I appreciate all of the great comments from everyone. I've made a few changes to the car in the last couple months. The biggest is the wheels. As much as I liked the Indy style wheels, I didn't think they matched the style I originally had planned for the car. I found a pair of 15X4 Early American 5 spokes that I could afford after looking for several years. These are the first spindle mounts they came out with that were just the standard 15X4 castings with ribbed hubs cast into the back of them. I was going to machine the hubs off, bore out and drill them to use lug nuts. Then I realized there was enough material to mount the Buick drums I was using and thought they would be even better as spindle mount. After glass beading them I machined the ribs off leaving as much material I could. Then 10 holes 3/8-16 X 1/2 were drilled and tapped into the back of them to mount the Buick drums. The centers of the drums were bored to be a snug fit on the wheels and the 10 hole pattern was drilled in them. To make up for the strength of the ribs removed, a hub that bolts on with the drum and clamps on the machined hub on the wheel was fabricated. When everything is assembled with studs it looks pretty strong and clears everything for the brakes. Some caps like the originals were made from stainless pipe caps. They use an O-ring to hold them onto a groove that's been cut in the wheel's center bore. They were glass beaded again and will hopefully not take too long to darken up.
DANG! I just discovered this thread and holeeeee cow batman!!! All fab work welding etc. is unreal. That car is impressive as all get out. DANG!
What an outstanding car! I’m totally amazed by the work on the dash! What is the source of the checkered gauge panel ? So much more elegant than engine turned.
For the rear wheels, I wanted 16X10 Halibrand Speedway Specials. I found these on FB that looked like crap and took a chance because I got a pretty good deal. They were soaked with Awsome cleaner and power washed. The paint on the center parts had helped protect them. Then put on a brake lathe and lips sanded. Next sand blasted to remove corrosion. Sanded again. The 5" B.C. holes I'm using were then spot faced and reamed. Then they were glass beaded to smooth everything out and to match the front wheels. There ended up being minimal pitting. I then put a heavy coat of Por 15 on the outside like the front to seal any porosity. Still the best looking back wheels ever made. Just need to darken up now.
When I commented to my friend who built my roadster chassis that I wanted to get the aluminum K.O. wheels to look more like aged magnesium Halibrands he said bring them down here (Oregon Coast) and leave them laying out behind his shop for six months.
Might age them so well that they're not usable. Luckily I have plenty of time before they will get used.
Not sure how I missed this one, but great work. I apologize if this has been asked before but are you planning on chopping it?
Great hot rod. Could you please provide a link for the diamond impregnated aluminum for the dash. I know you said McMaster-Carr, but I could not find it.
The Jalopy Journal
