Suedes Car Club
General => Project Reports => Topic started by: pinstriper40 on October 04, 2007 12:21 am
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Well, I just got it home this weekend, and with the help of Mr. Eyeball, we got it off of the trailer and into the shop. plans include a 3" chop if I still fit after the 3" channel. It'll have an early flathead with aluminum stuff on it eventually. 3 speed toploader trans, banjo rear. I've got a '37 I beam and wishbone that will be split soon, and am looking for front brakes.... :wink: the frame will be z'd 5" in the rear and pie cut up front via mad fab. vol. 4. Possible cowl steering, '40 column and wheel, sun 5000 RPM tach, and I don't know what for a guage panel yet. I've got a '37 harley "skull" gauge pod I might use. Check out the wanteds for my shopping list!
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Don't do the channel than you CAN do the chop.
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I'll side with Tom. Don't channel it. I used to put a lot of miles on the "Jakester" (It was channeled 4".) and it got real old resting your chin on your knees. And I think you have some pretty long legs! I could only go about an hour and a half and have to stop and walk around a while to loosen up. I'd never channel another "A". My 2 cents.
Jake
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since it does have a floor in it, it makes sense not to channel it i guess. I'll still have to take the floor in the back out to get the rearend up in there. You're right jake, just with a chop my head and legs will be pissed at me enough. It would be nice to be able to drive it!
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Looks like you are easily being swayed to not channel, it will totally change the look if you dont channel. How you sit in it will depend on how you put your seat in it and you might be on the floor, but it will still be the look you are after (channeled and chopped)
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I agree 31Rodder, but he was saying if he channels he might not chop, and that remindes me of the monkey, football thing. If he can do both.....great.....but if he can only do one I vote for the CHOP!!!
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Striper...you should build it how you want. I was just relaying my experience. If you have a nice subframe and want to "feel" the channeled effect, a quick raised floor can be made from some scrap 2x4s and plywood and set on top of your subframe to see how it feels. In a coupe you have room to move the seat rearward farther than a rpu. I always wished I had stretched the body another 3 inches, but it would have changed the "look" I was after.....just like your original thought. We're always after "the look" and sometimes suffer in the "feel".
By the way...is that a special coupe?
Jake
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Looks like you are easily being swayed to not channel, it will totally change the look if you dont channel. How you sit in it will depend on how you put your seat in it and you might be on the floor, but it will still be the look you are after (channeled and chopped)
Todd Jake and I have the perfect "A" seat. 85-7 Dodge colt Vista van very back rear seat (38 in wide). I have mine on modified 80 suburban seat tracks for the front ot back adjustment. The seat backs recline by "clicks" at different angles or lay down on the cushion ( in case you want to haul 2x4's sticking out thru the deck lid). I have mine all the way to the back window (take out the stock package shelf), car is channelled 4 1/2 in front about 4in rear and chopped 3 in (that's the LOOK I was after). My 6'3" son whines about it being cramped, at 5' 10" I'm good. You'll need a "traffic light viewer". Hey--it's a little car not a Cadillac. My legroom is OK, column shift helps for room, cowl steering would help, too.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/overspray/100_0667.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/overspray/100_0666.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/overspray/100_0665.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/overspray/100_0664.jpg)
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Yes, that was a nice seat. Thanks to Reed for hooking me up with one. Unfortunately I had it stored in the attic right above my shop furnace that malfunctioned two years ago. What was left of it is now buried at the land fill.
It was a good seat for an "A" or similar sized car. Could easily be trimmed in many ways. I liked that each backrest was adjustable.
Reed....Johnson's have any more of them?
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if your son was complaining about leg room at 6' 3'', and I'm 6'5''ish, then I don't know..I'll have to just see what I've got for room and what I can handle, as well as what's (relatively) safe. I might just have to have a jockey shifter so I don't have to worry about my legs. :(
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Yes, that was a nice seat. Thanks to Reed for hooking me up with one. Unfortunately I had it stored in the attic right above my shop furnace that malfunctioned two years ago. What was left of it is now buried at the land fill.
