As much as things change, they stay the same. At least that's what someone said and there isn't an example more fitting than our hobby in general. Back when hot rodding was in its infancy, guys were scouring wrecking yards to source engines, transmissions, and body parts, and while you're hard pressed to find an old Flathead or a roadster body worth a hill of beans in a junk yard these days, guys are still scouring down those parts. The process is the same; it's just that the scouring is now done through catalogs and the Internet.
Every year we get together with a number of companies in our industry to show the kind of car that is possible for anyone with a realistic budget, some tools, and a bit of mechanical ingenuity to build. Using top-of-the-line and oftentimes brand-spanking-new components, the bar seems to be raised every year, and this year's car has not been an exception!
The '34 Chevy three-window coupe body started life when it was pulled from a fiberglass mold at Outlaw Performance, along with the fenders, running boards, and grille shell. Meanwhile, as the body parts cured, the crew at the Roadster Shop was busy hammering out the chassis. It was decided that a Heidt's Mustang II IFS would handle the suspension chore up front, while out back a fully polished Heidt's independent rear would suffice. Steering chores are handled by a Flaming River rack, while all four corners received disc brakes, the rears being mounted inboard. From there, the chassis was shipped west to Boyd Coddington Hot Rods in California.
Upon arrival, the crew at Boyd's dropped a GM Performance Parts Ram Jet 350 in the completed chassis, mated to a Gear Star 200-4R and evacuating the spent gasses through a Doug's Headers (division of PerTronix) exhaust system. To keep the Ram Jet cool, a U.S. Radiator was fitted, complete with a front-mounted A/C condenser working in conjunction with the Vintage Air A/C unit found inside the car.
The crew at Boyd's assembled the car and made sure the fit and finish adhered to their strict standards before the entire assembly was blown apart and rolled down to the paint and body booth to receive the PPG Vibrance Collection Lion's Mane paint. This unique hue really set the car apart and it was agreed by all that it was just the right color for this kind of high-profile project. Back in the assembly room, the crew worked voraciously to get the car done on schedule, putting all the painted and plated pieces back together. Once the car was assembled, the Wheel Vintiques' Lakester Series 88 wheels were mounted at all four corners and the Wise Guys' bench seat was bolted in before the car was shipped one final time to Texas to receive the interior.
Landing in South Austin, Texas, and into the capable hands at South Austin Speed Shop, Sean Johnstun and his crew at Fat Lucky's Upholstery began stitching up the vinyl that would ultimately cover every inch of the Chevy's passenger compartment. Custom-made panels were fitted to the doors, roof, kicker area, and rear panel sections before being covered in metal flake orange-trimmed black vinyl pleats. Auto Meter gauges were mounted on the flat dash and linked to the rest of the car via a Ron Francis Wiring kit to keep all the drivetrain vitals in check. Yogi's Inc. provided many parts and supplies in the build, including the center console that housed the stereo and climate controls, as well as the windshield wiper motor. Once the carpet and all the panels were complete, the finishing touches on the interior included the installation of the Lokar Midnight Series pedal set and shifter.
Since the 2006 Road Tour car's completion a few short months ago, more than 10,000 trouble-free miles have been logged in the driver's seat, testament to the fact that a quality hot rod can still be built by scouring parts together. As you read this, the little orange coupe just may be blasting across Interstate 40 on its way to yet another hot rod event.