O.K., Take a deep breath and pick your head up off the desk. Yes, Halibrands will set you back a downstroke on a small house these days for the real thing. I just turned down an offer of nearly 9,000.00 for my set of 16" no holes with Firestone dirts on them and couldn't believe I said "NO". But, there is a silver lining to this deal. The wheels you have been referring too as "Ansens" (a brand name) are actually a custom wheel known as "slot mags". At one time there was probably literally a hundred different manufacturers of slot mags on this planet, with Ansen them selves being pretty much the alpha. The terrible picture I am enclosing is a U.S. Indy slot mag, but instead of topping it with a cap, I had John Evans here on the board true up and drill some 1/4" plates that I cut out and polished called "pressure plates". Suffice to say I think pressure plates look a bit better than caps, otherwise I wouldn't have them on my "late model" ('71 Maverick). They mimic what race cars used with Halibrands to evenly tighten the wheels down. They look cool, they make a fairly common wheel look kinda exotic, and when the whole shebang is polished up they are quite presentable until you can afford a set of genuine Halibrands or what ever you have decided to like at the time. Between the pair of 15X8 U.S.Indys, the pressure plates for material and John's time to machine them, and a day of miserable sanding and polishing I have about 125.00 in the pair. No, they aren't Halibrands, but with a simple addition and hand work detail people don't recognize them as slot mags either. There is a way to do this stuff reasonably. Ya just gotta think. Please ignore the pissed off cat in the picture, she just wasn't into it that evening...
Thanks for posting those ANDEREGG. I always enjoy looking at traditional rides and I have had trouble finding all the thread. I couldnt agree more the info has been really good and educational on this history of Gene Chans car and really of the rods of that time. I raelly like Genes T and would love to build something with that stance and try to capture that feel of that time frame. I'm learning about these rides (mainly T's) and parts used back in the day. I love the 50s to 60s era look and I'm stuck in that time frame. I just went onto ebay looking for old Hot Rod and Rod & Custom mags from the 50s, 60s and into the 70s. Oh one other things. I dont know if you guys get Hot Rod from time to time or every month but there is a subscription slip on the inside with a Roadster that is the same color as Genes car. I saved that slip. Someone said Genes car was candy Burgundy. I wish we could find more pictures on the net but maybe Genes Brother will send me some in email. I do want to find out how Gene built the car at such a young age. I mean the level it looks in the picture would have been a lot of money to do at age sixteen. I think I just learned what I miss the most about the car magazines, the history of the car and its owner.
I like that plate, it does give it a different feel to the wheel. Wow 9k and you turned it down. I'm not sure I could have done that lol. What is the best way to make stacks onto of the carbs? I have seen guys using pip tubing. Is that what they did back in the day? Also on Genes car he has a rear bumper (kind of) did a lot of guys do this on T's? I have not noticed them until I saw Genes T and I think the only reason I saw it is because its plated or painted and it stands out. I kind of dig that. Oh and the cat isnt pissed off its just waiting for you to go back inside so it can finish washing the tire lol.
No problem.... .....And they started them when they were 13.....Just ask our uncle Ray. The way kids are focused nowadays on computer games thats the way we and our counterparts back in the day were focused on cars. The big difference is the hot rodders were also working in some fashion as teens and creating something that was real, not just imaginary....(climbing off that soap box) Hell I bought my first car (a complete '68 2dr Chevelle) when I was 14 for 25 bucks.
I agree kids today live in the I want it now and I don't want to work for it. My first car was a 1966 Mustang that I worked for on our farm. My dad and I got it ready to paint and he sprayed it candy apple red. I love the history to the cars as much as I do the cars. I don't think at sixteen I could have built a car even close to what Gene did. This is just one of those cars that sticks with me. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
The stacks on the carbs on Gene's car was a special top plate sold for the Stromberg 97 carb called a Scott top. To be honest with you, if your going to stick with the small block four barrel keep it simple thing, I don't think that I would go after the stacks kinda deal, and look instead for a cool old style scoop (Ivo scoop?) or a cool air cleaner instead. The stacks just won't translate to the four barrel that well. Start looking now for 97s, and pick them up when you see them and can afford them (I have three right now That I picked up at the ruins of an old gas station in Franklin, AZ. Between them I can make two usable 97s) Then when you have enough to put an induction system together, start looking for a manifold to take as many as you have or want. Unless you have unlimited money, this stuff gets done in baby steps. The rear bumper on this car isn't real common. I would make it out of something like 1 1/4" 1/8" tubing and keep it tight to the body. It's really not a bad idea to have that on a turtle deck type body 'cause they do hang out just a touch beyond the body. I'm broke enough that I shouldn't have ever turned that deal down! I didn't mean to throw dollars around like that, but I needed a reference for the value of some of the Halibrand stuff. Remember one of our first conversations on the other thread about networking to find deals and how to afford stuff? Those wheels came to me from a dear friend and mentor that has let me pay them off over the last couple of years. Otherwise there is no way I could ever afford to own a set of that particular type. Partially out of respect for him I turned the deal down. I figure he was wanting me to have them badly enough to help me as he did, I need to finish the car they are intended for and use them to show that respect.
You are a class act Chip, I dont care what they say about you.....and we all know you are loaded....LOLOL Btw, you mentioned your T pedigree on one of those threads, really great to learn that about you. There is some real "T"alent posting on this thread I do believe. ....think I may have to dig out one of my Big T models
Here is the "Big Drag" "T" a couple of us mentioned last night. It was a 1/8scale model kit made by Monogram models along with three or four other variations in the early sixties. The car that I posted construction photos of on the other page was scaled up from one of these kits.
