Projects 34 Ford Roadster (new - shorter) timeline/build thread

Austin?! Well then, just to add some impetus, Vern's son lives near there, has his own shop, Rex Rods...…..apple didn't fall far in hot rod tastes. If you do tow down, shoot to visit for the Lone Star Roundup.

P-38, one of many fine birds from Lockheed. I spent quite a few hours in a cousin with similar shaped tails...…..though I worked spy gear in the back end, not the ****pit.

 

When is the Lone Star Roundup?
It appears we may have more to talk about than just 1 beer will cover.

 

April 12 & 13 next year according to their website. More than one beer is not a hardship...……..

 

That just might work. Although we might be in Austin sooner; before I broke my leg I had a hunting trip planned through Arizona, New Mexico, and West Texas - then meeting my wife in Austin to look at houses with our son. The hunting part is off, but I still might make it to Austin before year end. I will let you know - first round is on me.

 

deal

 

Info to all you guys who offered to drive me around, teach my wife to shift a manual transmission, or are just in her camp - the car went to the muffler shop on Monday. From there it goes for upholstery and I was told they had already made some of the patterns while it was in the shop. Vern is estimating the first week of July.
I am on 2 legs with a 50lb limit on the right leg; I see the Dr again on 2 July. I can articulate my foot but the leg is slow to raise - the brake pedal might prove my undoing. Nonetheless, the race is on!

 

Such a cool jigger! Also so glad you chose the route you did.
We had a couple of Lightening wrecks out the back of a place I worked for a bit. The P40's were mostly inside.

 

Outback, I have spent some time in Australia - love it. In 1981 I was part of the crew who brought an old PBY Catalina from the States for a commemorative tour - nothing like cruising the South Pacific in a flying boat. There is a LOT of water between California and Australia; and a big difference between 105kts and 5000' to sea level, and .82 mach and 45,000'. And I would do the PBY trip again in a heartbeat. I was taken to some -38 crash sites, and managed to get some -40 parts for one we were flying here in the US. We operated off some of the military bases in NSW and had a Australian Warrant Officer ***igned to us, Bob Cable - great guy. Damn can you guys drink beer - one of the best tours I've had, have a Tooheys (or 6) for me. I believe the standard order was, "Middy o' New".
Cheers

 

That would have been a blast! Flying around in a Cat would have so cool. The Airlines used them for a while heading North, maybe even on the run to England?

 

Well - looks like I might be in for trouble. We went to check on the car the other day, before it heads off to the upholstery shop, and guess who jumped in and said, "Oh - I got this".

 

WOW. P-38

 

P-38....military "hot rod"! Cool photo!

Love what you've (had) done with the M40! Great restraint makes a great car!

 

Well, here it is - out of the upholstery shop and on the road. Did a shake-down cruise yesterday, still a few things to fine tune, and we will probably wait until this winter to finish and mount the top. Here's some pictures at the gas station - first fill-up in ?? years. That's Spencer from Vern Tardel's shop filling the tank.

 

Looks great! Post more pics when you can.

 

Thanks Chris, I will. Hoping to get the car back home in the next few days to take advantage of the good weather - temps in the mid eighties. My leg feels up to the task, I've been driving my jeep for practice.

 

Thanks for the update as I was wondering where & what was happening. Car is looking sweet.
I was driving my roadster by the high school last spring . There was a boy & a girl walking down the sidewalk & the kid hollers out "Your car stinks". I was about to stop when the bulb in my head comes on, today that means mighty fine ,sooo "your ride stinks". More photos please.

 

Looks GREAT!


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It’s funny, but stink to me will always equate to something foul, in this case the Model 40 Roadster is about as sweet as they get!!!!!!!!!!

