Hopupland

HOPUPLAND 212

HOPUPLAND

THE COVER

Gabe lent us this picture in celebration of another season - upcoming - of touring this Great Land… in hot rods. I meant to ask him where this road is (Utah, we’re sure) but it looks desolate and interesting over that black Ford hood; don’t reckon I’ve been on it.

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RIP DP

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Saw something today that referred to a “University Poll”. Yeah. Poll the youth who are being pummeled with ideas from one side...and what side do you think their opinions will fall down on?
Agree,  A or B, Disagree D. It’s simple.
The exception is Hillsdale College where you might learn about the Constitution.
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Wednesday, February 29

Breezed over the ritual i net sites…that didn’t take long..so I came here but…seems like I was just here…did Tuesday stream late in the day and this is early..but it is a new day..so the vibes could be different. The chemicals that ruled my brain in sleep may allow progress on the dream subjects..or might temper them in daylight. Let’s see….

My Pal Hugh in SLC (carekeeper of the Staff Car for 10 months and mentor) wrote about the Paige Daytona below, that he had worked on ‘all four Daytonas:  Paige, Studebaker, Dodge and Ferrari…’
That was in the context of being asked what his qualifications were by some reality TV program. HAHA!

E is , as usual,  encouraging about that ‘nudge’ car I saw on Sunday. Might e mail somebody today.

Will get the trailer picked up this morning and get it set for a series of ‘delivery’ jobs and some fixes so everything we got is ready for the season.

We should be getting some word on Deuce Day events soon; it ought to be a summit meeting of most of the 32’s that matter, although not all of them. Regrettably,  DS’ red car won’t get to this coast until a later date;  Western types will get the shivers when they get in front of that one in person. I’ve been there. Now, our roadster is apart at TGWSRU’s shop, so it won’t be there. Trans is done, (another) cyl head is welded up, and….the jury is out on some of the other issues. I’m sure I’ll know soon enough.

Mental backlogue: cottage, Ghost, ‘nudge’ car, La Gila. And the rest.

It’s About the Iron
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Tuesday, February 28

OK, streamofconsciousness:

Fun day at the office; had J&K here from St. Louis to pick up their car, TGWSRU popped in for a rare visit out there, and then in walked Dan E (Leg Show T) to reminisce and talk a bit o’ business.
Tomorrow another out-of-state Pal will be there to retrieve a rig of his that hibernated in the barn for the summer.
La Gila is getting the roll pan addressed and I expect to see a mock up in a day or so; we’re still looking for a Ford deck lid (roadster, 5w) for it and HEY! Nobody out there wants the Braga-louvered Brookville one that’s on it now? Come on Boys, I don’t need a collection of these things.
I actually hit the wall on cars over the weekend, especially on Saturday with the modest lot at the auctions. It was kinda depressing, all those pedestrian turds with hopeful owners hoping upon hope they’d get some of their investments back. Needed some inspiration and got some mojo back at the Tour Luncheon and the Concourse. Then that private collection on Monday put me back in line. Whew!
Talked to John (weekly debriefing where wwe compare notes, frustrations, passions, accomplishments) and it got my Big Car mind tweaked as usual; he’s always way full up with futures like me and it’s comforting to know it’s not just me who has it this bad....
Picked up the rechromed sportscar grille and installed it when I got home: looks perfect. This was another opportunity to lay hands on something simple and ‘make it better than it was..’ That’s our solemn duty; some of us take it more seriously than others.
I should have a couple more pics from the Concourse later tonight.

PAIGE SPEEDSTER WAS VERRRRY INTERESTING

Yes, the lady in the buddy seat is kind of corny but you can push her on the shouder, make a hard left,  and meet us at the Nickel Era Meet. I need to know more about them, e.g. horsepower, etc. There’s one for sale in one of the big on-line listings.

Don’t let civil servants be uncivil; rat them out.
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Monday, February 27

Desert Concourse was pretty good; they had a 100 mile tour that about 70 or 80 cars went on, good reviews from everybody that went.;  the tour cars were real nice, probably more interesting to me than the concourse entries. Marshall Roath put the tour on.

There were two auctions, neither of which held much of interest but I got a spiritual nudge toward something I’ve been thinking about for 2-3 years while at one of them, verified the ‘market’. I rode around on Saturday in a fairly-famous 80’s moderne roadster, nice car for sure. Friends who hosted us live large, collect cars and are cool folks.

