I haven't posted much about my hot rod project because frankly I didn't feel I had a whole lot to show. But I guess these things tend to change when you slog away at them for a while. So here's what I'm working on. After I hacked up a bunch of almost-there Photochop jobs, our own Jeem helped me out with a concept drawing that I hope to do justice to in the real, greasy world. In the spirit of adjusting for my skill level, think of the '32 roadster pickup that Doane Spencer's less talented second cousin might have built and you'll be in the ballpark: Meanwhile, I've built the chassis to the point of being a very heavy, quasi-functional skateboard: Did I mention it's going to be propane powered? The Great Gordini is going to help me with the body modifications, which include hacking the top off a '32 Ford closed cab pickup, channeling it one subtle, yet****y inch, narrowing the rear to fit the contour of the '32 frame, and rolling the post-chop edges so they don't look like a high school shop project. I expect to be the world's foremost authority on grinding welds once we're finished. In keeping with my signature, it will of course be painted gloss black, run a small block Ford 289 for power, and the gears will be ground lovingly with a manual five-speed transmission... Anyway, if you'd like to be exposed to more of my personal mental illness, go here: http://www.zonk.com/hotrod.htm
um... dude, that's sweet. and propane... nice. ive got most of a propane setup, but havent had the cajones to put it on anything. That, and ive not been around any high performance propane powered vehicles... just the bad 80's conversions. i understand you can get some serious power out of it, though... and cleanly... what kinda milage? BTW, checked out your site... the house is niiiice.
Ol' 55 - The mileage isn't as good as gasoline, but propane is cheaper by the gallon so it pretty much ends up being a wash. The HiPo propane stuff isn't that common, but it is out there. Ak Miller did a lot of racing with propane and lots of guys in Australia and England are exploring propane performance engine setups due to the high gasoline prices there... Barnett - Jeem rocks!
Roadster pickups are soo cool. I plan to build one in the near future. I just might have to commision JEEM to do a concept ffor me too. His work is second to none. I have been concidering the new steel 32cab from brookville. I really like the long box look though(stock length) most people shorten the box. But this summer at bonniville I saw an origanal RPU and I knew that was the look I wanted. Good luck with your project and DEFENATLY keep us posted.
[ QUOTE ] The HiPo propane stuff isn't that common, but it is out there. Ak Miller did a lot of racing with propane and lots of guys in Australia and England are exploring propane performance engine setups due to the high gasoline prices there... [ QUOTE ] Budd "The Kat From AMT" Anderson once told me a story about he & Ak Miller riding around the freeway in a hopped up propane powered Pinto dusting off kids in their rice burners....... He said it was a riot....two old farts having a blast!!
Your going in the right direction... Can't wait to see it finished.. Anything close to the concept will be really cool
Thanks guys, I'm psyched about this project! Roadstar - You probably already know this, but the real '32 roadster pickup cabs--only 600 were made--look very different than either a******** closed cab or the new Brookville cab, which is based on their '32 roadster cowl and doors. (The Brookville is cool, but I can't believe they're charging $3K more for it than they do for a complete model A roadster body! Yikes.) Slazzen - I've never been there... Got any pics of that RPU? Luke - Hey, email your floating home questions to <font color="green">wayne at zonk dot com</font> and I'll do my best to answer them.
Roadstar - BTW, if it helps I've collected a few photos of an original '32 RPU. I didn't take these pics, but the car must be somewhat local because I saw it in person at both Pleasanton & Billetproof this year...
Thats funny, I have all those same pics saved. yea I know all about the differences. And that truck pictured has all the correct pieces in exellent shape. DRD57 knows the guy and told me his name but I can't remember it right now. There's a guy here in town with a perfectly restored one and he was the first to tell me the productions figures and show me all the differences. This one was in bonniville but I kinda think its the same truck with different color wheels.
That original '32 RPU belongs to Jim Stroupe from San Rafael. Jim's better identified with with his Brizio-built metallic blue '27 roadster on Deuce rails (10 years old) and his Alfa-Romeo twin-cam powered '29 lakes modified (five years ago). Nice concept and project, Zonk. I'd expect this to be a hot rod that will receive a lot of well-deserved attention and recognitioin when it's finished, although I'm guessing that you're doing it for your own joy and amazement! Keep chipping away.
Thanks! The goal is to build a good-looking, reliable driver, know more at the end of the process, then drive the snot out of the poor thing!
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