Hot Rods Cali to NJ... topless RPU.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=305534

Thread above starts this story out...


Thanks all for the well wishes! Truth is, not sure what is exactly happening at the moment. Gonna need some HAMB help here I'm sure.

Not sure if most of you know this... but I lost my license bout 9 years ago. I have never driven a hot rod legally as I was a late comer to this sport. I have immersed myself in hot rods learning all I could for the last few years. Sleeping, breathing, learning, dreaming....hot rods.

Somewhere along those 8 years... I did take a trip with one of my best friends "SHOE" (one of those CrAizEd BeAtNiKs)... in his old 47 Delivery to Cali. for Paso. Man was that a trip! I did drive a little, while holding Shoe's beer at the same time, hahahaaa.

So I've been dreaming of another cross country trip for sometime now. I happen to have some top secret stuff that has taken me away from car building for a few months. (More on this later!) So I don't have the time really to go both ways, nor do I wanna spend that doe at the moment. So I basically bought the little RPU for the experience, plus I get to own a sweet little truck for awhile. Thanks Badfella!

I've been complaining for awhile now that I own too many hot rods and need a late 30's Custom. But I just couldn't pass up this opportunity. Sweet little RPU I think, kinda reminded me of Larry Shinoda's old pick up.

Plans include to lean back the windshield and take a little more out, set up a top. Body work and paint...maybe black or maroon. Tonneau cover on bed, and probably a spare windscreen from Sellers.

Probably enjoy for a little while, then sell it. Not sure as my mind always changes, may keep. I can't take on any full builds at the moment with this giant project I have in front of me, plus I am still working on three other cars at same time. So this little Rpu will just be some fun little work.


Now this is where you may come in! Hahahaaa... So I got a little excited, I have 107 days left till I get the papers. So, I'm hoping I can store it somewhere near Badfella, or even somewhere else out there in Cali. Even be willing to let you enjoy the car for awhile if you can behave. Sound crazy? Well, I often think of you people as family.

I leave in two weeks for Ireland, and will be gone for two weeks as well. Me and the old lady are looking at flights now... as we wanna get it, but work may not allow her too. Plus, I wont get to drive it...which was really the whole purpose of buying it. hahahaaa.

Either way...I'll keep you all up dated bout this trip. Gonna need some stop of points, and I'd love to meet a few more of you! Thanks, Mel

 

I've yet to get Badfella's address, but his avatar reads Dago, Ca. Is there a Dago?

I couldn't find it when I Mapquested it, only found Dagon, and figured he modified it like the "axle" ....not sure?

Anyone close with some space? I have no room out here in NJ to store it if I get it home anyway. Idiot!

 

Hey Mel... You've got a place when you come to Wisconsin!

 

Ahhh, forgot about ole Fabien Valdez... maybe I'll call him, he always had room.

 

Hey Wingnutz you maniac... knew I could count on you! Hope all is well my brother. You got to get back out to Jersey.... I think you'll be excited bout something.

 

San Diego

 

Hey Mel (Chris in CT)...good luck with the trip man...They're always a blast...

 

Little Chris? Rolling Bones super fab hero Chris? Where you been man?

 

Congratulation on the RPU Mel! It sounds like a cool road trip coast to coast . We're in the Chicagoland area and stop by and say hello or call if you need anything.

 

Oh Yea , my wife and I talked about flying out and driving her home as well. Well it still sounded cool to do the drive during the winter till we got hit with a snow storm and O degee weather. I know the hugging the south would have been our route but still have to go north at some point buddy. Then the kicker, she said do you even fit into it?? oh?

 

wow,sweet rpu -trip sounds like a blast

 

Good luck on the trip! Be sure to write a detailed post about your trip when you get back to Jersey. Can't wait to read it! Especially if it's anything like you "Jersey Devil" post!

 

Keep you posted John, always good to talk to you man!

The trip... Still up in air. I can't really get it before Xmas, then I'll be away for two weeks, so that puts me into mid Jan.

I hope to get someone to help store it... if someone can only hold onto it for awhile.... me an the old lady will bundle up and go get it after my Ireland trip. I like crazy adventures... You don't live until you scare the shit out of yourself. (Bellytank project in works) hahahaaaa...

