Street Gasser Oct 09 v3:Layout 1

National Street Rod
Association Committee
2009
ESRA Rep: Mick Harle
(Firestarter)
020 8444 8615
The official journal of the
Chair: Darran Roberts
Merchandise:
National Street
Rod Association
(Alcoholic Rat)
07949 601829
Danny Slatter
(DansT)
Editor: Nick Brooke-Langham
Secretary: Sue Ayres
Trade Co-Ordinator:
Editorial Address:
(SMA37)
sec@nsra.org.uk
Dik Stapley (Dix)
07599 820571
23 Alexandra Drive
Newport Pagnell
Bucks MK16 0JX
Treasurer: Di de Vos
Health & Safety Officer:
(Zephyr2)
07973 401239
Dave Cox (DaveC)
07890 549675
Email: gasser@nsra.org.uk
Street Gasser magazine is a
bi-monthly publication, printed in
January, March, May, July, September
& November.
The views and opinions expressed in
Street Gasser magazine are those of the
contributors, and are not necessarily
the views of the NSRA. Mention of a
particular product or service does not
imply endorsement by the NSRA. Every
care is taken to ensure the accuracy of
the material published in Street Gasser
magazine, but the publishers and
printers cannot accept liability for errors
or omissions.
Submissions for Publication:
Letters, articles and classified adverts
are welcomed. Any item hand written
must be legible, electronic
submissions are welcome and
preferred.
Advertising:
Classified adverts appear at the
Editor’s discretion, subject to
submission being made in a timely
manner.
Published by:
National Street Rod Association
Designed by:
Dylan Jeavons Design Consultancy
Membership Secretary:
Legislative Officer:
Susan Adams
(Susanadams692)
07900 858945
Marek Czwordon
(wolselliac)
07909 523773
Public Relations Officer:
Member without
portfolio: Nick de Vos
Barry Timms
(Blownthames)
07929 640692
(zephyrnic)
Please remember when contacting any Committee members or your Area Rep that the
NSRA has no full-time officials. The Area Reps and the Committee are all volunteers
and as such have normal lives to lead. Therefore, we would respectfully request that no
Area Rep or Committee member is called after 9pm.
Contact Addresses:
Secretary: Sue Ayres, email secretary@nsra.org.uk
Membership Secretary: Susan Adams, PO Box
15014, Shirley, Solihull, B90 9EZ
Queries about the NSRA Insurance Scheme should
be directed to Mick Harle 02084 448415 between
6pm & 9pm or via the NSRA website.
Valuations are available from Maurice Takoor (0208
680 2613) details of this process can be found on the
NSRA website at
http://www.nsra.org.uk/insurance.htm
Insurance quotes are available from the NSRA’s
brokers, Classic Line Insurance, 138 Castle Street,
Hinckley, LE10 1DD (01455 639000)
Printed by:
Newnorth Print Ltd
Visit the NSRA website: www.nsra.org.uk
Front Cover:
Salt Flat Refugee @ Squeaks
2 OCTOBER 2009 STREET GASSER
Website designed and maintained by Douglas Armstrong of Dome Products Ltd.
WWW.NSRA.ORG.UK
In this issue…
his issue of Street Gasser is a bit like
a Geography lesson as we drop into
Australia, California, Stratford Upon
Avon and even manage to visit Lands End.
So settle down now, put your books away,
sit up straight as we begin with a quick bit
of Social Science or for the highly
educated amongst you Psychology.
There are quite a few activities that we
all do automatically, everyday, without
even realizing it. Breathing and blinking
being just two of them, however, one
activity that influences not only our
working but also our personal lives is body
language. The subconscious reading of
how others react with us as we interact
with them. This skill has been around
since life began, and like me, you can let
people around you know exactly how you
feel without uttering a single word. You
will know if I am joking, threatening,
angry, happy and a whole myriad of other
emotions, with not one word passing my
lips.
Even the experts agree how vital body
language is as they have concluded that
communication between humans consists
of 93% body language and just 7% verbal.
Imagine if you take away the body
language element from our
communication, it doesn’t leave very
much for us as humans to work with. A
person who is sight impaired is therefore
at a great disadvantage when compared to
a person with normal vision; however their
senses make adjustments to assist in
controlling this void. So I wonder why it is
that the rest of us fail to make any such
adjustments when we work without 93%
of our communication skills, when we text,
use Facebook or more importantly for this
editorial, post on Forums!
Experts have also concluded that the
7% left over for verbal communication is
further reduced to just 2% when the
written word is used! No wonder so many
problems seem to arise on forums, and
just how quickly these can involve more
than one person. With sides being taken,
the situation rapidly escalates, with the
outcome leaving those directly involved
and even those just reading the thread
T
mentally battered and bruised with even
LOL failing to save the day.
I’m all for technology, but perhaps we
can all learn a lesson from this particular
situation and that is you still cannot
replace good manners, common sense &
decency. I am a very open and
opinionated person, but I wouldn’t post
something on a forum that I knew would
cause, or was likely to cause offence. As
my Grandfather used to tell me ‘Good
manners costs you nothing’. So in the
words of Hill Street Blues, ‘be careful out
there’.
Now for something completely
different, It’s ‘hallo’ from him and
goodbye from ‘her’ as there has been a
slight shuffle on the Committee with
Natalie Laugher stepping down from the
Merchandise role and Danny Slatter
replacing her. So thank you to both of
them for what they have already done and
what they will do for the club in the
future. Danny has some great ideas so
watch this space over the coming months.
Another slight change is that Graham
Rennie of American Auto Mags (01606
888324) has generously donated a
voucher worth £25 which can be
redeemed at his fine establishment. This
will be awarded in each issue so if you
know of any good deeds or worthy
recipients please let me know. To get the
ball rolling the voucher this issue goes to
Andy Cripps, perhaps a few books will
help him along the path to recovery and
help pass the hours of treatment.
I hope you all enjoy this issue and a
big thank you to all of you who have sent
in articles & Dom of Modernpics.co.uk for
his excellent photography.
Until the next time,
Nervous Nick
Coming up in the next issue of Street Gasser…
Hot Rod Hayride
Euro Nats
Old Warden Supernationals
Blown Pickup
Rolling Bones
And perhaps we will have room for a
little more...
The December issue will be posted on
Friday November 27th
WWW.NSRA.ORG.UK
California Party
5
Behind Closed Doors
8
Nostalgia Nationals 2009
10
AGM 2009
19
Surf Coast Crusin’
20
Rodding from the world’s
basement
23
Model Build Off
27
Radical Rides
28
Contributors to this issue:
Phil Mitchell
Pete Dempsey
Neil Brown
Martin Drake
Chris Walker
Dominic Romney
Proof Reader – Chris Pattison
ESRA CONTACTS
BSRA (Belgium)
www.bsra.be
DSRA (Denmark)
www.DSRA.dk
DSRO (Holland)
www.hotrods.nl/dsro/
EsSRA (Spain)
FSRA (France)
http://rods-customs.com
http://perso.club-internet.fr/symithie
GSRA (Germany)
www.gsra.de
NoSRA (Norway)
www.sn.no/-jhg/nsra/nsra.htm
SSRA (Sweden)
www.ssra.org
SSRC (Switzerland)
STREET GASSER OCTOBER 2009 3
SUPPLIERS OF NOT JUST HOT ROD PARTS!!!