Some of Marshall’s photos; (I had trouble re-sizing but you get the slant).

There’s a Citroen Traction Avante (Marshall: there was a nice black one there next to this one… ya got a picture of that one, too?), the flathead motor in a real nice B-400, the late mdel Alfa motor in an early Alfa, A Kurtis Offy race car, a Merc convertible Sedan. The fleet of spectator and tour cars were locals, drive ins and some from the Petersen group. We may have a pic or two to add in a day or so.

Left the Desert after (actually during) the Concourse and found ourselves way the other side of LA for Sunday night festivities, stayed over at a nice place, and this morning went to a collection for a private walk-thru. Damn if we didn’t get a lead on one of those for which I got the ‘spiritual nudge’ the day before. Hmmmmm: fate intervening? We think, perhaps…...

Tomorrow I’ll call around, see how Big Three was, get a progress call in on La Gila, and dream. Many of you are involved in Deuce Week and that leaves lots of things unguarded elsewhere…less competition in lots of ways (HAHAHA). You won’t know what hit ya.

en hopup veritas
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Friday, February 24

NICE BOOKENDS, JOHN!!!!

Concourse time in the Desert and we’ll be among The Swells.  They have ralleys,  lunches, dinners, wine tasting, cocktail receptions..oh: and a car show. It’s an opportune time to tweak the fancies back toward big and old. Sporty and old. And thus, away from hot rods and customs.
Full immersion in one brand of it or the other doesn’t last long for my molted self… so this is timely. I can repress thoughts of what all is wrong with the flathead motor…get rejuvenated toward some neglected iron..get reacquainted with some folks we haven’t seen since last ‘season’, some of whom just crack me up.

I’ll be distracted, not pining away for the ‘36 and resumption of the Lincoln Highway Tour, and I’ll see some who will be on our favorite tour (come May), enthuse about that, and start the countdown for it.

So, I’ll take pictures…naw…I’ll forget.

But Marshall will come through for us, I’ll betcha.

Grab a Gear.
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Thursday, February 23

First day of the weekend - used to be anyway. I’ll start by calling on La Gila, drop off a part, take measurements for gas tank, discuss this weeks’ progress, see if it looks any different than than it did on the last call. See, I have to have a fresh, evolved vision of it to share with the Sandman at sleeptime. It works.

KILLER SENDS THIS ART SHOT OF HIS NEW HOP UP JACKET

As a few of you know, there are 13 jacket orders held up by the embroidery process; the nice lady who does them seems to have lost her supplier for the special thread, just came up with another, won’t be back up and running until ‘first of the month’. It’s actually up and walking, so “Patience, Hopupper........”

PABLO SENT THE UPDATE WE ASKED FOR; LINCOLN TRANS HAS OD

BRO NEAL IS DOING A HUDSON STEERING GEAR FOR THE RIG

Was just thinking back on dinner with D&D last weekend where we heard some more funny experiences they’ve had running that orange roadster all over creation.

Last night E came in here and caught me in a dream state, eyes glazed-over, slumped in front of the monitor…..I was watching a series of Flip Video clips I took on the way to SLC in the staff car last April.
In each of them, the Ipod was playing some song and I just panned the horizon in all directions, looked down at the speedo (88) once in a while, looked over that hood (not unlike the hood on this month’s cover), the bass of the SBC droning in the background, and she said, “That’s such a good car”. Formula for appreciating something ya got? Deny yourself of it for a year. That’ll get ya.

Best Willie “On the road again….”. June, Baby. June.

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Wednesday, February 22
The barn-rework is starting to make sense - long from done, but after a couple more evenings out there we’ll be set for the next generation of…whatever.
The roadster fixing is going not-so-good; at least the diagnosis stage. I think you’d call it “Stage Four Fucked Up”.

Trans case was no good. Cluster was, as we know, stripped. With welding we may save the leaking cyl head. There was metal in the oil. I’ve seen this movie before, Boys, and it may end OK, but all the scenes between here and there are…...pure horror. Fright Night. Christine. Halloween….all wrapped in to one.

I have parts and fuel tank measurements to drop off at Fabian’s…maybe that will take my mind off the other one…until it spanks me. Sheesh.

I hear Ghosts are low maintenance…..

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Tuesday, February 21

Asked Pablo (Paul J.) for some update pictures RPU project, may get them today. He mentioned that The Gila might should really be La Gila and I subscribe. Henceforth, the highboy formerly known as ‘Ramrod’ shall be La Gila. Andale!!

