Hot Rods What is your “favorite part” of your hot rod or custom?

A similar motor for all hot rod installations for our teenage sedans or wagons... possibly...

Hello,

If I had to choose between the early hot rods and their favorite part, each one had one part for a description. But comparing all of them, the Willys Coupe had the most unusual SBC motor. When we had the 283 carb version of the SBC block, it was a full street powered motor. It could have been installed in any Chevy sedan and would be fast. There were many versions in the C/Gas class and D/Gas class.

But, when we decided to get the most unusual add on for a SBC motor, nothing compared to the new Isky Gilmer 671 Blower Drive parts and set up. It was probably #2 in So Cal, as we know who got #1. If we had also worked at Isky Cams, we possibly would have a chance to get kit #1 for the SBC motor. There were other 471 blower set ups on SBC motors, but at the time, no one had a kit to use a 671 on a SBC motor. Since Isky/Gilmer/Edlebrock came out with their new set up, plenty of racers have used the Gilmer belt drive system to great results, as the years rolled on...

When we were shown the full kit, including the Edlebrock Manifold, the wide belt and all of the brackets, we knew we were on our way. All we had to do was not screw up and put together a powerful blower spec motor. We had guidance from Joe Mailliard and Joe Reath for their information on what parts were going to be the best for continuous running in the B/gas or C/gas classes at Lion’s Dragstrip.
Lion's Dragstrip 1960 prepping for the next rounds of timed runs or eliminations in the B/Gas class.

This fully assembled 671 powered larger 292 c.i. motor had all blower spec parts, ported/ polished heads, valves, pistons, rods, etc. If we did not screw it up, it should give us plenty of power to win a few trophies and be in the running for the national record.

Jnaki

The good thing was that, it was powerful and reliable. Every run, my brother got a better time and speed. So, we knew we were on the right track. When we took it for a trial run in Bixby Knolls, we knew it was not your everyday SBC motor for the street, going on dates and daily drives to school. The 292 c.i. motor + the 671 was more of a competition motor and not a drive-in cruising all over the So Cal scene.

So, that was our favorite part. Due to it being so different and powerful. We did come close to the national record of 12.40 e.t. recording a 12.60 on one blazing run. After our Willys Coupe was finished, we had the complete motor and came so close to installing it in our 58 Impala with a C&O Stick Hydro. The installation was a combination of street super power and a lower designation class such as C/gas or D/Gas. But, as one incident came, it was time to move on for both of us.

Note:

After having removed the 671 SBC motor complete and sitting on a engine stand, we had all sorts of thoughts of what to do with our creation. The first thing was to put it in the Impala for the ultimate street hot rod sedan. It could still race in the Gas Coupe Class under C/Gas due to the car weight to power ratio. That was a strong consideration.

The second was that my high school friend was one heck of a mechanic and we had done many things together for his 57 Chevy Bel Air Hardtop. So, it, too, would have been a simple remove, replace and fire up situation. But, both of us needed our cars as daily drivers and could not make the changeover and not have them out of service for our daily needs.

Since most of the cars in our teenage group were Chevy sedans and one 51 Pontiac, swaps would have been fine, if it were in the summer. But we all had commitments daily and accessible cars were part of the daily scene for everyone. YRMV

 

Many parts stand out, but the best is the rear.

 

If a title can loosely be considered a "part" of our Hot Rods....that would be it.
We all know that these really are never done...a constant/continuation of upgrades, styles. engine changes, wheel changes, etc.
Therefore ownership, that feeling of possession do with it whatever I decide.

 

My Favorite is me driving it . Love goin to cruise in type events , no trophies , just bonding with the ole Buddies , could be gone tomorrow .

 

I like your thinking. I guess I could also say my vin tag also. A lot of work came first. The pic is the Idaho inspector installing the vin tag.

 

That first picture just screams “hot rod” to me……

 

Absolutely. That's the best answer yet.