Sunday, March 28, 2010

Dash inspiration!




Not that I have any components to make an IP like this, but look and marvel at the beauty of the mid thirties automobiles! The upper from a 1936 Ford Roadster brings the dash to the floor and the lower photo shows a star burst pattern on a panel which is a great showcase for some nice instrumentation. I'm planning a more simple 1935 Ford dash for the Gow Cart and while looking at ideas I came across these and just had to make mention of it. Plans still coming together in my head.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Devils in the details :: Brass Horn button

A good friend of mine is an incredible artist in his own right. Eric is a clockmaker who makes astounding hand made clocks in his work shop. One day while visiting he mentioned that anytime I wanted to spin something on the lathe that I should drop by and we'll make it together.

'nuff said, I was there. So my first experience working with metal on a lathe was to make a new horn button for my 1936 banjo steering wheel which will be going on the Gow Cart. The aluminum piece is made to fit a '37 -'39 style steering wheel, so there is still some work to be done to make this all come together.




It's domed and has lines in it much like the plastic original did. I just wanted something a little snazzier! There is still another retaining ring that I'm planning on spinning out down the road out of brass too which should really be an eye catcher on the hot rod. Maybe a little too nice...

Man, I've got the itch. The weather has been so nice I want to be outside all the time to be building on this car.

More updates soon. In the meanwhile, show some support!


and

Friday, February 12, 2010

Miniature Photos



Michael Paul Smith shoots some great old time photos but modern. How can you find the perfect unscathed '50s town? Ya build it! Check out these beautiful models!

Friday, January 29, 2010

Frozen Lakes vs. Dry Lakes



As the Winter takes hold on your sole outside in Detroit I can't help but think what kept people warm back in the day. I get bitter cold just reading that it's 10 degrees outside right now. Awhile back I did a shoot at the Ford Piquette plant and came across a photo of the famous "999" Racer aka The Red Devil. This was actually one of two cars built by Ford, the other one was dubbed "The Arrow" and was painted yellow instead of Red as above. Logic only says that if you wanna race that you'll need two cars right?

The Arrow crashed and killed the driver Frank Day during a race in 1903. What remained of the Arrow was brought back to Henry Ford for repair where its yellow paint scheme was retired and became known as the new 999 as the original 999 was retired.

The new 999 was personally driven by Henry Ford in a "land" speed race in January 1904 after the repairs were made. It achieved a speed of 91.37 on the frozen Lake St Clair. While out on the other side of the country folks were racing the dry lakes like Muroc, El Mirage and the Salt Flats of Bonneville, we had Henry Ford throwing the throttle down on frozen lakes!

I think if I could pull off speed trials on frozen lakes in the winter, I wouldn't mind it only being 10 degrees outside. Something to make plans for next winter....





Saturday, January 23, 2010

EDELBROCK *new* 94 CARBURETORS?

With all the craze and nostalgia of the two barreled carbs being on every hot rod again, I guess the market is here to help you keep it looking old with something new. Speedway Motors did their version of the two barrel modeled after the Stromberg called the "9-Super-7" after no one seemed to be able to afford the genuine new remanufacture/reengineered Stromberg 97. Speedway made them more affordable then their competition, so I'm curious about these Edelbrock 94's.

Hopefully it's true about the 94's being made in the USA. That would be great... but I wonder about the affordability of them! I'm sitting on 6 originals that I have plans for.. Mooohooohaha!

Press Release:
Edelbrock 94 Carburetor In 1938, when Henry Ford needed a more efficient carburetor for his new 24-stud V8 engine, he contracted development to the Chandler-Groves Company and the 94 two-barrel carburetor was
born, fueling Ford Flathead engines until production ceased in 1957. Flash-forward to 2010 and the
94 is once again available, by none other than Edelbrock! Adding to Edelbrock‘s reputation of bolton
and perform carburetors, the Edelbrock 94 two barrel carburetor is intended for nostalgic and
period correct hot rods and restorations, providing the most accurate and best performing solution on
the market. The Edelbrock 94 features die-cast bowl and air horn with a cast iron 3-bolt flange. It‘s
throttle shaft has been extended to make it easier to set-up dual and triple carburetor combinations,
especially when used with Edelbrock‘s exclusive progressive linkage. Extensive testing, both on the
road and in our state-of-the-art engine dynamometer facility has
allowed Edelbrock to fine tune power valve and jetting
combinations to deliver smooth and strong performance.
It is finished off with a zinc-dichromate coating for
durability and classic looks.
• 3-bolt flange and cast iron base
• Designed and calibrated for use
in small cubic inch engines
• Match with an Edelbrock intake
manifold, cylinder heads, linkage
and fuel blocks for the complete
classic look of the hot rod era
• Will fit Edelbrock Ford Flathead
intake manifolds #1100, #1103, #1108, #1109 and Small-Block
Chevy #5414 and #5418
• Coming in Spring of 2010…
Triple-Deuce manifold for Ford 289/302
Edelbrock 94 Carburetor (Primary)...........................................................................#1151
Edelbrock 94 Carburetor (Secondary).......................................................................#1152

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Bid on it!


For sale by Road Devil Rob. Get yer bid on and own a piece of Road Devil History.


Wednesday, January 20, 2010

THANK YOU: SPADES Motor Club!


They are on they're way! Send me pics of what they end up on will ya?