He also shared the vision of and hopes for upsized industry and downsized government

Might get back in the barn today/tonight for another round of organizing and planning.

Desert Concourse this weekend, hope somebody takes pictures.

BOBBY-O SUGGESTS THIS IS ‘MORTY IN 10 SUMMERS’...HA!HA! I HOPE SO!
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Monday, February 20

BOULDER, CO PAL PHIL IS COMING TO TOWN WITH THIS CAB

Good day to look at ‘lists’ I’ve made..to-do’s on projects… and make some phone calls, send a check, follow up on powder coating, a repaired (Big Car) leather seat, a re-chromed grille, chromed parts for a tricycle restoration (yep, my original trike that I’ve moved with me for 35 years since I retrieved it from Mom n’ Dad’s place), research sources for some parts. So , I’ll be here if you need me…..
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MARK STOKES ON LEFT/GREG STOKES ON RIGHT

I expect one or both of these NZ hot rods will be here to visit later this year or next….

RANDY GRIBBLE HAS SLICED A BIT ON THIS ‘57

Always nice projects coming out of Gribble’s Watertown shop; and the ‘forwards’ I get out of there indemnify my certainty that he swings from the correct side of the plate… politically.

Let’s advance some projects this week, Boys.

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Sunday PM

I can not believe what set of dang plugs did for that Y-Block. The old ones were (to me) clean burning, worn some, no apparent probs but..sheesh: what a smoothy with the new ones…even hecho en Mexico.

Lots of reading all morning- a novel - by Clive Cussler who has a notable collection (E and I have been there) and always includes big ol’ cars in his stuff…this is the first of his I’ve read and I think I’ll dive back in for more. The theme motivated me and while I installed the plugs on the Merc, I thought about the book ...and our curriculum… and felt real good about it.This is a great way to grow old, Boys.

*Fifteen More Good Summers
*credit to another…....

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Sunday, February 19

I’ll take a pic of the roadster blown apart, maybe Tuesday; not that you’ve never seen one with the hood and rad and motor and trans out but…we’re here; 3 hours and it was so disabled I don’t know what it’ll take to put it together again. Trans repair, new cyl heads (what I have been running has really been a circus of good intentions and terrible parts), fix a leak or two and she’ll be ready for spring flings….when we get it back together.

The banger motor for the tub is being magnafluxed.

I’ll put that set of plugs (hecho in Mexico) in the Merc today.

Headers, brackets, fan and pulleys shifter, e brake, throttle pedal are all handled or found or planned for the Ramrod…ooops…gotta talk about that. I knew intuitively that I wasn’t the first to call a hemi-powered car a ‘Ramrod’, but I had forgotten (maybe never knew) that Pal Tom McIntyre’s Williams Bros roadster was called the Ramrod in Hot Rod back when. That negates my use of it and we’ll revert to ‘The Mulkey’, which is the name of the guy who raced our car in Texas in the 50’s or we’ll call it…this is it…Gila, since the car was used in the movie “The Giant Gila Monster”. So now it’s the Gila Roadster or The Gila for conversational purposes. And it’s coming along nicely, thank you….

WHEEL, COLUMN ARE SET, SEAT TO BE RE- PADDED TO FIT
AND COVERED WITH T n’ R INTERIOR FROM A FAMOUS CAR.

So…there you have it, I’m immersed in old Fords after all! ‘Even have the T registered for a tour, and haven’t done anything but daydream (in the daytime) about Big Cars, sports cars and the rest. But that daydreamin’ is with a vengeance, a vengeance that must be sated by using them and feeding the Beast.

We need to churn.......

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Thursday, February 16

Nightmare run yesterday trailering the roadster in the rain; accidents, stalls balling up the road. Got it where it was going kinda late and thankfully the guy who’ll do some repairs on the trailer actually came to us to pick it up so we could go on to a work site for a minute then on to dinner at an uber trendy joint in Long Beach. The place and the company were AOK stellar. One product of the confab was to arrange an interesting ride to B’ville during Speedweek.

Tonight, if I get the heat set up satisfactorily, it’s ‘re-arrange the barn’ night. Those storage boxes are there and it’s the next step in the multi-layered process of organizing that space so it feels as good to work in as it used to. It must be the space…couldn’t be ..me...Set Saturday as the day to demo the roadster, remove the trans, hand it to Harry for rebuild. He should also have the tub motor going back together soon, then I’ll have to stuff that back in the chassis. There’s another reason the barn has to be inviting.

