Rat Fink Reunion 2010

Check this out guys and gals.  I told you to keep an eye on Andy’s Pinstriping blog didn’t I?  Here’s his latest work, getting ready for the Rat Fink Reunion 2010.

 “As is tradition every year at the Rat Fink Reunion, The artist’s give out an “Artist’s Choice” award to their favorite vehicle at the show.  This years “trophy” from me is a metal panel that features my man Fink doing some ca-razy stripe and letter work…and to finish it off I also distressed the panel so it looks like it was hanging in Ed’s shop in Maywood California back in the early sixties. I hope whoever receives this enjoys it as it was a labor of love to make!”  Andy

 

Click on the image to blow it up real big.  Looks even cooler!

Rat Fink Reunion 2010, Manti, Utah June 3-5, be there or be square!  I hope to attend this year’s event.  How often is there an event of this caliber in Utah right?

Hechtspeed

 

Legends from the Land of the Rising Sun

Japanese Legends…also known as JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) Machines, Japanese Nostalgic Cars, J Tin, you get the picture.  Domestically here in the US of A, we have classics like the 1932 Deuce Coupe, 55-57 Chevy Bel Air, 67-69 Camaro, 64 1/2-70 Mustang, etc.

In Japan, the classics are cars like the Nissan Skyline, Toyota Celica, Corolla, Datsun 510 (Bluebird in Japan) and 240Z (Fairlady Z in Japan).

JDMLegends is a new shop located in North Salt Lake, Utah.  They had their Grand Opening last July 2009.  So bummed I missed it.  Looked like a nice gathering of Japanese cars!  R33, R34 and R35 Skyline GT-R’s in Utah at once?  Cooooool!!!

JDMLegends’ specialty is hunting down your dream JDM classic (25 years old or older) located in Japan, having it inspected and legally imported into the USA, where it can be delivered as is, or have the JDMLegends’ special touch.

The owner of JDMLegends is a Japanese car nut named Trey Cobb.  Trey started Cobb Tuning.  Initially a turbo Subaru tuning specialist, now Cobb focuses on ECU tuning for many platforms, including the new Nissan GTR.

Above is the engine bay of a Toyota Celica as received by JDMLegends

…and here’s the same 1973 Celica bay after much effort by JDMLegends.  Super clean!

Here’s the 1973 (chassis code RA21) Toyota Celica ready for delivery to a happy JDMLegends customer.

What exactly is the JDMLegends special touch?  Besides super detail and clean restoration work, it includes adding modifications like a modern turbocharged engine, 5 or 6 speed transmission, fully tuned adjustable suspensions, basically a Japanese version of a  ”restomod” or “pro-touring” car.

I personally think its a perfect idea, as do their customers.

One more example of the work involved in bringing this ‘73 Nissan Skyline “Kenmeri” up to JDMLegends’ standards…Here’s the engine bay of a ‘73 Skyline prepped for resto work.

And this is the finished product.  Looks great.  The RB26 comes with “280hp” from the factory in 1990’s and 2000’s Skylines.  This engine transplant is similar to putting a late model fuel injected 302 ci Mustang GT engine into a 60’s Mustang.  This is where the Restomodding comes into play.  Hot Rodding at its finest! (just with a little Japanese twist)

Here’s that Skyline Kenmeri, a GT-R replica with the addition of fender flares.  I love the look of the early 70’s Japanese classics.  They have American muscle car body lines written all over them don’t you think?  Like the round dual horizontal headlights, sloping fastback roof lines, long hoods.  These cars are gorgeous!

JDMLegends is your place for importing classic J Tin and providing a one stop shop for services like restomod engines and suspensions, bodywork and paint (see the pic below of another Celica in progress) as well as parts sourcing from their contacts in Japan.

Check out their website at JDMLegends.com and add their JDMLegends Blog to your RSS feed or Google Blog Reader.  I did.  The blogs include detailed stories about restoration and modification work with pictures like those in this post.  Keep your eyes peeled here too as we’ll be featuring some of JDMLegends work in 2010.

