How's about this... An actual COMPLETE front axle kit that doesn't fucking suuuuck. Example. Speedway's kit blows. by the time you get some goodies involved...you pretty much kept the spring. What I would like (and I may be dreaming) Axle (super bell or Magnum style I beam.) spindles (don't care if they're "Ghandi's house of Starvation" so long as they don't shear off..immediatley) Hairpins or radius rods. all neccecary mounting hardware SHOCKS! Shock MOUNTS! perhaps some steering hardware.... and then, in a little box right under that, Disc brakes, and drum brakes. I haven't a clue what this would cost in "real life", but if you could make it out for under say 1800 bucks, I would buy one. Hell, mabey two.
Speaking of radiator stuff: a variety of radiator hose sized, tight radius tubing bends for running radiator/motor combos that were never meant to go together. For instance to get my '38 and my '50 mopar radiators plumbed required two 90 degree bends in very close proximity. I'm thinking maybe something that twists like an HVAC joint... I did it by soldering copper plumbing "L" fittings together, but I'd have bought something if it had existed.
Not really a problem solver, but chromed tubular spark plug looms, like they have for flattys, but for other engines. Should be simple to make, just need a jig. Rippled chrome lake pipes! I just went through this... How many people have to stop working to run to the store for $10 worth of hardware, that is, if it isn't Sunday after 6, you might be f'd anyway. Plain old ordinary grade 5 and grade 8 nuts and bolts and washer assortments, in normal sizes, that are guaranteed to be the grade they claim to be, in a cheap bin. Not everybody needs stainless buttonhead street rodder fasteners, but you still don't want to stake your life on some hardware/big box store that may or may not refill the bins with cheap hardware to save a few bucks. A radiator cap for cars that use a pressurized system that doesn't look ugly, got plastic on it or billet. repop steel 49-51 Mercury grill surrounds and Studebaker pans I got one with birdshit arc welds all over it, PERFECT! we can do an investment casting from it. For those people who don't like the looks of the Double D shaft, just wrap it in leather and whipstitch it on, like a steering wheel cover. It would keep the grit out, and look better. I'm sure they also make the shock gaiters/bellows in the size to cover the U-joints, or just make a whipstitched leather "sleeves" for them too.
I am not trying to hijack here but i just went through the same thing and found a solution. DORMANPRODUCTS.com i found out that they actualy sell 90% of the fasteners in the country. if you go to thier site you can get "tech trays" with all gradee 8 nuts bolts and washers in a labeled plastic case.
Hey Jim, Interesting post. I have a lokar throttle pedal kit that I powdercoated black to get it to blend in with the black carpet. 90% of people will not notice it now and the other 10% have opinions I do not care about. More importantly, it makes me happy now that it is not standing out as a hunk of billet in the otherwise tuck and roll vintage style interior. I think many people could do the same thing with their modern parts and make them blend in better. One of the pet peeves I have on my car is the license frame. I am considering an early cast dealer frame or just a chevy accessory frame, but it would be neat if someone would make a number of vintage style frames to choose from such as: 1. A nice polished aluminum frame of even size on the bottom and sides, but a nice thicker rounded arch across the top, maybe even with a light built in. Something that is rounded off on the sides and doesn't look like it was an $80 frame from Billet Specialties. 2. Maybe the same frame with a couple of recessed "fins" across the top (just above the plate and just below the arched top) where one could paint a little red or body color down in the fin area. 3. A finned aluminum frame with the fins running horizontally (2 or 3 fins at the top and bottom and the fins wrapping around on the sides. This might be a little hokey, but I have seen some plastic ones I liked (Take a look at some Bo Huff cars...) Cast aluminum would be cooler. Another thing I would like to see is a complete range of Oil Breather products: 1. Breathers similiar to the Moon ones, only larger length for the side of valve covers, possibly incorporating finned aluminum on the sides like some of the originals that used to be available. 2. Various other oil breather accessories with a vintage feel. How about a fuel pump for a small block chev that doesn't look like a $19 taiwan chrome job or a $300 Nascar pump. I guess an NOS or repro early Vette style fuel pump would fill the bill, but some alternatives for fuel pump selections would be nice. I would love to see some early Mr. Gasket style finned aluminum rear end covers reproduced at a decent price for a 10 bolt or 12 bolt rear (Maybe someone is already doing this... Moon?)