I plan to call a few old friends and see if they can help. Cali is still sleeping...shhhhh! I'm hoping Valdez, Jack Rudy, someone... will have a spot that it can sit till March 24th. I know that is asking alot... so I may just have to go get it. Either way.....sounds like fun!

I really would let someone enjoy it while it sits out there too...

Even thought about a Hamb relay with having different Hamb members drive it across their state, and pass it to the next Hamber. How cool would that be???

But then, I'm still not driving it, hahaaa. Maybe if I can't get it stored.

Keep you all posted. Thanks for any help.

 

Phil is correct, San Diego. I wish I could keep it here for Mel but my one horse garage won't allow it (That's my condo where the pics are taken). My new project is sitting in a yard half sunk from the rains we had I'm still trying to convince him to ship it out there. I'm no pussy but rain and snow in an rpu freaks me out. Then again, I'm born and raised in Dago I'd ship it home and then drive out for Viva Las Vegas or Primer Nationals, now that would be a bitchen trip. Alright, now I feel like a pussy!

 

Ahhh man, I'm ready for a trip like this, the old lady is too. She drives my 29 stock roadster at full tilt through sideways rain with lighting.

We East Coast guys are use to freezing our ballz off anyway.

 

Wow! Hamb relay, what a thread that would be. That should get national attention and sponsers!

 

You definitely have balls of steel brother! I'm behind you 100% if you go for it. It would be really cool to watch my baby travel the states!

 

What route are you thinking. Winter in a raodster is FUN! A bunch of us in the Black Hills on I90 but that may be too far North for you.

 

Probably go the lower route since I'm down that way... may be a little warmer too. I've taking both routes and like the lower one better anyway. Will need to do some of old 66 as well. I took some amazing pics when there the last time, like to capture some more of that and enjoy that road.

Me and my buddy Shoe made it to Cali. in three days last time... man that was fun.

Thanks for the well wishes Badfella, we are gonna put your work to the test, hahahaa.
No worries... "We have the technology, we can rebuild!"

 

We put alot of love in this little car and I think she'll do just fine. It's your bum I'm worried about, Ha!

 

hahaha, Ok....I gotta get to work and get off here for a bit, man how you can get sucked in!

Speaking of my bum... if I don't find a friend to store it, and I do fly in. I would love to get someone on here to make a foot board... and a possable seat. A temp seat... or a good seat. Either way, I need one, hahaaa.

So I'll pay someone to hook it up if you can? thanks... My time will be limited, we'll have to get in....and go!



Ok, gotta go!!!

 

What you guys never rode a Hardtail. Heck Nummnuts Drove the High-One (32 Tudor) for years on just Hardwood. It was the splinters that you had to watch out for.!
I got some 3" foam if you need it?

 

Relay it to Phoenix, I have a garage it can stay in, and an at home shop to make any repairs it may need for the long journey.

I have made 7 cross country trips by hot rod. There is nothing that can beat the excitement. Although I did have windows and a heater!

 

Hey Mel.. I just got a shop in Lovely Burbank.. across from Old Crow and Hollywood
hot Rods..can find some space for you... I'm sharing the shop with Dave Martinez
Custom Upholstery if you wanted some interior for the ride home.. let me know..

Piero

 

Piero... cool!

I'll Pm you, see how close you are...see what we can set up. Be nice to all of you guys. Thanks for the offer!

 

only fuckin Mel would do a cross country in an RPU in the dead of the northeast winter. If you're gonna come up from the lower east coast (VA through MD then to DE) Let me know and you can warm up at my house before the last 3 hours home.
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Hey Synthsis...


So it is all worked out! Good ole Piero is going to pick it up from Badfella sometime soon. I will cancel my insurance my my 29 roadster here, and patch over the plates to the new car(rpu).

Piero can sit on it! For a bit... and his shop bud does upholstery. Now how bout that! Hahahaaa, amazing.

So now I can drive and switch off with the old lady, sweeeeet!

Thanks Hamb, thanks Badfella, thanks Piero! This place rules! March 25th, it's on.

 

Hahahaha I can't wait to do donuts in that RPU hahahah Just kiddin i'll baby it like its one of my own..

 

Wow! That's cool. So is Dave up and running in the shop? And post the interior shots when he's done with the RPU. Alls well and Ends well!

Ken

 

My shop buddy happens to be Dave Martinez witch is a quadruple PLUS
he's a bad Mo Fo..