Chrome Paint?! Painting the Bomb

The first thing I picture when I hear the words “chrome car” is my childhood Barbie car that I outfitted with reflective chrome tape. This 1932 Ford Roadster is no Barbie car, that’s for sure.

Let’s begin by taking a look at the Platinum Bomb. This 1932 Ford Roadster was designed and built by owner Zach Norman along with the Troy Ladd and his crew at Hollywood Hot Rods with a WWII airplane in mind. (Get more about this car in A Roadster That Can Fly?) So when it came to paint, he wanted a polished aluminum looking body. Those of you who have worked on 30s-era cars know that finding a rust-free body to do this with naturally would be impossible. What else is there to do but give it a chrome-like paint job?

Simple right? Hardly! When painter Tom Prewitt chuckled and told me, “We just followed directions,” I knew there was more to the story. How did the Platinum Bomb get to be so shiny? (Speaking of shine…the picture of Tom below shows the car’s body before clear coat is put on. As you can see in other pictures, the finished look is chrome-like but not as mirrored.) And why, if there’s a chrome paint, aren’t more people using it!? Who doesn’t want a chrome car?!?

Platinum Bomb’s paint job is anything but simple. Good thing it was given to the trusty hands of Tom Prewitt and Matthew Means at Department of Customz. Those fella’s managed to do what nobody had done before. What’s that you ask? That is successfully applying Kosmic Krome in 9 days.

Nine days sounds like a regular painting time to do you, right? Well, sure if you’re using regular paint. Kosmic Krome is anything but regular! House of Kolor developed this color around 2004. However there’s some pretty big hurdles to get over in using it, which is why you’ve probably not seen an all-chrome car at your local cruise in.

• Kosmic Krome can take a long time to get right. Not only does it require that you do two complete paint jobs (black underneath) but it also requires significant “settling” time. Kosmic Krome is made up of different properties than normal paint. The reflective qualities of the paint increase as it settles. Therefore, it’ll look different 30 days after the paint is finished. House of Kolor recommends waiting lengthy periods of time between coats.
• Kosmic Krome is difficult to use. It was basically only created for smaller elements, not entire car bodies. Very few people have successfully applied it to whole cars. This bubble-top Thunderbird (shown below) I spotted back at 2009 Grand National Roadster Show was the first and only other car I’ve ever seen with this paint (and I hear they’ve had some issues with it.)
• Kosmic Krome is expensive. This stuff’ll run ya about seventy bucks a can. Which means the cost in paint color alone for a small-bodied car like a roadster is about $1500 (not to mention the black paint and other supplies!)

So, yes, it was basically a feat of genius that enabled Tom and Matt to get this car looking so good in so little time. Why the time crunch? Platinum Bomb needed to be ready for its unveiling at the Grand National Roadster Show. Before paint is put on, there’s a ton of work that goes into preparing a car’s body. Any imperfections in the metal are going to be highlighted by paint – even more so by reflective paint. So Platinum Bomb’s body had to be completely perfect before painting. That took three weeks of metalwork and bodywork before the paint process could begin.

So how did they get the painting done in a mere nine days? Well, what Department of Customz did was basically redevelop the process for applying Kosmic Krome. While all along the way using the same products House of Kolor suggests and yes, as Tom said, “following the directions” given on those products. It’s the application that they put the magic into.  The good news for us is…now that Department of Customz has figured out the process, it makes it more feasible for you or I to get a chrome paint-job of our own!

Let’s go through some of the details of the painting process. First you prep the body to perfection. After all the body prep you apply a sealer. Than you’ve gotta do a complete black paint job. That means black paint, clear coat, color sand, and buff it. Than you’ve gotta do a second complete paint job applying Kosmic Krome followed again by clear coat, color sand, and buffing. (And beware! Matt says this paint will actually form a pattern electrically while you buff it, crazy, huh?!)