European distributor for Radir Wheels and Cheater slicks.
European distributor for O,Brien Quality nostalgic aluminium engine
accessories, Including Chevy, Ford and Rover/Buick. And of course
the Famous Chrysler, Desoto and Dodge Hemi Valve covers.
“Buick” style Nostalgic front disc brake kits, looks cool and helps
prevent disc overheating/wheel wobble.
TRI CHEVY PARTS FROM CARS INC
We now stock ‘55-‘57 Chevy parts inc sheetmetal, glass, trim etc.
If its not in stock then we can get it. And of course Old or New hot rod
parts including complete cars sourced and shipped from The USA.
CONTACT NUMBERS;
Russ Pepper 07980 416785
Richard Green 973 538 7506 (USA)
Adam Sayers 07944 984384 (Tri Chevy Parts)
Nigel “Bear” Smith 07984 644516 (Impala Parts)
Web Site www.randrhotrodimports.co.uk
Modernpics.co.uk are the UK’s top source for Drag
Racing images. Whether it’s prints to give to
friends and sponsors, digital pics to use as your
desktop or commercial images for use with press
releases, sponsor marketing or branding. Whatever
your needs we can provide you with a solution.
If you are competing in MSA or FIA rounds your
name or car number is fully searchable. RWYB
competitors can search by registration number or
by browsing the galleries.
HTTP://ARCHIVE.MODERNPICS.CO.UK
SHIPPING SERVICE AVAILABLE
The NSRA would like to thank the
following for their sponsorship:
POWER & PERFORMANCE www.powerandperformance.co.uk
POP BROWN'S
www.popbrowns.co.uk
DUKSVILLE
www.duksville.co.uk
WISBECH ENGINEERING
www.wisbech-engineering.co.uk
ORIGINALS
Kerry Tate, 6 Beech Grove,
Camblesforth, SELBY
North Yorkshire YO8 8HU
Phone: 01757 618907
ESRA
NSRA HOT ROD DRAGS
18-20th September 2009
Shakespeare County Raceway, Long Marston Airfield,
Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 8LL
http://www.shakespearecountyraceway.com
HOME GROWN HOT RODS www.homegrownhotrods.co.uk/
RNR HOT ROD IMPORTS
www.randrhotrodimports.co.uk/
DANNY'S CHEVYS
www.dannyschevyparts.co.uk
PRO-LAMINATES
www.pro-laminates.co.uk/
NORTH HANTS TYRES
www.northhantstyres.com
COMET CLOTHING
www.cometclothing.co.uk/
RODKULT
www.rodkult.com
AMERICAN AUTO MAGS
www.americanautomags.com/
SVC
www.s-v-c.co.uk
Please support those who support us!
4 OCTOBER 2009 STREET GASSER
NSRA NORTHERN
SWAP MEET
8th November 2009
Northern Racing College, The Stables,
Rossington Hall, Great North Road,
Doncaster DN11 0HN
NSRA AGM
22nd November 2009
Holiday Inn, Northampton, 5 minutes from Junction 16 M1
WWW.NSRA.ORG.UK
CALIFORNIA PARTY
Words & images by
Nervous Nick
Additional images by
Chevy Llewellyn
aving returned to the hotel after
having a few drinks, Merv wanted
to head off out into the night to the
Hot Rod party we had all been invited to.
Many of the weary souls did not want
to come out to play, so just 6 of us headed
out into the night to locate the host venue,
Squeaks. This turned out to be across the
road from Kiwi Konnection and in the
middle of a residential area!
This was a thriving Hot Rod business,
which was having an open house event. As
we pulled up we knew we were in the right
place as 3 all steel Rods were lined up
outside, and the glow from within the
workshop illuminated not only the
surrounding area but fell upon several
other party goer's rides.
H
Illuminated by the glow
from the workshop
appeared to be tons of memorabilia. This
soon had me wondering just how much
space I had in my suitcase!
We were soon all clambering out of the
‘battle cruiser’ and like moths to a flame
lured towards the light.
Peering into the workshop we were
greeted by a 40’s Ford which was part way
through a rebuild. Sat on top a four post
lift was a Caddy and up in the rafters our
eyes were soon drawn to various bodies
and panels.
It was quite a sight, the sort of
workshop most of us would aspire to own.
Around the outside of the workshop was
all manner of speed equipment and what
WWW.NSRA.ORG.UK
Load em up boys
Not that much as it turns out as my
collection of T- shirts was once again
growing, much like my admiration for how
the Americans throw a party; with an open
door policy and the only stipulation being
you bring along your own booze! Not keen
on sharing then?
Further inside the workshop was
another surprise in the shape of a club
house, complete with walls covered in all
manner of memorabilia and images from a
time gone by. This is where I unfortunately
did little to foster East-West relations as I
sought to engage a Rodder in conversation
only to discover he didn’t speak English
and very quickly found myself regrettably
taking on that ludicrous mantle of; if they
don’t understand what you are saying,
then shouting it will certainly help, Not!
Hand gestures soon replaced my voice and
I finally understood that he had ridden a
pushbike to America from Botswana!
With only about 30 people tops at the
party, the UK visitors were soon all outside
exploring the various outbuildings; here we
came across several other vehicles, the
most fascinating of which appeared to be
a Model A with a wind cheating chop and
on closer inspection revealed a salt flat
racing heritage. The old Ford looked
wicked, secreted away as it was in a
gloomy garage. The old racer had as you
would expect a period perfect interior.
The seat appeared to testify that any driver
who got this baby upto speed on the salt
definitely had big cahooners, because
safety devices were minimal on this
particular ride, with a hoop and harness t
STREET GASSER OCTOBER 2009 5
both appearing modern additions to the
Spartan surroundings! One could only
imagine what the cacophony of noise was
like inside this particular salt racer as it
surged across the white stuff, awesome,
truly awesome!
Sat alongside the old racer was
another wind cheater but this time straight
from the factory, the Studebaker Factory.
This car covered in a deep layer of dust, or
was it salt? Either way it looked a
treasured car, possibly waiting it's turn on
6 OCTOBER 2009 STREET GASSER
the four post lift?
The music was still going but we were
all feeling the effects of a long day, so
soon trudged over to the battle Bus and
headed off to the Hotel, some for a night
cap but all for a good night’s sleep.
With a certain amount of sadness the
final day at the Hot Rod Reunion had
arrived. We were all determined to make
the most of it and as I had spent so much
time in the stands, I decided I would tour
as much of the pits as I could.
It is common knowledge that I have a
particular weakness and love of Gassers.
So it should be no surprise that I set out
to hunt down as many of this fine form of
drag machinery as I could. However along
the way I came across some equally
absorbing dragsters, in the form of front
engine rails.
The exotica amongst the various rigs
was quite outstanding and to try and
convey on these pages just how
overwhelming the sights and sounds were
is frankly difficult, but I hope the images
of my voyage of discovery at least give you
all a glimpse into that world.