It was a good seat for an "A" or similar sized car. Could easily be trimmed in many ways. I liked that each backrest was adjustable.
Reed....Johnson's have any more of them?
Not yet. I'll keep an eye out.
How about that yard in west Fargo?
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Jake- I don't know, is it a special coupe? I got it from my uncle for graduation, so that's special. How can you tell? I am definetely planning on cowl steering, and a floor shifter. Where to get a decklid skin? RacerJ and I need decklids, and this one needs a bare metal louvered one.
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if your son was complaining about leg room at 6' 3'', and I'm 6'5''ish, then I don't know..I'll have to just see what I've got for room and what I can handle, as well as what's (relatively) safe. I might just have to have a jockey shifter so I don't have to worry about my legs. :(
I guess you never sat in or drove an old Corvette--or Tom's Track T. I know for a fact that GM spent big bucks engineering the Vettes to fit a wide variety of body sizes and they have less room than a chopped and channelled A coupe. Tom is not a little person, either.
Well there's a couple ways to measure. How long from your ass to your head or your ass to your feet? Do like Jake said and mock up a seat (way back) and check it at different heights. Try on Todd's or my coupe for size. Channel 3 in in front and 2 1/2 in back. Chop 2/1/2 and call it 3in. (The gospel according to Dave Boardman) Model A's and T's are so easy to channel. Build ass buckets or cutouts in the seat cushion to lower your butt for headroom. Smaller diameter steering wheel and short column. I spent a lot of time figuring and sizing up my coupe to fit more than just me. My kids whine, but they can drive it and enjoy it. The smiles on their faces tell me it still fits a 6' 3" person. I think my model A is the roughest riding car i've owned (that's called complaining), but I've never had as much fun with another car. Soooo- Last resort--cut your feet off.
A lot of planning will get you where you want. If not sell the SOB and buy a coupe de ville.
There's lot's of possibilities.
I'll check with Elvis and see if he has anything else to add.
overspray
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I actually have a coupe deville I will trade you for....................just let me know
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This is a fun topic.....I guess it's because there are so many "A" lovers on here. That's great.
As far as I know Ford made A's in three coupe bodies...
1. Regular 5 window all steel except for the area above your head like Todd's.
2. Sport/Business coupes are the same except Sport has landau bars and the Business has little oval quarter windows. They both are like the Cabriolet except the doors are solid, tops don't go down, and unlike the cabrio. they have visors. Mine is a Sport coupe.
3. Special Coupe (some call it a leatherback)....basically like the 5 window
except the entire roof is covered with the old Cobra grained oil cloth. That area between the quarter glass areas on yours was all wood. I only learned this about five or so years ago when I put a Lebaron Bonney top on one. If that belt moulding around the bottom roof area is removable, that is what it is...A Special Coupe.
Here's a bunch of really good start to finish pictures of a restored one...
scroll down to the lower part of the page.
http://www.170amodela.com/RonandBettyAasen/1929SPECIALCOUPE.htm
Here's a place that has the wood....I think that main rear pc. with the back glass opening is the last one that is $92.
http://www.fordwood.com/spec1928-29twk.htm
I'm not really sure if they are any more collectable than a regular 5 window or not. I know I have only seen one and I've looked at a lot of A's (cars too).
You know if you just wait and build this thing when you get old....you'll probably have shrunk a couple inches or so.....
Later....Jake
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Sat in TOms Mod? Hell i cant even get my FEET in that damn car....
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Here's the Sport coupe and Business Coupe:
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I drove oversprays coupe and I am 6'3" 240lbs and it was tight, but it works. I won't channel my coupe because it was just a little to cramped for me. Thanks again reed.
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Here's the regular coupe on the left and Special Coupe on the right:
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Coups are cool........and if they are chopped they are even cooler. :D
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I also drove Reeds car, the only issue I had was the column shift. In reverse and second it was fine, 1st and 3rd I hit my knee.