Other than Kosmic Krome being on all nice and shiny there’s the reproduction of the lime-colored Zinc Chromate to be done as well. Zinc Chromate was a primer used on the interior of WWII-era aircraft.  What you probably can’t tell by the pictures is that it has an authentic texture-looking surface to it. The original paint was textured, but of course what they were using was no actual Zinc Chromate. So to achieve the correct effect they added something into texturize the clear coat over the green.

I know you’re still wondering what the secret magic of the application process is. Well it wouldn’t be magic if we knew how it worked would it?! Not that anyone would ever be able to pull this off as a home job anyway. So I think its best to leave this magic in the hands of the pros. And as of now, Department of Customz are the only pros who have it.

I’d say the Platinum Bomb was pretty lucky to get such a shiny coating and be all dressed and ready for the Grand National Roadster Show. I’m sure this beauty is a dream to drive. If you’re dreaming up a chromed car of your own – keep dreaming or drop a line to Department of Customz…they’re fully equipped to make your dream a reality. Or there’s always the option of doing what I did at age seven – just cover your car in shiny tape!

Department of Customz

Anaheim, CA

714-284-0004

www.DepartmentofCustomz.com

A Roadster That Can Fly? Check Out Platinum Bomb!

“If the guy building a 1943 Lockheed airplane decided to build a hot rod, this might be what he’d build,” said Zachary Norman, owner and builder of Platinum Bomb. While he denies that it’s a theme car, there’s a definite unifying element to this 1932 Ford roadster. One quick glance will tell you it’s aviation. From the aluminum-looking paint job to the dash full of airplane gauges, this car is full of details that make it look like a hot rod that’s ready to fly!

Nothing makes a hot rod fly like the engine, right?! This baby is powered by a 1949 Cadillac 360. Its been rev’d up a bit by a 1/200^th over-bore, custom pistons, and much more. All that power is steered by a yoke-style steering wheel connected to its steering mechanism via a large linked chain. A very cool looking accent on the firewall that no-doubt saved some room in the engine compartment for those custom-made headers.

Rolling on to the wheels, the details keep coming. They’ve been custom built by Zach and are sandwiched together with fasteners. While its most common to use nylock or split washer fasteners when ya need to avoid something jiggling apart, airplanes don’t – they use what’s called safety wire. Zach incorporated that into Platinum Bomb’s wheels as you can see in this picture. The safety wire winds through each bolt, securing it. Mil. Spec. MS-20995C at it’s finest!

What I love about this and other features on the Platinum Bomb is all the extras are well thought out and serve a purpose. I also thought the brakes looked a little different as well. (I do believe I’ve seen this sort of thing before, but as a novice, I never knew what it did.) They’re designed with holes in the back plates and a chrome wing which acts as an air intake, all for the purpose of cooling the brakes down as they operate. Cool brakes = happy brakes!

Another surprisingly purposeful thing on the Platinum Bomb is all the gauges, the dash is covered in em’. Platinum Bomb’s striking cockpit-looking dash is full of 100% working gauges! That’s right…all of those many gauges do something! From the regular items like gas and temperature, you’ve also got things like a compass and a US Navy clock.

I fell even more in love with Platinum Bomb when Zach told me how the speedometer works.

Unlike most speedometers’ that connect to the transmission, Platinum Bomb’s uses Korean war helicopter technology. The gauge is connected to what’s called a Pitot static tube. As air passes through the Pitot tube, its velocity is measured and translated into m.p.h.

Is this tube hidden somewhere under the grill? Nope. It’s right out there in front, disguised as an aerodynamic-looking hood ornament.

Of course, you can’t look at the Platinum Bomb without noticing the paint. What many don’t realize at first glance is that it’s not a bare aluminum body. The silver color is called “Kosmic Krome” and it’s a paint you don’t see too often because the painting process has to be carried out to perfection for it to look good. The guys who made Platinum Bomb shine are Matt Means and Tom Prewitt of Department of Customz in Anaheim. The rest of the paint continues the aviation theme, from the black scallops to the green accents. That green isn’t just a color picked because it looked cool. It’s a reproduction of something called zinc chromate, a primer used on airplanes. Platinum Bomb’s paint is too nifty to include all the details here, so continue on to “Painting the Bomb” for the full scoop.