A recent addition to the track is the
Garages that house several Gassers, and in
that early morning sunshine that only
California can conjure up, several of the
gassers sat out front. They almost
WWW.NSRA.ORG.UK
A work in progress
appeared to be like cold blooded reptiles
that needed to sun themselves in order to
warm the blood before they could get on
with the day. Or in this case before they
fired into action ready for another assault
on the quarter mile!
Sweeping across from the garages was
the start of the pits, and sat just outside
was the 32 Ford utilised as the promo
vehicle for Dynamat: the ‘Dynaliner’. This
has a fine patina, creating the look of an
old time rod when in fact it is no more
than a few years old. A job well executed
in my opinion.
Also running under the Dynamat
Banner was a selection of front engine
dragsters that possibly look better now
than when they ran in the 70’s and 80’s.
I wandered lonely as a cloud and came
across all manner of heavenly treats, but
the ones to get my pulse racing were as
previously mentioned the Gassers, none
more so than the immaculately restored
Texeria Willys and the contrast in looks,
but not in the amount of effort, that had
gone into the Barn Find Willys of Bill
Fowler. Different strokes for different folks
but equally on my Lottery list!
As the trailers started to appear and
the awnings came down, so did the
curtain on another fine trip to the orange
groves just outside Bakersfield, so I will
also make my exit and leave you with a
few more images from the Hot Rod
Reunion. ■
The Dynaliner - Now that's a chop!
WWW.NSRA.ORG.UK
STREET GASSER OCTOBER 2009 7
BEHIND CLOSED
DOORS
Project Fordson
Words & images by
Chris Walker
hings have progressed albeit a slowly
(life and work get in the way), the
chassis strengthening is finished
with just the servo mount to weld in and a
few minor brackets to sort out. It was
given a few coats of red oxide to protect it
until it is ready for primer and topcoat.
The new chassis members were cut
from 50mm X 50mm box section steel
and small cross members cut from 50 X
30 mm box section steel. Stewart Revill
came over for the weekend, now although
I can competently weld bodywork,
brackets etc, when it comes to chassis
welding then I want the job doing right
after all safety is a major consideration
with any project.
Stewart came up with the idea of
teaching Lisa to weld so after a quick tenminute lesson she proceeded to finish the
top side of the welds. Considering the fact
that she had never used a mig before the
results were amazing, and after her third
attempt she was laying down some perfect
welds.
T
There are still a few jobs remaining on
the chassis, getting the fuel tank made
and mounted, exhaust mounts, handbrake
cable brackets, but these will be done as
and when the parts are acquired.
Over the Christmas holidays I had been
in touch with Andy Whithorn who agreed
to change the stud pattern on the front
hubs and the back axle, this was to be
proving a challenge for him and myself as
the flanges on the rear half shafts just
weren’t big enough to take the new stud
pattern. I eventually found just the thing
via the internet, an adapter that changes
four stud to five stud for Audi and BMW’s
So the idea was put forward to Andy and
between us we came up with the required
design.
Andy still has the design if any body needs
some and his workmanship is top class.
So I have to say a very big “thanks” to
Andy for persevering with them.
With the major chassis work completed
and whilst waiting for parts to arrive, we
started to tackle the bodywork. Even our
daughter Megan got involved (A true
family project).
Rear wheel adaptor
Fordson chassis weld by Lisa
8 OCTOBER 2009 STREET GASSER
Yes I know I could have changed the
axle but it would mean a lot more work
and expense. (Unless someone has a
cheap complete 8 inch Ford back axle
going spare). The adapter is made up of
two parts and bolts to the half shaft and
adds an extra 4 inches to the overall
width, which meant the rear arches will
have to be widened by ½ inch each side.
Megan helping out
When the Fordson first arrived and
Lisa tried the driving position it became
clear that there would be problems with
side vision through the doors especially at
road junctions.
It was decided to lengthen the doors,
WWW.NSRA.ORG.UK
Body marked showing how much needs to be
removed
this had been done before on a rather
tasty Black Fordson built by Dave Haskill a
few years ago and involved shortening a
saloon door by four inches.
After a chat with Derek Gibson it was
decided that it was a lot of work and the
end result would not really be that
noticeable, so a set of steel saloon doors
were purchased acquired at the 2008 Hot
Rod Drags for the princely sum of £ 30 a
pair (a bargain) and although the required
some work to the bottoms they were
complete with all the internal door fixings,
glass, winder mechanism’s and locks.
post and 9 inches cut out. Once the dust
had settled and the door checked in the
new opening.
There followed a lot of adjusting and
reworking to getting the door to sit right in
the opening but eventually it was achieved
and the “B” post re-glassed in place and a
new inner sill made where the opening
had been cut out. Once the doors were
adjusted and altered to fit the front
opening the top door jambs were made up
using heavy duty fibreglass matting and
resin.
The door hinge mountings and striker
plates will be tied into the roll cage to
ensure rigidity and strength.
The roll cage will be mounted to the
brackets that have been welded onto the
chassis and will run from the footwells up
and over the door openings to the centre
loop behind the seats with a cross pieces
across the front screen, the centre of the
side panels giving it a six point fixing to
the chassis which should help with body
rigidity.
Rear mock up
No time for a tea break
The complete front panels (wings,
inner wings were originally fibreglass) have
been replaced with steel items and
although they will require some work they
were very cost effective. (read cheap)
The main body is a Pro Laminates item
and the moulding is very good but does
require a lot of work to get it perfectly
straight. (Or am I being too picky)
The only major problem area has been
the rear doors fitting and alignment. They
just would not sit level with the body work.
Fixing the doors to the body showed up
just how much of a major task this would
be as the body is a completely different
shape to a saloon, with 9 inches having to
be removed out of the side panels and the
door opening needing to be remade to fit
the door shape. The gutter, roof and door
surround inner panels would also need to
be reworked to suit the door curvature. So
armed with a grinder and hacksaw blade
the side panel was marked up and the “B”
WWW.NSRA.ORG.UK
So they were split and the panel pulled
out to try and get them to line up, but no
matter which way I pulled them they still
wouldn’t sit right. Three full weekends
were spent on each door, making new
mouldings and louvres, but they now line
up and sit flush with the surrounding
bodywork.
Although never seen the amount of
time and patience spent getting this stage
right, will pay off when it comes time to
paint the body.
New door bottoms from Pop Browns
will be welded to the originals to complete
the repairs. Hopefully by the onset of
winter the bodywork will be finished and
ready for primer. It might seem that
progress is a bit haphazard and not
following a normal pattern, ie;
chassis,engine,bodywork etc, but rather
than wait for parts to arrive as funds allow,
I would rather carry on with what I have
and hopefully get that out of the way for
now.
Front Mock Up
Door fitting finished
We will catch up with this family
project in 2010. ■
STREET GASSER OCTOBER 2009 9
2009
NOSTALGIA
NATIONALS
A Day Tripper’s View
Attention to detail
Images by Dominic
Romney (the quality ones!)
