Hey, JR; You mentioned rear tires n wheels. Proportion is *everything*. Early 60's -> maybe mid 70's, a tall rear tire is needed - whether a skinny bias 50's-type, or a wider type. The one that looks so good is the 10"x16" 60's era "Top Fueler" sized slick. The look desired was the new-for-then AA/FA, for the street. But where to find a near-identical-sized/proportioned-street-tire? IDK... ;( . The 8.5" & 9" wide slicks were also popular, but **** for the street. Again, where do you find the correct proportioned tire. IDK. But I do know, short wide rear tires look stupid in T's & most other fenderless rods. Proportion, again. If you find the correct tire(s) these days, please post. There use to be some light truck tires in the 3** size by BFGoodrich(???). but afaik, those are also long-gone. As for the wide fronts, I do like them, but they kinda need to be almost steamrollers to work properly. Yrs ago, at Peoria nats, & iirc, the 1st Nats at Mn fairgrounds, there was a green, hemi-powered T that was super low, fatties all around; that just rocked. . FWIW. Marcus...
Yea man, I’m looking at a few different things and researching different tires. I’m also working on a few sponsorships for the car.
By sponsors, I am referring to sponsorship agreements with companies that provide me with products for my YouTube channel, which I then feature in installation videos on my car.
Thanks for the explanation JR. It never crossed my mind that was a possibility...guess this dinosaur isn't as smart as he thought. LOL.
So, what we are really doing with the front end. From measurements it looks to be a Model A spring on a 37-41 axle. So I’ve ordered the correct shackles and that spring should fit perfectly on my dropped Model A axle. Current measurements: - Leaf spring eye to eye 32.75” (should be a 31.25” that’s currently stretched) - Shackle length 3.125” on the car, way too long - Perch bosses on the car are 39” minus 5” would be need a 34” spring. So, with the Model A axle: - 31.25” spring - New 1.5” shackles - Perch bosses are 36.25” minus 5” is 31.25” spring. $40 shackles is much better than buying a whole new spring, and I can add leaves back and still be lower from the drop axle.
Really like this little build its starting to look like a proper '60's ride. For your next video I suggest showing your viewers what "Ackerman Angle" is, why it's important and how to correct it.
Just want to make everything a little clearer about what I’m trying to accomplish. I’ve referenced earlier threads about 60s-style T-Bucket builds and thought hard about stance, parts, and historical context. I’m definitely not trying to make a rat rod or joke car — what I’m after is a believable concept that, in 1961–64, a builder could have put together for the Autorama and cruising. This is not a novelty car. It’s a 1960s experimental show rod concept. If someone in ’61–’64 built a “nuclear test survivor” themed rod, it would probably look a lot like this. The more I do to the car, the more it will make sense. Think: • Ed Roth monster inspired • Early 60s show rods • Atomic-age influence • Weird science • Space race paranoia • Beatnik culture The idea is a Cold War-era experimental hot rod built with a tongue-in-cheek nod to atomic-age optimism and paranoia. Where the monster driver of the car as well as the car itself are both alive and mutating one another.
I’m finally ready to show you my rendering and tell you some backstory about the character and the car. This isn’t an ordinary, plain Jane, hot rod. I love those cars too, but this is something different. I’ve said from the beginning I’m building a wild ‘60s monster car, and now we’re getting very close. I’ve always liked the side of hot rodding where people weren’t afraid to experiment. The early 1960s were full of cars that mixed traditional hot rod foundations with futuristic ideas, especially during the space race and atomic age. Think: ‘60s Autorama Show Card Private Roentgen, The Atomic Beatnik Once a nobody infantryman ***igned to a cl***ified desert test. Too close. Too quiet. Too bright. He survived the blast. The blast didn't survive him. Mutated by radiation and disillusioned by the system, Private Roentgen rejected orders, authority, and conformity. What remained was instinct, rebellion, and a need for speed. From surplus parts, borrowed knowledge, and a healthy disregard for safety, he built the machine known as: “TOXICI-T!" A rolling byproduct of the Atomic Age. Unapproved. Unregulated. Unapologetic.
The Jalopy Journal