Kevin & Jim: I know of a foundry you might want to check out. Charlie Price gets his casting done there (you can see results on his site), and they're really pretty decent on the pricing. They're located in Kansas City, KS, so shipping to one end of the country is about the same as shipping to the other end. I found them when looking at foundries to produce some finned aluminum valve covers for the 318 poly. I actually talked to the guy on the phone and he said "Oh yeah, we do all kinds of parts. We even cast some auto parts." When I asked what for, he said ,"Oh, Air cleaners, intake manifolds." I asked him what the name of the place was, thinking it was Ford or something, and he said, "It's for someplace called... uh... Vintage Speed, I think. Some of it's finned, the intake manifolds are for some real old stuff. Looks real cool. Ever heard of 'em?" PM me (or rather, email me - my inbox is full) if interested and I'll hook you up with the info. Kevin, I think my neighbor across the street is running your wheel covers! ~Jason
Two Words: DOOR HINGES! '30-'31 Model A Sedan and Truck Door hinges. Something more affordable than what's out there now from MAC's and Pre drilled.
Other things that come to mind: Cool new 6 volt stuff...ignition coils, gauges, tachs, fuel pumps, etc...with an authentic trad vibe. GOOD stuff...reliable electrics for vintage 6v rods! 39 Ford brake pedal assemblies Aw, hell...a whole 39 Ford dash with gauges, etc! Make an affordable 348/409 Chevy water pump or aluminum 4v intake and people will knock you down to buy 'em!
Dont laugh but i would like to see an automatic shifter (all make compatible) that looks like a traditional H pattern three speed shifter (Like say a Ansen Posi shift) and uses the traditional H pattern for three speed autos or traditional four speed pattern for 700R4s etc. It certainly can be done in fact probably isnt too hard once one sets their mind to it. I am tired of wierd looking shifters on auto trans even though I just made my own last week for my SR Dragster. That is when the idea struck . Traditional old school look and operation with modern or at least more modern trans application. Think of it now . Yer rod or Gas roadster sitting there with what looks like a standard 3 speed shifter coming out of the carpet operating a C4 a C6 a torque flght , a 350 turbo or a 400 turbo underneath. You engage first and pull away . shift accros the gate and up for second and straight back for third. Neutral is were neutral always is and over towards the knee and up for reverse. Would it sell? I think so. What would I want? the first torqueflight model and a D stamped on all somewhere. Why would it sell ? because we like to shift. We like the old style look (Never heard anyone say i like to clutch, just I like to shift.) and Of course one can pop it in third for drive when one is feeling lazy. Tie me down! i want one already!
How about a simple plain stamping for a universal hot rod gauge cluster. We went through all the time and trouble to make one that suited us and a zillion people have asked "where it came from, what's it off of, where can I get one". Also some kind of decent radiator overflow tank that doesn't look like Boyd just machined it from a 500 pound billet block of aluminum, maybe a simple universal fit tank of some sort. Lots of simple universal stuff would sell.
Nicson (or Nicson-"style) Chevy/GMC six stuff! Valve covers, push rod inspection plates, intake manifolds, ect! -ns
How about cool stuff like fuzzy dice and fake food on a carhop tray. Maybe a cute little doll that looks like he got in trouble and is hiding his face. Maybe poodle skirts and cateye glasses. Vinyl bras for the front of late '30s non-Ford four-door sedans. Another thing just like the '50s would be fiberglass trailers that look like the car towing them. More things like: high-back bucket seats, spiderweb grille inserts, lots of iron crosses, anything that looks like a coffin or a skull, cartoon kid peeing on brands of cars or a terrorist or La Migra, brahma bull stickers, bumpers made out of welded chain. Man, there a a TON of cool things you could do!