Words and ‘OK’ images by
Nervous Nick
ith my Gasser still not fighting fit,
the Hot Rod Drags at Shakespeare
County Raceway became a day
trip for me. No sooner had I negotiated
‘Pot Hole Alley’ than I spotted a fantastic
sight. A steel 5 window coup of 1934
W
10 OCTOBER 2009 STREET GASSER
vintage, you want patina, we got patina,
you want slicks, we got slicks, you want
original Halibrands, we got original
Halibrands, you want a blown Hemi, we
got a blown Hemi, you want fenders, well
you’re in the wrong place buddy!
I suddenly realised where I had seen
this wicked looking motor before, and it
was in the Bristol workshop of Merv
Barnett, so this had to be Carl Frith’s
latest creation.
I quickly parked and had a good look
round the finished (?) Rod, the pictures
don’t do it justice, it oozes Nostalgia &
Quality. With so much thought, money,
time and skill invested in the 34, you may
be pleasantly surprised to know that in
keeping with the ethos of being a Bristol
Street Rodder, Carl had not only driven it
all the way from Bristol, but had also
hammered it up the track throughout
Saturday. The one thing the Bristol
Rodders do is drive their Rods and drive
them hard! In fact he had put so many
quarter miles on it, that he now had a
major problem with the clutch, namely t
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Simon Barlow's Pop - Employing the wheelis bars
All photos on this page © Dominic Romney (modernpics.co.uk)
he madman himself - Andy 'Fadster'
WWW.NSRA.ORG.UK
STREET GASSER OCTOBER 2009 11
that it was virtually gone!
It was also rumoured around the pits
that he had run his last quarter mile with
the line lock still engaged!
The 34 was certainly grabbing a lot of
attention, but sat just behind it was an
equally impressive ride, still from the Ford
production line with only a mere 7 years
between the two Rods was Bartley Wren’s
41 pick up. Looking like it had sunk in
the grass, meant that this 41 was riding,
or more likely, sitting on air.
Sat just in front of both of these was
possibly the future of Rodding in this
country, with Preston and his Bugatti
influenced Tot Rod. Man I wish I was that
cool at that age, in fact I wish I was that
cool at any age!
Preston patiently waiting for his turn to run
© Dominic Romney (modernpics.co.uk)
It took me and my daughter Patsy over
an hour to reach the track,(no not because
of my lack of direction) but there was so
much to see and so many people to talk to
along the way, including a neat "created in
the 70’s, reborn in the new millennium"
pop.
Looking like a garage find, it had all the period
features
Once in the stands we were treated to
some good racing, oil downs, and
unfortunately at times a barren fire up
lane. I am never quite sure what causes
this phenomenon at the Nostalgia Drags,
but at times it appears no one wants to
run their car. Unlike the Hot Rod Drags
which is always rammed with cars waiting
to trip the timing beams. In fact so many
want to run at that event, the fire up road
queue stretches back up to and through
the pits. Some seem to think this is
because it's mid season and no one wants
to break their motor, I’m not convinced
12 OCTOBER 2009 STREET GASSER
Bartley & Carl that well known double act
WWW.NSRA.ORG.UK
but whatever it is, perhaps this is worth
bearing in mind for next year's Nostalgia
Drags, because some of the club members
attending got in 10 – 15 runs on each day.
That number of runs at the Nostalgia
Nationals would be very unlikely.
The gaps in the fire up road were often
filled with the a fine supporting cast, with
great entertainment being provided by the
Wild Bunch, Outlaw Flat Fours and the
ever popular Outlaw Anglias. I got really
excited part way through the day when I
spotted the Nostalgia Funny Car of Wendy
Baker preparing to run, but unfortunately
the flopper appeared to lose fire after its
burnout. Despite this it looked wicked and
a credit to all the team that work so hard
on it. t
Well crafted with a super low stance, I wonder if its bagged?
WWW.NSRA.ORG.UK
STREET GASSER OCTOBER 2009 13
© Dominic Romney (modernpics.co.uk)
Wicked Image - Wicked Willys
Looking as mean as ever!
© Dominic Romney (modernpics.co.uk)
Wandering around the pits and
camping areas I came across some fine
examples of the Rod and Racing scene in
the UK, and some of these were
recognised with the award of trophies. The
Quick Six were, and never has a trophy
been more aptly named for the mad man
that is Andy Hadfield (Model T), other
recipients were Dusty Laugher (Model A),
Andy Park (Model Y), Merv Barnett (37
Willys), Jez Atkinson (61 Anglia) and
Casey Grainger (66 Cortina).
The winners went away happy and so
did the majority of attendees, another
NSRA event had been a success, so here
is looking forward to the Hot Rod Drags,
get ready for the pit lane crawl! ■
Do you need a hand?
T Time
14 OCTOBER 2009 STREET GASSER
Getting ready for the run back to Bristol
WWW.NSRA.ORG.UK
WWW.NSRA.ORG.UK
STREET GASSER OCTOBER 2009 15
All photos on this page © Dominic Romney (modernpics.co.uk)
Dorset Horn, based on a slightly altered Austin A35
16 OCTOBER 2009 STREET GASSER
WWW.NSRA.ORG.UK
© Dominic Romney (modernpics.co.uk)
WWW.NSRA.ORG.UK
STREET GASSER OCTOBER 2009 17
18 OCTOBER 2009 STREET GASSER
WWW.NSRA.ORG.UK
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
22nd NOVEMBER 2009
his year the AGM is being held on
22nd November 2009 at the Holiday
Inn Northampton West, starting at
11.00am. The hotel is close to the M1,
so should be easily accessible for most
members.
We have two important subjects we
would like you to consider prior to the
meeting. Firstly, we have amended the
Constitution and you will find enclosed
with this edition, a copy of the
Constitution with the changes/additions
marked in red. As you will see, the main
areas of change relate to ‘rolling
T
Committee Nominations
membership’. We have also made
changes to include the website/forum, to
update the monetary values, Committee
nominations to be made in writing and to
include the number of cheque signatories’
required for the Association’s bank
accounts. At the AGM we will be asking
you to vote on accepting this revised
Constitution.
The second important issue we would
like you to consider is changing the
Association to a ‘Limited by Guarantee’
Company. This would make the
Association a Company limited to the
value for its assets only. There are no
shares and no distribution of profit. The
main reason for this is that at present
should the Association become insolvent;
the officers (your committee) could
become financially liable. Should both
proposals be accepted by the membership
at the AGM, by accepting the ‘limited by
assets’ option, you would also be
accepting a further amendment to the
Constitution to incorporate this significant
change.
The Committee nominations as at 26th August 2009 are as follows:
Chair
Darren Roberts
Proposed by
Secretary
Sue Ayres
Proposed by
Steve Marley
Seconded by
Carl Powell
Treasurer
Di de Vos
Proposed by
Sue Ayres
Seconded by
Dik Stapley
Membership Secretary
Susan Adams
Proposed by
Gavin Meanley
Seconded by
Mark Littleford
PRO
Barry Timms
Proposed by
ESRA Rep
Mick Harle
Proposed by
Phil Perry
Seconded by
Colin Ayres
Merchandise
Danny Slatter
Proposed by
Mark Adams
Seconded by
Nick Brooke-Langham
Trade Coordinator
Dik Stapley
Proposed by
Steve Fletcher
Seconded by
Pete Edwards
Health & Safety Officer
Dave Cox
Proposed by
Erik Johansen
Seconded by
Mal Layford
Legislative Officer
Marek Czworden
Proposed by
Dave Cox
Seconded by
Darren Roberts
Legislative Member
without Portfolio
Nick de Vos
Proposed by
Dik Stapley
Seconded by
Dave Cox
Please note that due to the copy date for
the Street Gasser being brought forward by
two weeks, not all current committee
nominations have been received due to
holidays and other commitments.
