My man Mr. Freeze out of Gilbert, AZ is a friend to MyRideisMe.com. He's just purchased this Chevy Cab over engine (COE) that's got a 455 Olds Toronado FRONT WHEEL DRIVE powertrain under it. This is going to be good! Check out Mr. Freeze's garage for a look at the work he does. He's not a full time builder but he spends alot of time out in the garage. Can't wait to see it come together! The truck's built now... check out some pictures and a keyless ignition install here....
Plasma Cutting 101
posted by pikesan
Plasma Cutting: Determining if it's Right for You and What to Look for in a Machine Introduction Do you need a cutting tool for occasional repair and maintenance work? Have you recently embarked on a new project that requires higher cutting volumes? Or, are you looking for a new alternative to your current mechanical saw? All of these scenarios provide great reasons to investigate plasma cutting. With the cost of machines on the decline, smaller-sized, portable machines flooding the market and technology offering increased benefits and easier usage -- it may be time to take a serious look at plasma for your cutting applications. The benefits of plasma cutting include ease of use, higher quality cuts and faster travel speeds. What is Plasma Cutting Technology? In simplest terms, plasma cutting is a process that uses a high velocity jet of ionized gas that is delivered from a constricting orifice. The high velocity ionized gas, that is, the plasma, conducts electricity from the torch of the plasma cutter to the work piece. The plasma heats the workpiece, melting the material. The high velocity stream of ionized gas mechanically blows the...
How To Weld Aluminum with a Compact MIG Welder
posted by pikesan
How To Successfully Weld Aluminum with a Compact MIG Welder from Lincoln Electric By Jim Harris®, Product Manager, The Lincoln Electric Company and Frank Armao, Group Leader, Non Ferrous Applications, The Lincoln Electric Company When it comes to welding aluminum items around the home or garage, there are a few misconceptions we hope to clear up: 1) That you need to invest in a $4,000 welding machine and be highly skilled to have success; 2) With no practice you can make excellent welds the first time the wire feed welder is taken out of the box; and 3) You need an expensive spool gun suited for aluminum. The truth is that with practice, the right equipment and proper set-up, a compact MIG welder will be able to tackle occasional aluminum welding jobs. Using your MIG welder, you will be able to work on a variety of items around your home and yard, such as grills, railings, backyard furniture, boat docks and even decorative elements. Compact MIG welders, such as the SP, Weld-Pak or Pro models from Lincoln Electric, are available at distributors and retail outlets. A Word About Aluminum...
A Great Start – Concept Drawings
posted by pikesan
Check out the art and design of MyRideisMe.com member Brian Stupski of Problem Child Kustoms If you’re like me, before you even purchase a car, you’ve made the plan in your head. After buying the car, the next step is usually trying to find the parts you need to start building your dream, but that's not how big time builders do it… their next step is always a concept illustration ala Chip Foose on Overhauln’. When your dream takes shape on paper, you're miles ahead to getting what you want... You’ve got a real plan. That’s where Brian at Problem Child Kustoms comes in. How sweet is this illustration! This car concept drawing has been updated! Click here. Brian’s a hot rod and custom car designer that actually builds HIS dreams when time allows. He grew up on the standard Hot Rod and Car Craft magazines and got the drawing bug from MAD Magazine (Mort Drucker’s his hero) and from CARtoons magazines. Now, after hard work refining his skills, Brian’s been published in the mags he grew up reading like: Hot Rod Magazine, Street Trucks and Custom Rodder, not...
Pictures from Billetproof 2007
posted by pikesan
2007 Billetproof Rocked! Here's the pictures we have. We still have about 350 to add including a bunch of bikes. If you like what you see, please join! MyRideisMe is like a great party at 8:30 PM... the band's setting up people are on the way... have a beer and enjoy until the music starts! Click HERE to see all the car pictures. Click HERE to see all the bike...
Pushing the Hot Rod Envelope
posted by pikesan
Hot Rod Semi - More than a Rat Rod Imagine yourself at a traditional hot rod show like Billetproof, enjoying Antioch California’s cool morning breeze when you smell diesel fumes. Billetproof isn’t the kind of show where you can trailer your baby in, so something’s not right. Then you hear the whine of a giant turbo just as this beast rounds the corner: Behold the 1950 Peterbilt owned by Michael Leeds. The name for this Hot Rod Semi is up in the air, but “Sneaky Pete” is the front runner. Michael comfortably cruised about 100 miles from Santa Cruz, CA thanks to the inline 6 Cummins turbo-diesel hooked to a 12 speed automatic transmission spinning highway friendly 2.92 gears. Michael guesses 12 to 20 mpg but driving range is no problem since he’s hauling 105 gallons in the polished aluminum fuel tank out back. This baby’s read to travel, even weighing in at about 7000 lbs. Michael’s no stranger to giant scale projects. Ever heard of Blastolene? Michael designed Blastolene which was later purchased by legendary car collector Jay Leno. Blastolene’s got an M47 Patton Tank engine that’s 1800...
