Projects 32 Hiboy- "My 32 Spitfire"

Hi Everyone,

I thought I would take a moment out of my crazy schedule and share my ongoing 32 Hiboy build that I have named 32 Spitfire. It's a rather long story so I may be posting more as work continues.

This actually began when "Street Rodder" magazine arrived back in July 07 and Geoffrey's Skeene's 32 was featured on the cover. It stopped me in my tracks, and I sat down and read the complete article. I made it a goal that someday I wanted to builde a car simular to it.

In the meantime, I thought I would start looking for a few hard to find parts like the aviation seat belts. It wasn't too long before I spotted a set on Ebay and got them. When I purchased them, I asked the seller if he might know where I might find a bench style bomber seat like the one in Geoffrey's car. The gentleman answered sure I made that seat and can custom build you one too! I not only found a set of aviation belts and bomber bench seat, but met one of the nicest guys and expert on 32 Fords. The guy turned out to be, Frank Wallic (alias Rosie the rivetor) in Denver, Colorado. Frank is one of the most talented custom builders I have ever met. If you ever see one of his custom bomber seats, battery boxes or gas caps you will understand what I mean. I now kid him how expensive that set of belts has turned out to be!

My 32 Hiboy roadster is in honor of the famous English Spitfire fighter plane and "The Few" American young men who risked it all to fight side-by-side with England's finest pilots. They eventually became known as the "Eagle Squadron" and the "boxing eagle" was their mascot and nose art.

Well I've been a little long on this thread, but will soon follow up with details of my "32 Spitfire".

I wanted to share my story here as this has been a very informative site for me. Thank you all!

32 Spitfire

Here are some photos as the very talented Dave Clark of Crowtown Custom Z in Coschocton, Ohio. Dave is now painting the letters the body and boxing eagle. Check out his site and click on "projects" to see more of my project.

http://www.crowtowncustomz.com/

 

awesome! I love the direction ur going. The eagle is especially well done.... whats that green overspray btw???

 

32 , Drive it proud once its done...sounds awesome...My 31 A was given to me by a navy aviator in WWII. Got the car after 46 years garaged , and am basically keeping it as he started. Pilot added a 1940 Steering Wheel, V860, Brakes beefed up chassis. Minor changes ..Cowl to 32, roof chopped 3", dropped and chromed front axle .. limeworks doing work.. My Uncle flew with the original owner who died 5 years ago..I knew the original owner since I was about 5 years old

 

i like the sound of your plan and from the pictures it looks killer!!

 

For part 2 I thought a few photos of Frank Wallic's talented work was in order. As I mentioned in the first part, I had purchased an old set of airplane seatbelts from Frank and also found out he was the one who built the authentic bomber style seats! I now had the belts and bomber seat and needed to build a car to put them in!

I had a talented Amish couple make the cushions for the seat for driving. The back cover has a pocket sewn on the back so I can easily slide it off when showing the car. I used olive drab canvas material.

 

Sounds like a cool project. Can't wait to see more of it.

 

That seat and artwork are awesome! Being a USAF aviator myself,and 32 builder as well, I will be watching this thread!

 

Nice touch! I LOVE Spitfires.
Never in the field of human conflict,
Has so much been owed to so few,
By so many.

Nick.

 

amish building war bird parts thats funny to me

 

Wow you are rocking along, sure looks different since I last saw it. Great job.

 

sweet I like it .

 

Looks cool where's pics of your chasis and drivetrain?

 

Part 3.

When I finally decided to get started on the frame and flathead, (yes, it just had to be a flathead!) I asked Frank Wallic who he thought could do a good job at a decent price. Frank recomended Gary at Cornhusker Rod & Custom (402)749-1932. So I called Gary, and we talked about the project. I wanted to build a traditional lake style 40's roadster, but with a WWII fighter plane theme. I didn't have to decide which fighter plane I wanted to honor...it had to be the Supermarine Spitfire!

I love WWII history and really feel "The Battle of Britain" was the first major turning point of the war. And when you think about the young American "Knights of the air who risked everything to fight in the Battle of Britain" makes it even more special. My goal is to build a 32 Lakes roadster that honors the famous "Spitfire" and the "Few" Americans who fought side-by-side with England's finest pilots!

Here is the rolling frame and flathead Gary at Cornhusker Rod & Custom put together for me. We started on it mid-summer, and we picked it up right before Christmas. What a sweet Christmas present!

32 Spitfire




"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." - Winston Churchhill

 

Very, very nice.

 

Beautiful car!! Great theme!

 

I like what you're doing, but Shangri La was artwork that Don Gentile used
on his P 51's- here's a model of his P 51B:

 

WOW, one day.....

 

subscribed!

 

Part 4

I got a little carried away on part 3 and forgot a few things so I thought I would add a couple points early this morning.

I also had Gary at Cornhusker Rod & Custom install the Brookville body. I had planned to maybe pick one up here in Ohio this summer when I had saved enouph money. However I was lucky and a few things fell into place and at the very last moment I was able to have Gary do it. That worked out very well as they were able to fit it to the frame for me.

So I picked up the car from Gary at Cornhusker Rod & Custom with the complete chassis, flathead motor and Brookville body in place. All of it was unpainted as I planned to have that done locally. (We will cover the painting soon)

The other thing I forgot to mention was the number "63" that I have used. That was my high school football number, however there was a 63 rd. Spitfire Squadron that flew recon on D-Day!

(Here is a photo after I installed the grill shell and lakes style Rootlieb hood before painting)

32 Spitfire

 

Looks REAL NICE, Man! Nice thought too, a good memorial to the FEW!

Nick.

 

Don't forget, we were there too!

Killer '32, I dig the "nose art"

 

We British DON'T forget.We owe you!

Nick.

 

sweet.

 

Looking good.

Yes it was on Gentile's plane, but it was the squadron insignia, not just specific to Shangri La.

 

oops- sorry for not doing my homework!!!

 

Part 5

Here are a few photos I thought you all would like to see of Gary (in the blue coveralls) at Cornhusker Rod & Custom (402)749-1932 in Alexandria, Nebraska and my good friend and ace mechanic Doug Frautschy. Gary is explaining some things on the new flathead to Doug.

We had quite a trip picking up the roadster in late December from Ohio to Nebraska with a serious ice storm in Missouri and snow packed roads in Kansas & Nebraska but we made it safely home thanks to Doug's great driving! Now it's time Doug gets the rear brakes put back together!

32 Spitfire

 

Great car. My uncle (by marriage) is the son of an Eagle Squadron member, he had some really incredible stories. Said that American fighter pilots were "very popular" with the English ladies.

 

Looking real nice.

 

very cool project!
my grandfather was an aircraft engineer and worked at one of the Spitfire factorys when my mum was just a kid....he made her a wooden sledge one winter and the metal runners on it are made from pieces from the factory. i still have it.

 

Neat stuff! But you shoulda used a Ford of England 221 Bren carrier flathead! Those even participated in the RAF Bomber Command in the air war against the U-Boats, believe it or not!