With all these goodies and more packed into one Bomb of a car, the only thing that could make it better is Zach declaring his plans for “what’s next?”  “Driving it!”  Whether out with his Them! Car Club buddies or on his own, I’m sure Zach will have tons of fun flying around in Platinum Bomb… I sure would like to experience a take off in this one!

Hollywood Hot Rods

40 East Palm Ave

Burbank, California 91502

www.HollywoodHotRods.com

The World’s Fastest Hippie – Go ahead and Inhale

At the Grand National Roadster Show, one exhibition hall, #9 I think, always has a theme.  Last year, it was former America’s Most Beautiful Roadster winners. The hall was filled with with AMBR winning roadsters from back when the show was still in Oakland, CA. This year, the theme hall was the “History of the Race Car”. I just published another story about the Drag Race cars in this hall, but this one’s just about this 1969 Corvette named, “Revolution” and owned by the late Mike Mitchell.

In a hall filled with wild race cars, this one, as you can see stands out. The paint is fantastic!  The “Fastest Hippie” theme is carried out throughout the car with the psychedelic rainbow patterns on the side then the jumbo hookah on the hood and the zig-zag man near the cockpit. I bet Mike was alot of fun! (click on these pics to see them full size)

Researching for this story, I found a bit more info about Mike Mitchell, and about his passing in 2000. The story’s written by Phil Elliot at our friend Draglist.com.  The story’s called, “Farewell to the Hippie” and tells about Phil’s experience helping out at a drag race in Boise. Phil writes:

Anyway, I started the day in my wildest of hippyesque red, white and blue bell-bottoms, which had no back pockets. My wallet went on the dashboard of the truck — soon the wallet was gone with every cent I had. Not a good feeling 12 hours from home.

It’s a cool story, check it out.

Still looking, I found a video.  It’s a pretty serious look at Mike getting ready to race his equally wild painted Cuda funny car with, “Impeach Nixon” lettered on the back.  With pull-top Oly sipping spectators looking on, you’re treated to a smoky burnout at the end.

Is that exactly how you don’t really remember it? Any stories you can share about Mike and his rides? We’d love to hear them!

Nostalgia Drag Race History from 2010 GNRS

You can almost smell the tires burning cruising through the “History of the Race Car” hall at the 2010 Grand National Roadster Show.  The exhibit, of course featured drag racer from the way-back-machine, especially my favorite: Nose in the air gassers!

Getting up-close and personal with the “Outer Limits” Mopar, I’m reminded of a buddy who saw his first altered wheelbase A/FX’r and asked, “Who’d do that?!”  That’s exactly why I love them! Make noise, look near ridiculous and have more fun than anyone! I want one, and some day I’ll get it.  I might have to build my 61 Rambler American wagon as a gasser. Low-buck, fast and loud = funner-mostess.

Continuing my stroll, I found the, “Fastest un-blown Ford V-8 powered dragster running in National Nostalgia Drag Racing.” …and it’s driven by a woman named Kathy Lloyd out of Castro Valley, CA. According to their show card, the car was built in 1969, then restored in ‘85, then back-halfed in 1996, no doubt to return to racing. Safety rules have changed, juuuuussst a little since 1969. Running on a cocktail of 85% Nitro and 15% methanol, this 286 cubic inch flattie’s best speed is 158.337 mph at 8.94 seconds. Go Kathy!

Next up? Another sky-scraping injector stacked hemi in a 1941 Willys. The lettering on this old racer belonging to long time Willys racers, the Reinero Bros. out of Merced, CA is terrific! Did this car race at the same time as the flamboyant “Hippie” Corvette we covered? here’s a closeup of the lettering on the back…

Sticking with the Willyseze’ (plural of Willys if you’re wondering) this is the legendary Stone, Woods and Cook racer. I won’t say much about the “Gasser War” dominating car right now, but watch for a story about this with the help of the current co-owner Joe Troilo. Joe held onto the original race gear, undisturbed in his garage for over 20 years until it was all put back into this, the original race car.

