I have wanted a rod since 1973 when I first saw American Graffiti.
Unfortunately not working in the motor/engineering trade and not having a garage or workshop meant it never happened.
Last Christmas I decided it was time to make the dream a reality and started to look for a running 32.
After a couple of false starts this arrived.
It runs OK but needs tidying up, new interior, alloys and some time in the future a big shinny 8-71 blower.
You have to get older, but you don't have to grow up!!!
Neat where did you find it
Happy coincidence, I just missed it a Christmas. It was advertised on one of the other forums.Originally Posted by HAROLD
Then about three weeks ago the guy got in touch to see if I was still interested as he didn't have time to do anything to it for a while.
I went up to Stoke to have a look and collected it the following week.
You have to get older, but you don't have to grow up!!!
Very nice
Got the new wheels and tyres fitted at last.
Went out for a spin and got muddy!!!
You have to get older, but you don't have to grow up!!!
Waht a difference, looks so much better with those wheels & tyres.
Who cares If It's glass or steel, It's still a hot rod.
Very nice, good to have some more pic's,
Been having a good look round at wheels today.
Looking at Rocket Injector 15 x 10 polished for the rears with Hoosier Prostreet 31 x 12.5 x 15 tyres and Rocket Launcher polished with the existing Vredestein vintage on the front.
Also need to have the interior completely re trimmed. Looking a black tuck 'n' roll with contrasting piping.
You have to get older, but you don't have to grow up!!!
Nice one Phil, that's given me plenty to read while it's wet outside.
Cheers Tim W
Sent from my G3121 using NSRA mobile app
There’s loads more to come. If I remember the main reason I stopped posting on this forum was difficulty in loading pictures. I’ve just found I can copy and paste OK so transferring the rest over shouldn’t be to painful.
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You have to get older, but you don't have to grow up!!!
OK.
Back to the car
(25/02/19)
First go at proper solid riveting. Looks straight forward but the result wasn't quite as good as I'd hoped for.....it can only get better
Used marine Sicaflex to bond the ally to the existing firewall.
Starting to bring cables through and find all the original holes for brackets and clamps etc.
Last edited by fabphil; 24-02-23 at 04:36 PM.
You have to get older, but you don't have to grow up!!!
(06/05/19)
Have been working on the motor for a while now, got some time over the weekend to start on the bomber seats.
Hot Rod Harry helping to hold down the ally sheet.
Four sides cut out with the air shears
Centre punched holes for rivets
Ended up drilling over two hundred 3mm holes for the rivets
Got this expanding gadget to set the distance between the rivet holes ,saves a lot if measuring
Cleco fittings to hold all together
Angle fitted to side piece
And we get to fitting the copper rivets. The air gun makes short work of things.
A few hours later, angle riveted , all U section edging cut for both seats. Lumbar support made.
Seat bottom and back bent, sides clamped in place.
Then I got to play with my dimple die cutters!
(Can't load any more pics. Reached post limit).
It's surprising how long it takes. Lots still to do. Need to deal with the sharp corners on the U section, rivet the back and base to the sides. Then fit to the mounting frame. Looks like there will be almost 500 rivets per chair!
(Had a re-think on the edges. I'm not really happy with the angle at the top and bottom of the seat sides even filing them to a radius they will still hurt if accidentally caught so will be altering them to curves and hopefully using split copper micro bore plumbing pipe (8/10mm) to follow the curves.)
Last edited by fabphil; 20-03-23 at 06:34 PM.
You have to get older, but you don't have to grow up!!!
(27/05/19)
Got some play time today. Started on the roof switch panel.
This has to house all the usual switches lights, wipers, de-mist fan, brake level warning light and test switch plus all the aux switches for the nitrous, fuel pumps, cooling fans etc. Also has the radio, nitrous computer and trans and oil temp gauges.
Started off using the folder to get the basic shape then a lot of drilling, cutting and filing to get all the holes correct. The three holes in the back are for the BMW de-mist fan (BIVA requirement).
Cut and folded the end pieces.
Riveted into place.
Fitted all the kit.
The blower fan is the smallest I could find to fit, its the rear screen de-mist from a BMW cabriolet. Works like a small hairdryer, no water required.
Last edited by fabphil; 20-03-23 at 06:39 PM.
You have to get older, but you don't have to grow up!!!
(07/06/19)
Started on the wiring for the switches. Spaghetti! Should look better when the plugs are on the ends and all cable tied up.
Trying to figure out the side light/headlight, low beam/high beam and two speed wipers has been interesting
Last edited by fabphil; 20-03-23 at 06:42 PM.
You have to get older, but you don't have to grow up!!!
Just caught up with the all of your post and enjoyed it. Keep up the good work and keep posting.
Sent from my iPhone using NSRA mobile app
Really enjoying this thread, looking forward to the next installments.
Who cares If It's glass or steel, It's still a hot rod.
Might have missed it, but did the poor braking get resolved? Pedal mods were in the offing but bleeding removed a possible huge air bubble. Unclear, to me anyway, if that was it or not.
Chris
Sent from my SM-T515 using NSRA mobile app
Bumper sticker - This is an historic vehicle and only has three speeds....... if you don't like this one you sure as hell won't like the others.
Got it sorted in the end.
After all the messing about turns out it was a massive air lock in the pipe to the front nearside calliper.
The brakes had all been bled until no air bubbles were visible but there was still air in the pipe!
Ended up pumping a litre of new fluid through and that cleared it.
Brakes are great now.
You have to get older, but you don't have to grow up!!!
Cool, but it seems kinda weird that you have decent brakes with a 3:1 pedal ratio. Doesn't sound possible really unless you're pressing incredibly hard! Hmm. Just curious, enquiring minds and all that!
Chris
Sent from my SM-T515 using NSRA mobile app
Bumper sticker - This is an historic vehicle and only has three speeds....... if you don't like this one you sure as hell won't like the others.
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