I have never been "down under" (but I'd love to go someday), my only knowledge of your land is from photographs and movies. My close friend and business partner has been to Tasmania several times and he absolutely loves it. What I'd like to know is how you guys do it? I routinely check out coverage of hot rod events in your part of the world on the 'net or in magazines and I've noticed a very cool thing in my eyes. You guys have figured out how to mate real Ford cars with genuine Ford engines. It's like I died and went heaven! Here in the States this is thought to be nearly impossible, yet you guys manage to get it done routinely. Why is this? Here I would guesstimate that 85% of all Ford based rods that don't carry a Flathead are powered by a rivals engine. In your continent the reverse seems to be true. Why I see Flattys, Y- blocks, Clevelands, and Big blocks in abundance. Kudos to you folks. I grew up Ford. Came home from the hosp where I was born in a `58 Country Squire. It's been Ford ever since, just so you know where I'm coming from. My daddy worked in Ford dealerships and I followed in his footsteps. Because of this experience I know the answers to the classics like "uhh da Chevys in there cuz its cheaper" to be hogwash. Ford does'nt have a problem powering millions upon millions of new vehicles with their own engines, yet when you put them in the context of power for their own classics they can't do it, it would seem. You guys down under prove this wrong and I dig it! P.S. this thread is aimed at the minute contingent of dyed in the wool Ford freaks on the HAMB. I have met at least one other guy in my 44 years that feels the same way I do. It is possible there might be one of you on the HAMB. In the unlikely event that someones cares enough to comment feel free to stand in the light and respond. If not flame away I can take it, I've got big shoulders.
there are alot of the phone number ( as I call them ) rods here too. thats the 350-350-9 crowd. but probably the biggest difference, is that apart from a very few selected vehicles, chev motors were not used in everyday transport. to get a chev motor it was either an imported chev ( which even so alot still ran the 6) or some of the bigger dollar holdens had chevs. but a chev motor was not the base model V8 in production cars. However the reverse was for ford. I'm pretty much a ford in a ford man, but I also like different motors like olds/buick/cadillac. what I hate the most about chevs is that people will tell you that you 'have' to use them??? Or will seak out to use them instead of being different? but horses for courses. I am currently helping a mate fit a windsor in an A model, no drama been done a million times.
Hey mate, If you ever plan to come across to New Zealand, be sure to look us up?! Best regards, Greg Stokes New Zealand Hot Rod Magazine Email hopup32ford@hotmail.com Web www.nz-hotrod.com
Flatoz said it for New Zealand too. We had Falcons galore with V8s, but the only GM products here were Holden, not Chev.
Yip...as Flatoz and RBB said ...ford V8s were in abundance in NZ/Oz...even to the extreme that I recall a 55 chev sedan with a 390 BB ford in it.....it did make a few cringe
Best thing I saw at the Vic State Rod Run last weekend at Traralgon was a very well detailed 34 Chevvy 4 door sedan with nice paint, wheels ,tires etc and an open engine bay- open so that all could see the FORD MOTORSPORT valve covers hanging in there on the Cleveland!!! Frank Bosely, a long time rodder from Mildura in the NW corner of Victoria has a flat black (been flat black for 10 years) 34 Chev coupe with a stinking hot 351 Windsor in it, built to stir the Chevvy guys!! In the 60's the only readily available OHV was the 272 Y-block from our locally assembled 55-59 Customlines and these were the common thing , so much so that one speed shop produced 3x2 manifolds and valve covers for them. I opted for a poly 318 for my T bucket cos it was different AND it hung out both sides of the T shell - we got these in our local Dodge Phoenix from 60 - 66. In the 70's the imports started and the Chevvys rolled in. The 350-350-9 disease had struck! The bulk of engines nowadays are imports from cut-outs to crate motors. Mate of mine bought a 350HP-350 crate motor forA$5250 for his 37 Club Coupe. I've got A$6000 in a basic stock rebuilt poly 318 which is going in the 32-5W I'm doing. Costs $$$$ to do something different. That said the cheapest way to build a rod here in OZ is to get a running Falcon or Fairlane and you have a Windsor,C-4 and 9" to kick start the project. Ford in a Ford is the best way to go but I still like my Chryslers!! Swifty
Thanks for the insight fellas. Good to hear from you all. I think I could fit in very well with you guys. I'm not against variety, I like `em all. I like Straight -8 Buicks, Cad flatheads, Rockets, Nailheads etc. I just don't like the way the classic early Fords seem to be the "whipping boy" here in America. If Ford did'nt have anything to offer in the hot V8 dept I guess I could see it, but that's not the case. I'd like to see at least a bit more consideration given to what Ford has to offer. Example the Ford Fe is probably the overall winningest V8 to come out of the `50's except for the Chev 8. It posted victories in Nascar, NHRA, LeMans, and everywhere in between. They have great interchangeability and huge potential. plus they positively look "evil" with a brace of early carbs and finned valvecovers. You'd think there be more than a few around.....maybe a handful at most. It's just a sea of sbc over here. Maybe you guys could post some "under bonnet" pics of your hot rods. Would love to see `em!
Ford in a Ford is kinda my thinking...but like Flatoz, I like early Olds, Cads, Polys, Y blocks, and of course Hemis and the mighty Flathead !! If the car is trad...its gotta have an early mill and kudos to those like Flatoz, Swifty and others who do so. I don't mind SBC or BBC, but prefer to see 'em in muscle cars not trad rods. Rat
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