and was never charged. dennis was a big guy he would have been hard to not see. that guy was scary smart. the r anb chassis shop made and serviced all of the great racers chassis from the era. a literal who's who of the racing world went through their door. at one time they were the number one chassis shop in the country. one of the guys i eat lunch with every saturday worked there. that guy has some stories. they would fly him to the races to service their customers cars.
Its not all of the way done. There are some pieces of tape on the side of the car and on top of the cowl. We were going over some ideas to use some gold leaf on the body lines. That would be crazy cool. The pin up chick is no longer. The forward look triangles from the late 50s will be replacing it. One gold leaf the other silver leaf. We will also use the chrysler fire power engine logo in that area. Only a chrysler used the fire power logo. That ties in my chrysler car and hemi. To pay some respect to the orange car the new car will have a razor thin orange outline that will go around the black outlines. This was johns idea. He says it will make everything jump off the car yet it will hardly be noticed. Its wild to see a pile of gold scraps laying on the bed of the trailer.
Beautiful work all around, its a thing of beauty! I am a huge fan of the color and the details on the car, keep up the fantastic work...
I just received a message from one of the most famous drag photographers ever. Bob mclure said he has received the contract info from car kulture deluxe. The photo shoot he did just a week or two before the crash will be published in the september or october issue. That orange car just wont go away. its still hanging on. Thanks everyone for your interest and words of encouragement. It means alot as i work through the rebuild.
The Jalopy Journal