No problem and that gave me sticker shock! Thats also cool that you will keep them and use them on your project. Yeah I like to make a rear bumper for the turtle deck. I saw something on a 1970 Superbird that had bumpers put on the front nose. I wouldnt mind something like that because it reminds me of something from the 20s or 30s. I will see if I can find a picture of that car. What do you think on the front? Would something like that just kill the car? I'm also wondering what kind of grill shells I can go with. I have seen a couple that I really like from watching youtube movies of old hot rod movies but have no clue in the year. I would say 30s but really not sure. Looking at the picture below I think I need to get me a Big T model lol. How did you scale it up? I like that model it looks really good. I like those wheels and that is kind of one of the looks I wouldnt mind going for with the torque thrust wheels and white walls. That just speaks 60s to me.
I wouldn't do the bumper on the front, just a very subtle one on the back. Front nerfs or bumpers seldom work on a 'bucket, they just end up looking like too much stuff hanging out there. As far as grill shells go, a "T" shell is what is traditional. Some guys back in the seventies used an early "T" radiator that was brass, but that isn't really applicable here. The other popular grill for these is a '32 Ford or Deuce grill shell cut down a bunch. You certainly can use others, but most of the time they don't look "right". The model has been reissued by Monogram in the last ten years or so, so it might be in the hobby shops still. It is sold under the street version name of "The Big "T". It might be worth your time to grab a kit and put it together. the way it all fits is exactly like how your full sized car will go together. To scale it up from the kit, I took an assembled original kit from the early sixties carefully apart and using an architects 1/8" to the foot scale measured it all and translated it to full scale dimensions. It really was pretty easy to do.
I think what I keep seeing is the 32 Ford grill. I like the looks of it if that is the one I'm seeing it seems to fill out the front not making it look flat. I will see if I can find The Big T model kit. I will also figure out scaling up the kit. I suck at math but I'm sure someone can help me lol. My uncle is really good at math. Also on the front bumper I get it. I wasn't sure how that would look. I really can't wait to get to building! Hey Louvers have you ever made a full turtle deck?
Believe it or not, the '32 rad shell is narrower than the Model T rad shell. A 'T' radiator will not fit inside a shortened Deuce shell.
What radiator will fit into it? I think I have read a mustang radiator will work. Also I like the pick of your bucket. Do you have links to pics of it?
...Im tellin ya, a '53-'56 F-100 hood, cut up into bits will look just like that turtle deck...I can see it Hell if a guy can build a '32 shell out of a '53 GMC grill surround (yup its posted up here somewhere) why not? PS, yup early Mustang radiator slips right into a Deuce or similar shell. (although mine is a 33-34 Pick-up)
I need to look at your pics again. Do you have good shots of the front? I think the one on Genes car is a standard T shell. I need to look at it again. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Does anybody know more about the early Turtle decks. I made molds off an original Henry steel TD my TD looks the same as his but my lid looks different than Chans. Mine is kinda plain with a bead edge . Chans does not look like a stock lid with louvers but a custom 1 off peice that was hinged and latched with custom or aftermaket hardware. Kinda like he went to a metal-fab shop and had something made up.
Again I can't stress swaps enough. Friend of mine just bought an unused fiberglass T body with turtle deck at a swap for a couple hundred dollars. T bucket stuff is plentiful at swaps and they are a great learning tool. You can't be around the stuff without learning a lot. Shit I'm almost 70 and I still learn something at every swap I go to. Just google auto swaps in your area. Some inspiration.
283's are cool. I have one. Here it is with 2 different intakes, a Fenton 3x2 and an Offenhauser 6x2. Put a cool one together and sell it one day to finance the hemi. I would pick a good looking rear axle though. Whoever said it will be on display out back is right, will stick out like a sore thumb. I know it's your first build and the S10 rear would be an easy solution but you can't take easy street the whole build, lol. How about an early bronco 9"? Would handle the hemi power too. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
They were made in the 60's. Basically delete's everything on the upper body of the carb. If you can find originals they'll be $$$$$$. Vintage speed makes a repop without the logo but it's always a roll of the dice with that guy. This is an earlier re pop: Pretty sure these are repops too:
Tell me is the grill a 32? I think I may have found one in my area. I found a guy opening up a Speed Shop of vintage hot rod parts that he has collected over the years. Love all the buckets in the pics!
What year bronco are you talking about? Did the 80s Bronco IIs use 9"? I really like the way those look. I will keep my eye open for stuff. I will also see what the local guy is putting up for sale on his Speed Shop business. I think he is a retired guy and just selling hi collection.
Yes it is a 32 Ford grill. You'll need a really cut down one so you might get a deal at a swap as I did way back when. Lots os fiberglass ones around too. They have been making them for years.
When you chop one do you want it to set just a tad under the height of the firewall? I see the glass ones and I'm sure that is the route I will go unless I get a smoking deal on an original. Im watching two auction on ebay for Headlights that I like. I'm not sure if I should stick with the original T headlights or try to find something different. I really want a set of tear drop lights.
If you are going for an eighties t bucket look, the stock T headlights are perfect. If you are going for an early sixties t bucket look, 7" headlights are the absolute biggest you should run., and I would lean towards 6".
Thanks falcongeorge I will keep that in mind in my search. I like the stock T bucket lights I just kind of have this vision of a tear drop type of light. Now I got another question with headlights is it hard to find the lights themself? If I find one cracked or broken glass.
"I will see if I can find The Big T model kit. I will also figure out scaling up the kit. I suck at math but I'm sure someone can help me lol. My uncle is really good at math." I have one of the first 3 in 1 Big T kits issued in fall of 2006. Opened box, looked at a few parts and put lid back on. Been in closet since. If your interested in it, send me a PM. Earl
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