My channeled 32 roadster was finished back in 2012 and been used on and off over the past 11 years +. Originally built with transverse rear springs on 9 inch diff and SoCal front end with early Ford brakes. In my early enthusiam I took it to several of our main events(Valla,Yamba, Brunswick Heads, Chromefest etc) but gradually the buggy spring rear and poor front brakes resulted in me using it mainly for a few local coffee runs in recnt years. Bit the bullet and put it in Cahills Speed Shop for long overdue maintenance. Darren is from a hot rod family with his Dad, Rod having built many cars so he grew up influenced by hot rods. After a career in banking as a Manager he decided to open his shop with wife Deb a few years ago and has gone from strength to strength. As well as full builds, finishing other builds and doing upgrades like mine his shop is kept very busy with a staff of 5 or 6 I think. Deb also taught herself upholstery and does a lot of the interior work on builds coming into the shop. She has earned a well deserved reputation for her quality trim jobs. So on the agenda for the roadster we had this list. Engine rear main seal repaired, Turbo 350 out to have a checkover and new seals etc. Replace early Ford brakes with Bolling Bros Lincoln setup using the 1 &3/4 inch linings as I could use my old drums without altering cycle guard brackets.. Remove rear buggy spring and replace with double adjustable coil-overs with adjustments for compression and rebound. Fix some diff lash to take "clunk" out when moving into gear. Replace front shocks that were stuffed after 11 years and go through all bushes in steering and 4 bars. Needed new tires on the front as they were well over their use by date after 11 years. New Coker bias ply to continue traditional theme. New mufflers for a better "hot rod" sound. Changes to seatsfor more comfort on my back and tailbone. The body is actually from a company in the USA called Show me Rod and Custom based now in MO but when I visited and ordered the body they were in Branson. The body has 2 inch longer doors and cab stretched 2 inches making it easier to get my 6ft body in and feel comfortable. So ready for Yamba Hot Rod Run that we attended last week. Had a couple of minor h***les but generally drove great. After attending the run I dropped it back to Darren for some rechecking and picked up today and drove home. I have adjusted the settings on the rear one more notch for comfort and rides much better. So very happy and will probably take my 63 Riviera there that needs some attention. The 48 Hudson Kustom is not in need of any maintenence at this stage. I have included a couple of photos with a funny Tshirt for a guy who has an autotransmission shop and our friends 65 Riviera and off course the roadster. As soon as I get a chance I will sort the 180 photos from Yamba and get them up on a separate thread.
Not a big fan of those megaphone headers even though I had them on my T bucket in 1974 when my friends told me they were obsolete but other than that that is one of the best looking channeled roadsters i have ever laid my eyes on. Man that is a beautiful car.
That Riviera actually came out of USA several years ago.The owner Bob carried out modifications when it got here like the airbags. Bob owns several cars and recently moved to Brisbane. For several years he and his wife operated a burger bar in Melbourne called Fat Bobs. The Riv originally had a fade paint job but after an accident he couldn't get anyone here to replicate it so just went for the orange. https://fatbobs.com.au/index.html And here are some of his cars: https://fueltank.cc/blog/bobs-riviera
Thanks for the compliment. I built that as a middle age crisis thing I guess as my first hot rod was a channeled Model A roadster. There was no way I could fit in a Model A anymore so went for a 32 with more cabin space and longer doors. At the time I built the car I was 64 and now 75 so need the extra space.
Feel some slight nods to Tom branches gold roadster. Love the color and Studebaker caps. Killer hotrod man! Edit: wait are those clipper hubcaps? Super rad either way
Tom Branch's car has '53 Studebaker caps the op's are '57 Lincoln hubcaps. It's a shame the paint on the Riv couldn't be replicated. The fade was cool.
The color of the roadster just caught my eye instantly. It's a color that makes any car look great. And you guys have to have fenders by law I believe. The trick is making them "fit" the car. The right look. You did an awesome job with that. Wish I could travel the world and meet all the hot rodders in all the different lands.
Tom's car was what I originally based my build on and then went in a slightly different direction. More late 50's early 60's East Coast USA style.
1956 Lincoln Premiere caps. When I started building the roadster Tom's car was my inspiration but went in a different direction,more late 50's early 60's East Coast USA style.
I took the roadster for a coffe run this morning and I can't believe how nice it drives now. I reset the coil-overs before leaving Yamba one notch down for a bit more comfort and may even go one more. I am going to put some kms(miles) on this now!!!
That style of fender mounting was also done in North America in the 50s 60s...a**** others...and yes fitting them certain ways can really compliment rather than take away...Them little pages and other zines had far reaching tentacles... @hudson48 you have a good eye for these and you have the best of many worlds...never tire of seeing what you're up to...the stablemates look awesome...and comfort is important as we age...
The Jalopy Journal
