Im 20 years old and I love old cars I was wondering what are some old hot rod tricks and what did people use or do for moonshine running? I have a 1949 dodge business coupe right now that I think would be cool as a shine car any ideas?
I'd sell it and buy a car they would have used as a "shine" car. Something with a V8 from the factory... 1949 Dodges were slow and the kinda car your parents drove!
The wife's Daddy made shine in ****e County,TN around Newport "back in the day" his favorite ride was his 1951 Mercury.Here is a picture of a Dodge business Coupe with that huge trunk you could pack a lot of shine.Back in the 50's there were hop up goodies for the Mopar 6's you could order from Honest Charlie,J.C Whitney and others,check out this catalog from Almquist that Ryan posted:http://www.jalopyjournal.com/?p=12045 one of the keys was having a car that would handle those winding narrow roads in the Smokies and Appalachian mountains to out run the Feds.I think you have a good base for a build! "Git 'Er Done"! Here are some pictures to inspire you:https://www.google.com/search?um=1&...FastCarsAndMasonJarsMoonshineFestival;853;480
Wow, sounds like a nice car. I'm guessing it's a three window? Friend of mine just picked up a 50 Desoto -original car. Needs TLC but it's mostly all there. I'm working on my 49 Ford and hope to have it road worthy this summer. Post us a few pics of your car...
That IS a jaunty little 3-window! Rake looks right at home! (probably disappears when you and Tickle load it all up with 'Shine...)
this guy!!! http://stoveboltengineco.com/catalog/store/#!/~/product/category=412417&id=1396124 http://stoveboltengineco.com/catalog/store/#!/~/product/category=361515&id=1222043 and here http://www.edgyspeedshop.com/products.html steering and brake conversion http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=787255&highlight=explorer+disc+brake explorer rear axel bolts in also better disc brake article http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=702258&highlight=explorer+disc+brake also good http://rustyhope.com/shockarms.html my father was always bragging about this 53 dodge he had back in the late 50's that he swapped out the 6 for a 318 dual quad 57 fury engine
The Ford flathead V8 was the favorite in its day. When more powerful OHV V8s became available, the old flathead went by the wayside. I don't know if any one make stood out after that but the 57 - 58 Chrysler New Yorkers with hemi V8 and torsion bar suspension were hard to beat. Some guys would take a chance with a car like your Dodge. Put a couple of extra spring leaves in the back to hold the rear end up, fill the trunk with mason jars, replace the rear seat with a couple more cases covered with an old quilt and calmly tool into town with your arm around your girl friend. Your chances of being stopped in a car like that were small. But if you got busted the chance of outrunning the cops was also small.
Raymond Parks always said to put on your fedora hat, drive a 4 door plain jane car, and drive just below the speed limit and he was never stopped. He made enough to finance NASCAR.
Those Dodge coupes had about the biggest trunk ever put on a car up to that time. The moonshiners liked to use cars that looked commonplace enough to not attract attention. The Plymouths weren't fast cars, but they handled well, and speed parts were available for the Mopar flat 6's.
I don't know who said it, but it was said that curtis Turner could hang a 180 in the middle of a two-lane bridge with a ton-and-a half rack truck and not spill a drop.
I had the pleasure of seeing and taking pictures of the CT 40 Ford coupe this April. What a car! The owner related the story of the car, it's provenance, changes made by a previous owner, and potential future. A few days later, I drove the 40 Ford coupe of a friend who introduced me to the above owner. My friend's car is an original patina'd 40 he used as a daily driver while going to college in the early 70's. He pointed out the faded college parking stickers on the car's bumpers. Many shiners favored the 40 Ford, stating it was the 1st factory hot rod Henry made. Both 40 and 49 Fords are highly favored in Appalacia, partly due to their history in the transport of tax free liquor... John
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