My salt car "The NUTTIN SPECIAL"

After mainly lurking here, I thought it was about time I "came out" so to speak!
I, and some buddies, are going to run at B/ville in 2008 with this. I will then pull the motor and use it as my daily driver.
I started with a Cornhusker frame thinking it would save me time, but they put the motor and trans mounts for a 2" setback and I'm running a stock firewall, so I had to redo them, oh well!
Its got a dropped '33 axle, '48 spindles and F-100 brakes. It will have a F-1 / '33 steering box as per Tardel/Bishop. The rear end is a Bronco 9" with "36 wishbones that I've made into ladder bars for strength and a "40 spring.
We will run a 371 SBC on the salt, but I'll put in an early 283 for the street. Its got a Super T-10 and I'm using an old set of Ansen pedals with the chevy combined M/C.
I'm a fabricator (nice thick bits of steel!) not a sheetmetal guy, so I thought I would start with something easy. I used an old Guide headlamp bucket for the distributor recess. Flush with the success of that I decided to tackle something a little bigger, so I chopped the roof 5"! I used a Camaro roof panel to fill the roof. I just have to attatch the tops of the doors. It still pisses me off that sheetmetal is cleverer than me and the ****** has a mind of its own!!!! I have never done any kind of sheetmetal work before, so I'm well chuffed that it came out like it did!! Its going to take along time for this stupid grin to go away!!
The plan is to have it running by May/June so we can test run it at Maxton before heading out to the salt.
Thats all for now, I'll go back to lurkin!!!!!
Cheers,
Stewart.

 

Lookin good!

Hopefully you made the transmission mount removable. That's the only other thing about cornhusker ch***is that is dificult. You have to pull the motor to remove the ******

 

I'll be watching this build.....I have a 33 I am considering doing the same thing. Do you have bigger pics or a pic of the firewall recess? What cl*** will you be running in?

 

Welcome to the HAMB. Don't go back to lurkin' POST your updates.That is going to be one sweet ride !!!!Glenn

 

Stewart, Your Double Threat (Salt and Street) Coupe sure looks like it will be one mean one ! Good luck in your attempt on the Salt ! Keep us posted with updates.

41 Dave

 

Looks *****in!

 

keep everyone posted on your progress. It looks like it will be a sweet build!

 

I ran into you and Travis at Billetproof. He was telling me about this Sat Flat car. Looks just as cool as he was describing. Keep us posted.

 

Where in Michigan are you located? A lot of us like to put miles on our rides and maybe we could meet up some Saturday or ?

Frank

 

Frank,
I live in East Lansing, 5 blocks from MSU. I used to build the Model A Modifieds at Real Hot Rods in St Johns.
Cheers,
Stewart.

 

Was going to use this for a Tech article but I suppose I might as well post it here. I needed to recess the firewall for an HEI distributor on my SBC. In a '56 issue of Hot Rod theres a feature on a heavily chopped (5") 33 5W, thats powered by a SBC with a stock firewall. As I like all the bumps and beads of a stock firewall, I used that for inspiration.
As I've already said, I'm no sheetmetal man, so I looked around for a suitable shape. Even bought a stainless serving bowl, but it didn't have quite the right shape.( if you buy stuff at Target don't buy any bowls with greasy fingerprints on them, as I returned the bowl!!!)
I then remembered a battered Guide headlamp I bought just for the turn signal. Bingo, it looked like it would work.
So with the motor and dizzy in place I guesstimated the shape I would need. Pulled the motor out and hacked up my pristine firewall with my plasma cutter! Much try-it-an-see later, I was there. Tacked it from the outside then seam welded all the way round from the inside. I wanted to round over the outside seam so it kinda-sorta looked like it could have been stamped. I'm pleased with the end result. Oh, and just for the restorers a****st you, I've included a picture of the bucket I started with, major dents. The pictures I hope show the steps better than my ramblings!
Cheers,
Stewart.

 

stewart,nice car,keep the pics coming,,bob(wayne and pauls mate in surrey)

 

Looks like a great start! Think about running "time only" at B-ville Speed Week- it will save you lots of cl*** b. s. You could also think about running U.S.F.R.A 130 or 150 mph club meet in Sept. It will save you $ on fire bottles, fire suit, tires, roll cage, etc. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

Looks like fun!

Keep us posted!

Sam.

 

Chis Howell and his son Dan are 2 of the team that will fly in, drive the car and fly home!! Bleedin prima donnas!!!
Chris has built loads of cars over the years and was my main kick in the **** when I built my Pop and drove across the U.S. in it . So I sort of owe him!
Dan currently drives a black '56 F-100 with orange steelies.
Cheers,
Stewart.

 

Stewart,
I think I know you. Didn't you work at Fairlane at one time and sell parts at the Midland junkfest?

 

stewart, cool ride man. and the name has a meaning in my house also. my 12yr old has the nickname "nuttin". when in grade school he was always asked by a student teacher "what did you do today?", he always replied "nuttin". from then on he became known as "Tyler nuttin F...". good kid, but he still says it here and there.

 

Worked at Fairlane building the '36 bodies, then in partnership in Real Hot Rods. Now I'm back teaching Auto Tech to high school kids at L.C.C. full time.
Cheers,
Stewart.

 

Tell me more!!!
Cheers,
Stewart.

 

Stewart teaching kids.....very dangerous!! How many times have you blown up the school???

The 130/150 mph cl***es is at the USFRA. Downfall is you don't get the SCTA timing tag. The plus is the rules. Check them out at the USFRA site. I'd like to do the 130 thing with my 34.
Clark

 

Very cool indeed.

 

Geeezzzzz Stewart,....

Well I guess your off the fence on chopping the top or not,...... Looks good man,...

 

Dennis,
Lisa sez its that "black or white personality of mine"! Its either leave stock or hammer it!! No half measures!!!
Cheers,
Stewart.

 

Stewart - I followed your Anglia adventures through some "Back East Friends". LOVE the 5-window - you're living out my dream! As for USFRA, check the "Son of Godzilla Update" thread, about running my Morris there in the 130/150MPH Clubs. We leave for the salt in 11 days...
Glad you surfaced on the HAMB! If you guys don't know Stewart, he's a genuine hot rod legend.....

 

Not a bad first attempt!!Would you,by chance,be friends of Gary Constable the artist who also exiled??

 

Stewart

Shes looking good...great to see the first shots of her.

Let me know next time your up to Keith's and we'll get together!

 

How is the Mutant these days? Gary is one of the most talented guys I know and one of the nicest too.


Stewart,
I sent you a PM about Fairlane.

 

Stewart, I think you'll remember me. I'm the guy that bought some your modified stuff at the swap meet. The last I saw you we talked about some semi-eliptic springs that were used on the modifieds, remember? I was supposed to get ahold of you to get some.
Anyway, got home and lost your address/number. I'll PM you and we'll get together.

Frank