Airbags are for Accordians: Hydraulics in Traditional Customs

lol, Jaimie your set up looks good BTW. Thats the first time I seen it!

Oh and Scott I just finally got the issue today. Good job.

 

thanks Skim......

 

Good info,but I don't get how hydraulics are traditional,but air ride isn't,especially with all the info that's been posted on the history of air ride and air level suspension

 

If aircraft hydraulics don't represent traditional customs, then i don't know what does. They showcase improvising and ingenuity that ties back to WWII technology. Just like guys figured out how to improvise and use belly tanks and Cadillac tank motors in hot rods after the war..... they also figured out what to do with all that aircraft hydraulic surplus in customs.

To me, the history of aircraft hydraulics speaks loudly of American Tradition.

Thanks,

-scott noteboom

 

Level air and "air ride" back then was to "level" out the car not lift it up and down for driving.
Is Bill Hines traditional?Here is an OG setup he did back in the day,they only thing that has been changed is the chromed tank........

and yes thats a cookie tray........

 

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Airbags are Awesome

 

Hey Scott great article and great magazine, articles like yours make it well worth the wait!!!!

 

Where did you work at in Dallas? I wasn't aware of any hydraulic shops around here.

 

Pyro,
Juice is the MAN!!! I have known him for years and he does great work. I have seen alot of his work. Not sure if he still does it (on the side). The shop he was referring to was East Dallas Customs, and they aren't around any more.

 

Scott, very well spoken. Don't know that anyone else could have said it better.

 

XLNT thread! I remember these parts from when I was a kid in the early 70's. Pescos, Adel Sidewinders, "Gates", etc. I'd "cut" cars for me and friends. One night, at Herbert & Meeks (famous for engine swaps), I'm cutting the back of my Pontiac. I come out from under the car and my friends are histerical. My hair was a fireball and I didn't even feel it

 

great thread

 

NO WONDER YOUR HAIR LOOKS THE WAY IT DOES!!!! LOL!!!!!

BUZZ

 

I'll add some pic's to the topic; lets start out with some vlaves...

 

and some filters...

 

Now Pumps and Setups...

 

envious...... i am. you've got great stuff.

don't happen to have two of those green monsters you'd like to sell me?

thanks for posting the pics. i dig...

-scott noteboom

 

wow good info thanks for the post!

 

Yea, I got a couple in stock but no green ones right now... I got one #12 grey in color and another #12 polished... let me know if you're interested if not I'll let you know when I get another green one in... unless you're looking for a #16... I think I still got one of those in green.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIlA7hYBlEU

 

Here's Ricks '64, Ted Wells setup...

 

how about a vintage manuel dump

 

Hey Scott, I just found this thread. It&#8217;s absolutely awesome! I can&#8217;t wait to buy the magazine and read your article. I love hydraulics. My first car&#8217;s hydraulic system was installed (lifted) by Andy&#8217;s Hydraulics in San Jose back around 1980. Once I saw how it was done, I started lifting all of my buddies&#8217; cars. I currently have three cars with hydraulics and they all ride smooth as silk.
My hat is off to you for bringing this subject to everyone&#8217;s attention. I feel this is a subject that is soo overlooked by the general public. People don&#8217;t realize the impact it has had in the development of our hobby/sport/life style. Hydraulics have such a bad rap, and it is really unwarranted. They are much more versatile and reliable than air bags could ever be. Unfortunately for hydraulics, air bags have been embraced by the hot rod community therefore the aftermarket has responded by developing tons of direct bolt in applications, air bags have almost become the only game it town. Except for some of us true diehards. Thanks for doing the story.

My 1938 Dodge Coupe




My 1936 Packard 120 Convertible




My 1936 Auburn Speedster




"Bags are for groceries"
See Ya!
Randy

 

those are some badass rides

 

Randy,

All your cars have style and grace. Hat's off-- you definitely get it and are lucky to have such a collection.

Thanks for the good word. I wrote the article specifically with a goal to enlighten the people who didn't know the huge impact that hydraulics had in custom car history.

See you around,

-scott noteboom

 

I just re-read/drooled of this thread for the billionth time and thought I sould bump it for those who want to add or learn...

 

Bill Hines son Mike told this story. Me and dad were traveling to a show somewhere in one of dads cars, This trucker motions us to pullover. He tells us this is the most beautiful car he has seen. He said his dad had Bill Hines install hydraulicson his car in the 60`s. Mike says, do you want to meet him, he`s asleep in the back seat. I rember seeing Lee Pratts 41 Buick at the Street Rod Nats in Minnisota in the 70`s with an aircraft setup. He lived in Des Monies IOWA at that time. Yes, that Lee Pratt in California. It was featured in Street Rodder. Terry Cook bought it. He was the editor of Hot Rod Magazine.Remeber the article about the Imperials, 1974 of April. He was responsible, later on Pat Ganahal wrote about it in Hot Rod. (HotRodMarch07 page 27) I installed hydros on my car 24 years ago when Iwas 17,still have it. Still works good.

 

Too cool!