Thread: Does this qualify as a Hot Rod?

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Posted A day ago

Time for an update. Unfortunately there is no progress to report. Only regression.



A couple of months ago my son was showing the VR to a friend. When he fired her up for a little drive, we spotted a fuel leak near the carb. We quickly shut her down and fixed the problem. My son then leaned in and turned the key while standing outside the drivers door. The VR immediately started.... while in gear!!!... and drove about six feet... directly under the rear of my daughter-in-laws Mazda 6... before stalling out. The back of the Mazda now rested on the bonnet of the VR approximately three feet in the air. After jacking the Mazda up about three inches we were able to push the VR out from underneath.



IMG_0968.JPGIMG_0969.JPGIMG_0970.JPGIMG_0971.JPGIMG_0966.JPG





The damage is mostly cosmetic. I'll have to redo all the fiberglass work I did to extend the scoops and do a little reinforcing. The only functional damage was to the bonnet hinge bracket. The upper bolt "ears" snapped off under the weight of the Mazda. A simple fix with a little welding.



I only wish I would have had the presence of mind to take a photo while the Mazda was resting on the hood. It was quite comical. And it was a good thing the Mazda was in the way. Without it the VR would have driven off our paved parking pad and dropped 30 feet to the gully below, al a 'Ferris Buellers Day Off'.



For now, the VR waits out the rainy season (long overdue here) under a temporary RV cover. Hoping to start construction on a permanent home for her this spring.

Sorry to hear of the damage(s), Is the Mazda okay?

Wow! I was excited to see your ID pop up after the understandable absence, but gut punched to see the pictures and read the story of the damage. I imagine that your son was devastated, anticipating showing off Dad's project to a buddy, and then being the one that caused it to run under the Mazda. At least no one was hurt, and to your credit your attitude (at least now) is great - nothing that cannot be fixed, just a couple of welds and some fiberglass, it'll be good as new in a weekend!! As you noted, it could have easily been soooo much worse!
Looking forward to some shots of the barn/shop build, and then the repairs and continuing finish work! Glad to see you, sorry for the reason...

Sorry to hear about the damage, might be time to consider a neutral safety switch?

Hey Wes sorry to read this update. Hope all is resolving and no one feels too bad. Did the Mazda get damaged? I ACTUALLY ENVISIONED A SIMILAR THING TODAY WHILE TESTING OUT SOME led REVERSE LIGHTS. nOW THAT i'M SEPARATED, i DON'T HAVE A PARTNER TO SIT IN CAR WITH FOOT ON BRAKE WHILE THEY PUT CAR IN REVERSE. mY 1998 tACOMA 4X4 HAS TINTED REAR WINDOWS MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE WHATS BEHIND YOU AT NIGHT WHEN REVERSING, SINCE STOCK BACKUOP LIGHTS ARE STOCK 1156 BULBS. sO i PURCHASED SOME SUPER BRIGHT ledS AND HAD TO PUT PARKING BRAKE ON AND PRAY THE TRUCK DIDN'T RUN ME OVER IN REVERSE(IT'S AN AUTOMATIC SO NOT AS BAD AS IF IT WAS MANUAL!) tURNS OUT one of the bulbs didn't work, so they will be returned tomorrow, but for being labeled super bright, the stock bulb seemed the same. Thus after this prolonged process went to evil Bay and found a pair of 1200 lumen cree led backup bulbs, if they don't work nothing will! Anyway sorry for your set back. And sorry for the caps lock capitals!

Originally Posted by stovens

Hey Wes sorry to read this update. Hope all is resolving and no one feels too bad. Did the Mazda get damaged? I ACTUALLY ENVISIONED A SIMILAR THING TODAY WHILE TESTING OUT SOME led REVERSE LIGHTS. nOW THAT i'M SEPARATED, i DON'T HAVE A PARTNER TO SIT IN CAR WITH FOOT ON BRAKE WHILE THEY PUT CAR IN REVERSE. mY 1998 tACOMA 4X4 HAS TINTED REAR WINDOWS MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE WHATS BEHIND YOU AT NIGHT WHEN REVERSING, SINCE STOCK BACKUOP LIGHTS ARE STOCK 1156 BULBS. sO i PURCHASED SOME SUPER BRIGHT ledS AND HAD TO PUT PARKING BRAKE ON AND PRAY THE TRUCK DIDN'T RUN ME OVER IN REVERSE(IT'S AN AUTOMATIC SO NOT AS BAD AS IF IT WAS MANUAL!) tURNS OUT one of the bulbs didn't work, so they will be returned tomorrow, but for being labeled super bright, the stock bulb seemed the same. Thus after this prolonged process went to evil Bay and found a pair of 1200 lumen cree led backup bulbs, if they don't work nothing will! Anyway sorry for your set back. And sorry for the caps lock capitals!

Is living alone making you type in CAPS or what?

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Originally Posted by 36 sedan

Sorry to hear about the damage, might be time to consider a neutral safety switch?

It's a stick car isn't it? I guess a guy could rig up a clutch safety switch.

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Originally Posted by techinspector1

It's a stick car isn't it? I guess a guy could rig up a clutch safety switch.

Yes, exactly like a brake light switch..

Originally Posted by techinspector1

It's a stick car isn't it? I guess a guy could rig up a clutch safety switch.

Originally Posted by 36 sedan

Yes, exactly like a brake light switch..

Tremec's TKO units have a NSS. Got mine wired into the start circuit on the '33. Recall a truck I had that had a switch on the clutch, which worked well too.

You could run the existing brake light switch to a relay, using a normally open contact to interrupt the start circuit.

If your foot isn't on the brake, car won't start. Easy, and no new switches needed.

Originally Posted by techinspector1

Is living alone making you type in CAPS or what?

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No Richard it just seems to get tripped every now and then, actually living alone is peaceful and relaxing. Not to mention I now magically seem to have money!

Originally Posted by stovens

No Richard it just seems to get tripped every now and then, actually living alone is peaceful and relaxing. Not to mention I now magically seem to have money!

Those are the same things I have noticed about living alone, especially the peaceful and relaxing parts.

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And suddenly everything is EXACTLY how you left it.

Wes,
Hope that your barn/shop gets done to support getting the VR out of the RV captivity, repairs done and into paint! Looking forward to seeing a picture of it sitting on the circle drive out front, shining like a new dollar.

I spent today pulling the VR out of storage, charging the battery and repairing the broken front bonnet hinge with my son. I little grinding, welding and painting and she's good as new. I will attempt to refit the bonnet tomorrow and she'll be road worthy again. Repairing the fiberglass nose damage is next.

Waiting on the engineering plans for the her permanent home. Once they're done, I can submit them, along with the architectural drawings, to the county building department for approval