Hot Rods 29 RPU- "Street/Strip" B/SR Build - Marty Strode

Looks like a real 289 cobra & the Ferrari? Nice friends

 

The Cobra is real and original 64, the owner bought it in 1966, from a Doctor in Boise Idaho. Tom sold everything he owned and hitchhiked the 200 miles to buy the car. When he arrived and paid the $4,00.00 asking price, he told the man he hoped it had enough gas to get him home, because he was broke, the seller graciously gave him a 5 dollar bill back !
Now the Ferrari copy is another story, my pal Leighton built it from scratch, he is a master with fiberglass! Here is a side shot, taken at my party 10 years ago.

 

I wonder how many more zeros you could tack on to that Cobra price today.

 

People ask Tom what it’s worth, he says, it doesn’t matter, I’m never going to sell it.

 

I see on Enger's old 34 coupe. I sure do miss him and seeing that car run around Beaverton.

 

That was his transportation for 30 years, it was so low there wasn’t room for the stock braces.

 

yep, drove is rain or shine. CJ and I would see it all the time.

 

We need pic of all the track roadsters you have built. Think u did some pics before but never enough - love them

 

Mike, page 2 of the #10 Track Roadster Build below covers them with the exception of Pat’s, Spalding copy.

 

Tks & yes I follow all 3 of those sites…. Just can not get enough of them. Have to page thru each site again.

 

Sam, @bskustoms delivered the seats for the Track Roadster, which are the same as the ones for the 29, except for the bolt pattern. He took the 29 seats with him to install the covers on them. I set these in the 29, just to see how they look, and am very satisfied with the the look, color, and quality of work. Thanks Sam, for taking this on for me. Just one more reason to get back on this project !

 

Marty, are those Speedway's seats? I like the pattern. I'm going to have to plaigerize that too when I get mine upholstered.

 

Yes they are, have two sets, one for the 29, and another for the Track Roadster.

 

Good to know. Thanks Marty. I've used a pair in the Whatever project, so now I have a picture to show the upholstery shop what I want.

Now if I can get out in the garage everyday for at least an hour or so...

 

Marty, thanks for the kind words! Sam

 

Seats? I used Mustang II suspension on my '28 Mercury. (I mean their two buckets holding my ass up from the floor.) Is this gonna get me suspended?

 

I might have missed something, what's the yellow colour on the inner surfaces of the doors?

 

Some old insulation.

 

In a cab as small as a 28-29 RPU, little things can make a big difference, like steering wheel placement. Also, having the seat and upholstery you are going to use, helps insure the best fitment. When using a quick disconnect coupler, I try to install the column a little on the short side, and adjust to fit the driver. In this case, the steering wheel was borderline tight to my legs, and I needed just a tad bit more room. I looked in my aluminum scrap box, and found a plug that was hole sawed out of 3/8" plate. Just had to square up the OD and drill 3 mounting holes, now I am comfortable.

 

Hadn't thought about that, Marty. Now I've got to get the upholstery done, so that I can see if my rotundness will fit under the steering wheel...

Does it ever end?

 

With the seats in place, it was time to make a console to house a mag switch, starter button, and a couple accessory switches, one for an electric water pump, and another for tail lights. Most tracks want a tail light for the return road at night.
So, I started with some .063-3003 aluminum, roughed out the shape, and ran it through the tank roller die on my bead roller. I didn't have a curved T-dolly the fit the shape and radius of the part, so I whipped one out. A little welding and smoothing, and it is ready to install.

 

Very nice Marty!

 

Go Marty! Gonna be cool as hell done. Lippy

 

Looking a good as always

 

Today I fabbed a bottom for the panel, drilled some switch holes, and got it mounted. Very comfortable, for 5'10" and 180. Some more views. The mag (ignition) switch will have a cover that you slap, and it snaps over to turn the engine off. I didn't have a starter button, so I just filled the panel with switches.

 

How wide are those seats? When I was looking for bucket seats for my 30 closed cab pickup, as I recall there was about 40" from the inside door panel to the opposite inside door panel. I may be misremembering that figure, but it's got to be pretty close. I struggled finding seats that were <20" wide. I don't know how you have room for that switch console in-between the pair of seats.

 

Blues, they are 17” wide.

 

I am going to be sidelined for a week or two, adding 3' to the rear of Jim Lindsay's Lakester. Looking to make it taper all directions at the rear, and ad a vertical tail fin. Speedweek is two months away, and it will be good to get away for a short while. I built it a few years ago in this configuration, and between rainouts, and the the car stranded in Australia for a couple years, we really haven't got to see what it will do.

 

Keep us posted Marty, either here or start a new thread, but I know I'm not the only one who would like to see this.

Thanks!

 

I got a little done today, with the lower sheet metal extensions in place, it gives me something to build on. once the shell of the tail is built, then it will be time to fabricate the steel tubular extension to attach the chute tube and shroud line mounting. Then the push bar, will need to extended as well. Hard to tell from the pictures, the tail section, tapers the back of the car from 27 to 19".