Hot Rods "A" REAL HOT ROD (Now Bound for Bonneville)

If you just want to run your street car on the salt, the USFRA event is your best bet. I've seen a lot of posts like this on land speed forums and Facebook pages following the races every year. Most people look into it and realize that it would be a huge investment just to take their car for a couple probably unimpressive laps. I've been there and get the appeal. I still toy with the idea of building a car, but it's a big endeavour to do so.

Running your car at speed week will require a full cage, fire system, appropriate tires and wheels, etc. If you don't care about setting a record then it's a huge amount of time (and money) invested just to say you've raced it on the salt. It's a slippery slope and you're honestly probably better off to start with a clean sheet if your intent is to race ASAP.

I've crewed at Bonneville, even on a well-built car tech inspection is no joke. Definitely read the rule book to help with your decision. If it's in the rule book, they'll check for it.

Btw, the XF/BVFALT record as of 2023 was 144.257 mph. Those are generally hot and well-built flatheads that set those records. Ron San Giovani is one of the guys that knows what it takes as he builds flatheads and races in those cl***es. You would have seen his car at Speed Week. In the various vintage coupe cl***es the XF cl*** records are anywhere from 140 to 160-ish (unless they were bumped this year).

Best of luck, I hope you figure out the best route for you.

 

Like you need more to do......., but here's a diversionary thought. One thing that's always bugged me a little about model A coupes is the way the rear quarter windows have a smaller radius at the upper rear than the lower. If I were chopping one (or re roofing it) I'd be tempted to flip them upside down and swap sides to make the look flow a little better.

 

Looking forward to the roof swap! I’ve mocked that up and photoshopped this exact thing quite a few times. Love it.

 

Great job.Looking good.I wish I had your energy.

 

Posting this car just for the roof profile. Don't know for sure but seems like a 32 roof on this 28/29 A.

 

You need to get Zoe to start a build thread in the new off topic section so we can follow some of her adventures. If their like yours it would be fun!

 

Zoe's newest car is almost 60 years old. in perspective a 60-year-old project to a car guy in 1964 would be a one cylinder powered horseless carriage, The young lady was. raised well by her grandfather and also learned what not to do by you, lol More power to the youth of today who want to tackle anything 20 years old let alone 60 plus. My 39-year-old nephew still has the 1979 Malibu he got when he was 16 and it was a 21-year-old car then. glad to see you back on here Randall.

 

Here is the first episode of Fastest Car in the County that I spoke about earlier. We
want to find the old stories about fast cars and try to preserve them the best we can.
This first car was chosen on purpose as it was the car that really got ME into cars as a kid.
Enjoy.

 

That’s awesome Randall!

 

That is extremely cool video. Got me remembering going for my first ride in a hot rod when I was 13. My uncle Doug had a 55 withe a tilt front end. 327 with dual quads.4 speed. This was 1968 and all he did was roll out on to hwy15 and kind of kick it in the *** and snap second gear and just like you I was ruined for life. lol

 

At the big swap meet here in Springfield a week or so ago I snagged this dash for the Model A.
It was super cool and every gauge still had something hooked up.


It took a while to identify as there were absolutely no maker marks of any kind on it or any of the gauges. After an extensive Google search I decided it was from a 1953 Desoto Firedome.

I had hoped to maybe restore it, however after getting it all apart, it has either been underwater or in the rain a bunch. The temp gauge tubing was still in place but I found where it had been cracked open. The fuel gauge is completely rusted solid, oil the same. The Speedo was actually in pretty good shape. I may just try to rebuild it with new gauges. I really like the look of it though.

 

Very cool.
Lots of possibilities with that, could take some creativity and $$$ but a great idea.

 

You’re not only entertaining in your exploits but also in your videos! Great job!

 

Back at the Model A this weekend. We kind of ran out of time putting the engine back together on the first round but found a whole in everyone that is involved schedule Saturday and hopefully we can get her all back together! I will try to update this weekend with some photos etc.