Projects Building My First Roadster in San Francisco

Some updating happening tonight during the usual time slot!

Amen to that! Whenever I see (heads-up) coins resting on the sidewalk, I pick them up to contribute to the project. Every cent counts! As far as the column goes, I'm looking for something that will flow nicely into the 1954 Hudson wheel. I will measure the bottom of it to see if I can figure out what parts are compatible.

That's such a great subject for a book report. Back in middle school I was FLW for the class' Wax Museum, complete with signature red tile and a T-square and pea coat that I borrowed from my dad. You are correct about the commercial building part!

 

As promised, we have a few fun updates. The biggest one is that we now have a driveshaft!
You can see how they cut out the solid section and replaced it with tubing. This is how they have been doing it for Vern Tardel for more than 30 years. I have yet to put all the pieces together, but it did end up being the exact length I asked for. Drive Line Services in Santa Rosa is the best.
Next, I scored a set of original anti-chatter rods here on the H.A.M.B. I'll need to clean up the threads, but overall they look good.

 

As I mentioned earlier, I went on an extremely fun (and wet) roadster adventure last weekend. I had originally planned to share the saga here, but I soon realized it would be the perfect fit for a Jalopy Journal feature article. For those who would like to read it, you can check it out here.

 

That's all for now; we'll have more later!

 

Hahah nothing but the truth!

That was super cool of them. When I got the box back, it was both shorter and heavier than it was when I sent it out. Now I know why haha

One of these days I'll get around to setting up my top!

 

Just hopped on really quickly to buy a couple of rear brake parts, all of which I'm very excited about.
In the spirit of @Six Ball's black and white shot, here's one from my Sunday trip to Ocean Beach taken by my friend Ryan of Music Junkie Press. The gentlemen in the hat next to the car is a member of the Juggers Racing Team. Below, you'll see the club's RPU from an early-'60s Oakland Roadster Show.

 

Last night, I swung by Lowe's and picked up a couple of scrapers. My task? Remove the old gasket from the bottom of the block. With the garage door open and an episode of "This American Life" playing, I got to work.

Glamorous, isn't it? The process was relaxing, and it felt good to check it off the list. Other than that, not too much is new. I have my fourth brake drum on its way, as well as a few other components. I should have more on that next week.

That's all for tonight. Thank you everyone for sticking with me!

 

Battery operated drill with a small wire wheel brush is easier on the hands and quicker.
Then again if you are in no hurry the scraper works just fine.....
Good job Kid.

 

I get that Joey was just chilling with a scraper.
I don't disagree with you..... in the past I make damn sure to spray/ wipe / blow everything clean.
That's all - I don't disagree with you.

 

Thanks, everyone! I used a wire wheel on the front when I did the water pumps, but I felt a scraper would be more effective and, as @Tim pointed out, better from a noise standpoint.

On Saturday, I wondered what it would be like to tow a boat.

On Sunday, I went to the Ocean Beach car show. It was a perfect day in the sun!

My friend Blue's new '64.

After the show, I grabbed a smoothie and walked the Great Highway.

San Francisco's old drag strip. @nickthebandit knows!

Then I walked the Avenues.

It's hard to beat the Sunset on a sunny day.

 

And now, for some big news—we have a fourth drum! A big thanks to @Dennis Lacy for digging it up and shipping it to me. I'll have all four turned and shoes arced in the coming month. This is major progress.

 

Way to go Kid.
It’s like a treasure hunt that’s makes life eventful.

 

Way to go Kid.
It’s like a treasure hunt that makes life eventful.

 

You hit the nail on the head, Cob!

Of course. It's a special feeling to be able to drive that stretch—in either direction—in an old car on on an old motorcycle.

Go man go!

 

Cob mentioned the treasure hunt aspect, and I'll tell you what: I'm hot on the trail. I just got a notification from eBay that some very special backing plates are en route and my brake shoe cores will be here Monday.

 

The backing plates! Perfect companions to the quickchange. When the weather gets nicer, they’ll get painted white and black.