I has the solids Halibrands 16” but they are painted ( se picture ) but very smoot but under the paint according to history they is rather eaten up and repaired so its hard do Dow7 on them and was get them in black and use redrilled to 5 lugs in front and use the std 6 lugs but drill my Lincoln brakes for 6 nuts. I has a new favorite black 5W from Steadyfast and nice rake and chop and it has the 18” rears. I like that ! I might can update to a set that has ribbed old Firestone 16” in front and early 50’s grooved ascot 18” rear. Wheels in a good as it can be chape and has 5 lugs ( rather odd ) -This must be max hot-rod wheels, or. My idea has my coupe in very early 50’s race style for streets. So whats the history of this ascot tires ? Mud racing or oval or did they usd it to burn rubber on streets to ? Shore not cheap but cool. Ideas and some history needed.
Guess that. But what about the look ( or cool factor ) to use 18” solids rear and 16 fronts natural oxided and this old Firestones, vs painted 16” solids on new made Firestones.
You could make better choices. You asked of eighteen inch in '52. My mind says there were some sixteen. Cannot find any memory of that. But as Pete Seeger said "I might be wrong"
Cool factor has nothing to do with what was really done. I can guarandamntee that nobody ran 18” Halibrands with Ascots on the street back in the 50’s.
Ribbed 16" s on front W/18" dirts on the rear? It'll probably handle like a shopping cart full of bowling balls
Actually from it was told.. they was running more smooth ( this summer ) on a roadster than with new Coker/Firestone tires ( same front and diamond ribbed 18" on steel wheels ) but who can say, and we are not talking 80 MPH here. They sure made 18" in the late 40's of the Halibrand solids. I guess very few used this magnesium 16" wheels on the streets but it was possible, but my guess 18" ( cheap steel wheels ) was used for 'fun' racing in the desert - so it could be 18" solids if one bought them instead from 16" ( more tire down ) but if anyone did this is very uncertain ofcourse. Alchemy is problably correct, but it might be some guys... Companys like Bell Auto, Halibrand, race engine shops, engine part manafacture was shore there late 40's.
go easy on the guy, he's in Sweden. I'd guess your Swedish isnt exactly text book. Back on topic, 3w Hank maybe just stick to what looks good in your eyes. Yes some of this stuff may have been around in a time period you're aiming, some of it not, but sometimes a little artistic license doesn't hurt. 99% of folks out on the road will have no idea what is period correct, they will just appreciate a cool old car that someone wants the world to see.
Clydesdale. Yes my spelling is not the best but I try and I could go over text better. So if anyone tells me a wrong spelling I'm Ok and it's a help. I'm not totally focus on exact what was done in the era I build my car in, but I like the history and what was out there. Let’s say I like to know what was aviable and from there use as what you say ; artistic. I know hot rodding was not the rich man’s game back there, I'mean they took what they had and if they had money they might go more expensive racing, so who bought Halibrands wheels to their junk yard 50 bucks 29 roadster on a 32 frame. But maybe in the early 50's it might be possible as more parts came in and it became more popular ( Just an idea ) My ideas has grove from more pre-war roadster to late 40's 5W coupe but now even if almost all my parts is late 40's ( The Henry parts and speed parts ) I will split the wishbones, use a Halibrand banjo ( not a QC ) plus I might do body changes and interiors no one never did back then. Body changes is wedge chop and angle pillars ( just maybe 3/8" ) and diamond stich leather inside and Very low in front. On the 18" wheels. Well I guess I keep the 16" set I has and maybe save the money and instead send this set to USA for repair and Dow7 ( later on ) I know one 5W 32 Bobby Hilton build they bought used Halibrands and they got amazing after Dow7.
I’m just trying to help with the spelling. Just like when I help with the car info. I didn’t think Hank would mind if we corrected his English.
Ascot tires, check 18" solid Halibrands, check Kinmont brakes, check Halibrand QC, check Pines Winterfront, check Electroline Headlights, check Ardun heads, check Scott blower, check Aggressive lakes chop, check "bomber" seats, check Etc, etc... In all seriousness, build the car the way you want. If you "want" the "cool factor", then use all the "cool" parts. No one ran all of that stuff on a street car in the 40's/50's (Athough in theory they "could have") The car also won't be something you would have seen in the little pages, but just go ahead and build what you want.
