Projects Hot Tubs and Time Machines: "Those Guys" Build A Roadster

It’s the 1980’s, we’ve got pastel colored suits, aviators, and your mom doing blow with some guy other than your dad that’s probably sporting the most awesome mustache ever!




And then we have this! Circa 1988…
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Yep, you guessed it right. A 1932 Turquoise scalloped Pink accented Hot Tub Time Machine!


At some point in its unfortunate existence, the TPI Fuel Injection Unit and Navigation System were stripped from its hull, reducing this time machine to nothing but a carcass of a plastic party gone wrong. Left to roam the corners of a grassy lot, passed over time and time again for more desirable rusty “bullet riddled” early iron.


Then there comes a time in every man’s life were they feel the need to be reborn. It comes in many different flavors for example: Maybe you just left your wife for a 20 year old cocktail waitress or you changed name from something like Snoop Dogg to Snoop Lion and put out a weird reggae album. Moreover, just as a man needs a rebuild from time to time, so does this Hot Tub.


Now beyond the trifling conversations of what is right and what is wrong in terms of the material used to create your idea. Those of tradition and those of without it. There are always comparisons used; ideas hatched, and dreams to be had. Thankfully there are innovators that have already provided examples of how to do it, to get you on your way.

Car’s like:


The Nitti Roadster



Pat Ganahl’s Roadster



Bass Built ‘32



Tom Branch’s ‘32
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Obviously the list can go on and on with all the legends that have graced these pages yet there comes that moment when you realize that


A: You’re not Brian Bass, Chris Casny, CTaulbert, RoyalShifter, JeffreyJames, Tom Branch, NealinCA, Etc. Etc…


B. And your car is just not going to be that awesome. It’s a matter of time, money, and shit ton of skill! oh, and maybe some steel....
(props to the men listed above)

C. Well, with all of that out of the way, why not just grab your buddies (Those Guys C.C.) and build something that resembles something with wheels and have some fun doing it!


Let’s see where we can go with this one McFly!

 

Well, this thing obviously needs a frame of some sort so a couple stamped frame rails and boxing plates later.

Front Crossmember in.


Mocking up the 40 rearend for placement.






Rear A crossmember in.


'40 Rear in


4 inch drop axle mocked up

 

more pics on the bench.


Front and Rear Bones Mocked Up.

 

Not to jump ahead too far on this but before I get to the motor mockup pictures, this deserve a little explaining.

This little guy will be boasting a mildly fun Olds motor. 51 303" bored .060 for 314". Stock stroke, Forged JE 11.5 to 1 popup pistons, adjustable push rods, solid Harmon Collins Cam, engine was balanced and a pair of number 8 heads were ported for big valves.

When I bought it about 5 years ago:





New carb and cover set up:

 

I'm listening. Especially since my 5W will be loosely based on the Nitti and Ganahl roadsters.

 

A 1932 Turquoise scalloped Pink accented Hot Tub Time Machine!
PHUCKIN A dude i thought i was gonna throw up for a minute!!!
good save! i'm going to wash the taste out of my mouth out.

 

Some more mock up fun....







Motor getting mocked up.





Rolled it out, motor and trans in. Decent ride height??

 

Check out these door panels!

 

'40 column and box going in place:





Then we pulled the body off and started on the crossmember. I had originally picked up a '36 X member from Toast (Thanks to BenD for bringing it to me). But it ended up being "Toast" and opted for a quick fix by taking the Chassis Eng. X member route. While it might not be the cleanest or nicest set up. It provided to be quick and easy. Oh, and my 40 pedals almost fit...



Trimmed the legs a bit...







Peeled the pedals out to straighten them up...







Next is to remount the rear bones and trans mount.





Choppin Tops in Flip Flops....



Trimming it down a bit



And its almost in.

 

chopping in flip-flop------that will keep you on your toes I have a real bad habit of doing everything bare footed! cutting/welding ---DAMN i'm not bright! but the build look great!

 

Bravo,

I'm subscribed and happy you are enjoying a Hot Tub time machine. It'll be cool when it's runnin for sure.


Keep going!

Tim

 

Put some shoes on dammit!
Nice work so far though.

 

cool

 

Awesome..

 

Now the build is great but if your trying to show the young ones how to wear there PPE . Please stop many eyes are looking on! Keep on a build ! Roger

 

Lookin' good! Can't wait to see how it all comes together.

 

dig the Horne intake and Fenton covers,

much cooler than the Edelbrock/Edelbrock stuff

 

Looks great so far, I'm guilty of cutting steel in sandals too lol.

 

Mr. Beachcomber,

From what I can see here, it looks to me like you have more talent, and definitely more tools, than I had to build my roadster. And as far as I'm concerned, what it's made out of is--to use an appropriate word--immaterial. How it looks when you're done, how well and how much fun you had building it, and how much fun you have using it are the important things. Right?

PS: Good surf in Honolulu, AZ?

Pat Ganahl

 

Nice, really liking your build.

 

Great looking build, will keep tabs on this for sure.

 

Nice save I'll be watching this one for sure.

 

I double-dog dare you to keep the turquoise scallops...

 

Those front rod mounts just sit on a plate like that?

 

I kinda like the turquoise scallops...

 

Thanks Paul! The covers will actually change again to chrome dimples. How do you like running the Magneto on the street? Just picked one up for this...

Thank you for the kind words Pat, I love your stuff and your roadster is absolutely immaculate as well as a huge inspiration.

As for the Honolulu, AZ thing, I was a military brat growing up and lived in Honolulu most of my childhood. Surfing and Hot Rods, hard to give it up!

Kyle Jones

 

I'm lovin it!

 

Whoa, where to start.

Hot sparks and Japanese Safety Boots - definitely a good mix - not!!!

Are they traditional turquoise scallops? - they kinda look almost cool, but those door trims are defintiely a 'cry for help'!

This has all the makings of a fun build thread - always need more of those.

Subscribed, and looking forward to many posts.

Thanks.

 

Oh yeah, by the way, what is with the horror story of the dude in the sunglasses on the first post?
I understand scene-setting and all, but do you realise we will all have to check that out everytime we check in?
OMG!!!!

 

Beachcomber, nice, fun build. But I Drag has a point. I had a thread to discuss this kind of rearend set up. I want to use this version as it is easy to make. The front end of the rear "radius rods", locating rods, whatever you want to call them, is in need of a good discusssion. Sorry if I 'm being an ass.