Members wishing to stand for any
committee position should forward their
nomination, with the names and
membership numbers of the members who
are Proposing and Seconding their
nomination, to the Secretary before Friday
23rd October 2009.
Agenda Items
Should any member like a particular
subject discussed at the AGM, please
forward your request to the Secretary
before Friday 23rd October so it can be
included on the Agenda.
WWW.NSRA.ORG.UK
Seconded by
Seconded by
Member’s Questions
If any Member has a question to ask the
Committee, please forward it to the
Committee before Friday 23rd October, so
that they can make sure all relevant
information is available.
Venue Details
Holiday Inn Northampton West
High Street,
Flore
Northampton NN7 4LP
Tel: 01327 349022
For those wanting to arrive Saturday, the
hotel has limited rooms available for
which they will charge £50 per night, their
sister hotel about 10 minutes away will
also charge the same rate if you book
through the Northampton West hotel and
quote the NSRA AGM. We are unable to
guarantee availability.
Directions:
From M1 – Leave the motorway at
Junction 16 and follow the signs for
Daventry. After about 1.5 miles you will
see the hotel located on the right hand
side.
From A45 East – Either follow the A45
towards Daventry, or join the M1 at
junction 15 and follow instructions
above ■
STREET GASSER OCTOBER 2009 19
SURF COAST
CRUISIN’
Words & images by
Phil Mitchell
fter taking my rod to Cornwall a few
years ago for the pre 49 weekend
and knowing what a good time was
had, the Surf Coast Cruisers St Ives
weekender seemed too good to miss. We
knew we would be staying in a pre booked
chalet so no camping gear was needed
with the site backing straight onto the
beach and with two pubs and an indoor
swimming pool, what more could anyone
want? The Friday trip down from Bristol
was pleasant with a dinner break taken at
Lanhydrock house a National trust
property well worth a visit, and just off of
the A30 at Bodmin.
The site at St Ives is huge with
Chalets, Caravans, Wood Lodges and vast
camping areas covering the land for as far
as you could see .The beach must rate as
A
The legendary ‘LCA 21’
20 OCTOBER 2009 STREET GASSER
We’ve Arrived
one of the best in Cornwall as it stretches
for miles and miles with unblemished
sand and a sea to die for !
Once settled into our chalet a look
around the cars was undertaken, talking to
new and old friends and even partaking
into a little light refreshment now and
again! The night was taken up drinking in
one of the sites pubs and enjoying the end
of England hospitality.
Saturday saw a cruise to Lands end
taking in St Ives main street ( A sight for
sore eyes on a holiday weekend) and a
stop at a tin mine for a breather. It did
rain for a short while but whenever I do
this northern route it always rains. At
‘Lands End’ we had dinner, then after this
we made our way through
Penzance onto Marazion and parking
up with a splendid view of Saint Michaels
Mount .
Sunday saw us doing another cruise
aided by a route pointing out views and
giving us a history as we drove .Our
WWW.NSRA.ORG.UK
The closest thing to a straight road in Cornwall
objective was Truro where our hosts had
arranged with the local council to park up
on the main Piazza where we could hold a
small show.
The organizers had thought out the
whole weekend well, with free pasty
Saturday night, free entrance into Lands
End, and cheap camping fees. I think
more people should attend these
weekenders’s and see for themselves how
hard individuals work to promote our
hobby.
Phil... www.bristolhotrods.co.uk ■
Tin Mining for beginners
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STREET GASSER OCTOBER 2009 21
22 OCTOBER 2009 STREET GASSER
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RODDING FROM THE
WORLD’S BASEMENT
By Neil Brown
guess this all started fifteen years ago
when my sister moved to Adelaide,
Australia, and married an Ozzie. (no my
sister isn’t called Sharon) My wife and I
went out for the wedding, (no not Muriel’s)
but before we went, I read a letter in
‘Street Rodder’ magazine from a guy in
Adelaide asking for info, and his address
was printed in the mag. So, not wanting to
miss out on some possible car action, I
wrote (no email back then) to Graham
Bilsborow, asking about the car scene in
Adelaide.
Well, he did us proud, and we ended
up spending a day with him, his wife
Linda and then only son Tom. Running
around in Grahams 38 Ford Coupe up in
the Adelaide hills on a Road Knights Club
poker run, which ended in a Barbie in the
German town of Hahndorf. It was a great
day, and the memories last to this day.
Unfortunately over the years I lost contact
with Graham.
Fifteen years on and at the very last
minute I decided to visit my sister again.
I browsed the net, found the Australian
Street Rod Federation and a list of clubs
which contained details for Robert Riggs.
This time there was an email address, so I
pressed the send button, and Robert got
back to me.
He said that as I was going out late
May, early June, and it would be their
winter, I would be missing their last big
cruise of the year. However, he would try
and sort something out for me, and to
phone him when I got to Adelaide. I also
mentioned in an email that I met Graham
on my last trip, and it turned out that he is
a very good friend of Roberts. Small
world!.
Well, it was a long flight, did I mention
it was a long flight, but it was great to see
my sister, her partner and two kids. After a
bit of ‘settling in’ I phoned Robert, and he
was great. He arranged for me to go round
to Len Vodic, a local Rodder the next
evening, and check the Stude powered A
Coupe that he was building as well as his
custom Chevy that was a fordor, then a
convertible and now it is a custom Tudor.
Len added a roof from a later car,
while chopping it of course, nosed and
decked and slammed it and added custom
I
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Grahams Belair..nice.
tail lights. He is also a great artist, having
done artwork for the Road Knights club,
Street Rod event promotions artwork, and
made his own outdoor projector and glass
slides to project on buildings around
Adelaide. A clever and very friendly guy.
Unfortunately, my camera battery was flat,
so I borrowed my sisters camera, which
after 2 photos, gave up on me! I would
A Roadster being pieced together from various
cars, with its Stude power in the foreground.
have loved to have taken some pics of his
oils on canvas in his lounge, or his sled,
but them’s the breaks!
On the way home Robert said he was
trying to arrange something for the
weekend, maybe take in the car toy fair in
Adelaide on the Sunday, and then visit a
couple of local Rodders.
Later that week, details were finalised,
and Graham was going to pick me up
Sunday morning in his 61 Bubbletop
Belair with his youngest son, Michael,
head back to his place for coffee and a
catch up, then we would go to the toy fair,
where Robert would meet me, and take
me to meet a couple of rodders. Sounded
great!.
Sunday morning came, and Graham
knocked at my Sisters door nice and early.
It was good to see him again and I’d
forgotten what a nice guy he is. We all
jumped into his Belair, and headed back
to his place for coffee and a ‘shed’
moment.