Have a favorite classic 70’s Japanese car?  Comment below and let us know.  One of mine has got to be the Datsun 510, like this one above that was recently shipped to a lucky customer in Canada.  It too runs a late model engine, this one a Nissan Silvia SR20DET turbocharged engine pumping out 400+hp.  Now that’s a power:weight ratio I’d love to experience.

Pictures by Eric at JDMLegends

1929 Roadster Part 1: A Long Time Coming

Boy do we have a treat for you guys?  I’ve wanted to do a “work in progress” story on Larry Volk’s street roadster since I found out about it earlier this year.  It’s finally progressed to a point where there’s good progress  showing.  The Volk garage is part hot rod time warp, part skill and craftsmanship, and part inspiration.

We’ll get to the 1929 Ford Model A Roadster project car in a second.  First, let’s talk time warp.  Larry and his family have been into racing and hot rods since the early 1950’s.  He started out drag racing  and dirt sprint car racing.  His race buddy Terry Nish invited him out to the Salt Flats in the late 1950’s/early 60’s and that was it for Larry.  He’s gone every year since (unless it was rained out) and his life has become engulfed in the Salt.  Currently Larry is in his second stint as President of the 200 MPH Club, Chairman of the Save the Salt Committee and current holder of the SCTA Bob Higbee Award given out at the Opening Ceremonies of Speed Week 2009.

With all this and more, Larry’s garage is a museum of sorts for the last 40 some-odd years of Bonneville Salt Flats racing history.  There are stickers, pins, plaques, posters, broken parts and trophies that adorn the garage and his living room.  Then there’s the hot rod parts collection Larry’s been wheeling-and-dealing for during the last few decades.  They’re all just for this car.  The ‘29 roadster Larry’s been dreaming up will be a traditional hot rod build, of course.

Part skill and craftsmanship?  Ok, so the car is not done yet.  But, there’s plenty of work already done showing Larry’s attention to detail and well thought out passion.  Even though I’m calling this story Part 1, it’s really more like Part 5,924.   You see, Larry is and has been carefully and skillfully putting together this game plan.  Larry’s roadster is to be his version of the perfect traditional hot rod.  A hot rod that would have been right at home 50-60 years ago, using the hot rod parts of the day, the newest Hemi engine, with newer Ford 3 speed transmission, higher performing carbs, etc.  Larry dreams of cruising the streets of Davis County Utah, taking the grandkiddies for spins in the rumble seat or maybe letting his “2 Club” kids drive it? And of course, he’ll take it to Speed Week at the Bonneville Salt Flats.  As Chairman of the Save the Salt Committee, Larry takes a bunch of trips out to Bonneville to check the salt conditions and report back to other hot rodders. Around Speed Week and the World Finals, there’s alot of folks waiting to know, “Is the Salt OK? Is it wet? Does it look fast?”  It’s a pretty boring 2 hour drive out to the Salt, found  west of Salt Lake City, so this dream rod will make the trip all worthwhile.  Can I ride shotgun?! Ha Ha

The goal is clear, build a traditional 1940’s to 1950’s-era Model A street roadster.  The key ingredient to this soon to be road worthy hot rod is the 1955 Chrysler Hemi, which was actually used on the Volk Bros’ 1929 roadster land speed racing car (no records, but Dallas was running 220+ in the 2 1/4 when he felt it hiccup, so he hit the engine shut off switch, saving the block, but too late for the pistions).  According to its ID # and “W” cast into the side of the block (see the “W” in the pic?).  Larry tells me that its a 1955 ”Spitfire” 301 cu in Polyspherical Hemi engine used on the 1955 Chrysler Windsor.  It was Chrysler/Plymouth’s way to more economically take advantage of the Hemi engine design to compete with Ford and Chevy’s small V8’s, where before Chrysler had used its big displacement 6 cylinder.  The Poly engine used a single valve rocker and a valve angle that was more straight up and down.  Not quite the performance of the double rocker, full hemispherical engine, but great bottom to mid range torque, less weight, faster manufacturing and cheaper cost.  According to my research on allpar.com, the ‘55 301 cu in Poly Hemi was a one year engine.  In 1956, Chrysler went to a 331 cu in Poly Hemi.  But, of course, in traditional hot rodding fashion, the “Poly” heads got replaced with higher performing, newer design full Hemisperhical heads for Larry’s hot rod.  This Hemi screams traditional hot rodding more than any other engine!

