51 Chevy coupe-Sled to Gasser

Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Dave the crappy welder.

I would first like to say that this thread is something that I could have never imagined. I have learned so much from the wisdom that you have all given to me.

I feel that I am a better person from hearing all that you have spewed. I have never found such a large amount of wisdom in one location in my life.

Chris wanted a car that was different, and that is a wonderful thing. He wanted a car that was to his liking and that is what has became. And best of all it is what he wanted and know he owns it.

He did not go buy a car and then change the wheels and say he built it. I think the fact that he is going to drive it scares most of you. That means that it is going to be in more places then a car trailer. Holly S--- that is unsafe.

I said it before and I will say it again. Those welds are very strong, and I challenge anybody to prove me wrong. There is a entire bead under the top welds. And the top welds were done to be different just like the rest of the car. And the top layer has full penetration also. I do thank all of the certified welders that have assisted me on this forum. Most welds can be inspected thru a picture, and that tells me alot about the loose pie holes that are running here.

And to the point that the car is not safe as it is set up. I will do a street race course any day against any 80's lifted truck with 38's. But then again those are all over, so they have to be very safe.

It all comes down to, this is all about EACH TO THERE OWN. I am glad that there are alot of unhappy people on this site. All that counts is Chris, and he has a big ass smile.

You all have a good day

Dave the crappy welder

 

Toolin up and down my street with my son shootin video. Drove it all day. There were necks breakin, thumbs flyin and old people givin me dirty looks everywhere!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MEMjcG5XWI

Fuckin love it. Cant thank Dave and Lyle enough for all the effort. Were not done yet, but I'm drivin now, every day to work weather permitting. Not scary at all to drive, hell I even had it on the freeway today. Once again, the work is awesome. Daves a bad man.

 

Shot Dave doin a burnout this morning. The wind killed the smoke but its still cool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqqGeZN1GrQ

 

welds are done to be different just like the rest of the car?

good god that sounds pretty stupid when you say it out loud.

 

i cant say the welds are unsafe from a picture, but there are a couple that look very cold and could probably be broke off with a hammer.

 

anybody else miss it when it was like this?

its good to hear that you love it and plan on driving the shit out of it, but i really dig the before pic.

 

side by side.

 

chris, glad to hear you got it driving wish you were closer would love to see it in person

dont worry im a mediocre welder at best all the welds look good too me any more thought on the color?

 

WAY more people like it better this way. I like it both ways, just wanted something different. There are literally NO cars like this on the street in Reno. I love that. I'll have another sled. But first were going to build a couple model As. Got one already. A 29 Model A "Briggs" 4 door. Kinda rare I think, and were going to cut it to pieces! Its Daves car, and Ill post pics later.

Let me have it everyone what do the rest of you think? Still trying to decide on color and whether or not I'll put a name on the side.

 

Hey Chris, I like the look of the car now... I just have a question on the welds "Dave the crappy welder" did, he said the "top welds" were done to be different... so does that mean underneath those spot welds there are fully stitched beads? ....just curious, and I would go with the pale green then dark green flaked roof.

Brian.

 

Not too sure about welds done "to be different" but I won't say another word.

On the other hand, Dave, welcomt to the H.A.M.B!!! Cool car too.


Hey Chris,

Thats sounds f*cking awesome! Glad to see you're enjoying it. Nice choice on the wheels too.


Adam

 

I like dark green, probably a white top, but just about anything would be good. If you do decide to put something on the car, I think I would advertise for you're business. Put a cool logo on the car just like it was a sponsorship on a drag car. Then put you're name above the door, like a race car would have.

I liked the car before, and I like it now too.

Adam

 

I like it better now too.

 

I like both cars.I am building a sled now and have all the parts for a gasser. Welcome Dave and I enjoy your sarcastic way of explaining yourself. You`ll fit right in here.

 

Very cool thread. It reminds me of the 3n1 amt models, the gasser, the low sled and the stock version. I prefer the gasser version. I am doing my 49 coupe gassed. So far I have collected an early Olds rear, ladder bars, speedway straight axle, metalflake wheel, 327 4-speed with a set of 6 2's with 8" murac stacks, a set of vintage chevy angle plug heads, early mallory dual point dist. A set of Ansens 10's and 3.5's. Still have a long way to go. I wonder if it would have been better to leave your car as a sled and do another one gassed if your goal ws to have both versions. Hey it's looking great, turns out to be a popular thread. CGM

 

I've driven a lot of 4x4 trucks. I don't see how this thing will handle any worse that the zillions of Jeeps and Toyotas out there (which handle pretty good btw). I was sorta wondering if those welds were hiding a root pass. Glad to hear they were.

