Yup...times of change... Man, it has been one INTENSE week, but finally today everything is done. I've been "into" Hot Rods for at least 45 years. Got my start in grade 3 or 4 when I discovered several old HOT ROD mags in the s**** pile in Art cl***. I dug thru the pile, found all that were there, and begged the amused Art Teacher to let me take them home in trade for some of my Moms magazines...that I prayed she would let me take to school. The Art teacher, nice lady that she was, gave me the mags and set my life course!!! Well...actually it was the Roadsters, Modifieds and early 60's Fad Tees that changed me. Not her. She just unknowingly enabled that transformation to flag flying gearhead. Got my licence in a V8 Mustang...had a few other fun cars and trucks...but still had that activated "Roadster" gene poking at my soul and giving me that urge to get a Hot Rod. Finally it happened. I was able to get an old car. A Deuce 5 window no less. Made plans...started some work...in haste made a mess and put it aside. Build some late model Street machines to sedate my R gene somewhat...but still that highly desirable Deuce sat. And sat. And then sat some more. For well over 25 years. But that insideous R gene didn't rest. It kept poking... I THOUGHT I had it under control. Then I crossed paths with Fitzee...and his 454 powered T Roadster. We all hung around...built a certain A sedan for a particularly cool young HAMBer named Andy (RIP), and Fitz and I cruised once or twice in the T. Ended up driving it twice to the Atlantic Nationals and I was addicted completely. The R gene was no longer dorment...or even under control! Projects of an OT nature still needed doing...but I started to find and bring home bits and pieces suitable for an open Roadster build. Bought a 318 Poly for the 63 Dodge project. The fact that the Poly came with a 20's Buick cowl, a 39 Ford axle ***embly and a Zee'd 2x3 frame certainly didn't help me resist that deal! An on sale 11 gal air pig to be a tank. Land Rover rear radius arms from the U-Pick. A gauge cluster...Gl***packs...many more odds and ends. That forgotten Deuce languished...the R gene ran wild. Like an addict in denial. LoL Well...some stars aligned...the moon was in "full-house" or something...I dunno. Fitz had sold the T Roadster last year. The new owner really wasn't into it. But he sure likes Deuce 5 windows! Even ones in need of much love and a catalog full of patch panels...not to mention running gear...brakes and a total ground up build that would have been 3 or 4 years before I could even start...let alone finish! Yup. I traded the Deuce for a "gl*** T" Roadster with a big block Chevy and an intimate knowledge of the TCH...and I can't wait to drive it up to Moncton next year! Again! I think I finally figured out the cure for this pox known as "R gene syndrome". Simple really. You slather this greasy stuff called sun screen all over your neck and face. Put some tinted goggles on your eyes, slide yourself into the seat while you pray it doesnt rain...and then follow Route 60 until you hit the open highway. Yup...I can feel the healing start just thinking about it. I know, I know...a Gl*** T Roadster for a 5 window?!?! I see it more as trading 25+ years of dreaming for a truly awesome reality. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpW9OZr-MVE Hey...blame the "R gene"! It won!!!
You forgot to mention the 32 was a big time project and years away from finishing .plus you have had it forever haha.now you can enjoy some cruising . You made the right decision ...as much as we want to think it ...we won't live forever .its all about the now . James Dean said ... Dream as if you will live forever ....live as if you will die today . Everyone has to have projects ....but it's nice to have a "go to car " some thing you can enjoy and hop in and go while you work on the projects .
Bill, That was/is an awesome story and pretty well written. Thank you for sharing your battle with the "R" gene with us. Thor
Oh yea, I get it. I say you did the right thing, Bill. As Gus said in Lonesome Dove. "Life is short, shorter for some than others." You better post up a thread like the last time you and Tony made that trip: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=607550
That Atlantic Nats sounds like quite the time! The Novi rodders used to come down to our shows, in the 70's. Great folks up your way.
LoL "Rocket56" is the friend who planted the thoughts of trading into our heads and then stood back grinning as the deal was worked out. Thanks Peter! Once I get my garage sorted out a bit and my winter driver running I'll be tearing into it and will post a "build" thread...although I really don't intend to change a lot this first winter. Plan is just to make some personal changes, complete some interior work, paint it and get all systems back up to 100% for next spring. Fitzee made it pretty much bulletproof, but 10+ years of continuous use means normal wear and tear that needs to be addressed. Man...just can't wait to get her out on the road again! I have some stuff on the go already like starting to remove a broken bolt in the block (heat tomorrow!) and addressing some starter issues. Want it fully mobile ASAP! Heres a pic I like. Taken by "Gismojoe" when we met up at the Canso Causeway "Timmy's" in 2011. This pretty much shows the fun these T Roadsters are... Notice anything Fitzee!?!? LoL
I was thinking this morning that it might be more productive to trade off every project and spare part for on running and driving hot rod or custom that I could drive now rather than try to get one to the point where I can drive it and have it presentable.
Think bill should write a book!! That was a nice write up. I can tell you that my old car has gone to the right person. It fun to build a car or have a project but there is a lot to be said about Driving a old car on the open road. It is just as much a part of hot ridding as build them. Bill, enjoy..
I'll back you up on it going to the right person! Hahaha I've probably logged more miles in the 'ol girl than anyone else other than you! Already having the sickness, those miles back in 11 and 12 sure made the decision a lot easier. If I didn't know the Roadster so well and enjoy it so much the deal never would have got off the ground. But I HAVE to change it around a bit to make it mine!!! LoL
I just came across this thread Bill, congratulations on the deal, hope you enjoy lots of travel in the T-bucket.
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