 

I got the car home Friday, yes - I managed to drive it with my wounded leg. I have to admit, the only think more concerning than driving was putting on the brakes. I got home just in time for the local club's Friday evening "Show & Shine". Entry was limited to 150 vehicles by pre-registration, but they told me to wait and see if there was a no-show, I was entry number 150! The next day was the regular show, I arrived at 6:30 AM and there were still a few spots open. Nothing like a 6:00 AM ride in a roadster to wake you up. Brought back memories of dawn flights in my 450hp Stearman (open ****pit bi-plane). A few of the neighbors enjoyed the 5:45AM start and warm up; they were out in front of their houses waving to me as I drove off - at least, I think they were waving - I couldn't really tell, they had their hands in the air but I didn't slow down to count fingers.
Here's a couple pictures from the "Show & Shine". For BOB and the rest of you in my wife's camp - you can see we've made made a tentative alternate seating arrangement. The picture on the bridge is Saturday's show, I'm parked in front of Art Hoover's beautiful '29 roadster. He won "Best Hot Rod".

 

For what it's worth , Although I am a 29 roadster owner and have been ( with the same car) for 50 years this December, I prefer your car . If you had never shown us the car before the project got underway it could easily have been just another "run of the mill, ho hum, street rod Ford" in the show , BUT it has become a beautiful old car with life changing updates, which should have won the show .... but most people don't recognize these cars for what they really are.
Absolutely timeless beauty. Congratulations sir.

 

97, thank you for those kind words. And congratulations to you - 50 years - wow!
This was my first car show experience, I had no idea of what to expect and had no preconceived expectations. Cars were parked randomly by order of arrival with no consideration of era, style, stock or modified. I don't know if this is how it's done, but it did allow for an interesting mix and provided me the opportunity to observe how people reacted to the different cars. This crowd appeared to like "shiny". The more chrome - the better. There was a definite consistency in the people who stopped and commented on my car. "This is not the right show for your car" or, "People here don't realize what this car represents" - easy to understand, I don't realize what that car represents.
I went because it was local and I thought I might meet some people with similar cars. There weren't very many. I'll go again - but perhaps to a show better suited to a car like mine. Perhaps you guys can suggest a proper show.

 

Ha ha ha seating arrangements huh ? I see the wink in her eye & of course the queen wave of the hand.
All kidding aside you did great & don't let the judging get to you or her. I have seen a lot of these shows judged by who knows whom!! I could write a book on the judging @ shows. Enjoy your car as it is for her & you to enjoy. Good job & well & done.
Side note: When we sold our Or. place & were moving to Az. I was sick with food poisoning & enlisted the help of a friend & a neighbor to load our car hauler . When the neighbor came to all or most of the trophies our car had won, he ask where I wanted them. I replied in the dumpster & that is where they went. It is nice to get recognition from your peers but they can keep their trophies. Nothing but dust collectors. I M O

 

Thanks BOB, yeah - I figure she just felt sorry for me and let me have the first go at it.

I know exactly what you mean and couldn't agree more. I went to meet some new people with similar cars and similar interest - who might help me out when I have a problem with the car.
The car is what it is - fun. You can't drive the trophy - hell, you couldn't fit one in the car if you did win one. By the time I loaded my chair, umbrella, cooler, and cigars - I was outta room.
Thanks for all your support, advise, and camaraderie.
p.s. My wife, your #1 fan, asked - "Is that a squirrel?" Then she said, "Forget I asked - I don't think I want to know."

 

Wow, that really is a great looking roadster. Have my mates street-rodded version in my shed at present, and no way does it look that good.

 

Glad that you had a good time with your Co-Pilot .
Been thinking about you, will try to be there in Nor-Cal Saturday. Looking forward to seeing ya.

 

Well, here's the latest "life changing update" as '97' put it. After the car show we discovered an "issue" with the engine and decided a swap was the best course of action. Neither of the two other engines I have were ready to go, so I called Mike at H & H. I explained my predicament and he came through like a champ. He just happened to be getting an engine ready for the upcoming show in Pleasanton; when he said, "It's available" - I said, "I'll take it." Here's a few pictures of the swap.

 

^^^^Ah, a "crate" motor. Mike is good people, and knows his flatheads.

 

You've got yourself a beautiful roadster, I got the honor to have a look at it when I had my digger at Vern's place in May! Haha

Verns right hand man has been sending me teaser pics of the car off and on, congrats on the gorgeous piece! And a very supportive wife and friends.


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