Nealin CA, Yes I know, I ask on many questions on parts related to what are historic and made the look on what we call hot-rods ( or what I thought is/was hot-rods ) Yes. I bought some stuff, then sold it etc. -This was now on 18” rear wheels and the ’block’ tires. I has the 16” solids and bias 7.50 but has a offer get the 18” rear on ascots. ( a deal I saw Steadyfast used on a very cool 32 5W ) -I like to hear the history and learn how it came to be or what this parts was used for etc. When I see a build-up like that car, I feel its ’its traditional’. Ideas must has come from ’something’ in the past - right ? So whay you say is what one see as all this hot-rod parts that was made in this era and I call ’traditional’ and work ( as I feel ’hot-rod’ ) never was used ? -Thats a new way see this. Intresting, but how it become the style then ? Some must did the work and used the parts that was made for sale ( maybe it was other ’guys’ ? ) Sure, I understand why they used this old cars and removed stuff to get them lighter but what was all this companys customers they did parts to - was it not the hot-rodders ? In early 50’s it was some years after the war and it was loaded with speed parts on the market and people did tricks, old and new as lower them, chopped them etc. I has the books from early Hot-Rod magazines. Yes I know, I can build a car on whatever parts I like, as a Jaguar rearend and use Volvo light etc, but I know that was not used or feel or can be called ; traditional. If my car has a tema to feel early 50’s as an idea, and so far I has a 3” chopped 1932 5W, no fenders but with a hood. Inside its a sofa, Bell Auto steering wheel and a full S/W Master panel with Wings. Engine is a 59AB with a 4”Merc crank, L&S heads and intake, Scintilla magnet, Lincoln 39 transmission, 34 TQ tube, 37 rearend and Lincoln 42 brakes and 16” Halibrand wheels and a 4” dropped axle. This is parts I chosen and feel traditional and was for sale and to me it ’feel’ it was possible they used. Maybe era was most std parts but removed body parts and a cruel chop ( maybe ) rest was just maybe from other cars from junk yard and the hot rodders never used a single speed parts. -That might been the case. Then in late 50’s or 60’s people bought speed parts etc what we feel is hot-rods now. I do seen older pictures from weekend desert events ( early 50’s ? ) away from city and most is roadster hiboys. Guess that was ’the’ hot rodders, and speed parts guys was circle track or salts or guys with more money ( parts that later came to this group that set the name ) I guess I need to ask more, further on in my build-up :- )
My advice would be to get building on a solid base of components that you know for sure you want ( chassis, axles, motor, transmission, etc) Get the project moving toward reality, then get the body fixed up as necessary, get it sat on the chassis and see how it 'feels' , then work at roof chop and other body modifications. Parts like wheels/lights/trim etc can all follow and are easy change items. (or even just make 'mock up' wheels in the dimensions you're considering, paint them up to look more realistic then try them on) Sometimes we can 'think' or 'debate' ourselves into inaction. It sounds like this will be a great build to see progress, so please document as you go
Clydesdale, I will do a thread when style is complete and body is done and mock-up on car is done, then its next chapter. But I has almost showed picture on all things/parts I ask for. Beater32, Well this was most a historic question. I has wheels ( solids 16” ) but got this call on the 18” ( rears ) Its a forum so its free to ask ( as I do ) This stuff is expensive so good to ask. -So you suggest one start build ( and ask less ) and not maybe has the full picture or historic knowledge and not all parts. To me that is not a good way to build a car, and maybe rush away and cut up or destroy nice old ( expensive parts ) I learn as I go and collect parts, sometimes I sell as find my way/style. One can ask ; why ask on gauges, why ask on wheels, brakes, rearends etc etc as this can be done later on. -Well, can it really. Now I has almost set the style, and I has almost all parts and once get the parts it must be cleaned up and overseen mechanically. And this parts dont just swim in, it take allot of time to find them ( but its also fun plus do the ’road’ ) Parts as restore brakes, block, gauges, transmission, door handles, keys and locks etc etc. I’m a machinist in CNC and labour on engines, I cant weld to my standards so I wait on the body guy and he is 1 year away and chassie guy is busy to. But I’m in line. I’m 56 years old, run a CNC company and I has a Cuda 70 stocker NHRA dragracing car to ( new Hemi ongoing ) I’m not new with cars, started racing at 20. I build a car here on almost all parts old hard to find that need work. Should I start try learn me ex weld and not ask questions, maybe destroy stuff before I know what I’m doing. Would be nice hear how one build a hot-rod best or maybe what I do wrong ( you can mail me private to ) Overall, topics was the ascot tires/historic and hot-rod use of them.
Hank, you speak English, and spell better than some Americans. Do what you feel is right for your car. Back in the day, there were plenty of goofy looking cars. None of us want to duplicate that. Always remember, The Look Is Illusive. I've seen simple cars that just knock you out, and other with a ton of money spent that you would just walk by.
I'm not saying those parts were never used, I was saying they were not used on street driven hot rods of the late 40's/early 50's. Those 16 and 18" solid Halibrands were Indy car wheels and then some made their way over to Bonneville racing. And nothing wrong with using race car parts on a hot rod, but if you say you have all the early Hot Rod magazines, you will see a distinct difference in builds between dedicated race cars and street driven hot rods. That sounds like a great plan. Get started on the chassis, then start mocking up stance, wheel and tire size and we will be happy to give some feedback on the project as it progresses. Neal
My humble opinion "back in the day" 18" solids were mostly on Indy cars and higher speed Bonneville - streamliners, etc.
