The summer street rod season is rapidly approaching! The work on the M-2000 Road Tour roadster is moving right along at Lobeck's Hot Rod Shop in Cleveland. There are 11 National Street Rod Association events on this year's schedule and we will be at all of them to give everyone a look at the roadster.
The Road Show tradition continues this year, as we will be making stops at street rod shops and manufacturers on our way to the events. We had some great get-togethers last year at the Road Shows. Be sure to check the schedule for one near you. The Tour will cover 25,000 miles this year and it will undoubtedly be a fun-filled, topless summer!
This month we follow along as the craftsmen at Lobeck's prepare the Downs body for paint and make some subtle modifications that will give the roadster the swept-back look of the future. Next month, the M-2000 gets painted and powered with a brand new Chevy small-block. We are getting closer to completion. Get out your map and make your plans--we want to see you all on the Road Tour!
With the Downs Deuce body...
With the Downs Deuce body mounted on the Just-a-Hobby chassis, the M-2000 is beginning to take shape at Lobeck's. The body is prepped and ready for paint. It now sits on the 15 and 17-inch Billet Specialties "Octane" wheels. Billet Specialties also offers this new style wheel in the tall 20-inch size.
The Tanks gas tank was moved...
The Tanks gas tank was moved forward and raised into the body approximately 1 inch.
Ed Roethel shows how the rear...
Ed Roethel shows how the rear body corner bolts into place. The ends were cut off the rear roll pan and then formed to extend down on each side of the chassis to add to the already low stance.
The taillights are molded...
The taillights are molded flush with the body. Lambert Enterprises' lenses and LED conversion kit were used to make sure that everyone behind the M-2000 knows when it is stopping!
A Dan Fink windshield frame...
A Dan Fink windshield frame is being used on the roadster.
Ed Williams from Lobeck's...
Ed Williams from Lobeck's formed an angled "boss" on the cowl where the windshield will bolt, giving it a swept-back appearance.
The instrument holes are cut...
The instrument holes are cut and awaiting the gauges. Since this year's roadster is state-of-the-art, a set of the new Dakota Digital Odyssey Series II round fluorescent gauges will be installed to give us all the necessary info on the car's vital signs.
A fiberglass Lobeck grille...
A fiberglass Lobeck grille shell was used up front. The Dan Fink aluminum grille insert dropped right into place.