Turtle Wax Tech Tips
You only have to look at all the filth you cleared off the windshield with your wipers to imagine what your paintwork goes through. Bodywork is on the frontline, attacked by grit, tar, oil, and salt, so you can imagine the abuse it takes throughout the rodding season. We asked the guys at Turtle Wax for a couple tips on how to keep our cars looking perfect all year long.
Recommendations:
* Look out for chips, since the front of the car and thesills are prone.
* Use a Turtle Wax ChipStick to stop rust in chips or scratches.
* Remove any bird droppings as soon as possible.
When not working at his day...
When not working at his day job at Wheelsmith, Chris Sage wrenches on hot rods, like this clean '33 Ford Tudor. His homebuilt hot rod runs a 327ci small-block Chevy and, of course, rides on Wheelsmith 17- and 18-inch wire wheels.
Lincoln Zephyr coupes look...
Lincoln Zephyr coupes look good, no matter how you slice them, and Jim Waggaman's '39 three-window coupe is no exception. Jim's coupe also features a number of bells and whistles, such as power steering, Vintage Air A/C, Specialty power windows, Viper security, and Mustang II IFS, while still retaining all the classic attributes that make old cars stylishly timeless.
Rhode Island native Bob Smith...
Rhode Island native Bob Smith now owns Creighton Hunter's old hot rod tub, the Santa Ana Special. The Flathead-powered Deuce features quarter-elliptic springs, custom wheel covers, cowl steering, finned drums, and a Halibrand quick-change. Creighton was one of the pioneers of the Southern California drag racing scene, teaming up with Pappy Hart to run the Santa Ana Drag Strip.
Mike Cole's '51 drop-top Ford...
Mike Cole's '51 drop-top Ford took 2 1/2 years to build in two separate Lakewood, CA, garages. Mike's son, Bob, took the rusty body home, while Mike retained the chassis. A Street Rod Engineering subframe was mated to an LT1 engine, a 4L60E transmission, and a 9-inch Ford rear, while Bob tackled the bodywork. Once completed, the two were rejoined before being upholstered by House of Trim in Paramount, CA.
Another car fresh outta the...
Another car fresh outta the garage was Jim and Karyn Cripps' '50 Pontiac two-door hardtop. The Santa Ana, CA-based Poncho retained its famous lineage by running a 389ci Pontiac engine topped with a Tri-power setup and mated to a Turbo 400 transmission. A Fatman Fabrications frontend and coilovers out back soak up the bumps.
Ray Thompson's '32 Ford roadster...
Ray Thompson's '32 Ford roadster is a clean study in traditional hot rodding. Aside from the new Brookville body and SO-CAL Speed Shop chassis, both of which wear '51 Ford Meadow Green, Ray's Deuce sports a vintage 409 engine backed by a Muncie four-speed and rides on Ford steelies wrapped in bias-ply 'stones.
A mild kustom if ever there...
A mild kustom if ever there were one! Robert House's mellow '50 Chevy Fleetline is so clean, it's hard to tell where the original GM designers stopped and Robert took over. Subtle modifications exist on nearly every panel of Rob's Chevy, from the grille to the rear bumper. The car rides on airbags suspended on a Mustang II IFS and 10-bolt rearend.
Joe and Tracey Sahli cruised...
Joe and Tracey Sahli cruised across the state line from Paradise Valley, AZ, in their mint '34 Ford Cabriolet to soak up the sun at the Del Mar Nationals. The original Henry body rides on a fully independent Heidt's suspension setup and sports a 350ci Ram Jet Chevy engine.
Northridge, CA, native Mike...
Northridge, CA, native Mike Fennel brought his freshly finished Candy Apple Red '59 Chevy El Camino down to Del Mar, earning a Top 100 pick in the process. Mike's Elco runs a 409ci engine backed by a 700-R4 transmission. Chrome steelies with baby moons, whitewall rubber, and white leather tuck 'n' roll interior offset the '50s-style mild custom perfectly.
Terry James brought out his...
Terry James brought out his Mira Loma, CA-based '49 Chevy Fleetline, fresh off the cover of Rod & Custom magazine. The Chevy runs a 425ci Buick Nailhead backed by a Turbo 400 and rides on a Mustang II frontend and a Ford 8-inch rear. The car was nosed and decked, the door handles were shaved, and both the taillights and headlights were frenched before it was sprayed a specially mixed orange hue.