Build it so it works for you. It's like when you have a rock in you shoe, the 1st couple of steps it's not so bad but after a mile it hurts like hell.( I don't know why you walk a mile before you would stop ant take it out :roll: ) I have driven my A roadster over 800 miles in a day, my T is good for about 150 miles and that's with a break!! But I only had so much room to work with in the T and I knew it would never be a long distance cruiser.
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This modle A stuff sounds like a pain in the ass for you Joel.......the offer still stands for the Coupe Deville trade. :)
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I also drove Reeds car, the only issue I had was the column shift. In reverse and second it was fine, 1st and 3rd I hit my knee.
Build it so it works for you. It's like when you have a rock in you shoe, the 1st couple of steps it's not so bad but after a mile it hurts like hell.( I don't know why you walk a mile before you would stop ant take it out :roll: ) I have driven my A roadster over 800 miles in a day, my T is good for about 150 miles and that's with a break!! But I only had so much room to work with in the T and I knew it would never be a long distance cruiser.
Yup! And be realistic with yourself. How many looooong cruises are you going to take with a pre 40's engine trans and rear that was designed for about 45-50 MPH at cruisin' speed. Most of the bikers I know take a break about every 100 miles, same for hotrods.
The column shift lets me lean my right leg over to the passenger side (Tom was just bashfull of touching my knee) and I lean my left leg against the drivers door. Keeping your knees straight up for a long time is very tiring.
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no go on the coupe deville- thanks for the clarification on what's a special coupe and what isn't...I'l decide if it's special or not next week. soo to have pics of pie-cut and z'd frame...is $175 a good deal for a pair of 42-48 lincoln brakes? (front) and 125 for square spindles??? i need brakes soon!
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whd do the brakes come with good shoes and wc's and hard ware or drums. if not and youe set on the lincons the wilson welding ones are cheeper than peiceing a set together. and i think the spindles are a little high but thats just me
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I"m going to research my options tonight and find out what I'll need- if I can get a set of '40 ford brakes for 150-200 and then rebuild them that'd be the way to go...It's either brakes or the pileup.........
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I've got F-1 brakes that I got for free, so I'm going to use those, just have to pick them up this weekend. I pie-cut the frame tonite in the front and the front end is lowered about 4" so far. I might give it one more cut. I have yet to z the frame- this weekend probably. I still need rear wheels and tires- been looking on the hamb but haven't found anything yet. pics coming next week of the frame!!!
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I thought the pie cuts eliminated the need to z the frame?
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I"m going to research my options tonight and find out what I'll need- if I can get a set of '40 ford brakes for 150-200 and then rebuild them that'd be the way to go...It's either brakes or the pileup.........
since you got f1 brakes for free, you must be going to the pileup.
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They do in the front, but to get the back lower you z that. The bottom edge of the body will be down about 8" with the channel.
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RacerJ, Brian and I got the A chopped this weekend. look for pics later today.
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RacerJ, Brian and I got the A chopped this weekend. look for pics later today.
Hey that's great, but what about the 4d?? You got 2 projects going??
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Here's an update on the A. The '40 will be done for Devil's Run next year. At least I'll drive it there on it's own power; it might not actually be done though. Anyways, here are some pics!
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Update! I picked up a set of F-1 front brakes this weekend, and got an F-1 steering column, as well as 2 16x4.5" rims and a 16x5". hopefully my front end will get set up in the next couple of weeks. After midterms I'll be busy in the shop again.
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I got a 10 gallon moon tank for it, and fixed that goofy hole above the rear window. Next shop weekend I have I'll be able to start setting the frame up a little better. There's a reason RacerJ's around!
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I got the doors chopped and straightened out; now I have to make them work! RacerJ and I both got decklid skins, which will most likely be louvered... I'll put pics up when real progress takes place!
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http://66.154.44.164/forum/showthread.php?t=234731
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Thanks Russian- that'll come in handy!
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I know I didn't wake up early enough to swing by there before work on Monday or Tuesday but I figured you'd have some update for the site?
