Hot Rods Anyone here from the Des Moines area? Looking to meet fellow rodders!

Hello all! I hope this is okay to post here, if not please delete. I'm a bit of a younger (late 30's) fabricator with a love for everything old school rodding. My only problem is finding fellow traditional rodders in my area of Des Moines, Iowa. I've built and restored a few cars in my garage but all with modular V8s and more modern drivetrains, computers, miles of wiring, EFI tuning etc. Like my 1961 Ford F100 Unibody I built and restored and installed a Crown Vic front end and 4.6L, (great shop truck!) I've been collecting parts to build my first traditional Hot Rod. I have a early 1931 Model A Coupe (seen in profile pic) and I've secured the powerplant I wanted, a running 292 Y-Block from a 50's Crown Victoria, I've also secured an original Weiand tri-power intake with original Strombuerg 97's and linkage. I also grabbed a Ford 3 speed with overdrive and the needed bell housing adapter. I'd like to run the banjo rear, possibly convert to open drive. Currently hunting period juice brakes and from there I think I'm ready to start rolling on this project. The only tricky thing for me are things like carb syncing, how much to stretch the frame to fit the 292 and keep my firewall, should I run a '32 crossmember? Etc. I want to keep it as traditional as possible. It'd be great to meet a local traditional hot rod guy(s) to hang out with and bounce ideas off each other. I've tried to meet guys at local car shows but so many seem to be guys whom hired their builds out and don't have a whole lot of knowledge on the subjects. Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places. Met some fantastic knowledgeable guys at Vintage Torque Fest in Dubuque but they were all from out of state. I do have skills to offer in return, welding, fabricating, fitting modular V8s into random stuff, frame swapping, but I'm sure you guys are already all good there. I just figured this was worth a shot! Thanks in advance! -Matt

 

I’m nowhere near you, but pretty sure reaching out here is about as good a chance as you could get to meet folks in your area that are into this traditional stuff. Sure has worked out for me over the past 20 years or so. Good luck.

 

Welcome to the HAMB. Good looking project you got there. Needs a Miller headed banger though. Hehe.

 

wish you lived a little closer to the Missouri River It's nice to see young people interested in old rides. A couple of months ago I went to the local Menards in Council Bluffs and as I walked to the entrance door a young lady caught up with me and asked what I was driving. Turns out she is building a Nova (I should have asked what year) so I'd guess there's a few in the DM area. Best of luck to you

 

Good evening River City. I live in Des Moines and am building a ‘34 Willy’s in a traditional manner. Here is a pic of my daily driver.

I’ve have a ‘39 banjo rear if you would like it for your project, I did remove the juice brakes tho.

 

Oh man. I agree with you there! But that would cost me more than I have in the car AND the Y-Block together! But yeah, someday I'd LOVE to build out a beast of a banger for the smiles.

 

Well, I’m north of Des Moines about 25 miles. I do a lot of cruise ins and some shows all around the area. Never miss Vintage Torque Fest. Favorite show.
Working on my 30 A Coupe now. Not totally traditional, but traditionally inspired.
Always looking to hang out with like minded hotrodders.

 

Very Cool! Mine probably won't end up being totally traditional, but as close as I can get. I'm actually north of the city as well in Ankeny. Love the profile pic!

 

Well, we are closer then. Was in Ankeny today.
I PM’ed you

 

I love it when a plan comes together! I believe cob is in De Moines

 

I’m in Marshalltown and have lots of old Ford stuff to see. PM me if you want to head up this way.

 

Lots of good hot rodders there, they’ve moved but @redzula and @Dan Hay may have some people for you to look up

 

Great to see a younger fellow on the traditional track. Good luck, hope you meet up with some like-minded folks.

 

I'm only about 35 minutes from DSM. I have a couple Y-Block powered cars, one is a Model A. If you visit Alchemy, you can swing by my place as well.

 

I'm not in Des Moines but about 50 min. East (near Grinnell). The biggest hurdles I've found is finding good people to keep me on target and reputable shops to do the work I have to farm out. Couple in as we age, doing things by ourselves becomes increasingly more difficult. It's good to see people reaching out and getting to know and hopefully helping each other.

 

I would attend the breakfast but had already made plans to pick up an engine block at 9:00 for @BigJoeArt in Runnels at that time.

 

I am in the far SE corner but build somewhat traditional hot rods.

 

if you ever venture south I'm a couple hours away in Missouri, but I usually come up that way multiple times a year.

 

Well, not quite HAMB, but definitely Iowa- check out the early 1900s Spaulding manufactured in Grinnell. Very innovative, held the River to River Iowa record for a while and drove up the Capitol steps. There is only 1 ch***is left, it was restored and on display in the now defunct Iowa Museum of Transportation and now repo'd by a Grinnell Bank. Check with the Grinnell Historical Museum. Definitely work a look if you like cars.

Damn hot rodders!

 

Check the Eastern Nebraska Western Iowa Car Council web site plenty of contacts all around your area with listed events as well.

 

I'm on the east side and only a few years older than you.

 

Sent you a PM...

Unfortunately I moved away a few years ago. I know a few non hamb people and a few of the guys who've already posted here.

I actually used to live in Ankeny fir a brief time. Over by Centennial HS.

My advice would be to just keep hitting cruise ins and talk to people. If a young guys pulls up in an A or a unibody someone is bound to notice you lol.

I don't know that I have anybody else from. The hamb to add. Although there are a few guys who are on Facebook. And Gene Cross in Runnels who isn't on anything but a flip phone but is o e of the nicest and most helpful guys you'll meet.

They are a little further in the KC area but
@BigJoeArt @Tim @Austin kays make a good sounding board even if it is long distance. All young guys, all building cool ****, all traditional hotrodders who were born in the wrong decade like me.

 

Gram's in Lewisburg,PA has a meal of eggs, hashbrowns, fried (not fired Ebb!!) chicken and biscuits covered with sausage gravy. A defibrillator should be nearby. Stop in and I'll treat you.

 

Those damned chickens! Probably got fired for slacking off on the egg production.

 

I'm in Davenport, Ia. and work on my 50 Ford coupes when I can. Don't get out much anymore since a stroke last Oct. took about 40% of my eyesight. Just waiting for warmer weather now to get back at it.