Question, if I make my chopped 30 frame from aluminum, am I still HAMB worthy?

Rodster's video of the Vette frame build is mighty fine. If you go this route, make it overly stiff, and build the high stress areas doubly strong.

 

For ease and strength I would huck bolt the assembly you would need a gun if you do not have one, but you might be able to rent one in your area.

 

Yea but was it traditional?

Here is the deal, it has already been pointed out that some where building aluminum race cars back then. Aluminum has been in use for a very long time.

Would it be HAMB friendly? I look at the crap that folks put out on here that is as far from traditional as walking on Mars and gets applause. Crap being the operative term here.

I probably wouldn't set a Corvair on a late aluminum Corvette frame and try to pass it off as a traditional rod. But on the other hand I probably wouldn't ask anyone's permission to do so either. In the purest sense of the word I am a hoodlum, I live life by my own rules and do things the way I want to, without asking anyone's permission or approval.

That is what traditional rodding is all about. Sure, we as a rule try to look for guidlines when we build but the bottom line is that we do things the way we want to do them and let the chips fall where they may.

Would an aluminum framed A bone be accepted on the HAMB? Only one way to find out and that doesn't involve asking anyone first. Just do it, if no one likes it tell 'em to take an aeronautical intercorse at a tumbling piece of pastry. Be a hoodlum and be damned proud that you are. That is traditional.

OK then continue on, I have to go do the dishes now before my wife gets home.

 

in about 50 years when everybody goes to work in a flying soucer everything is traditional

 

I was just pointing out that the technology has been around a long time. But I agree, the last place I look to, for approval, is a internet message board.

 

Hell my comments weren't aimed at you I was just using you for a spring board. My comment about the traditionality of the chassis and brakes was tongue in cheek. Sorry for the confusion.

Uh, has anyone seen my apron?

 

Hugh M. is right, Hot Rod did a tee bucket, 389 Pontiac power, with a bolted together aluminum frame in the 60s. Radiator was out back, so head on cover shot showed a grille shell framing the Poncho, no grille.

 

i beleive the mighty duesenburg has a super burly cast aluminium firewall !!! ???

 

This has really turned into an informative thread, I appreciate all of the responses, thank you.

 

who care build it and drive it ... i swear is this a cult .? trad rodding .... or is it .....

 

I haven't been here long enough to say it's HAMB-able...but I think it should be.

How is an original body on a non-traditional metal alloy frame any different than a car with all new sheetmetal bodies on an old frame? I think all 'traditional looking' hotrods should be acceptable to most.

I don't get people complaining about cars that aren't 'hamb-worthy' in their mind. I say you can't please everyone, but if you please most, then go with it.

 

"another hemi powered a coupe on 32 rails.. would be..

just another hemi powered a coupe on 32 rails"


the word "just" bothers me. Personally, I would love to have the raw materials to build such a car, much less the dough to finish it right. I guess it's all relative....

 

do it. And make sure you post pics of doing it.

 

Hell, it is has to be more HAMB freindly and period correct than 6 million pages of how to put a freakin S-10 chassis under what ever Fat Fender car!

If it's done right most will dig and it it isn't you'll know before you post and we'll never see it

 

i really like how this came out

 

It will still look the same as the other 6000 at 50 feet.

 

Here's a picture of the Miller/Gulf Indy racecar for 1941, while the frame rails are larger than you'd use they do have rivets and modern alloys are better. With aluminum you have to spread the load out to minimize flexing and failure. And mig welding doesn't anneal the aluminum like tig does. A friend of mine has been repairing dragster engine blocks for years using mig with good results. Build a scale model and stack bricks on it, you'll soon get the ideal shape. Have fun!

 

I say go for it.

If it were my project, I'd go the semi-monocoque route, where you build a load bearing frame/floorpan assembly that is pretty much one piece, and then hang the body on top of that flopper style (no additional floorpan).

Just be aware that all aluminum structures will fatigue in service, and all of them will crack eventually, so regular inspection will be key.

Basically, you'll have to treat it like a low flying air frame, and give it an annual inspection . . . well, annually.

If you stay on top of repairing the fatigue damage when it starts to show up, you can keep the chassis in service for quite a long time.

Light air craft routinely stay in service for 50 yrs or more. I see no reason why a similarly constructed hotrod chassis could not have a similar life span if properly cared for.

The proper care and maintenance will be the key though.

Well, that, and proper joint and assembly design to start with.

Think "distributed load".

You want to spread the loads out as widely as you can. Concentrated stress breeds cracks, especially in aluminum.