Now, at this point I should explain. A
shed in Australia isn’t a 6x4 wooden box
in the corner of the garden with the
lawnmower and garden tools thrown
inside, no, it’s a huge building where men
build cars. In Graham’s case, a four car
garage with a post lift in one bay, and an
office/model shop in the end bay. His car
collection had grown somewhat since I
last saw him. There, on the ramp was the
38 coupe, on the tailside of a rebuild.
Under the ramp was a big block powered
32 Roadster that Graham had knocked up
for some fun, and next to the model shop
was a 34 5 window coupe awaiting
attention to become a traditional rod. t
STREET GASSER OCTOBER 2009 23
and supplies parts to build 1/25th scale
models, say a Lincoln flathead V12 for
instance or complete kits, such as his
really cool traditional T. I spent a good
hour talking to Jason, then realised Robert
was waiting for me in the car park! I
thanked Jason and went off to find Robert.
When I got outside, there was Robert
and his wife Kerry in his 46 Chevy Coupe.
In we jumped, and off we headed into the
The 38 coupe, going V6 powered cos Graham couldn’t get the old hi-po 351 to run right on pump gas!
It’s worth mentioning here that
Australia has some very strict restrictions
on cars, especially home builds, but these
guys still build great cars. Worth
remembering for the future in the U.K
After a coffee and a chat with the
misses (thanks Linda) and seeing Grahams
oldest son Tom, who is now taller than me
(he was a little grommet when I was last
him, that’s what fifteen years of sunshine
does.) it was off to the Toy Fair. Cruising
along the streets in Grahams Belair,
windows down with some rock n roll
playing on the stereo was pretty cool.
The Toy Fair was great, we wandered
around for a bit, I bought myself another
toy for my cupboard, but Graham had to
take Michael to Aussie rules Football
practice, so we stopped by for a chat with
Jason at the Parts Box,
(http://www.thepartsbox.com/) who is a
very friendly guy. Jason prototypes, moulds
The T bucket prototyped and built by Jason
Under the ramp, the 32 Roadster
Unusual Gasser kit
Waiting in the corner, the 5 window 34, good patina, Mate!
24 OCTOBER 2009 STREET GASSER
Adelaide hills. The Scenery up there is
beautiful and it could have easily been
England apart from all the Eucalyptus
trees, and signs warning of Koalas!! I was
told that it’s nothing like this in the
summer months as everything is dry and
brown. We stopped for lunch at the
Aldgate Hotel , and I had the best
sausages I think I’ve ever had, boy, was I
full. Then we set off again, towards
WWW.NSRA.ORG.UK
Meadows, which is where Pete Laxton
lives. As we were driving through the
country roads, it struck me how generous
all these guys were. Based on a couple of
emails, these people had given up a good
portion of there day to run someone that
they’d never met before all over Adelaide
to do car stuff! After a slightly longer
journey than planned due to a closed road
(they close public roads to do ‘timed
sections’ in various rallies, apparently
Adelaide is well known for it with its world
renowned Classic Adelaide ) we arrived at
Pete’s place.
Yes, Pete’s place, there’s a lot of space
in the Adelaide hills, Pete has 20 Acres of
it.
We were greeted by his two Alsatians,
his wife Robyn, and two other rodders,
Graham Arthy and Ian Franklin. After a
casual introduction, we walked towards
the shed. This particular shed is
cavernous. Well, Pete has the space, and
he thought ‘why not’! There has to be
enough room for 20 cars, tho Pete
currently has three, a 39 coupe, 40
Deluxe Delivery, and his wifes Notchback
Mustang.
The Coupe and Delivery are old street
rods with a lot of history. The Coupe has
been in Australia since the 70’s, and
always as a rod. Pete had always liked it,
but it was never for sale, until one day the
owner decided to move it on and gave
Pete first refusal, and that was that.
Powered by a 351, this car is gorgeous,
stock ‘wood grain’ dash, maroon leather
Pete’s Traditional 39 deluxe
interior, and I sits so right.
The Delivery is also an old rod, having
done push car duty at Bonneville, it was
imported to Australia, and found its way to
Pete.
Outside was Ian’s 34 roadster, just
finished and built to Oz street rod
construction regs, it’s a very nice car.
Behind that was my taxi for the day,
Roberts Chevy.
Pete offered a beer. Who am I to turn
down such hospitality, so we went to his
‘office’. I need one of these. Against the
main wall is a huge toy cabinet, full of
models Pete has made, and die cast
models. A lot of 40’s in there, but a lot of
other cool stuff as well.
We spent a couple of hours chatting,
and Robert reminded me that we still had
one more stop, and if we were to make it,
we best leave soon. So saying our good
buys, we headed off, back towards
Adelaide and the street rod shop of Keith
Hunter. t
Pete’s 40 deluxe delivery, running a set of Halibrands
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STREET GASSER OCTOBER 2009 25
Pete’s ‘toy’ cabinet
Keith knew we were coming, and had
stayed on late to see us. When we arrived
Keith was very welcoming and I felt like I
was dropping in to an old buddies shop. At
the front of the shop sat Keith’s personal
ride, a 34 Coupe. Running on
independent suspension all round, and
loads of little one off doo-dads like milled
rocker covers, and rad shroud, this car is
gonna be really nice when it’s done (going
for paint at the last report). Behind this
was a 34 Sedan, a glass car, Keith had to
reprofile the roof to make it look right.
This car sits really nice, hard to capture
with my auto digi camera, but it’s gonna
look great. There was also a Steel A Sedan
being worked on, tho judging buy the
‘hood ornament, it may be waiting for
‘customer input’.
It was really good to meet Keith, a
really nice guy. We left Keiths and headed
back to Roberts place, to drop off the
Chevy, and pickup his 65 Thunderbird for
the trip home.
Hunters Hot Rods
In Australia, if you have a ‘classic’ car,
you can run a special registration that
limits you to the amount of times you use
the car a year, and before you take it out,
you are supposed to enter the date and
time of your journey into a diary for the
car. That way, if you are stopped, you
have proof of registration for the day Big
fines for not filling in your book! Roberts
T-bird is registered this way, and he filled
out his diary before we left for the 30
minute journey back to my sisters. I felt
pretty honoured that he used one of his
trips to run me home, but then he said
that he has way more days than he can
use in a year anyway!
The T Bird is a sweet car, having been
completely gone through by the previous
owner, I’d call it fully restored, Robert said
it is a nice car! A very different ride to his
coupe, a real flash back to the 60’s with
the interior design. We cruised back the
long way, thru Glenelg, and along the
coast. We stopped at a gas station for…
photo’s of course, Again, my great camera
hasn’t done the car justice.
I can’t thank Robert enough for
making my trip so memorable (apart from
meeting my two nieces for the first time!!)
From a couple of emails from someone
he’d never met before, he went out of his
way to organise a good car day for me, and
all the guys were very welcoming. It’s
weird how cars somehow bring people
together.
Here’s looking forward to 2024!!! ■
Keith’s ride
26 OCTOBER 2009 STREET GASSER
WWW.NSRA.ORG.UK
Model Build Off Returns
The Annual NSRA Online Model Build Off
Hot on the heels of the highly successful NSRA online model
build off (which created some astounding cars) I am pleased to
announce the Annual Build Off is back with us again. This
time it will be based on any 1:24th or 1:25th pre 49 car kit.
