Hi folks! I have been reading the H.A.M.B. for a while and decided to join the fray. Mostly because I am seeking an opinion about a hand built car project I have been tinkering with off and on for several years. I call it "Spare Parts" 'cause that's what it consists of for the most part. Stuff I had left over from other car projects. Try not to let the description throw you, I'll post images so you can see the end results so far. The ch***is is 2x3 tubing, the floor, trans tunnel, firewall and fuel tank are 12ga boiler plate, the suspension and steering are Chevette, the rear axle and front brakes are S-10 PU, the wheels are 80 Camaro Rallys with 185/60 tires, the fenders (front and rear) are from a '55 Stude pickup, the radiator shell is an old wheel barrow tub, the trunk lid is a section of roof panel from a 47 Nash coupe. The rest of the body panels are hand formed from 22ga sheet metal. The first engine I used was a Chevette 1600cc OHC 4 banger set up with a brace of 30mm Mikuni bike carbs on a hand built intake and hand built headers. I have since swapped that out for a '37 Ford V8-60 coupled to the Chevette 5spd OD trans. I have had the car together enough to test drive on the 1/4mi of dead end street in front of my shop (no lights, no gl***, no reg) It's not a race car but it's fun to drive, rides and handles well and sounds Great! The headers are 1 1/4" schedule 40 stainless primary tubes dumping into 48" long 3" dia side pipes. At first I figured I could get away with open pipes. The V8-60 is only 135 c.i.d. and the static compression is 6.5:1- how loud could it be? The first time I fired it I found out! A conversation next to the car when it was running was impossible. I have since added a pair of Harley sportster muffs in the side pipes to tone it down a bit. I'm using a Stromburg 93-E carb which is jetted a tad rich and when I get the engine warmed up it throws flames when down shifting as well. It's Fun! Anyway, here's my dilemma. The car still needs a LOT of work to be considered "done" and it's such a Mutt that it doesn't really fit in any particular category of styling. I was just trying to scratch build a car using as much of what I had available and for the least amount of money. (I have less than $3000 invested) So-wadda ya think? Is it worth finishing or should l I just get a Speedway 27 T Track Roadster kit and drop the flattie and 5spd in it? Pics follow.
I'll give $3,000.00 for your project so you'll have a down payment on the "T". Keep going with what you have. T buckets are a dime a dozen. Yours is unique. Good luck and welcome from Michigan.
The Jalopy Journal
