Not withstanding the stupidity of "American Choppers," unusual sources for rod and custom parts can be kinda cool. I've been thinking about a few -- Aircraft jump seats and belly tanks have been a staple of hotrodding forever. Why stop there? It'd be great to see somebody use aircraft yokes, instruments, etc. in a build. For a kemp, how 'bout this Lockheed Electra yoke? Tractors are another great source of cool parts -- and cheap, too. One of my favorites: the Oliver 60 grille shell... And how about vintage firetruck parts? Cheap, and always well-maintained. Check out the headlight buckets on this '40's Mack engine... Got any other unusual scavenging ideas? Post 'em here.
that steering wheel is great! is that yours? I agree the idea of a couple parts from other sources is cool as long as it doesn't get out of hand. Boats parts work too. I know I got my seat swivels from a boat place and someone else on here posted not long ago with boat steering wheel that was pretty slick.
I got a 3-3/8" 4 gauge cluster gauge from Auto Avionics as my dash space is limited. Came with external mounting ears. Steering shaft is racing stuff and if you add a door*****on contact behind the removeable wheel and run a wire down the hollow shaft and out where it's soldered to a copper pipe separated from the shaft by a PVC bushing, and add another door*****on contact ( I forget what they're called, but the contacts you use so you don't have to run wires through the jamb) you can have a horn with removeable wheel. It's great to put together odds and ends.
chrome sink drains from home depot make great radiator hoses! And the white ceramic drawer knobs are great on the dash. Headlight switch and all
more air plane parts.. 43 ranger oil tank i plan on using as Moon type tank on 40's style A. kind'a a moon tank before moon.
Scrapped industrial equipment always has lots of good handles, cranks wheels etc. I've found lots of good vintage looking stuff on old printing equipment that can be used - knobs, handles stainless hardware etc. Also , old film processors have tons of great stainless rollers and hardware that can be made into anything with some imagination. A buddy of mine used parts from an old kitchen range for dash decor and I've seen old refridgerators handles used too. That Lockheed steering wheel is the coolest! wouldn't that be hot in a 60's bubbletop - either the Ed Roth type or even a 60's GM bubbletop kustom.
Wonderful post topic! Idea's galore. Star's are earned with this stuff. That steering wheel would look killer in one of the sliced/diced rat rod's.
A lot of 60s show cars DID have cut-down steering wheels that looked like airplane yokes (i.e. cut off the top 1/4 of the wheel. It looks awesome, but the problem is that a car steering wheel has to rotate 3-5 times stop to stop, and spinning a wheel that isn't a wheel is highly annoying and dangerous. Get the "handle" end caught on your jacket sleeve and watch the resulting fun. In any case, it looks cool.
I actually find cool stuff in old buildings I use an old "waste" knob for a shifter, and various other cool little acesories for my dash..
This is a good topic, It makes you think about the common things you see every day, that aren't necessarily automotive related. I'm from a farming background and I see endless possibilities for grilles on farm and industrial equipment. I learned how to drive on an Oliver 70 tractor and have always thought the grille off one would make a great roadster nose. I bought one a couple of years back for a modifed project I'm collecting parts for and can't wait to use it. Frank
this radiator is from an old Ford tractor. he had it recored and had the outlets moved and told them to leave it UNpainted to match the natural patina of the car...
a few more tricks from the same car... old shift knob hooked to a rod and run down through the floor for a starter*****on, replacing the floor mounted starter*****on. see the little loop on the end of the wire at the lower right side of the dash? that runs straight through to the dual carbs and hooks to the chokes. works PERFECT. for you patina freaks, use old barn wood for the floor of your jalopy!! GREAT POST. Zgears, LOVE the Ranger tank for a gas tank, TOO friggin cool!!
[ QUOTE ] I love that roadster!!!! [/ QUOTE ] then go here for the rest of the story... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=441955&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=14&fpart=1
you'll just LOVE this one... half an old CAKE PAN for a firewall recess!! scew it in like this or weld it in a grind it down and no one will ever be the wiser ...
A wheel barrow tub makes a great firewall recess and a water*****ket knob is a great accelerator pedal pad as well. I've used several John Deere gas tanks (the ones that run horizontally over the motor and say John Deere on the sides). I think everybody knows to use old speedboat seats too.
I have a 30s Minniapolis-Moline radiator shell for my mod. Tractor seat pans would look kinda cool in a roadster, too. Old British cars, especially the big sedans, have alot of appropriatly styled and sized seats, steering wheels and what not. Oh, that is automotive. Motorcycle rear brake and shift levers would make real good looking gas pedals.
Steal a Tablespoon from the silverware drawer and weld it to a 1/4' stainless rod for an accelerator pedal/just push straight towards the carb! A friend I know ,built his modifieds grille from the stainless bars out of the bottom of an old supermarket display case. tractors and trailer supply places are a gold mine as are farm supplies stores,take a tour thru one sometime. also Flea MARKETS ARE A FINAL RESTING PLACE FOR MANY ARTIFACST OF AUTOMOBILIA.-mOST OF THE FOLKS THAT ARE SELLING THAT STUFF GOT IT FOR FREE AND DONT EVEN KNOW WHAT THE HELL MOST OF EM ARE!
I have used aircraft pop out resetable circuit brakers instead of fuses in my modified i have a small panel with them on . A friend who builds looms for Paris dakar rally car says they use them and dont have switches you just push them in to turn the curciut on and pull them out to turn it off never stuck for a blown fuse just push into reset if you havnt found the problem they will just pop out I also have a spitfire aircraft boost guage , and parts of my gearchange linkage are from a Benetton Formula one car steering ,,, it's amazing what you can find in the junk box UKAde
My reading for unusual parts ideas, fasteners from other planets, etc.: Aircraft Spruce and other aircraft catalogs Industrial supply catalogs Small Parts Inc. catalog Boat catalogs Carroll Smith's book on racecar hardware,****le something like "Nuts, bolts, and plumbing" Catalogs from any technogeek hobby are always full of new ideas. Anything aircraft is likely to be interesting.
Used restaurant equipment suppliers are a great source for cheap stainless tables, racks, lockers and cabinets for the garage. Ditto for medical/dental supply and hospitals... weird and cool gauges and stuff too. That steering wheel is damn cool.
The Jalopy Journal
