RamRodder’s interior will never be considered sumptuous with nothing in the way of creature comforts—we think of it as Gasser chic.
For a variety of reasons, such as budgets, boredom or business, project cars often get moved to the back of the shop where they languish, often becoming just another shelf to pile parts on. This usually lasts until the desire for a finished project overcomes the excuses for not working on it. After its latest hiatus, we’re once again fired up and have focused our attention to Project RamRodder.
Although the goal is simplicity,...
Although the goal is simplicity, we still wanted good-looking, comfortable seats. We found new bucket seats from Speedway that are all of that and bargain priced too.
With all the welding on the rollbar completed, the floor permanently in place, and the dashboard done, we turned our attention to installing seats and the steering column and wheel. Our first thought on seating was to copy what used to be common with Mopar racers, seats, and sheetmetal pedestals from a Dodge van or A-100 pickup. Unfortunately, the Gasser craze may have prompted others to have the same thought, or there’s more interest in restoring Dodge vans and trucks than we ever imagined. Regardless of the reason, the worst set of seats we found had a ridiculous price tag, and the better the seats the worse the price became. Fortunately our friends at Speedway Motors offered an alternative with brand-new, low-back vinyl seats for a little over $200 each, less than it would have cost us to re-cover a beat-up set of buckets. Available in black, white, and beige, these seats have generous dimensions and adjustable backrests.
Speedway’s buckets feature...
Speedway’s buckets feature reclining backrests—a plastic cover conceals the spring-loaded mechanism.
Once the seats bolted solidly to the underfloor braces, our next chore was to mount the steering column. We’re using a basic, straight-tube, competition-type column from Flaming River. The mill finish 304 Grade Stainless tube is 1-3/4 inches in diameter and has a 3/4-inch 36-spline shaft on the steering box end, while on the other end it’s a 3/4-inch smooth to accept a quick-release steering wheel hub. To mount the wheel we used a Flaming River quick-release hub with a standard three-bolt mounting pattern. For a steering wheel we chose a classic vinyl three-spoke from Moon, complete with a chrome dome horn button.
We spent a few evenings modifying the seat mounts and fabricating steering column brackets and in the end found renewed enthusiasm and a renewed resolve to get RamRodder on the road. Besides, Brennan says he’s done making engine sounds, so we can’t sit in it and pretend we’re driving, now we’ve got to make it run.
While we were bargain hunting...
While we were bargain hunting we opted for a pair of seat mounts from Speedway as well. We couldn’t make them for the price.
Along with the seats and mounts,...
Along with the seats and mounts, sliding adjusters are available from Speedway. In our case we decided to bolt the seats in place without any means of adjustment.
To make the mounts bolt directly...
To make the mounts bolt directly to the seats some modification were required. All four tubes of the frame were cut, then the sections were bolted in place.
The frames had to be lengthened...
The frames had to be lengthened and widened slightly. This was done by slipping tubing over the cut portions and welding it in place.
Continuing the simplicity...
Continuing the simplicity theme, we fabricated the lower steering column mounts from flat stock and a muffler clamp. The two pieces sandwich the toeboard for strength; the clamp is on the outside.
Due to the large transmission...
Due to the large transmission tunnel foot room is at a premium. We determined where the column had to exit and cut a hole in the floor.
Two Flaming River stainless...
Two Flaming River stainless steel U-joints were used to hook the steering column to the Corvette box. The U-joints are connected by a short section of double-D shaft.
The upper steering column...
The upper steering column mount started out as a piece of scrap 1/8-inch plate. An opening for the column was cut with a hole saw and one end was rounded.
With the edges wrapped a muffler...
With the edges wrapped a muffler clamp was welded to the back side.
One side was welded solid,...
One side was welded solid, then with the aid of a torch short sections of the flat stock were heated, wrapped around the mount, and tacked in place.
Once completed, the upper...
Once completed, the upper mount was welded to the rollbar crossbrace and the column was slipped into place and secured at the top and bottom with the clamps. Note the splined end on the shaft for a quick-release steering wheel mount.
Flaming River’s quick-release...
Flaming River’s quick-release hub bolted directly to the Moon steering wheel. The wheel is removed by sliding the spring loaded retainer toward the driver.
With the seats bolted down...
With the seats bolted down and the steering column in place we can’t wait to get behind the wheel for real.