PSI style rear spring hangers. The ones that hang springs only and the ones that look like 35/36 rear bones. Add Vern Tardel products to your inventory.
I'm not seeing how a trans with a straight shift pattern can work with an H-gate. Any help. Thanks Jim
I would be interested to see how this all pans out....I too ponder these ideas DAILY, as I try to develop a product line but I have fought this notiton.... The guys who are going to be picky enough to go to the detail you describe, will want the REAL thing...those that are willing to settle for a reproduction part, are not going to make it worth the investment in producing most of them..... but there is a select few "traditionally" styled parts out there that are yet to be reproduced that can and will be a valued addition to any product line. I could be completely off course with this one though...
Too bad most of those things are held up legally with "Billetproof" trademarks. RF will tag in for you in a minute- that much humor can wear one guy out!
I can defend that most of the quality repops that are priced near the originals sell very well- especially to guys not interested in chasing down originals at swapmeets and going for crazy money on e-bay, especially if they still need a ton of restoration or modification to make them work like the "new" parts. Mostly what I am interested in are holes that are not being filled like decent license plate lamps to '56 Ford Steering boxes. And it's also funny that when someone says they are actually ready to go through all the work of making some of these parts the first to speak up are the "WHY BOTHER?" crowd and shin kickers that are TOTALLY happy with what's currently only available.
Interesting topic - lots of good ideas already. Here's a few more - please someone tell me where to get these if they're already available. Banjo axle shafts Chrome (not aluminum) '49 Chev license surrounds '40 Ford instrument cluster bezels Self-energizing guts for '40 Ford brakes A good quality '39 Ford grille Guide headlight anything for a reasonable price (fair/typical markup) The idea about misc tight radiator bends up above is a really good one, as is the one for 'properly' radiused and tapered leaf springs - especially like the early T rear springs
FWIW...B&M made an H-pattern automatic shifter back in the 90s (or very late 80s?). It wasn't exactly "traditionally" styled, but it was an attempt at providing customers with a "four speed" type of feel in an automatic shifter. It didn't stick around long, so it must've been either a very poor seller, or it didn't work well...or both. As I recall, it was expensive and "gimicky" in the eyes of most, but it HAS been done...so it's certainly possible if someone were to decide to market one again.
I will make a pattern one in my sparetime. slotted disc with roller operated by the shift lever. Actually not too difficult to do. I will make a wooden one first. It is always easier and best to play in wood then transfer to steel. cheaper too. It must be 100% fool proof and reliable D
hey !! are trying to cut my eshay prices/income by makin all this neat ol hotrod stuff availible again like van drink trays and porthole windows in lucky charm shapes ... hijacker air shox.... now hold on there us scroungers and hoarders may not like this idea too much.. but i guess we ain't savin all these alumiimununm cans for nottting
disc which transfers H patern shift (or really X pattern) to rotory motion so it will shift an auto trans would look something although not exactly like this. The shifter with a roller would move the disc around to the marked points hence the marked gear in each position. The crossover or H or X would need to be faily tolerant to give the traditional feel but it doesnt matter since as long as the disc is in the right postion at the end of each stroke it is not relavant. just think of it. banging through the gears like the old days. The good shifters would have an advantage again. It can also be done with sliding plates . I can see the senior dragster isnt going to be done this week (again) D
Maybe a bit O/T here, but if you're looking outside the square for ideas... For rego downunder we're supposed to fit a 'head high' brake light to the back of the car. Now these apparently do work, and reduce rear-enders substantially. I've installed a 'modern' light from a wreck in the back widnow of my 30yo daily driver, but how about a 'traditional' looking single light that can be used as a high brake light on a rod? Cheers, Glen.
You can get creative there...use an old motorcycle (or even scooter/moped) brake light, an old truck clearance light with a red lens, or something sourced from old industrial/farm/construction equipment...lotsa possibilites!!!
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