Most cars in the 50's ran 15" wheels . . . and very few of them (typical street hotrods) had Halibrands. They were way too expensive for the average guy. My guess on the 'Ascot' tires were that they were dirt track tires, probably named after the famed Ascot Raceway in SoCal. It was a legendary dirt track.
Neal, thanks. Yes I guess the Halibrands seldom hit the streets in that era. But racing often sell old or hurted parts so it could happend. So that was topics here = history lession on ascot tires and 18”. I has not ’all’ Hot-Rod magazines, I has borrowed 3 books on early Hot-Rod magazines issues. All this speed parts is advertised there but if I see ex Halibrand wheels it was on salts and maybe later in the 50’s. But Hot-Rod magazines is not for Indy or salt racing, or ? -Market must been the new hot rod guys. Thats confusing. Sell parts but no one afford it or used it so why advertise ? I has said no on the 18” Ascots deal now but will sure keep my 16”, but I do has 4 and 5 inch Ford 40 steel wheels to. The Ascot is cool but dont fit my style as its showed be a dirt track tire no matter if some used it or not in asphalt rod -Still its set a trend on some cars now. As sdroadster said, no one like dublicate a ugly car. But I like the old speedparts so I try use them and go as much tradition as possible, but the general rake must ’talk to me’.
Hank, NeilinCA's comments really struck a cord with me. It seems like it's been months since you've been asking questions about very specific and, often, very expensive parts. Each time the answers have been yeah not really in the time period you are trying to recreate. If you want to build a car with every doo-dad and top shelf part then do it. That said, there are 100's of books with real photos from the time period you are trying to recreate that prove they did not use all those parts that on your shopping list. Is it likely that a few cars did use all that race stuff on the street and escaped the camera eye? It's possible, sure but highly unlikely though. Build this car as you wish. From the few picts you posted of the body, I think you have your hands full just getting that into shape. Stop worrying about the using all of the tippty top shelf parts and start to get this thing mocked up. The mock up will tell you the direction the car needs to go. I changed my roadster build a few times before it was finished. I'm sure you'll do the same in your build as well. Good luck on this project.
Recommended reading: https://bookscouter.com/publisher/don-montgomery https://www.amazon.com/Hop-Up-First-12-Issues/dp/0760310734 https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Rod-Magazine-First-Issues/dp/0760306389 https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Rod-Hist...4&refinements=p_27:Leroi+Smith&s=books&sr=1-8 https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Rods-1950s-Andy-Southard/dp/0760300550 https://www.amazon.com/American-Hot-Rod-Dean-Batchelor/dp/0879389826 https://www.amazon.com/Edelbrock-Made-U-S-Tom-Madigan/dp/0760322023 https://kustomrama.com/wiki/The_Birth_of_Hot_Rodding
banjorer, ( rest no need to read as its not about ascot tires or thread topics ) I’m in a process of learn me, and Hamb is a great source. In this thread I asked on ascot tires and 18” solids and the history ( as I explained ) -Why, I has a set of 16” solids with bias big&littles. How did I came over them, well on a mission to bought parts I saw them but until then I was totally into has the Ford steel wheels. But I got a new ’favorite’ 5W, the black Steadyfast coupe and that car has nice chop and rake and had this type of tires and 18” rear. I was not into change me on the wheels but then I got a call on Saturday on this solid kit with old tires. I has process the idea myself, and here at Hamb and to some friends. -What’s so odd/strange with that ? No one builds a car at 1-2 years and especially no one with NO insight in hot rodding more with a feeling one like the old way ( or think some cars appeal me that ‘look’ old ) In this thread now I told what parts this car/project has now, and it’s far from all parts I has ask about. ( and its free to answer me on question of parts ) I bought allot of parts I regret, some hard to find and expensive and some less expensive. The parts I has is most Henry and all speed parts is old ( and could been in a car build late 40’s or get into the 50’s ) To get this sorted out takes time and I can’t mock up before I has the parts I like to use. I can tell you on a story just get the 34 TQ tube.. You was into body. First I told = I can’t weld. I wanted a 3W when I started this idea a Friday evening January 2022 ( se picture of that car ) and that’s now 18 month ago. That picture leaved me to Larry Rollers 3W. I found a 3W body in LA ( se picture ) that spring but it was very expensive and freight in that time was hard get it out ( boats was stuck outside LA ) I was anyway going to get it and it had good stuff as 25 louvers hood etc etc but then it was told no floor, then I backed off. Ok, I bought a std frame etc here in Sweden and decided go to a 29 roadster instead and order a new Brookville body and was inline in production. Idea was old school or more pre-war. That summer of 2022 I saw a new body on a car meet and also a car with old body, and I had no feelings on the new body. One day I bought engine mounts from the guy who had