Talking drag racing from the way back, it shouldn’t surprise you to find yet another Willys, this time the sedan variety, set next to something I don’t see enough of: A gasser styled model A roadster.  This is a race I would love to have seen.

You probably noticed the trophies next to the Reinero Bros car. Here’s a few more. Remember when the trophies were made of metal, marble and real wood? What looks like a spider web is a metal wire securing all the trophies. I’m sure they’re priceless to the owner.

Although not the gasser style, no talk of drag racing history would be complete without mentioning the earliest “rail jobs” that were nothing more than an engine, frame and wheels. With nothing left to strip out of it, they started cutting holes in said frame to lose more weight. Safe no, fast yes. There’s a special place in the driver’s compartment to store and protect the over-sized rollers the driver needed.

Finally, in all it’s beauty, “The Bug”.  This stripped down lakes race car built by Dick Kraft is as simple as it gets.  The Encyclopedia Britannica (yea, you read that right!) says, “Kraft’s obsession with weight extended to peeling of his T-shirt!” Good for 109.09 mph and top speed at Santa Ana in 1950, you’re looking at the birth of the dragster and the shock of moms across all of California!

Our friends at Speedhunters.com also got some great pictures from the “History of the Race Car” hall. Check out their GNRS coverage here.

Anything you like? Let us know in a comment below.

Fisheyed Look at the Grand National Roadster Show

Well if I could paint like Tom Fritz, I would. If I could draw like my friends Brian and Dwayne, I’d probably do that too.  Since my creativity’s pretty much limited to taking pictures, I’m doing my best to catch up to the great shots taken by Swanee, my main man shooting for MyRideisMe.com. Swanee’s yet to lay down his shots from GNRS, so here’s mine, FISHEYE style.

A fisheye lens is an ultra wide-angle lens that takes in an extremely wide, hemispherical image. A side effect of this super wide shot is the distortion.  I’m shooting with a 10.5mm fisheye lens. Sometimes that distortion looks kinda cool with the swoopy angles of a custom or in tight on the details of an engine like the Stromberg powered flathead in Blackie Gejeian’s “Blackie” Roadster.

Sometimes, the look is just sinister!  This is the grille from “Camel Toe Racing” 1932 Ford.  The closer you get, the more distortion. I’m just a couple inches off this grill and I probably cropped the shot some. Too bad I have to give the lens back to my boss!

Shooting in the Suede Palace at the Grand National Roadster Show, you can either love or hate the florescent lights that line the exhibit hall.  With this lens, the lights seem to stream on forever and have a distinct curve. Don’t worry, it’s not your mind playing tricks on you!

The fish suits the wacky hemi powered and bubble topped “Atomic Punk”.

This is just a couple of the goofy, love-it-or-hate-it  fisheye shots I took at the show. Take a look at the picture gallery called:

Grand National Roadster Show – Fisheye

I’m curious. Does the fisheye work for you? Yea? Sometimes? Let me know…

-Pikesan

Different Ways to Win at GNRS

With all the talk going on about the AMBR winner at the Grand National Roadster Show, I wanted to take the opportunity to show you some of the other great award-winning cars on display. There must have been well over 100 awards given out during Sunday’s award ceremony! This is not including awards given out  in the Suede Palace (those cars don’t run in competition with the others, it’s more of a  low-shine exhibit if you know what I mean.)

To start with, this sweet 1952 Chevrolet Coupe won the George Barris Kustom D’Elegance Award. I dug it for it’s cool green paint by Gene Winfield as well as it’s cam shaft front grill.

There were lots of nice wagon’s at the show, as I’m partial to wagons they really drew my eye. This 1963 Falcon Squire stood out to win in it’s 1955-1979 Conservative Wagon class.

I’d heard about this 1932 Ford roadster, dubbed the Platinum Bomb, as it was progressing. I hoped it would take home first prize, but it only got class recognition (this is, however, the most competitive class in the entire show!) Built by owner Zachary Norman along with Troy Ladd of Hollywood Hot Rods… be watching for an in-depth story on this baby!