It’s your choice of kit just as long as it fits within the NSRA pre
49 criteria.
The categories for the build off will be announced on the NSRA
Forum just before the build off starts so there’s no jumping the
gun and getting an early start on you build!! I will say that one
of the category’s will be an Under 16’s, so if you have any
youngsters that fancy having a go get them a kit too! Details to
follow.
The Contest will be starting on the 1st of November and run
until the 1st of March 2010, between the 1st - 14th of March
you will need to submit 3 pictures of your model for judging.
These should be a Front, Back & Side of your Build and 1
artistic picture if you want it on the forum. Judging will take
place on the NSRA Forum, by forum users for 7 days and then
we will compile all the votes for the winners to be announced.
If you are not a member of the forum but would like to enter
into the contest or have any questions please feel free to email
me at drakiesamericans@yahoo.com and I will be more than
happy to send you an email with all the criteria for the
category’s or answer your queries.
Many Thanks, Martin Drake. (Drakie on the NSRA Forum)
WWW.NSRA.ORG.UK
Come stay with us in
Southern California!
A Home away from Home for
UK Rodders run by UK Rodders
Come stay in the friendly home of British Hot Rodders in
Orange County with easy access to Los Angeles area
rod shops, beaches, restaurants, shopping and local
tourist attractions. You will enjoy a large comfortable
guestroom with private bathroom in spacious 5-bedroom
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DAILY ROOM RATES: (US Dollars)
● Single Occupancy rate from $45.00
● Double Occupancy rate from $55.00
RATES INCLUDE:
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● Hair Dryer, iron and ironing board
● 10 person Outdoor Hot Tub
● Cable TV and DVD/CD Player
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● Use of bicycles and picnic equipment, beach chairs, BBQ, coolers
● Maps/Schedules, Local Information, Parts Sourcing and Travel Tips
For more information; www.uk2ca.wordpress.com
Phone:001-949-786-1182
or Email: bernier@dslextreme.com
STREET GASSER OCTOBER 2009 27
RADICAL
RIDES
The Bare Bones Beater!
Words by Pete Dempsey
Images by Pete &
Nervous Nick
ell like most rodders as far back
as I can remember I was
interested in cars, I don’t know
where I got it from as no one in my family
was a gear head.
Although I was aware of “custom cars”
at the time, I know more or less the exact
date I got hooked…
December 1978, a mate of mine
Jimmy had a paper round and used to
“borrow” the occasional magazine from
the paper shop. This particular day he
brought home January 1979 Custom Car,
more than likely miss led by a certain lady
on the front cover.
After seeing this and being strangely
drawn in I went out and bought that copy
along with just about every other
publication available. From that day on I
couldn’t wait for the next magazine and
remember cycling for miles to get CC, Hot
car, Hot Rod & Custom UK and any of the
American mags.
At the age of 17 I got my first car MK
2 Cortina I went through a whole string of
these until I turned 18 and bought my
first Morris Minor a ex Police 2 door for
£50.00 the previous owner kept grey
hounds in it and it stunk! First job on
getting it home was to take all the
windows out and let it vent for a week,
with the windows out it seemed rude not
to carry on and chop the roof this was
done on my parents drive way by me and
various different mates who came and
went through out the day. Chopping by
committee was interesting but we got
there in the end and this proved to be the
first of many chops and complaints from
the neighbours…
Fast forward to 1998 I had been
through lots of cars 5 Minors all chopped
and one sectioned various Anglia’s
Consuls a 27 on a A chassis that I shipped
in from the states and a whole host of VWs
again some chopped some not. At this
time I had a MK1 consul and an in
progress chopped 57 Buick.
It was a week before the Supper Nats
and I wanted something to take, Id been
offered a 53 Chrysler a few weeks earlier
by a friend who at the time was in
Australia.
A quick call to Aus and the deal was
done so on the Friday night myself and my
Before…
W
28 OCTOBER 2009 STREET GASSER
…and after!
mate Billy went around and collected the
car. Although it was already very nicely
chopped it was a non runner with a lot to
do and of course no MOT. A week of
feverish work saw that by the Thursday it
was done painted and with a MOT but still
only running on 5 Thursday night we
pulled the head to find a stuck vale, a
quick beat with a hammer back on with
the head using the same gasket and we
were all set for Friday. Straight after work I
set of and it ran like a clock, arriving at
Knebworth Paul Burnham approached me
and expressed an interest in purchasing
the car. I agreed a deal as at the time as I
thought punt this and get the money to
finish the Buick so I took a deposit.
Yep great plan…. until later that day
Billy came running up to me all excited
blabbing on about a 32 sedan that had
just turned up on a transporter, it was for
sale and he wanted the fenders but didn’t
have the money to buy the whole car, he’d
reckoned as Id sold the 53 I could buy the
car sell him the fenders and keep the rest.
We ran across the field to find several
people looking at it and dithering about, I
asked the seller how much? He replied
£3000. I offered a lower amount he said
no £2900 bottom line… without
hesitation I just said OK.
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As soon as we had agreed all the other
people hanging around started saying “I
was going to have that” “I was looking at
it before you” and all the other normal
crap people come out with when its all to
late.
I put down a deposit exchanged details
and agreed to go the following week to
collect it, the seller then drove of as he’d
only come to the show to sell the car.
We walked back over to John Reeds stand
and John asked about the sedan as he’d
seen us looking at it. Now John being the
top bloke he is asked how much? £2900 I
said... his reply was IV got the cash do you
want to borrow it so you can buy it now?
Bugger too late he’s just gone...
The following Wednesday Paul turned
up and collected the 53 so I now had the
cash. That Friday I borrowed a recovery
truck of a mate “Bamalamb” he kindly
lent me the truck but said he needed it for
work so I could use it between the hours
of 6pm and 8am.
The tear down begins
Waiting for the M25 rush to clear my
self and Billy set of in the borrowed truck
heading for Norwich at about 7pm of
course back in the day no sat nav pure
stupidity and no map and just a set of
directions taken over the phone scribbled
on a old envelope we of course got lost
finally getting to our destination at about
10 pm
The 32 belonged to Brian Bignal, now
I didn’t know when I met him the week
before but Brian had quite a collection of
model As along with at the time a flat
head powered truck that was used in the
film the English patient. When we
eventually found his place it was like
arriving at the proverbial treasure trove we
loaded the 32 on to the truck then spent
several hours looking around his collection
of cars and parts.
Now gone midnight we set of again
heading back towards London... and yes
we got lost… eventually back home I had
1 ½ hours sleep got up unloaded and got
the truck back for 8am as promised.
That Saturday I was shattered but so
happy I couldn’t believe that I owned a
real steel 32
It’s a Dagenham built 2 door sedan
that was exported to France in 1932
hence LHD and the cowl lights, British
models had side lights on the wings. It
came with the original French paper work
showing that it was a one owner car and
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Now you don’t come across these too often!
had been last used in 1953. The speedo
shows 24000 miles so I do wander if it’s a
genuine 1 owner low mileage.