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As it happens, mr. antibling, we've been busy as santas elves this fine friday evening/saturday morning. Pinstriper's coupe went from hulk of sheetmetal to official mockup. After seeing the car in real life as opposed to dreaming about it for the last 3 years, he liked it higher in the air (less dumpy). Our present contemplations include whether to hack off the frame horns or pie cut the front of the frame more than present for axle/frame clearance. The rear will take care of itself later.
sasquatch lives!
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livin' the american dream. Can you find the hidden message?
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Lookin good! Some nice cars are coming out of Fargo....thanx to the Suedes and whipper-snappers like you both!
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livin' the american dream. Can you find the hidden message?
yea, the American dream kicks ass.
Hidden message.......hmmmmmmm.......you allow under age drinking in the shop? :)
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livin' the american dream. Can you find the hidden message?
the best i can tell you are naming the car THE EH?
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I caught Pinstriper in the middle of a secret suspension setup. He seems confused. Please help him.
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livin' the american dream. Can you find the hidden message?
the best i can tell you are naming the car THE EH?
Tits, eh?
Tits could either be an adjective or an interjection in this case. Eh could be slang for Model A, or we could just be canadians disguised as norweigians.
I'll go work on my car now, I promise.
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I did not authorize the secret suspension...that was racer's genius at play. Having a computer in the shop can be embarrassing....
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RacerJ seems to think I need to hack off my front frame horns....I suggested c-notching them but he thinks it's a cop-out. any suggestions?
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All I can say is I envy your youth....... being able to work into the weeeee hours of the morning. Course your minds might be a little warped at 3am, but you sure are havin' fun.
Keep up the good times.
:)
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Looks tits. Give me a call some Sunday you're working I'll head over there and scope things out.
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today's sunday....
RacerJ and I decided after much debating that we don't need to hack the front frame horns, but a small c notch may be necessary. we put his extra rearend under it, and with the wider rear tires, it doesn't look rigoofy (at least not to me...) before we z the frame in the rear, however, I must conjure up a set of rear bones with my new Hogwarts book of spells that Hermione left over here last night, a pair of shackles, and two wishbone spring mounts. EXPECTO PARTSNOW-O. Shit. That didn't work. Next, I'll need to make wishbone brackets that will be welded to the axle under the subrails. the bones will go to the outside of the frame, and will come within a foot/ foot and a half of the front 'bones, (depending on where my torque tube ends up...) Soooo....to make a long story short, I need to buy some rear 'bones, some front tires, a couple bungs (or tie rod ends...whatever you want to call them...) and four 'bone to shackle mounts; by the way, Voldemort Dies and Harry is victorious!
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for the record, I am always against hacking frame horns off. Pinstripers smokin hocus pocus dust or something. They're the most beautiful part of an "A" frame. and yes C-notches are band-aids for most frames.
The car looks mean! It's coming along well Joel. We'll be glad that we waited to build the rear Z until you have all the suspension components in hand.
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Hmmmm...I don't know where to get hocus pocus dust...Those Fargo South kids would probably have some...
Thanks Pete!
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I'm on the speedway site...which ones do I need to mount the spring to wishbone??
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/p/6970,323_Plain-Spring-Pivots.html ?
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You can use the straight ones that speedway sells but I have always used the ones with the angle built in. I used 5 degree ones on the roadster and 7 degree ones on the A. I don't remember where I got the 7's but SKO may know. Best bet is to mock it up and measure what the angle is,
http://www.tperformance.com/street_rod_store/front_suspension/spring_mounts/
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FWIW if you use the straight ones you will need to drill the hole for the bung in the wishbone at an angle.
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straight mii how sweet and nice wheels and tires. dose the hiden message have any thing to do with the cammaro hood?
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i got tci ones from gangle
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straight mii how sweet and nice wheels and tires. dose the hiden message have any thing to do with the cammaro hood?
Chevelle hood :wink:
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Well, I think this counts....just figured I better keep practicing...I'll have to go over the white in some spots..didn't really let the blue dry...whoops!
