WOW,you certainly know how to inspire the rest of us.I bet the previous owner would be shocked to see that now.
He was a young guy who decided he'd rather just buy a motorcycle instead of building a hot rod. He bought a crotch rocket bike. Now he can go fast.
They are NOS Seiberling tires. I liked them because of the smooth sidewall along with the tiny round holes along the edge.
Think I've met my 1st legend. Well done, great project presentation and an inspiration to all of us. It can be done....
Great pics.The rear spring is very short.any idea what it is from?Sits low for a spring over setup in the rear.
No, we're not sure what the spring is from. A higher arched spring would give us more suspension but this one sits nice and low. Probably leave it this way.
I know, but it's all part of my low budget makeover. It's cheap, fun, and fast. Now I'm off to the cruise night and then to the car show! Sure beats slaving away in the shop to make something perfect.
wow, does that ever look awesome. that's exacty the kind of thing i'd like to build one day. any action pictures?
Im Not really bummed, more excited to see it finished. Im the guy he bought the car from. and just to add to the idea that you can build a car for cheap i thought id add to this subject. first to clear my name i didnt buy a crotch rocket to "go fast", instead i put the money i got from selling the modified into a 50 shoebox and my wifes 55 wagon. ive been into 50 and 60's kustoms for about 8 years and this little modified was my first attempt at a real hot rod. i wanted to try and build it for as little money as possible. when i sold the car i was stressed for time and out of money so I had to sell one of my cars and and the unfinished hot rod was the one to go. im sure alot of guys out there can relate to that situation. On to the car. the body came from a junk yard in russleville that a buddy of mine found and with a little haggleing i got it and the grill shell for a 100 bucks. the floor was donated buy a friend from a 54 ranch wagon. the back of the original body was in bad shape so one of my friends had a roof from a 52 pontiac that he was using for a chop and gave me a peice of tin big enough to replace it. the roll bar is an old lake pipe i had laying around. the car had no doors so i just welded some skins over the openings since the car was gonna sit so low that doors werent nessesarry. the frame was built using 2x4 square tubing which was a total investment of about 50 bucks. the 235 came out of my 58 chevy daily driver. I decided to drop a 350 in to the delray but the six ran so good for so many years i decided to keep it and the modified was the perfect home for the straight 6 powerplant. i also used th ratiatior from the same car. the rear end, rear spring, steering box, front hubs, brakes, wishbones, and wheels i got from a grave yard in BFE arkansas for 300 bucks, the catch was I had to pull off the parts myself in the middle of nowhere during a snow storm.(whole different story in itself) other parts i had laying around the garage and didnt cost me a dime like the steering column, steering wheel, master cylinder, steel tubing for steering arms and drag link, exaust pipe, and some mexican blankets and masonite for the interior. the rest of the parts cost the most since i bought them new from speedway(drop I beam, tank, rod ends, front spring, kingpins, etc, etc.) all in all i had about 1800 to 2000 dollars wraped up in this car when i sold it. As far as being a "turd" that is a matter of opinion, i always look at the car as a working project. this car was put together from a pile of parts and a lot of measuring, cutting, grinding, welding, and wrenching. and im glad the car is finnally finished and i hope it finds an owner that relizes that a lot of different people with different ideas made this car what it is. attached are some pics of the 58 the engine came from, and some pics of the build, and for the guy wondering about the rear spring, its a front spring from a 48 ford truck. only the guy who put this thing together peice by peice would know that.
inkstain...the funny thing is when i saw the unfinished first post is i was thinking to myself - it looks very similar to what i hope to build. and the rear spring does seem to give it near perfect stance. so yeah, "turd" might be a bit harsh - but that thing looks like nothing but fun. good work both before and after by all parties.
thanks raaf, the "turd" comment wasnt as bad as the accusation of buying a crotch rocket, that was like a stab in the heart with a ice pick.
inkstain, i see your point. and if i may be so bold... can you tell us a little about your frame build? what kind of kickup in the rear? what was your wheelbase, etc? did you mostly follow t-specs or did you just wing it as you went? is that a standard t engine bay measurement? or did you have to lengthen to accommodate the 235? also, curious about wheel/tire size. sincerely appreciate any answers you can share.
Man, I would say you got a car that you were able to save. That was good work on your part. I hope you enjoy the car and find others to save ! 41 Dave
id thought id stop and take my foot out of my mouth, turns out povetyflats got it from the guy i sold it to. so some of those comments were about him. weve made peace now, enjoy the modified!
sure, the kick up was 10 inches in the rear on 90 degree turns. the wheel base was set up on the length of all the components. i got the length need for the body, engine and grill and went from there. i had most of the major comonents in place before building the frame so i used those to help mock it up. i dont remember how long it was but i didnt use any spes, just "winged it" the tire i had on the car were completly different from what they are now, the front wheels look the same but the rears are different. i had 15's all around.
That's exactly what I love about traditional hot rods......the whole "show-perfect street rod" scene really burned me out in the 90's, way too much work and time to get a rod done. Hey, my wife's family is from Salinas, small world!
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