At this stage of the build, Larry mocked up this sa-weet Hillborn Mechanical Fuel Injection setup.  When asked, Larry’d prefer to run 3 Stromberg 97′s atop this beauty since mechanical injectors are a bit finicky and it’s no fun to carry a primer bottle when running a street roadster like what Larry’s got in mind.

The body is of course steel made by Brookville Roadster.  Color will likely be some hue of black, either a satin or gloss finish, he’s not sure yet. He just knows it needs to be black, like a true hot rod should be.  Larry worked years ago doing body work and has a friend with a paint booth, so he’d like to do the body work himself.

The frame rails are vintage 1932 Ford steel.  The ‘32 crossmember is also from Ford and is a sought after gem cherished by traditional hot rodders.  The frame’s boxed for strength in the front section only to be able to harness the Hemi’s weight and tendency to wanna twist the rails.

Out back, you see the Halibrand ID # 178 quick change rear end (will likely run a 3.05 final drive ratio).  Larry said this rear end is another classic component that is probably worth upwards of $5,000 to other traditionalists in today’s market.  As you’d expect, Big Lar’ didn’t pay quite that much back in the day when he picked it up.

Wheels are Kelsey Hayes 16″ wires and tires will likely be early style dirt tracks, either Coker or Firestone.

Continuing with the project details; taillights are blue-dot 1950 Pontiac, the transmission is a 1939 Ford 3 speed manual, and brakes are also 1939 Ford, which would have been period correct for the 50’s.  It just wouldn’t be right to throw a 5 speed and disc brakes at this roadster.

This brings me to the final part, Inspiration:
I simply can’t imagine what it must be like to save and plan and collect parts for 30+ years.  Sure, some of that wait is by choice as Larry’s happily spent time and money raising his family and racing at Bonneville but, some of that wait is just part of this hobby we call hot rodding.  The bench-racing, planning, parts collection and eventually cruising the finished rod are all part of the fun.

Can’t wait to see this car progress to its final stages and cruise to the Salt and local car shows.  Future posts about this hot rod’s progress are coming. Count on it.  Thanks Larry and Dallas for sharing your passion.  See you on the Salt!

Wheels & Wings at Hill AFB Aerospace Museum

The Hill Air Force Base Museum in Ogden, Utah held a Car Show they call Wheels & Wings!  The entry fee for spectators was a money donation or canned foods for a local Charity. 

 I was surprised at how many people showed up.  Enjoy these photos of some of my favorite rides.  There were some great hot rods and customs.  I wish there were more warbirds and airplanes, as they make for great photo ops.  Go HERE for the full Picture Gallery.

 

 

 

Bonneville Veteran Dies at Speed Week

With all the excitement about Bonneville Speed Week, before I post my first blog and pictures, I want to show my respect following the tragic death of a great family man and land speed racer, Barry Bryant.

Unfortunately, I only knew of Barry Bryant of Anderson, California by his race car.  I told some friends about a sinister looking, long and bad, silver and black competition coupe that stood out as one of my favorites on the salt.  After describing the car as best I could, I learned it was the Bryant family’s “Tom Thumb Special”

Late in the afternoon of 8/9/2009, Barry Bryant crashed near the 5 mile marker on the long course at Bonneville traveling close to 200 mph.

MyRideisMe.com would like to express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Barry Bryant.

If you knew Barry, please leave a comment.

Catching Salt Fever at Bonneville Speedweek!

For over 61 years the Bonneville Salt Flats have been giving people “salt fever” during its annual Speed Week each August. This year Pikesan, Hetchspeed, and GreaseGirl met up at the flats to bring everyone at MyRideisMe.com a little taste of the salty stuff!

And are you guys in for a treat!!! Not only is Speedweek home to land speed racings biggest event but its also one of the most amazing mix of cool people and cars you’ll ever experience. So check back into MyRideisMe.com soon to catch a glimpse of some of the nearly 1000 pictures we took, coverage of build stories, records broken, life on the salt, and the people that make it all happen.