Ever see a Black Shadow?
posted by pikesan
The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum raffled off a 1953 Vincent Black Shadow to benefit the museum. The lucky man from Tempe, AZ bought 5 tickets for $25 and walked away with a legendary bike. It's good to know that it went to a guy who really knew what he was getting. He is a Motorcycle Safety Foundation instructor, has attended almost every AMA & MotoGP race at Laguna Seca in the past 10 years and even took a trip to the Isle of Man. Next year they will be raffling off another 1953 Black Shadow. Go buy some tickets!...
Nissan GT-R is Almost Here
posted by pikesan
It's been a long time coming and I've been waiting like so many. The GT-R is a race car built for the street. For those of you who don't know why the GTR's so cool, compare it to the Corvette. Except the GT-R's a racing Corvette (think Z06 + Callaway upgrade) that's NEVER been offered for sale in the US. Here are the pictures Nissan is releasing of the car: The GTR's all business and always has been. Consider that in 1989 the R32 version of the GT-R was undefeated, winning 29 of 29 races in the 1990 Japanese Touring Car Championship. Then, the next generation R33 became a legend by lapping the famous Nürburgring race course under 8 minutes. At the time, that was unheard of for a "street" car. In the released photos of the GT-R, it retains its signature round tail lights. Other than that, the details are all rumor since Nissan is keeping extremely tight lips on engine and suspension details. If you want to know the truth, you'll have to wait until the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show in October. When it's release, look for...
Billetproof Pinup
posted by pikesan
See all of the My Ride is Me pictures from the show HERE MyRideisMe. com will attend the 2007 Billetproof show in Antioch, CA next weekend, September 15th. I can't wait for the show. This is the first time MyRideisMe.com will be properly represented at a show. Here's what we're handing out. I hope you enjoy it! I sure do! It's been my pleasure meeting Dirk Behlau, the photographer and Zoe Scarlett, the beautiful pinup model. They both have cool websites and myspace pages, check them out! Dirk's Myspace: Zoe Scarlett's Myspace: Check out all the Pinups here MyRideisMe.com Pinups Models & Hot...
Tingler Art – The Monster in You
posted by pikesan
When you were a kid, did you collect trading cards with monsters driving crazy hot rods? I did! So it was great to find J. Tingler. As a fellow HAMB member, Tingler set me up with a custom shirt showing the monster in me driving my own hot rod! (at a very reasonable price too) I love the shirt so much, I got one for my Pops. Admittedly, it's not for everyone, but those are the same people who'd probably still be calling the engine in my car a "Mustang" or "Ranger" motor. Everyone knows it's a PINTO motor... embrace it! Embrace the monster in you! Not my best photo editing work, but you get the idea! Here's a look at some of Tingler's other work, 2 of my favorites: Tingler does all kinds of hot rod art and is available for custom work as well. Here's him in action with the airbrush in hand... VIDEO Get in touch with Tingler at his website or stick around MyRideisMe.com... I hope he'll be posting pictures of his Gasser style 63 Fairlane. Hey, I've got one of those...
Vintage Drag Racing Photobook
posted by pikesan
I've found a book I've got to tell you about. It's called Speed Kings by the German Hot Rod & Pin-Up Photographer Dirk Behlau. Dirk was kind enough to let MyRideisMe.com use a photo he took, including Switzerland's premier pinup model Zoe Scarlett, for a promotional flier at Billetproof. While I rush to get this photo printed, I'll let Dirk describe the book in his own words: It's a Satanic drag thing you wouldn't understand! It's not what you think it is. It's pure power, adrenaline, danger, suspense, Pin-Ups, passion and soul. Call it Rock 'n' Roll! Die Gestalten proudly present "Speed Kings", the hottest publication this summer's likely to see. "Speed Kings" presents photographs by Dirk Behlau that show the wonderful world of Drag racing. My photographs skillfully capture the primordial displays of power and high-tech, the eroticism of machines and the open flirtation with death and destruction. It was certainly not Jesus who built these Hot rods but dedicated people who create, drive and admire their time bombs like no-one else. Drag racing's individual brand of aesthetics fascinates an ever-growing community of fans all around the world....
Slammed Nissan Armada
posted by pikesan
This Armada's old news! Check this out: Nissan Armada GTR- Not for Soccer Mom I caught this ride at the Scottsdale, AZ Pavilions on Saturday 9/1. The Pavilions is a weekly show at the McDonald's at Indian Bend and the 101.I've got a sweet spot for Nissan's since I'm an Engineer for Nissan. This is the first time I've seen a slammed Armada. The Titan's been done but it's got a solid rear axle. The Armada's rear axle is independent. Eric from Phoenix has this truck done right. 26"Giovanna GG 111 rims tucked in a custom color matched Katzkin charcoal leather interior and a JL Audio system by House of Sounds. It's a well done truck. Check it out! From the back... be sure to check out ArtofNoize.com for more info about the truck. Hopefully, Eric will make a garage at MyRideisMe.com so he can really show us what he's done. If you like what you see, please join...