Projects Building My First Roadster in San Francisco

Hahaha yep, you guys hit the nail on the head. Those are our MockShox that I'll be using until the real ones show up. I agree that the ride would be mighty rough.

That's what I'm doing!

 

Sidebar 9.03: Nothing Shocking

The past two weeks have been extremely busy in all the best ways. Between work, projects and traveling home to Michigan for my Grandma's 90th birthday celebration, I haven't had much time to update this thread. But now it's Sunday night here in the Motor City, and things have slowed down enough for me to bring everything up to date. Don't worry: we have some fun updates.

Not long after returning from Texas and the Sacramento River Delta, I realized that my summer on the road was finally coming to a close. With that, David and I decided to meet on Saturday the 3rd to make some progress on the car.

As soon as I arrived, we looked at the list. "What should we take on today?" I asked. We concluded that the rear shock mounts would be the next step. (A few days prior, I had finished smoothing the heavily modified F-1 front shock mounts at my home garage. It was quite the zen experience; I plan to delve deeper into it in a future Jalopy Journal article.)

On the left is the finished shock. On the right is how they started.

Rat-tail files & fallen leaves.

Nothing like a fresh coat of primer. Next time we'll bolt them to the frame.

 

Before we started on the rear shock mounts, David suggested that I make a pair of rigid shocks for mockup. We used angle iron to ensure everything stayed in position without flexing, bending or getting out of alignment.

Note rounded edges. We plan to paint these a fun color to add visual appeal during mockup.

While I was working the drill press, I noticed a black Deuce sedan roll up. I had to walk outside for a closer look!

The car was originally hot rodded in the 1960s. Highlights include an old dropped axle, nicely detailed smallblock Chevy and Americans on all four corners.

What could be better than a filled Deuce shell with cracked lacquer and old pinstriping?!

Very inspiring to see a car of this caliber in person. I was taking notes!

 

Back in the shop, we determined the angle of the shocks. We opted for 40 degrees. Taking the dimensions of the shock into account, we realized that we needed to fill some of the holes in the crossmember where rivets once resided.

I clamped the copper block in place and welded the holes shut. I hadn't welded in awhile, and I was especially rusty. "First pancake of the day," as David puts it. Nonetheless, with a little bit of strategic grinding, we were on our way.

My kind of lunch break!

Using the POWER-KRAFT, I drilled the holes for the upper shock studs.

We also notched the crossmember lip to clear the shock body.
MockShox in place.

 

For the lower mounts, David suggested that we use '37 Ford radius rod ends. Getting the cuts at the correct angle was difficult for me to comprehend, but he was able to do it with ease.
David made one, and I worked to contour the other to match.

Next, we tacked and then welded them in place. This was my first attempt at welding a curved surface upside down. To be honest, I didn't fare too well. I couldn't get in a comfortable position, and I couldn't get a good eye on what I was doing. David helped finish them up. I thanked him.

Rear shock mounts complete. They're clean, they're sturdy and, when the car is on the road, you probably won't notice them. As I look back at that line item, I'm realize how important that day really was.

You see, as we worked, I felt like I was back in journalism school in Missouri learning how to write. In the shop—and in the classroom—I knew the basics. I had the tools. I knew what I was shooting for. Yet, when it was time to try something new, I felt myself struggling. Sometimes I failed. Sometimes I succeeded. But with the help of a great teacher, I got through it. And I'm happy I tried going for it myself.

Although every day on this project is nothing but fun, it feels good knowing that I'm pushing myself out of my comfort zone and growing as a hot rodder. I'm proud to say that we aren't taking the easy way. There's so much to learn, and we're only getting started.

 

A couple more shots, just because.
Next time, we're mounting the radiator (if the hardware arrives) and building the headlight bar.

 

As many of you know, there's been a major heatwave happening out West as of late. Last week, I took advantage of that by driving my roadster and riding my chopper absolutely everywhere.

Westbound on Turk.

Premier parking?

On Friday, I took a cross-town drive back from the Mazi Moto shop. I love roadster weather. (No, that wasn't me making those tire marks...)