Soon I’ll have an update on the ‘sleeper’ Gimmy project I mentioned (not mine); real nice stone stock stovebolt…and one o’ them Gimmy’s in it.

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NOVEL APPROACH ON MARK STOKES INTERIOR BY GREG STOKES

Once in a great while somebody does something not-done-before; leave it to Greg…...!!

Repel Fraudrodders
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Wednesday, February 15

Finished Schlumph book, started ‘Thunder at Sunrise’ about Vanderbilet Cup Races, Fairmont Park and finally Indy and Indy 500 beginnings. They were so advanced for the first 15-20 years of automobiles, really.

Sandman brought a lot of highboy roadster visions last night. Full day today, as I said yesterday.

Once it’s moved I have to plan the day(s) to work on the (fendered) roadster so TGWSRU doesn’t do it for me while I’m away.

Big Deuce Week coming up; I pick one couple up on arrival and help them retrieve their car, but that’s all for me except some dinnner dates with out-of-towners; I’ll get the skinny on the HAMB and other sources. You sure don’t need a mag any more do ya?
Last weekend a Pal showed me an early copy of a new issue of one…” You prob’ly haven’t got yours yet….” I didn’t have the heart to tell him I don’t get them any more..just looked at the pictures when I did get it.

We change…....but the beat goes on, Baby.

Day has to start now.

en hopup veritas

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Tuesday, February 14

Happy Valentine’s Day.

I have to move a car over to TGWSRU for some work; will hook up the trailer for that today, move the car tomorrow, then take trailer for some service and go on to dinner with friends half way between home and Long Beach. Oh; they’re car friends. We’ll talk about the Desert Concourse in a couple weeks, Nickel Car tour coming up and a planned trip way far away this summer - without cars. Shoot.

Actually ordered some parts for the Ramrod, fretted over some evasive ones. Fabian is plugging away on it crafty-like; it’s behind schedule but it can only happen as fast as I feed it the cabbage it thrives on…but bit by bit, task by task,  it has become this car. My interest in it stays peaked but it doesn’t look like it’ll make an inaugural drive this season after all.
The ‘fix’ I need in a fresh hot rod will have to be the tub’s resurrection.
But, back to the ‘32, I make this solemn vow: that bitch will be running by spring ‘13 no matter what. And I mean no matter what Big, Red, Ghostly, Jagged, Coupish or other cars happen, get acquired, sold, used, toured..no matter what fanciful changes or thoughts of changes occur in vacations, homes, cottages, careers… it’ll still get its’ share of me.

Then it will pay me back by being a delightfully wicked old highboy, which has enjoyed dozens of gennie old parts, hundreds of hours of true craft and planning and vision…..and will have come out in (my) perfection. And it will then prove its’ mettle..here, NHRP, Latimore, Laurel, Greenfield.. and elsewhere. It’s proof will be roadway experience far exceeding most…no matter how pretty....and I plan to tell you aaaall about it.

Jeeze..I just got to thinking about something that’s on-the-list. Gotta go look at pics of it….but can’t tell what...have a good one and..keep the shiny side up.

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Monday, February 13

That was kind of a whirlwind weekend; had those dinner dates and in both cases got some planning done for upcoming trips, events. That was so fun, I just called and lined up D&D for next weekend so they wouldn’t get away with a better offer.

But for some reading (Schlumph Collection of Buggatti), didn’t get much car stuff done; picked up the plugs for the Merc, though. Got some plastic storage bins I’d figured on getting (for about 5 years) to label, and put misc extras for each car into. I’ll get stored mag collections out of the barn, put them where they belong at home, put the storage bins where the mags were. That’s the beginnning of the next iteration of barn fix up; it has to change for the better so a guy wants to be in there. It’s been a while.

Going to work for a while but on the way will pick up a welded part for the sportscar, some powder painted parts for a little side project, will see if the seat cushion for the Big One has been repaired at the upholstery shop - it had a separated seam in it.

Now let’s see what opportunities the new week has in store for us…..

