Thread: Hello from England!

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Hi, Just thought I would say 'HI' and tell you what I am doing.

I have a 32 sedan which is a long term project. I have had it for 3 years now and have yet to start it, but I have been collecting bits for it.

Its built by a company called Jethro Automotive in the UK and is a the only sedan with IFS chassis I could find. Its more common to get roadsters and coupes here and as a family man I needed more room.

It's going to have a 350/350/8 combo as its my first rod I figured I would keep it simple, but I still wanted to make as much of it as I could.

The body has a 3inch chop and a mild channel, rear fenders are raised slightly. The chassis is very stout with a Ford Cortina front end and a 4 link on the rear.

So naturally I bought another project!!

I was offered a 51 chevy truck in nice dismantled condition! I am planning on building it with beg-borrowed-stolen (I mean very low budget) parts. It will use a 350/350 10bolt combo as its available locally for very little money. I figured it would be easier to build a steel truck before I attempt a glass sedan. At least i can get an assembly manuel for the truck.

For the front of the truck I was going to use a Jaguar front clip as they are easy to fit and give me PS, vented disks and chevy bolt pattern in one hit.

I would love to hear from anyone who has built a 47-54 chevy truck if they have any hints or tips.

All the best,

Craig

Welcome - Which Jag are you using for the donor for the IFS. I used a XKE under a 32 highboy w/chey discs. The ride was excellent. I built a 48 Chev trk about 7 yrs ago & used a front steer Camaro IFS,chopped the top 3" & made the bed using 14 gage crs & 1 1/4" pipe. Used leaf springs on the rear from a Dodge Diplomat.
I am currently building a GM converted RR Silver Shadow(1966). Chev motor/700R4/El Camino stretched & narrowed fram w/12" discs/ss gas tank etc.... Happy motoring Don

Nice Roller Don!!

There is one in my local junk yard but it crap.

I am using an XJ6 front end once I can locate one, all the junk yards use the XJ's for demolition derbys and are reluctant to sell me one.

Don, wher are you in Florida? my dad has a house in Orlando and its a great base for the Turkey rod in November and its handy for the UPS guy too! all I have to do is get there and carry the stuff home.

Hi Craig, I live in St Cloud,FL. Its a suburb of Orlando. I have not seen a xj6 IFS used in a streetrod. There is one in a junk yard just a few miles from me. I'll check it out...I'm assuming it's torsion bar, which is the best. I'm always looking to do things better.
I have been going to the Turkey rod run since 1984. It's amazing - you can find everything there except for roller parts.

Do any people there make do conversions on rollers? I woulds assume that Silver Shadows are cheaper there. I'm looking for a drop head for my next project. Probably a Cloud.I'm trying to find one that is wrecked or has a bad motor.....good luck w/your project. Don

Have a look at the XJ6/12 or XJS front subframes. Don't bother with the 86 on XJ40 ones.

Once removed you can sit a truck frame in there real nice and weld it in. Don't bother with the rubber mounts.

Complete IFS with power in one job!!

There was 1 Roller over here with a 6-71 on it but I don't think it ever got finished.

Hi Craig - I am cureous, where did the term Roller come from. I have heard it used several times before for a Rolls, but could not figure out the term. Don

Rolls Royce - Rolls - Roller.

Don't know where it came from, probably London.

Hi Don,
I was very interested in you R-R conversion .I have been working on this (as time permits) for 2 years. My business is the mechanical sevice and repair of post war R-R and Bentley cars, beacause of cracking and corrosion problems with the original block ,I started looking for an alternative engine that would save these cars from the junk yard.I found as you obviously did the most suited was the GM350 small block.Our objective was to make it look factory fitted and overcome the hydraulic brake and suspension problem that would be passed by the authorities and accepted by owners.The car is now on the road undergoing testing and has done about 1500kms.I have some pictures of the engine bay if you or any other members would be interested.

Welcome Craig,

It's great seeing guys using what they have locally and, going for it. Jag front (and Rear) ends are used quite a bit over here, in Aus. Maybe not as much as days gone by though...

Catcha round,

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