If the old Chinese proverb, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" is true, then you can expect the things you do today could very well affect your life in the future. Back in the early '60s, when he was only 21 years old, Bob Everts decided he needed to leave his home in Connecticut and go to California to make his fortune, so he packed up his '32 Ford three-window and drove on out. Little did he know that the path he chose back then would lead him to a room full of Deuces later in life.
He reluctantly sold his three-window to finance the purchase of the metal tubing needed to create a prototype helicopter that he would go on to sell in kit form, setting the stage for his success in the business world. Many years later, Bob can now afford to dote on his collection of cars, which have included some of the more high-profile cars in hot rodding. One of the better-known vehicles he used to own is the Bob Morris roadster, which was built by the late Don Thelen at Buffalo Motor Cars. The hot rod used many parts that were plated in nickel, thus earning its moniker as the Nickel Roadster.
Now living a comfortable life in comedian Tim Allen's garage, the Nickel Roadster is one of those cars that many folks know about but very rarely ever get to see. Plus, with some folks putting the Nickel Roadster in an elite group that includes the Doane Spencer roadster, you can believe the quality and engineering that went into its creation is well above reproach.
Well, one doesn't soon forget owning such a vehicle, and neither had Bob. After forming a friendship with hot rod coachbuilder Steve Moal, Bob put forth a plan that would incorporate one of Steve's high-tech tube chassis (that uses sports car and NASCAR drivetrain and suspension concepts) with the style and grace of the Nickel Roadster.
But the inspiration that put Bob on the path to creating a new vehicle based on his old car didn't start with that singular thought. It began nearly nine years earlier when he was walking through the L.A. Roadsters Show's swap meet section looking for who-knows-what. What he came across were parts to an interesting engine. Contained in several crates were the pieces to a 1972 Yenko Weslake engine-a special four-valve Chevy V-8 that was originally intended for Trans-Am racing. Eternally a tinkerer, Bob bought the parts without knowing what he was ever going to do with them.
Though you never know when two paths will cross, the engine eventually found its way into the build plans for Bob's new Moal-built ride. The finished concept Steve and Bob agreed upon would be a Weslake-powered, Moal-built hot rod that would take its styling cues from the Nickel Roadster, effectively taking the best points from three worlds-engine, suspension, and elegance.
Steve has been perfecting his sports chassis for hot rods over the past few years, and has been able to cram a lot of engineering into a small, tight package. The wheelbase is set up at 110 inches and utilizes a Moal-built tubular chassis that, in the rear, houses a Currie 9-inch Posi aluminum rear (4.11:1) with torsion bar setup. Torsion bars are used up front too, while Wilwood 10.5-inch vented discs are found on each corner. Steering is handled by a Tommy Lee 12:1 power-assisted NASCAR box, which takes a little getting used to, but works well once you develop a touch for it.
Dual CNC'd master cylinders feed the brake system, and stainless steel line is used throughout the chassis. The whole package rolls on five-pin, knock-off Halibrand wheels (16x6 in the front, 18x7 in the rear). The aft wheels are wrapped in Dunlop Vintage Racing 7.00-18 rubber while the fronts are shod in the same type, only in the smaller 5.50-16 size. Sherm's Custom Plating in Sacramento, California, took care of the nickel-plating of all the chassis items.