built that roadster with the std Henry body. In his storage was a 32 5W body and I felt direct ’this body I would like to get’ but I never said anything. -Next time I saw him he said ; do you like to bought the 5W, and I said Yes and called the seller in USA that sold me the 29 roadster and I got the money back. But next out this guy chanced his idea.. so it took to December to finally get it to me and I could pay him. Then I found a body guy and he came to my shop spring 2023 and said ; get the car rolling and get it to me winter 23. I phoned him this late summer and now he said it was 2 years away. Anyway I find a new solution but its next year. I simply can’t do metal works and will not try either. This body has no rust and its decent and has a new floor but roof is ugly so it need a re-chop and a good craftsman. My next trip is soon to be as I looking for a V8 radiator and a hood and 25 louvers. This parts it’s not easy to find in Sweden or USA. I has std gas tank, firewall, dash, window garnish, sofa etc to body. Brakes and front and rear is decided as steering box, pedals, transmission, engine and related parts. I work in many corners and yesterday Abbott Instruments in Portland called me on the Wing gauge restoration, and its 1 year away so all things take time once decide what to do. But over to your 'critics' or worry. Thread was on ascot tires/history, and that is how I process this build up in tires or other parts. Hamb guys has REALLY helped me out. Hat off. I never meant to be 100% era correct ( 2 years ago I had never heard even the name... ) and I never said that. I has ask on history and parts and tricks this cars got to set up the ’style’ back then what -Yes I had some expensive parts, some is still there, some went sold - and maybe that has worry you ? I still guess you can’t understand me, but I did try explain, and maybe I do it all bad/wrong or backwards or just annoys people, if so I’m sorry.
you say you want to build this car in a way that would have been traditional for your average street driven hot rod yet all the parts you keep bringing up are mostly race car based. just because a part was available at the time and maybe somebody actually ran it on their street driven hot rod doesn't make it traditional to the scene or to the look you inspire to. and certainly using all these parts on one car as neal sarcastically brought up, never happened. it's almost like you're bringing up these questions to justify using them to build the car you have in your mind, some how hoping we will confirm your plans. Yeah, maybe one or two of all the parts you have been asking about made it to the streets, but as a whole, your average street driven hot rod in the 50's wouldn't have them and nobody built a car using all the parts you have been asking about. nobody. It's time to give up on the idea of building your car in the style of a 50's street driven hot rod and just build it the way you want to. the steadfast coupe is a recent build.
silent rick, No matter how I try to explain it don’t come out they way I’mean ( maybe a language issue ) If I ask on the historic aspects on a part and work they did back then, but that not mean I try later to ’justify’ it had happens. It don’t either mean I will has it done or bought that part. -Why is the big fuzz ask on speed equipment, I can’t get that. All I know Hot-Rod magazine advertises allot of this parts and the name on the magazine is Hot-Rod, not a ’race’ oriented magazine. So did some parts hit the streets, well maybe, maybe not. I’m avare this cars came out cheap after the war and it was ongoing tema on the pre-war cars, but in the early 50’s some years passed. So what is the difference on a weekend racer to a street driven car or a mix I’m my guess it was common. No matter it set a look or a style. Its a fact parts was made and advertised, but Ok say absolutly no so-call hot rod guys never used some of this speed parts made in late 40’s or early 50’s. Now to a contex. -I has Never said I was building a total era correct car ( and who is the judge to that deal 2023 ? ) Sure, I like try to use Henry based parts and work that was popular or some speed parts that I know from fact was made in that era. Do you mean no one had a Bell Auto steering wheel 1952 in a 32 5W. Has you read what my parts is on this car now ? Tell me what parts I use that are so way off, please. Why do you say ; build your Steadyfast car ? I will not build a car ex Steadyfast builded, he used a Chevy SB, 5-speed, boxed frame, new dropped 5” axle, monoleaf, new rearend, CNC steering wheel, new instruments/panel, new made parts all over. Nice car but not the car I try to build. What I said I like the chop and the ’rake’ of the car plus related to this thread was he used 18” tires. Then I asked on the history on this tires, and then it develop to mean I try to justefy all speed parts ever made was common 1949. -This is simply not correct ! I has in before threads said I will do some ideas from that car that might not was done back then. But who can judge all chopped 5W if some did it the way on the roof he did - can that be prove that it was never happend ? But after go over this I will not ’ask’ on old speed parts further on as no need get some guys sarcastic over my build or threads. But Hamb is a great source and I had allot of good help.
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