Not sure if you guys know about the World Race 2011, but it's a similar concept to the Great Auto Race of 1908. In fact it was supposed to happen in '08 as a 100th anniversary deal, but the high expense and extreme risk factor kept a lot of folks away from entering. Despite the initial troubles, the event is happening right now, and the participants have arrived in China after driving from New York to California. A couple of drivers dropped out, and did not have their cars shipped to China, but Clay Miller is still in the game with his '32 Ford. There's also a participant with a Model A speedster, enduring the crazy drive. Clay Miller came to us at Honest Charley Garage wanting to build a '32 Ford capable of driving across the world, so we did the best we could to incorporate all of his details while keeping the traditional qualities of his coupe. It turned out pretty cool, although it's not exactly HAMB-friendly in every way possible. Here are some pictures to get you started... Brookville three-window body and complete rolling chassis from Honest Charley Speed Shop Good stuff... Temporary rear end setup...quick change is coming soon. You hate the seats...I can see it in your eyes. Brakes Floors... Wooden innards. To the lift it goes! Quick change mocked up. More brakes Quick Change Chassis is going together nicely. Ready for a custom rear spring. Steering box mounting plate is tacked in. Brake line clearance is good to go. Steering box mock up. Doing a quick measurement for the driveshaft. This car will have an overdrive unit, so it won't be as simple as most driveshafts. More chassis work on the lift.
By the way, most of this build was performed in our old shop, which was connected to Coker Tire and Honest Charley Speed Shop...we're now in a brand new shop across the street.
Fenders mocked up for fitment. The Brookville body is nice, but fender fitment could've been better. More fender stuff... Mock up steering shaft to set up the steering and get the box mounted. Mock up Flathead block... Details.. Disassembled again. Extra gas tank...holds 15 gallons, so those long stretches without fuel stops won't be an issue. Spare tire mount... Front fender adjustments were necessary. Little bit of clamp action...almost ready to weld. Tigging it up. Fenders back on...time to get the hood and grille shell fitted. You guys are gonna hate these seats, but here are the mounts. On board air compressor, in case Clay or one of his fellow rally peeps have a flat tire.
Not to hijack your thread, but my little bro and I helped Jack put a new motor in his model a when the race came through Dodge City Ks. Super cool car. Really cool guy. The whole group of people were really cool to talk to.
I dig this. More! And excuse me if this is a really ignorant question, but when you say "Honest Charley Garage," are you talking about "the" Honest Charley, from the fifties?
Not ignorant at all...Honest Charley Garage is a relatively new shop. We're partners with Honest Charley Speed Shop (established 1948) and get all of our parts from those guys. And our shop is just around the corner from them.
Haha, that's doubtful! These are chrome 16-inch Hot Rod Wire wheels from Coker Tire with Coker Classic bias-look radials.
Chassis is back from paint. Axle tubes are bright red...quickie is polished. Enclosed driveshaft and Mitchell Gear Splitter Flathead is ready to rock. Dropping it into the chassis. Delton bolting up the trans mount Can't beat a bright red Flathead with Offy heads Accessories coming together. Yes it has A/C... Grille shell back from paint and mounted, along with the radiator. Dual Stromberg 97's on a polished intake. More engine accessory stuff. Little bit of clutch action... Headers are on. How about another look at those heads... Brake drums are painted and in place. Rolling chassis is finished and ready for the body. Front suspension goodness. Another look at the finished rear end setup. Rear end is hung with a heavy duty spring (due to the increased weight of the car...15 more gallons of fuel, on board air system, spare tires, etc.).
You hate the seats...I can see it in your eyes. You got that right!,,the car is being built with the traditional look,INCLUDING A FLATTY and then throw those ugly seats in the car! The work looks very nice.HRP
Two electric fuel pumps...one for each tank. Front axle and stuff....so shiny. Final details on the chassis. Brookville body is painted. Color sanding and buffing is next... Sanded and ready to buff. Again... Body and Chassis Body and Chassis Body and Chassis Body is buffed and ready to be placed on the rails. A team effort... Going down. Now we're ready to start assembling the body. Doors are hung, deck lid is on... Gas tank is painted and installed. Spare tire mount and spare tire is installed. Also note the hitch receiver--this was an integral part of the spare tire mount...a custom trailer will be used on the trip. Here's the hitch without the tire.
Speakers and stuff...by the way, the guy in the photo is Dolas Furgeson. He worked at Honest Charley Speed Shop for a while and worked for Honest Charley Garage doing wiring and that type of stuff. Unfortunately, he passed away last year....RIP Honest Dolas. The '48 Flathead is ready to run. Final assembly on the body--fenders went on a lot easier this time, thanks to our adjustments. Thrashing... Front tires are too big for the lowered ride height so, we pulled off the 6.00R16's and put 5.50R16's on there. Two batteries to power all of the additional accessories. Dash and interior is coming together. Another look at the chassis. And another... Last one... Clay and Greg take a look inside the trunk. First trip around the block!
Trailer is done... The crew...from left to right: Clay Miller, Keith Brown, Zane Stokes (on running board), Hal Everett (kneeling). Behind car: Greg Cunningham, Delton Scott, Richard Marter.
Great build. Nice photography. You really have a good eye for photography. You guys built a car to drive around the world (thru China no less) and be reliable. I can't even drive to the beer store before mine breaks down. At least I don't have to drink Chineese beer....
http://millergarrison.com/updates/ Seriously...check out the link. These guys are hardcore! Blew the engine, had to haul the car 700 miles just to have a place to rebuild it! They're back on the road now and catching up to the rest of the pack. Insane.
Just a few phone pics of them in Paris on Wednesday afternoon, just in front of my work http://profiles.google.com/113428631984549456688/photos/5631867361916924481 and a quick vid after a last spark-plug change today : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6YPQDRepBU
The Jalopy Journal