The car had been found in a barn in the
South of France so nice and warm and no
rust. I spoke to a couple of French rodders
a few years ago that explained the writing
on the cowl signified that it had been used
as a delivery vehicle during the war.
The sedan was pushed into the back
garden where it sat for a few months
before being stripped, Billy had the
fenders, the engine and box went via John
Reed to Archie Patterson, Jo Painter had
the gas tank and some other bits a local
restorer bought the wheels and seats.
This left me with the body, chassis, hood,
pedals and a few other bits all for the
grand sum of £800. I was skint so this
worked well for me.
At the time I was also offered a good
price on the still unfinished Buick I
decided although it was nearly done to let
it go so I could concentrate on the sedan.
Next up I bought a Sierra for £20 this
gave me the engine and box a 8” rear from
Clive for £50.00 and then a big chunk of
change went to John Reed for a 4” drop
beam pearches and other bits along with a
set of coil overs for the rear.
I removed the rear cross member and
made my own so the car would sit low and
mounted the axle on a 4 bar using a set of
cut down rear wish bones for the lower
links so it looked right from the side, up
front I used the dropped axle mounted on
the leaf spring out of Tony Thackers old
orange roadster along with slightly longer
shackles to get it lower. The front brakes
are model B with Mini wheel cylinders
operating on original but relined shoes.
As I sell VW parts for a living so
there’s a fair few used on the car, all the
brake flexis hand brake cables and
master cylinder are from VW t2 s of
various years. The steering box and
column are original topped of with a 4
spoke bell wheel that I believe is one of
Pop Browns, I swapped it with Paul
Barrows for a set of wheel flaps. t
Unmolested and definitely Unchopped original body
STREET GASSER OCTOBER 2009 29
At the time I was very lucky and used
to spend a lot of time in and around LA for
work filling containers with VW parts to
ship home. My boss always said I could
put in the containers what I wanted so
long as I didn’t take the piss. So the 35
wires and the Moon tank were both bought
at Pomona long before I had the car, these
were the good times when billet was king
old Ford and speed parts were considered
junk $5. a piece for the wheels and $20
for the Moon tank with spinner I just wish
I had bought more stuff before it all went
stupid…IMAGE: Moon 1
The $5 wheels suit this Rod
I chucked a pair of Metro seats in with
a genuine Mexican blanket over the top
(my parents were going on holiday to
Mexico and made the mistake of asking if
I wanted anything) and trailer it un
chopped and un finished to the Nats in
99, just to drive it about this worked out
well as it proved the back was to low and I
would have to raise it up.
Once back home I blew the whole
thing apart, blasted the chassis and parts
then painted and detailed all the running
gear. With the body of the chassis and no
engine in place I contacted the local VRO
office to get it inspected.
The bloke was happy with what he saw
he made 2 comments while he looked at it
“ I don’t know how you find the time to
put all the effort into restoring a car so
nicely” & “ it should really be MOTd if you
get it all done in 6 months I wont need to
come back and inspect it again”
As soon as he left back in went the
Pinto and box back on went the body and
out came the hack saw. I chopped the roof
31/2” at the front and 3” at the rear.
Sorted out wiring glass and probably 100
other thing and 2 months later took it for a
MOT. I had a problem with front brake
balance so got a fail, boy was I pissed.
After a lot of head scratching it turned out
to be one of the new Mini cylinders
sticking. Quickly sorted and back for a
Ticket.
Once it was all done I called VRO to
tell the inspector it was done, he thought
it was amazing that I had finished and, in
his mind painted and trimmed the car in
that short a time. True to his word he
issued a 1932 log book. Thank God
Since then I’ve just driven it...
everywhere to work the shops even just out
because I love it.
I’ve no plans to get rid of it or change
it the Pinto will have to come out as it
smokes a bit and even though my mates
take the piss I don’t want a V8 in it I have
to much fun thrashing the little 4 pot that
and of course good gas mileage… ■
Is that a firework or mud splattered up the side
of this fine 32?
Just a few more Rods in waiting
This is a Rod that gets used in all weathers and conditions.
Spec for the 32...
Body:
Wheels:
Axles:
English 32 2 door sedan
35 Ford wires front tyres 4.75 x 16 rears 6.50 x 16
Front: 4" chassis works drop beam split 32 bones and spindles reversed
eye spring longer shackles. Rear: 8" on coils with a triangulated 4 bar
Brakes: Front: 32 brakes converted to juice with Mini cylinders.
Rear: stock 8" Drums VW Split master cylinder 32 pedals converted
Engine & Gearbox:
Smokey 2 litre Pinto (stock) with matching 5 speed box, 32 shifter
Interior: 2 x metro seats Mexican blanket, Bell wheel, stereo......
etc, etc: Other bits, Stock 32 rad, it did run the original English head lights but I
swapped them to US spec a couple of years back. 37 Ford tail lights Model
A light as a 3rd brake light...
The $20 tank, what a bargain!
30 OCTOBER 2009 STREET GASSER
WWW.NSRA.ORG.UK
Mail Order
Street Rod
Parts
08456
588191
For a copy of our 12th edition 150 page illustrated catalogue please send an
uncrossed Postal Order or £3.00 in cash or by cheque. We can now accept
credit cards for catalogues + 50p to cost.
To POP BROWN’S, P O Box 2198 SG, HARLOW, Essex, CM17 OTA
Hinge Mount Door Mirror
This mirror PBH 3250/ L or R was designed as a wing mirror but works equally well as
a door mirror. Stainless steel 4” head & chrome stem
£19.50 inc.VAT
Hairpin Front Wishbones
Our front wishbones PBM 0050 are produced in 7/8”OD thick wall CDS tube. There is a
choice of length & chassis mount, either an early Ford track rod, Micro flex unit or
Spherical rod end. Our Clevis PBM 0013 are available in mild or stainless steel with
matching lock nuts. The Batwings PBI 1167 suit most American axles.
PBM £153.00 inc.VAT
Lower Steering
Column Support
This mount PSW 0212 is a new line in
polished alloy. The first model suits a 1.75”
diameter column such as ours. Stainless steel
button head securing bolts are included. A grub
screw in the side locks the angle of the central
ball and tightens it onto the column at the
same time. Other sizes will come late.
Price £49.50 inc.VAT
Model A Tail LED Lens
Now available in UK spec. with a separate amber indicator & a stop & tail red below.
LED lamps are brighter, longer lasting & a much smaller currant consumption. They are
sealed against moisture & the lens can be added to existing lamps without modification.
PBL 0126/LRD1
£21.00 each
SPECIAL OFFERS
Jaguar limited slip rear axle differential oil per litre bottle £7.95
1939 Amber & red teardrop LED lamp, here at last £33.95 each
Choice of three chrome rims, Plain £7.50
Zephyr £9.80 Plain Flames £8.65
08456 588191 www.popbrowns.co.uk email: gasser@popbrowns.co.uk
WWW.NSRA.ORG.UK
STREET GASSER OCTOBER 2009 31
32 OCTOBER 2009 STREET GASSER
WWW.NSRA.ORG.UK