Another build thread? Yep, my track-style T

[stovens]

Wow, that was fast JR. What are your plans for the body and the chasis?

[J. Robinson]

Don - I had hoped to be at this point during the summer while school was out, but other things got in the way. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Billetproof. As for which one to drive when the roadster is done, that's an easy decision - coupe when the weather is questionable; roadster when it's nice out.

Funderbug - Thank you. Glad you're enjoying my build. Yeah, I've "been there, done that" a few times.

Stovens - Well, actually I've been working on this thing now for 19 months. When I built my coupe, I drove it around the block 14 months after I started, so this one feels like I am lagging behind. As for plans - I have to do a bunch of finish welding. It's all the stuff that I couldn't reach while the car was all together. When that's done, I will sandblast and grind as necessary. Then the frame, engine, and most of the chassis parts will be painted metallic red (it's a 2007 GMC Envoy color). The body will be off-white with a big metallic red scallop on the nose & sides (sort of like the So-Cal cars in reverse). Lettering and numbers will be done in gold leaf. Finally, I will add a little light patina so the car will not look brand new and a little bit of fake rust to replicate a steel body.

[stovens]

Should look pretty slick when it's done. You guys will have to send some group shots from billet proof!

[Itoldyouso]

Should look pretty slick when it's done. You guys will have to send some group shots from billet proof!

We will do that for sure. We did the group shot thing at Daytona last year, and are going to have to recreate it again. Might need a wider angle lens, because Don will have his T there, and we have gained some members who will probably show up too.

Here is last year's group shot. Jim with his A, Bill (Gastrick) with his Deuce (which just got a quickchange and is getting a 392 hemi soon ) and me with my T. That is Bill on the left, Jim in the middle, and me on the right. And then the cars had to pose and do a "Christine" kind of shot.

Don

[stovens]

I like the head light shot! It's cool to do the night photos. Even with you guys all hunched down, your still taller that you T.
That car sure sits low! I bet it really messes with your perception of how fast your going. Kind of like driving one of those racing go carts, two inches off the ground!
You didn't mention Dan on the next trip. Does this mean he won't be going, or that the RPU won't quite be ready by then(which I totaly understand given my current progress)?

[Itoldyouso]

You didn't mention Dan on the next trip. Does this mean he won't be going, or that the RPU won't quite be ready by then(which I totaly understand given my current progress)?

No Steve, Dan's car won't be making it this year (again ) but through no fault of his. He is working 15 hour days right now plus playing every Saturday night, and doesn't have the time or energy to bust on the rpu like we were doing a few months ago. He's ok with it though, and is going to try to be up and running for Billetproof in March. He is going with us though, driving the tow car with Don's T behind.

Don actually tried to talk me into towing my T too. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. THAT will be the day!!

Don

[OFT]

Is it ready yet????

Looking forward to the "paint and chrome" view. This is when the time/money start to be justifed. Keep up the great work-ideas and thread.

Earl

[J. Robinson]

Heh, heh... Not yet Earl. I wish it was ready, but not yet... There won't be much chrome on my school teacher budget, but lots of paint. Everything but the rod ends and some bolts gets painted.

OK, no pics to post, but just a quick update. I spent all day yesterday (Saturday) finish welding everything on the frame. All I have left to finish weld is the radius rod brackets on the rear axle housing. Then it's grind and sandblast time... I have to admit this is the part of the build that I hate. Once I get everything in primer so I can start painting, it gets to be fun again.

I won't get much done for the next two weeks, however. Next weekend (Oct 17 - 19) I will be in Daytona for Biketoberfest and the following weekend (Oct 25 - 26) I will be in Daytona again for the Dream Cruise.

[Gastrick]

I know what ya mean Jim I hate the grinding, smoothing, polishing, plating, and painting stage. I sure do love putting it back together for that last time though.

No hemi for Daytona. I'm going to pull the sbc right after the Turkey Run and start the swap. I still need a few things that cost money.

I'll see you and Don at the Turkey Run again.

[Itoldyouso]

I won't get much done for the next two weeks, however. Next weekend (Oct 17 - 19) I will be in Daytona for Biketoberfest and the following weekend (Oct 25 - 26) I will be in Daytona again for the Dream Cruise. [/QUOTE]


Geez Jim, you might as well just move to Daytona..........oh, that's right, you ALMOST do live in Daytona. You don't even have time to get your A warmed up and there you are.

Don

[FMXhellraiser]

I haven't been on in a while but I have to say, great work! It's comming along nicely. I wish I could make Turkey Run but unfortunately I wont. I really want to see this T and Dons T in person.

[J. Robinson]

Bill - Yeah, that last time is like assembling a big model car. Everything is already fabricated and has been together once, so it goes fairly quickly... I'll see you there.

FMX - I'll be driving my coupe at the Turkey Run. If you want to see the T, try to make it to Billetproof in March. I hope to be driving it then.

Don - If I moved to Daytona it would take away all the fun of driving my cars to get there! I admit, it is nice being in a location that has so much "car stuff" going on. Daytona (45 miles away) has two major rod runs at the Speedway and now the Dream Cruise. Rossmeyer's Destination Daytona (Harley Dealership - 60 miles away) has a cruise-in every 3rd Saturday. New Smyrna (27 miles) has a cruise-in every 2nd Saturday. This one is big and well-attended. Sanford (32 miles) has a cruise-in every 4th Saturday and my home town of Titusville does the first Saturday of every other (odd numbered) month.

The Dream Cruise is this weekend; right now it's raining and is predicted to do so all day and most of the night. Tomorrow (Saturday) is the big day. Hopefully, the rain will quit by tomorrow morning. I'll let you all know how it turns out...

[firebird77clone]

It's been fun watching you build it. I love everything but the fake rust....

[OFT]

Boy oh Boy, Jim-can not wait to see this car going back together. Our events here this time of year (in northern Colo) have names like polar run, ect. I'm jealous, except your summers sound bad.

Will you be doing write up-pic's as it goes together?

Earl

[J. Robinson]

firebird77clone - Don't worry, the fake rust will be very minimal. It will only be there to fool the "uninitiated" into thinking this is a steel body, but won't detract from overall appearance. I've seen some "patina" jobs that were way overdone...

Don - Tow car??!!! Tell Don Jr. I had about 300 miles total on my coupe when I left here for Indiana two years ago. We made a 2400 mile loop through western Tenn, Indiana, the Carolinas, and back home with only one minor incident (ignition wire came off the coil in Alabama). Ya gotta have faith in your work!

Stovens - It is styled after the track-T's of the late 40's & early 50"s with a little 60's "altered" influence thrown in.

Hey, you guys didn't hijack anything; it's all related to the topic of building hotrods. Uncle Bob has been mysteriously silent recently. I guess this thread hasn't "inspired" him like yours did, Don.

Earl - Summers here are hot and humid, but tolerable and generally pleasant. The only disadvantage is the occasional tropical storm. It's worth the tradeoff, though, not to have to put up with snow and freezing temps. I get to ride my motorcycle and drive my hotrod year-round... Yes, I'll be posting pictures all along the way until it is finished and on the road.