While Lowriders aren’t my style, I’ve at least got to recognize the money and hard work put into these pieces of art. I was very surprised when I saw this 1988 Volkswagon Jetta pimped out! Dubbed “The Passion,” it was covered with crosses and Jesus murals. Evidently others were impressed too, it was awarded the Full Lowrider Compact Custom Award.

The ‘88 Jetta wasn’t the only place for Jesus to be seen at the 2010 Grand National Roadster Show. I spotted him (along with Mary) on this sweet ride out in the Greaser’s Alley. It was all the more classic  that mariachi music was booming from inside, along with a custom light-bar beneath the radio keeping beat with the music! I don’t think this one took home any awards, but it was one of my top picks! I wouldn’t mind rolling around my East LA neighborhood in this!

I definitely don’t want to leave out the Suede Palace picks!  This beauty 5-window was the chosen winner of my favorite car club fellas, the Throttle Kings. Extra points to them for picking a car based on it’s drivabililty! This one’s owned by a fellow Grease Girl and gets driven all around, including destinations like El Mirage and Bonneville Salt Flats along with her Bean Bandits crew. Stay tuned for more on this one later also.

Lastly, I don’t want to ruin it for you, but there will be a few spectacular cars highlighted in detail here at MyRideisMe.com that took top in their classes. The only clues I’ll give ya is the classes: 1955-1959 Semi Hardtop class and Early Street Roadster – Topless Pre 1935. Keep checking back, as we’ve got plenty more to report from the 61st Annual Grand National Roadster Show!

2010 GNRS AMBR Contenders – 4 Winners at Any Show

We already covered the Grand National Roadster Show’s big winner of the coveted America’s Most Beautiful Roadster award.  The title now belongs to the 33 Ford named, “Possessed”. So now, I want you to feast your smoke filled eyes on the “Contenders”.  Usually the GNRS has 12 cars running for the AMBR, but this year, only 10 made it.  Here’s 4 of them.  Which one’s your favorite?

The bright orange 32 roadster shown here first is my friend Todd Stevens from right here in Arizona.  Todd’s got a gorgeous late 40’s or 50’s Mercury convertible he runs to the local Goodguys show, but in stark contrast to that cool cruisers is this nasty injected Hemi Hot Rod! Doug Jerger, the builder and another friend just a flew blocks away, runs Squeeg’s Kustoms in Mesa, AZ and is no stranger to America’s Most Beautiful Roadster competition. In 2008, Doug built is own AMBR roadster and we showed his shop and 32 Ford in this story. I know that just like Doug’s 32, Todd will drive this car and drive it hard. Shouldn’t that score points some how with the judges?

Speaking of experience, this is the Foose-built, or more accurately, Foose-finshed roadster that ran for the AMBR.  Jerry Magnuson of Magnuson Products Inc built most of this car himself, but at the end wanted to make a run at the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster award, so he called in Foose.   Based on the rules for the AMBR, I thought this one was going to win. Damn if it ain’t beautiful!!

The only reason it might not have won, in my eyes, was the display. Pretty ordinary, overall, and it didn’t hit the “Mardi Gras” theme (or slowly rotated and blind you with chrome sparkles) like the Scott’s Hot Rods entry did.  Beyond that, I heard people wondering if this car should be able to run for the award since it was already displayed at SEMA.  I’ll have to check into that…

Then check out the only roadster pickup in the crowd, appropriately named, “Goldenrod”.  I’ve already read somewhere else where the author said, “Gold isn’t my color”, but it’s mine! I’m trying to figure out colors for my Falcon wagon up on the roof and this gold is sweet. The pictures barely do justice to the stunning appearance under the hall lights and the sunshine in California.

I really screwed up on reporting about this car! My apologies to the true builder Wayne Halabura.  Wayne’s out of Saskatoon Saskatchewan and I mistakenly reported that Duane Mayer from Boyd’s “American Hot Rod” TV show.  Those guys had NOTHING to do with this car. Sorry Wayne!