We had the time of our lives out on the white stuff and we can’t wait to share it with ya!

Speedweek 2009-Bonnie’s Homecoming

I think its only fitting that the first pic from Speedweek 2009 that we post is of our fearless leader, pikesan.  I’ll let pikesan post most of the pics of his car “Bonnie” and her homecoming to the Salt Flats but, I took this cool rolling shot Saturday morning and wanted to share it with you all.  This was taken about 30 seconds after Bonnie and pikesan (suffering from a sever case of Salt Fever) made it onto the Salt for the first time.  What a cool moment! I switched to shutter priority mode on the D90 and started snapping pics while trying to drive (luckily the entry road is super wide).

This shot inspires me to build my own roadster.  Well, that’s it for now.  The MyRideisMe.com crew that made it out to the Salt (we missed you Swanee) for Speedweek 2009 will be sharing stories and a sizeable photo gallery.  It was also the first time pikesan, GreaseGirl and Hechtspeed met in person.  We had a great time and can’t wait to share our experiences!

Ok, this pic is just too good (imho) not to post now.  This black car just pops against the bright fresh Salt.

Hechtspeed

 

 

 

 

 

We’ve got more pictures from Bonneville in the links below, check ‘em out!

Nugget Casino Car Show during Bonneville Speedweek Picture Gallery

Bonneville Speedweek Roadster Picture Gallery

Bonneville Bound – My Traveling Buddy’s go 250mph!

Traveling along sucks. That’s why I’m glad to have a traveling buddy for the long drive from Phoenix to Wendover, Utah for Speedweek on the Bonneville Satlt Flats.  I’m towing my 1927 roadster, so I can’t drive that fast so I fit right in with my 250mph partners on the road, “Bonnieville Bob” and his son Rocky.

Their B/GMR modified roadster is a stretched 1927 roadster that’s been as fast as 251 mph at Bonneville and that’s just 4 mph off the record.

Much more to come on these guys since I’ll be shooting lots of pictures of all the race cars and picking Bob and Rocky’s speed-brain for all they’re worth!

Look for us on the salt!  And if you know Bob, say hi right here by leaving a comment.

Speedweek Push Vehicle: Blown Cherry Red Caddy

As part of the crew at MyRideisMe.com leaves for the Salt today and I leave tomorrow, we can almost taste it, the Salt that is.  Here’s a quick picture of one of the many push vehicles you’ll see at Bonneville.  But, granted, this is not your typical pusher.  Most of the time you’ll see trucks and big sedans giving their racecars a push start.  This blown Caddy Coupe takes the Push Vehicle to a whole new level and is definitely showing off, and everyone loved it!  This hot rod gets its pushing duties done in style.

1 more day and a wake up until we get out on the white stuff.  Can’t wait.  Did I say I was excited!?

Small Town USA Car Shows: The Future of Hotrodding

 

 

The Bountiful, Utah “Coats For Kids” Car Show was just another example of small town USA and the car nuts that make up this great hobby/pastime. 

Personally, I think its crucial that towns big and small keep hotrodding alive and passing the automotive genes onto the next generation by supporting and putting on car shows and cruise-ins like this one in downtown Bountiful, Utah. 

 

 

 

 

Looking over these pictures again, I thought about how events like this create a sense of community and make family memories for years to come.  Nothing more american, or human, than a good car show with your friends and family. 

 

Here are some of my favorite pictures I took while hanging with my family.  How else can you teach your kid to hang his arm out the window like a true hotrodder than by owning a ‘32 roadster?  How else will he know what a 4bbl carbed big block V8 sounds like unless he can stand next to it and feel the ground shake! 

Shoot me an email at hechtspeed@myrideisme.com and I’ll post up your “small town USA” car show pics and info.  Let’s keep this hobby alive and growing.  My sons should be restoring a 2005 Mustang GT or a 2008 Challenger in about 25 years as long as I keep taking them to car shows and working on project cars in the garage with them right?!  Right! 

When is the next car show?!

Hechtspeed

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