 

Chris,
Drive the hell out of it! I love it!
Rob

 

well it ain't lonomo ,lookin good. be looking for it tearin up streets and A&W

 

Hell yeah! Im drivin it to work today.

 

Looks like a downhill drag with some side to side motion over a "fillit" weld. I serisouly doubt that you could knock it off with a hammer. The area around the weld would probably break before those welds would give, but just like you I'm judging it from a picture.

 

A lot of talk about the welding...... a lot of experts, hmmm certified welders sounds like ASE mechanics to me. You passed the test on that particular day! I trust my welding and from what Ive seen and read those welds will do, I may have fishplated behind but hey the car is looking great!

 

Chris, the videos were cool! The car looks and sounds nice. You guys did a great job including Dave "the crappy welder". I've seen way worse take some serious abuse and stay and I have seen much nicer break. You know what it comes down to and if you feel confident that's all the matters. I think the welds will be just fine.


Have fun man!!




BloodyKnuckles

 

So I drove it to work this morning and a cop pulled up next to me at a stop light and was motioning for me to roll my window down. I thought for sure he was going to tell me to put the caps back on the headers. He raised his voice to be heard over the engine and said, "THATS BADASS MAN!!" I let out an obvious big sigh of relief as he laughed and drove off. Too cool.

 

I don't think someone posts a "what do you think..." thread expecting all of the opinions to be 100% their way. You guys got both. You got some that say how great it is and some that it just doesn't suit their taste. Some of us (me) posted a little extra discussion to our replies in the spirit that board's founded on. I could pick apart your reply or answer it in line item fashion but I won't. By the angle and light of a few pics some guys picked it up as cold welds and thought enough of the OP to share what they thought and until the mood changed we didn't see a bunch of "You suck!" comments. Tiny lil front runners also have the same amount of grip as a lifted 4X4's 38s too, huh? I don't know about the rest, but I drive 4X4s in quite a defensive fashion. I don't think the steel or aluminum wheels on either of mine would fail under a severe "panic" load like a short and slim front runner wheel/tire might. Just sayin. In the end I, like most all here, are always happy when someone pulls off a plan or a dream. Kool. Life's good. If you plan to take things so personal vs having a professional or friendly discussion it's best not to bother posting. I didn't comment on the welds because I'm not there to read the heat signature in person. You are. I think a simple and friendly reply would net you more positive interfacing with the board than how you addressed it here. Again, just sayin. There is a lot of knowledge and history here. There's more talent than you may imagine. If it's not for you, well you know what to do.

 

Good job! Love the car.

 

Impressive to see that you are driving it already. Good job staying after it. Hope to see some steering box/linkage pics when you get a chance.

 

Wow, why so serious? Dave intended for the post to be light hearted. Hes not a guy who gets bothered easily. He probably had a great big smile the whole time he was typing the post, and called me laughing. The welds are good, the car drives awesome and I couldnt be happier. Sounds to me like some people just like to stir the pot. Oh well keep stirrin, makes for a good thread

 

Yeah no sweat, I'll put some up tomorrow

 

Sorry dude but when you read this it does NOT come across as being humerous. It comes across as someone defending themselves and taking a few shots back.

Let's be clear here. I like the car... a lot. But I also agree it sits too high... for my liking. Which matters not since it's not my car. It's yours and you should build it the way you want. As for the welding discussion I have no opinion whether they are safe or not cuz I'm probably the original Dave the Crappy Welder and not for a good reason. But for the most part the concern about the welds by many on this thread wasn't to call you out or make you look bad, it was based on concern for a fellow rodder / HAMB buddy. At least one post asked if there was a bead under the puddles. All Dave the crappy welder had to do was state, "yes there was" and most of this would have gone away. personally I think they look cheap and half-assed and are drawing attention away from what counts. The rest of the car. If Dave the crappy welder is good at his trade, there is no better car to display your talents than a high stance gasser style car. Instead, just to be different, and coming from a guy driving a Gasser Scout, I know different, he / you decided to cover up safe welds with strange bead like puddles that will start the same safety discussion over and over and over. Better get used to it.

Sorry for the speach

I like the car and Kudos to you for getting it running and driving as quickly as you did. Good job man.

Dave (The original crappy welder)