So which is your favorite or do you have another?  Should one of these have won the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster title?

2010 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster?

Here it is! America’s Most Beautiful Roadster, or the AMBR award as it’s known.  The AMBR is easily one of the top awards in the country and this year drew 10 roadsters to competition.

2010’s AMBR winner is a 1933 Ford, or loosely based on that design, and is owned by Mike and Dianne Dingman.  The car was called, “Possessed” and was built by Scott’s Hot Rods, a shop that built another America’s Most Beautiful Roadster winner back in 2008. (2008 AMBR Story)

Beyond that, you know what?  Not much to say.  This is one of only a couple pictures we took of the car for a couple reasons:

First off, it was tough getting decent pictures.

On Friday, during our media happy hour and right into the time when the public crowds started rolling in, the Scott’s guys were busy setting up the car and the display.  Sure, there were chances to get shots of dudes busily wiping stuff down and placing the display panels, but there’s only so much you can photoshop. (We did get one “interesting” video, but that’s being saved for the, “how to ruin a video at a car show” tirade.)

On Saturday, thankfully, the GNRS crew let us in early to take pics without the cars mobbed with onlookers. Saturday was PACKED with people and great “outdoor” show cars. Too bad Saturday’s breakfast was more of the same… Scott’s guys doing the cleaning that’s part of the show, but also tightening up the leaking rear axle and wiping up the lube we saw dripping out before we left Friday.  Some carefully placed Mardi Gras beads below where the drip was looked like cheap insurance just in case the drip returned.  This Autoweek Story reports all the last minute troubles they overcame to make it to the show.

Then second, the car just didn’t do it for me. Didn’t turn my crank, wind my clock, whatever.

Before I sound like a hater, let’s say what the car was:

• Amazingly detailed! The polished-to-perfection chrome was near blinding
• Displayed best.  They had the only rotating display which helped the wide-mouthed onlookers see every point adding modification. The Mardi Gras dolls looked messy, but were spot on the theme.
• Built by guys who could build anything. The Scott’s crew could have put in a full kitchen (with sink) if they wanted to and it would have fit perfectly
• Finally, it’s the AMBR winner, so what do I know?

I’m a hot rod guy, so a few other cars (tomorrow’s post) fit me alot better. And if I had to say one thing I didn’t like about Possessed, I’ll always dislike chrome rotors! I’m stupid, but that just bugs me. I guess it’d score points in the show, great, but for me it just shows complete disdain for hot rods and driven cars of all kinds.

Enough of my whining, I’d love your feedback!  For or against this car as America’s Most Beautiful Roadster, leave a comment below.

2010 Grand National Roadster Show – Kickoff

Links to 2008 to 2010 Show coverage at the end of this story…

I couldn’t resist the first collection of historic hot rods I found at the Grand National Roadster Show. Especially since I’m experimenting with a fisheye lens.
What do you think?

These ride were all cover cars for Rod & Custom or Street Rodder. This collection includes the first cover car from the 1953 issue of Rods &
Custom, plus 32 others!

Many more pics to come, wait til I turn Swanee loose! Stay tuned!

2010 GNRS Coveage… more coming soon!

2010 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster?

2010 GNRS AMBR Contenders – 4 Winners at Any Show

Different Ways to Win at GNRS

The World’s Fastest Hippie – Go ahead and Inhale

Nostalgia Drag Race History from 2010 GNRS

2009 GNRS Coverage (Click on any title to read the story):

2009 Grand National Roadster Show – The Aftermath

GNRS Suede Palace – more than flat pain

Show & Go Hot Rod is Double Trouble (America’s Most Bitch’n Roadster!)

