I see that the construction of the new garage is well underway. Burbank's codes have changed since those tract houses were done 60+ years ago. He lost that space between the property line that the original was built upon. The strength of build is now much greater than the original though, but the hip roof is not so great for adding a loft. The shed added to the back of theoriginal garage is not being rebuilt. All things considered, it will be an improvement in the structure helps mitigate the loss of contents. Good Luck: Fred A
Just received a phone call from Tom (45 minutes!!) and he is so happy that the rebuild is going so well...He said in Stroker fashion - "Hell the car will be better than when I built it". Thanks to everyone who donated their hard earned dollars to make this happen and thanks to all the vendors that have stepped up to the plate with donations from their companies. And of course thanks to Randy and the crew at Hot Rods and Custom Stuff for their wonderful workmanship. Tom is such a great guy and is overwhelmed by the money that has been received. I'm sure none of us will regret helping this 92 year old legend in a time of need....Joe
Since the last update, we’ve been busy. Finished all of the body work and it’ll go to our paint shop next week. We matched the paint from a spare can of it that Tom had tucked away in the garage. It survived the fire, though it was solidified. We fit the headers from Image Street Rods, and they solve a number of fitment problems. You may want to consider them for your next tight fit engine installation. We should have the Jag rearend back from Curt Hamilton in the next few days. The steering column has been fit and that allowed us to finish up the work on the firewall. Pictures can be found at: http://www.hotrodscustomstuff.com/latest-stuff/stroker-s-tom-medley-s-1940-rebuild-project.html Also, see the notice there about the Vintage Air deal being made available to a limited number of Medley Fund donators.
Once again, we've been pumping work into Tom's coupe. For the first time since before the fire, the car has color on it. We matched the paint to a can of it that Tom had stashed away in the garage. Yes, the can and the paint suffered but we were able to get an accurate color sample from it. See the fenders and some of the other smaller parts on the website. http://www.hotrodscustomstuff.com/latest-stuff/stroker-s-tom-medley-s-1940-rebuild-project.html Also, right at the top of the article is a once in a lifetime offer direct from Stroker. He's offering up an original embossed copper Stroker award plaque (see below) to one person who makes a donation to the cause. See the details at the website above.
Tom, his son Gary, and Bruce Bereiter came by the shop last week. Lots of pix of Tom enjoying the progress on the coupe, as well as the body, which is now in paint. Tom Sewell also picked up the seat so he can start the upholstery work. Check it out at the web address above.
The body is looking fantastic in color. I can't wait to see it finished. Awesome effort, when most would have written the car off.
More updates are on the website: http://www.hotrodscustomstuff.com/latest-stuff/stroker-s-tom-medley-s-1940-rebuild-project
I've updated the Tom Medley (Stroker McGurk) coupe restoration webpage on the Hot Rods & Custom Stuff website. Take a look and see the progress so far: http://www.hotrodscustomstuff.com/latest-stuff/stroker-s-tom-medley-s-1940-rebuild-project.html Also, look for the coupe (and Tom) at the LARoadster Show on Father's Day weekend at the Fairplex in Pomona. Hot Rods & Custom Stuff will have a booth featuring Tom and the coupe in Building 4. Stop by and see for yourself.
An awful lot has been done since the last update of the site: paint, cut & buff, Lizardskin, and ch***is ***embly.
I know my friend Tom will be knocked out by the work your crew has done..I can just see him holding that finger and thumb in the infamous circle and hear him say "man that's *****in'!!..To bring that car from the fire condition to what I'm seeing now is just unbelievable...Thanks Randy and all the crew at HRCS...Joe
As of yesterday evening: The body is on the ch***is, and the doors and trunk lid have been hung. Powermaster ponied up a starter and alternator. Gl*** is being readied for installation. More parts are being installed on the car every day until we take it up to Pomona for the LA Roadster Show on Father's Day weekend. Take a break from the sun and look for us, the car and Stroker in Building 4. http://www.hotrodscustomstuff.com/latest-stuff/stroker-s-tom-medley-s-1940-rebuild-project.html
Here's what we're taking to the LA Roadster Show. Here's a before and some after. We'll drag it to Pomona tomorrow. The intent was not to have it done, but to give folks an in-person update on our progress. Hope to see you there in Building 4. We WILL have it done for Pleasanton. Watch for more news about that special occ***ion.
Tom's going to be back Sunday morning at Hot Rods and Custom Stuff booth in building 4. His coupe loos spectacular, by the way.
I talked with Tom for about a half hour today. What a sharp mind for 91. I asked if he remembered when he was cleaning out the Petersen archives in '89 and found a mint, never circulated issue of the Jan '62 Hot Rod. I told him how much I appreciated him sending it to me, and thanked him. He said "sure I remember sending you that magazine, and you already thanked me when we went to lunch with Johnny Price a couple weeks later"! ****, I had forgotten all about that lunch, and he's got me by 24 years!! Guys cooler than Tom don't exsist.
I saw Tom's car at the LARS yesterday, and it is looking fantastic. You guys are doing a GREAT job on the rebuild of that car. You would never know that car was heavily damaged in the fire by looking at it now. The show was great, but seeing that car made my day.
I've posted a bunch of pictures of Tom, his coupe, his visitors, etc. on my Picasa site. Here's the link. Enjoy. https://picasaweb.google.com/barebo...12LARoadsterShow?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ3VgYags5uBIw#
yes met Tom at LARS,he looked great.made a donation ,he signed a cartoon and a picture of my coupe for me.he wrote "to Noel Long time hotrodder, the best always from Tom Medley & Stroker.so proud of that. His coupe looks great also
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