GASSER MUST HAVES and cant haves?

Some very slick looking Halibrands....


Or one of my favorites that you hardly see anymore,the American Racing "LeMans"


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Or the famous Cragar S/S.....



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There are so many modern wheels made that still have the look of old originals, plus still a lot of old wheels around that wont break the bank. There's really no reason to choose a modern design with everything out there to choose from. I also don't hate the fake spindle mount front wheels, but I probably wouldn't run them just because they're so common now, and I like old wheels.

 

That's very true.I'm actually looking at a set of these when I start mocking up the coupe:



They run a front spindle mount similar to these,but with the "Dow 7" coating:


They're brand new,so no magnafluxing is required,you don't have to chase the swap meets or classifieds to find a single replacement wheel for your bent or cracked one,and overall,they're just a lot less headaches for a guy like me who has family and work occupying most of his time.
Now,if I come across a really nice set of old magnesium Halibrands for the right price tomorrow,I will jump on those babies,but the right set just hasn't found me yet,so I'm taking the easy way out,like the crusty old guy I am....lol

Scott


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Still love the Cragar look

 

I forgot to mention,those are made under the "Real Rodder's Wheels" brand, right in the USA.

Scott


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I agree Okie,especially on a slick looking car like that with really spectacular paint.Those wheels are like the icing on the cake!

Scott


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Okie,lets see some more pics of that Chevy.......Holy shit is that nice!!!!

Scott


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Scott you and I think a lot alike, the other thing that kill me is a perfect 60s period correct car with an autometer or any late tachometer mounted up on the dash in plain view. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

I'm afraid my budget wont allow real magnesium wheels, Halibrand or otherwise! I love them, but every set I've seen is very expensive, and beyond what I want to spend for wheels. Those new wheels you posted have a good look, and are a great example of a new wheel that I would consider for a project.

 

Damn that drives me up the wall!

It is NOT that hard to find a nice old Sun,Stewart/Warner,or other vintage style tach,or even a newer,retro styled Mooneyes or Autometer,as long as its something that looks vintage and doesn't stick out....He'll,just do what I did and hide your shift light in the ashtray,rounder the dash or something.
That way,you don't have to worry about reading that dinky little tach while you're wrestling with a big 'ol V8 and a four speed,just wait for the light to blink and snap off another shift...

Scott


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I checked into those "DOW7" wheels a while back, at 800.00 plus per wheel Magnesiums might be cheaper!

 

Yeah,it seems nothing is cheap these days.....Im just running out of time,so Im just going to order new.I have found a few here on the HAMB,but I don't feel right about drilling and tapping a pristine set of vintage fronts to mount a brake rotor for the Airheart or Wilwood calipers I plan to run up front.....Wilwood is a last resort,and they would need to be bead blasted and roughed up to look right.

Scott


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Most of the old tachs wont work with anything but a points ignition, so if you're running a MSD, Mallory, Pertronix kit, etc. you need a modern tach. There are some modern designs that still have a retro look, but not a bunch of choices.
I'm one of those guilty of running a modern Autometer, and right up there where it shows too. Had it laying in a cabinet, and when you're counting dollars on a build you use what you have, and save the money for other purchases you need.

 

I agree with using what you have laying around to complete a car....that's what building hot rods is about,right?

I found that mu vintage Sun tach didn't want to play nice with that fancy MSD box that I hid up under the dash,so I have an MSD tach adapter on the way....Im told that will fix the problem,but if it doesn't Im going to have to look at something else.

It's funny that you mentioned that,because I never even thought of it until I switched from an old Accel dual point,to my current MSD unit,and suddenly my tach went apeshit,

Scott



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Yikes! Yeah, I think Rocket is also offering a powder coating that looks like Dow7 on their wheels, and I think it adds $50 per wheel to the new price. Probably a cheaper route. At $800 per wheel I'd find a lot of good used wheels! My ET-5 classic spokes were $325 for the whole set at a local swap meet, and they had nearly new tires on them! Left a lot of funds for important stuff, and still look period.

 

My Dad ran ETs back in '69 on his Comet,then his brand new Mustang....I have been hooked on them since I was a kid!

Scott


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The tach in my Austin was an old Mallory tach, and loved the look. It worked fine for a short time with my Pertronix and MSD box, but it started doing 360 degree spins one day when I fired the car up! I found a cheap SunPro that looks almost identical to the Mallory, and cheaper than any other fix I could come up with.
I may change out the Autometer someday in the Falcon, but it's way down the list behind other upgrades now.

 

Here is another. I will upload some more soon.

Running a 327 these days.


I have been a spectator at the Meltdown Drags the past few years and that motivated me to race again. I will be running the Okie Doker there in July.

 

Oh wow!I can't wait to see that car at the Meltdown.I'm bringing one of my piles down to Illinois for some fun in July too.
Look forward to meeting you there!

Scott


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Had these for my 33 Willys project. These sat in my bedroom for 3 years ...
I liked looking at them every morning when I got up. Sold the fronts (stupid move) but still have the 16 x 11 ET III,s.

 

Your car is very, very nice. I'll look forward to seeing it in July.

 

On that note,I don't wanna sound like a commercial or anything,but guys,if you are within reasonable driving distance of Byron Illinois,you really owe it to yourselves to load up the car,hitch up the truck,and get your asses out to the Meltdown Drags,July 18,19,20 2014!
Last year they had over 400 cars attend,all pre-66 models,all era correct,no modern wheels or equipment visible.
This year they already have over 100 cars registered,and its not even January yet,

Plus,all proceeds go to the host track,helping to keep a Mom n Pop drag strip open.
Everybody wins:Fans,racers,track owners.......plus,you're likely to get some ink for your car in one of half a dozen magazines that cover the event.

Scott


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Baron: Those are absolutely beautiful...that polish job is blinding me!

Scott


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Rusty:
Lets have some details on that Chevy!
It looks absolutely badass!

Scott


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That is a beautiful '57, fast too!!

 

...it's just a street car, owned it for over 25 years but only started workin on it in 2007 when the car turned 70. Always liked the gasser look, especially on these cars. I tried to build it like I would have in 1965. it looks better in the pics than it really is,these pics taken at the new Byron grade school. I'm only a half hour from the Byron track.
...runnin a 283/glide.

 

Thanks Bill. The blown big block has been replaced with a little 327. It won't be nearly as fast, but will still put on a great show. I have seen some small blocks run hard at the Meltdown and it should make for some good match races.