AMBR Hot Rod Special in Pictures and Video

March Pinup of the Month – Angela Ryan (from the GNRS)

Japanese Hot Rod Culture Pinstriped & Flaked! (pinstriper’s Jam at GNRS)

Pinstriper’s Reunion – Pulling lines for Charity

50th to 60th Grand National Roadster Show

GNRS Hall of Fame Lunch – Heros and Legends

The Picture gallery: Hot Rods and Customs from GNRS

2008 GNRS Coverage:

2008 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster

GNRS 2008: If You Missed This One…

GNRS Suede Palace – more than flat paint

GNRS Show Cars, The Under-over

The Picture Gallery: 2008 Hot Rods and Customs at GNRS

Lady’s Choice – 1927 Touring Roadster from GNRS

When you compete for the biggest roadster prize there is, America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (the AMBR as it’s called) you’ve already won. When you’re the second woman in the Grand National Roadster Show’s 60 year history to compete, there’s got to be a story brewing for MyRideisMe.com.

I first noticed Kim Vranas’ 1927 Ford Touring Roadster resting quietly, not 30 feet away from the eventual AMBR winner  named “Hot Rod Special” built at Willet Specials. Owning a 1927 roadster myself, that is in fact a cut version of the very same Model T touring body Kim chose. Trouble is, two people barely fit in my “lakes style” modified roadster. That’s why, this uncut touring was easily one of my favorites at the show. It could be a “Family Hot Rod”!

Following the GNRS, the roadster took a short ride into Los Angeles to accept an invitation of the Peterson Automotive Museum.  The So-Cal show in Pomona, CA marked the “outside” debut of Kim’s hot rod with her husband Chuck getting the chance to pour in some 108 octane and blue the finely chromed headers.  Chuck’s a hot rod journalist and photographer so we had alot to talk about besides the car.

Right outta the gate, Chuck pointed out, “This is Kim’s car.” After talking for a while, I started to understand what that meant.

Kim envisioned a hot rod that held true to the late 40’s post-war style. Style, as you can see was a key element to the car’s design. Kim studied every detail to make sure they all fit the image she had. This car, as Chuck said was, “A study in design.” It shows in this 8 year build.

The ‘27 Touring body, once a clown’s car in the circus was found dusty, but not cancerous in the loft above an old hot rod shop. Body on hand, the style evolved piece by vintage piece. The E&J headlights lead back to the custom rolled firewall and Schroeder steering covered by a handmade, polished blister. Each part was hand selected to fit the era, vision and design in Kim’s head.

Kim deviated only once from the 40’s build theme in choosing  the rare 1964 Super Wildcat 425ci Buick Nailhead V-8 (with factory dual quad’s, of course) to power her hot rod touring.  A matching Muncie M20 tranny, along with the nailhead, was a Christmas gift from husband Chuck… 10 years before the build began! I wonder what was in her stocking?

Nailheads are cool, but Kim choice more importantly fit the grand design. She skipped the often done Hemi or easily chosen flathead because the Nailhead would, “look right, not too tall or wide, not cartoon-like.” Chuck remembered. The detail and blinding shine of the old Buick mill clearly showed the AMBR heritage thanks.

Kim’s vision, unchanged by the build years and aided by several trusted friends and craftsmen, stood proud wearing Planet Color’s Root Beer Brown metallic paint with Larry Hook pinstriping as what Chuck called, “The least expensive car in the most expensive neighborhood.” That neighborhood is the “Granddaddy of them all” the Grand National Roadster Show.

Chuck insisted on a few “thank you’s” to the folks who helped make Kim’s vision come true:

• Steve Pierce of One-Off Technologies did the final fabrication, assembly, and interior.
• Eli English did the paint, bodywork, and initial assembly
• Reid’s Automotive built the engine
• Xtreme Restorations helped dial in the final car and give it that gleaming shine for the show.

As I saw Chuck drive away from So-Cal, high-test burning, the Voodoo Doll 27 touring was where it belonged, on the street.  An 8 year build, a premier indoor show and a museum stint behind them, it was time to stretch the legs. Chucks smile said, “I got it made!” but I bet Kim grabs the keys first chance she gets.

Thanks for a great car and insight into the build. I gotta ask, what’s next? Kim, are you available for a consult?

Next Page »