What is this, an AA meeting? Yeah, yeah, okay, put the gun down. I snuck over from the RRT, where I'd also just recently joined, in order to pick a few knowledgeable brains about the fabrication of a sheetmetal intake manifold. There was an in-jest link to here, I followed, somebody asked about Swagelok fittings (which I've used) so I signed up. My name is "Doc", I'm a reasonably decent machinist, and I custom-build paintball guns for a living. At the moment, I'm working on a '66 Toronado that I've owned longer than Jay Leno has been doing standup comedy, but for which I'll undoubtedly be called a "copycat". It has a '68 455, I've converted it to 4-wheel discs, modded a few other things here and there, and we're hoping to paint it this summer. Among other mods, I'm just starting work on a custom aluminum-sheetmetal manifold for an EFI conversion using the MegaSquirt controller. It won't be a radical custom ride, the body will be largely stock other than altered headlights, deleted trim and modern-style recessed doorhandles, but then, it's going to be a driver, not a show car. Doc.
I've seen Leno's car...now I wanna see YOURS!!! Get some pix UP!!! And exactly how long has Leno been doing stand-up comedy? I'd venture longer than 38 years...you buy that Toronado new? FWIW, welcome to the House of HAMB...doubt that anyone on this board builds "show cars"...they're all drivers... R-
Here's a photo from a small spring car show we had locally last year. (Small town, definitely not a huge show.) It was, as you can see, raining lightly, and turnout was poor. But, it was the first time the car had been off the property under its' own power, and on the street legally, in over five years. Well, mostly legally- I still didn't have headlights or front turn signals. But the show was only about three miles from home, and I had no intention being out 'til dark. Unfortunately I haven't been able to do much to it since then, due to lack of both time and money. However, other than shaving/recessing the doorhandles (I'll be installing black handles from a mid-90s Chevy pickup) patching two small rust spots and whanging the bumper back into shape, the majority of the bodywork is done. I've deleted the pop-up headlights since, to be quite honest, they're ugly as sin when on. I'll be mounting '94 Chevy truck headlight modules in the grille, recessed somewhat. Then I'll fab a new, shortened grille to fit in between 'em and have it chromed like the stock unit. The FWD monster has essentially zero decent aftermarket wheels available for it, so I dressed up some stockers with thin trim rings and some slightly-dished stainless discs cut from some factory hubcaps and held in place with custom mounts. Doc.
Hey Doc, you wouldn't wanna sell me that stock seat outta that Toronado by any chance, would ya??? Jay Jeno didn't use his..... sure wish I had his phone number. Welcome to the HAMB
welcome i need more post, i wen backwards from a senior member to a granade inspector can not handle that lol
Sorry HotrodLady, I have almost no spares for interior parts. My seats don't work anyway, I'm going to have to rebuild or fix the drivetrain... as soon as I figure out what's wrong. In fact, I'm going to need some interior trim parts myself... Doc.
Denise, I looked at one of these last year for my Impala, but didn't check to see if it would fit my Olds, which is going to get 4 buckets I hope. Anyway, there is at least one power bench over here if you are interested. I think they wanted a hunsky for it, I can check if you are interested. Get a HAMB relay going or something if so. Doug
Thanks Doug, it's actually not for me but for a buddy that wants it for his '59 ElCamino. I found one locally here and took it to him. It's in pretty rough shape. He's a pretty resourceful guy, but I'm not sure if it's usable. Thats why I was kind of keeping my eyes open for another one. I'll keep the one your talking about in mind though if the other one turns out to be junk. Ok, back to the regularly scheduled intro
Uhh, that resourceful guy with the El Camino would be me You give me too much credit, Denise...plus you know we're building TWO Elkys(need two seats) DOUG! I will be in Billings sometime this spring to pick up a car, and in Lewistown in August, so a relay isn't out of the question. I AM interested in that Toro seat!! and Doc, sorry to hijack your thread...uh, welcome to the party. mid-tenn mike
Welcome Doc. I always dug the Toronado, FWD and all. I dig the flat floor, weird speedo, etc. Almost bought one once but ended up with an Impala instead. Cool ride.
The monster was my first car; rebuilt the engine in high school shop class (hey, you can reuse pistons, right?) blew it up in less than 20 minutes (don't ask) and rebuilt it again. Never had the cash to do a proper job on it then, always had others to work on in between (two '69 Chargers, an '85 Camaro, a '77 Jeep CJ, a '65 Corvair converted to 3/4-ton 4WD, that kind of thing...) 'til a couple years ago I decided to finally finish the bloomin' thing. Still don't have the cash to do it the way I'd like, but I've gotten better at scrounging and making parts that I can't afford. Doc.
yo Earl, interested in a front seat from a 65 chrysler imperial? i am about to part out the car. it is a power bench. yours iffn' you need it.
The Jalopy Journal