A candid shot of San Francisco life. We got some friends together for a Labor Day blast to North Beach for Golden Boy Pizza.

Also, I'm glad to see that tank I painted over Christmas on Yama's bike. I'm itching to do more paintwork soon.
If you've made it this far in this thread, you know I find inspiration everywhere.

I just about died when I spotted this 356 in Berkeley.

 

Thanks, Tim! I couldn't agree more. I love nothing more than learning how to do things the right way, regardless of how many tires it takes. I've said it once and I'll say it again: David truly is a master.

Thank you, Brian! Piece by piece, we're getting there. With any luck, we'll have more updates later this week.

Woah! You're telling me you've had that car for 50 years? I'd say that's more inspiring. Let me know if you want an extra hand to bring it back to life after I finish roadster 2.0. Maybe when I come to drop off the 'banger chassis.

Thank you so much! He almost always works alone, so seeing how he tackles tasks as a one-man band makes me appreciate what he does even more. Not a day goes by where I'm not extremely grateful to work with him.

Thank you! That vent has been on there since the spring. Ben and I modeled it after one that I saw at the Kennedy Brothers' shop this winter. I figure if it works for them on their Winters, it should work just fine on my Rodsville QC.

 

A few quick updates before I close the door on today.

Moments before leaving San Francisco, I received two interesting packages. First, it was four square-head backing plate bolts from @nickthebandit. I can't wait to put them in place and see how they fit. Next, there was a genuine 1932 Ford spreader bar from @So Cal Brian B. It felt like Christmas! My guess is that it will have to be narrowed to fit the pinched frame, but it looks like I'll get to find out for myself when I return to the shop.

For whatever reason, I didn't take a picture of the fixture I'm making to drill the 1940 Ford backing plates. I plan to continue working on that project when I'm back in town.

 

Sidebar 47: Paying Tribute

Sometime last night, the temperature dropped and the world turned gray. Those overcast skies carried over into today, signifying that summer days were soon on their way out. Nonetheless, I was excited to spend the afternoon with my Dad.

Our first stop was Bates Hamburgers, a longtime favorite of mine.
Bates has been serving up the best burgers since 1959. I know I've mentioned it on this thread before, but it always feels like home when I'm sitting at the counter watching the traffic go by.

Next, we made our way across town to Robinson Welding Supply. With the amount of fab work we have left, I realized that I needed to buy my own welding hood rather than continuing to borrow one.

After parking behind the shop, my Dad and I strolled through the nicely organized work area. Well-worn tools were perched on pegboard, and heavy metal fab tables were surgically clean. From the way it looked to how it smelled, I could feel the authenticity. When we reached the front of the store, we learned that it had been around since the 1970s.

While speaking with the salesman, I tried on the Miller Classic and we went through the specs. It was comfortable, auto-darkening and suitable for both MIG and TIG. My mind was made up. I paid and we were on our way.

 

"Want to take a detour that will add 13 minutes to our trip?" my Dad asked. "Of course," I said, knowing that he's always cooking up interesting ideas. I soon learned that we were driving to Triumph Church on Joy Road in Detroit. "We're visiting Henry Ford's grave," he said.

My Dad was born and raised in Detroit, and he's spent the past 50-some years studying the city's colorful past. As a part of that curriculum, he has paid extra attention to Henry Ford and the history of Ford Motor Company. "This," he said, "is the last major Ford landmark that I've yet to visit."

And so, under cloudy skies, we walked walked from the car, past the Cotswold-style church, towards the flower-lined gravesite. We opened an old metal gate and stepped onto the plot.

Peering over the manicured hedges, we greeted Henry and Clara. Their headstones were protected by an ornate cage, while a limestone obelisk towered overhead.

I studied Henry's grave, and thought about all that he accomplished. Without him, the world would be a very different place.

Good to see that he's surrounded by so many family members, too.

As we drove towards home, I thanked my Dad for taking me. "As someone who is building early Fords, it's important that you see this sort of thing," he said. I couldn't agree more.