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I got my front spring ordered today along with flat top spring perches, a head gasket set and and a water temp sending unit for the '40. Next week I'll start getting my front and rear ends set up. I also got an aluminum timing cover for the '40, and a harley light/ignition/accessory switch to put in my gauge panel for the A. It's excitement city!
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I got my tie rods welded into the ends of my front and rear 'bones and my visor where I want it I think....pics up soon!
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Did you ever get your front spring figured out?
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I think so...I forgot my 7/8" ID tubing in fergus this weekend though...so that'll be another week or so before I make the mounts for both front and rear springs...I started making my mounts for my rear 'bones too...once I find my camera cable I'll put up some pics...for now you'll just have to use your imagination!
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How did you know how long to cut the rear bones? There is no engine/trans to measure off of? Any thing other than perfect length will cause binding, won't it?
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I measured my flatty in the '40, and I figure I'm within an inch/ inch and a half.
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I know it's been awhile since I've added pics on here... but I figured with the garage tour and birthday party, most of you had seen what's been going on anyway. Today I have an update though, as I think this is important enough for pictures and/or excitement.
I guess you can call this progress! I've got a Holy Visor and I chopped the back window moulding 3"...
I also got a decklid- real Henry steel that it's quite as nice as Pete's- at least not on that pesky bottom edge. The front is as solid as Rosie O' Donnell. Take a look!
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where did you find the decklids, i thought they were tough to come by. I better go to the shed to see if mine are still there...
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where did you find the decklids, i thought they were tough to come by. I better go to the shed to see if mine are still there...
They will be...I got these from a decklid tree.
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. The front is as solid as Rosie O' Donnell. Take a look!
:lol:
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Quote - "I got these from a decklid tree."
Know where there's a 30/31 "Visor Tree"? (No holes)
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No...I haven't found one of those yet. There's probably one out there though, and maybe even nearby.
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. The front is as solid as Rosie O' Donnell. Take a look!
:lol:
WHO is rosie o'donnell? a fitness instructor??
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No...I haven't found one of those yet. There's probably one out there though, and maybe even nearby.
You know....a nice 30/31 original visor would be a good trade for the tires.....
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Lay off it Jake I don't have any more!!!! :)
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looks good.
Holy Visor. Isnt that a Dio song?
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looks good.
Holy Visor. Isnt that a Dio song?
Something like that- Holy Diver... I think that's it. Holy Visor sounds cool though, doesn't it?
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. The front is as solid as Rosie O' Donnell. Take a look!
:lol:
WHO is rosie o'donnell? a fitness instructor??
She's that gal that wears the underwear with dickholes.
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any updates joel
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Not as of right now. It will most likely be going into hibernation this winter...don't have a place to work on it since Pete and I are moving out of the shop. I do have a garage at my house I'm renting, but no outlets. Any updates will be in the form of new parts.
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yaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwnnnnn
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when is the moving sale.
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outlet smoutlet
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Extension cords and gas heaters work wonders.
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make sure you use kerosene not deisel
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Cole and I are interested in renting the shop, if he doesn't already have a renter for when you guys move out let me know and let the owner know I'm interested.
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I'll tell John. It'll be cheaper if you sublease it through me. Call me and talk to me about it.
The garage sale is ongoing. Walk through and ask about what you want. Call for appointments, beer is on me. i work close to the shop. Carbs, headers, intakes, body panels, magazines, roadster decklid skins, blowers, studded ice racing tires, nascar slicks and wheels, sbc camshafts, olds camshaft, a parts washer, a fridge, cabinets,a stuck flathead, a 250 chev inline w/3spd, anonther 3spd, a 305, a 350 that comes with a 69 chev truck, etc.
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Back on topic... Kind of. I found a built version of "the vision" I've had in my head for the A coupe. As most of you know, I am putting the A coupe on hold until the '40 is done and the shoebox is driving. Maybe even longer than that, I don't know. In the mean time, I'll be doing a little work on it here and there. I guess that's what happens when the "A fever" is cured and "Kustom fever" takes over. Anyways- here is the ultimate vision for the A coupe. Don't look for an update for a while. I'm way too excited about the shoebox!