Reach Should Exceed Grasp

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Friday, February 10

Work today (really).Weekend is planned, tonite no doubt drop in to the local steakhouse that has kind of become ‘Cheers’ for us; will see D&L Sat at their spread, will get all the inside dope on nation-wide hot rod topics from the top. Prob’ly end up at Mas Fina Cantina, puzzling on old song titles and wondering where Kevin and Kathy are…Sunday dinner with C&J.
At each of these social interludes - even the one with just me and E..talk with be fraught with automobiles. Automobiles and interesting places to use them. She’s a patient woman, indulgent of this defect in my character, but is genuinely interested in my vision of how the future and day to day can be most fulfiling for me, thus us.

And even during this workday today, a (barely) subliminal theme will be running thru my cerebral cortex (I don’t even know what that is); yesterday’s conversation about dreams might start a chain of events. A process. A challenge.

Stand back, Boys, the Ol’ Cat sometimes drools when this happens…......

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Thursday, February 9

Yessiree. Big cars. The Gent we called on is imminently informed of all things big car,  has an penchant for ‘preservation’ and is a real car guy. Just as in hot rods or other auto persuasions, there are always a certain percentage of participants who got involved cuz they got in-the-money and took up cars. Then there are those who were/are/have always been car guys whether they were in or out of the money. The latter are real car guys. It’s possible for the former to become real car guys…it really is…just not likely.

The Gent is a real car guy, through and through. Nice visit.

Back at the shop we kicked tires, drove a splendid 5000# 1922 touring car, discussed a couple dream schemes, upcoming tours,  and like that; never ever leave there without learning something and feeling like it’s OK to go back.

Then to TGWSRU’s shop for a nice chat about one or more of his really interesting projects and actual planning on the tub banger engine fix and ultimately the roadster trans (broken teeth below) removal and rebuild. Just as above, a visit that makes my curriculum complete. Sure wish I could say who it is. I think it’s Ok to go back there, too.

All in all a great day: 20 minutes work first thing in the morning and….then…..far niente.

Doin’ it the Hop Up Way.

 

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Wednesday, February 8

Ramrod seat setup is OK. OK for me, anyway, but, like,  for who else does it need to be OK? Nobody. It’s a hot rod and personalization is what makes hot rods different from restorations, now ain’t it?

My assignment is still:  brackets, pedal, headers, fan, pulley and like that.

Won’t get much going on today, but tomorrow will get a big car fix, lunch with mentor and visit a small but interesting collection that specializies in one of my interests.

Reading so far this week is about a really good collection of French and Italian cars in, maybe, Connecticut I think? Wow. A 6C 2300 coupe is about as beautiful as a closed car can be. Further, reading also in AQ, priming myself for June’s visit with Stan Wanlass, which is always broadening and inspiring; and that’s inspiring re: car collecting, art, and books. You just about can’t have a library any cooler than his. The man gots class. Not everyone do.
* You know, hot rods, sports, classics, brass, antiques all get me. But Nickel Era cars (nominally 1915-1924), those historically un-appreciated, neglected and un-categorized cars ...are on-the-come. They are - for me - the most fun right now. They are burley, (relatively) fast, forgiving in a truckish way, remarkable in achievement, and even kind of avante garde; now, sometimes they don’t stop so pretty good…but that simply means you have to drive them. No matter what distracts me between now and then, all this other tom-foolishness is just a stall…..faking it…biding time, ‘til the next real deal which is in May, then another in September. And the Big One is out there waiting. The cut-out sits there, quiet but wide-open, pending the ‘call’. Yeah, Baby. Pump some air into the gas tank, pull down the advance and push that big starter pedal.
And that later run in September? It’ll go again and well that’s the one where the ‘who you do it with’ really hooks up.

It’s About the Iron.

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Tuesday, February 7

Back to Fabian’s today; I think he made the seat work. We’ll sit in it, locate wheel (switched back to Lincoln) and column… prob’ly go “Vroom! Vroom!” too.

Yesterday, as planned, drained the trans on the roadster, got the debris out of it. Filled it with gear oil again, got it on the ground, drove it (I sure like that car)  and of course it still clicks because of the missing teeth from the cluster gear; but at least they’re not in there floating around, able to cause more damage.

20 TEETH CAME OUT OF THE ‘40 BOX

Also pulled a plug out of the merc to ID it, ordered a set; it ran pretty crappy down to the run a couple weeks ago.

Pulled the grille out of the sports car (it had a couple of loose grille bars). I’ve tried JB Weld, contact cement, and now solder, but they are still loose. Priced a replacement and holy freaking moly, we are going to have it migged or whatever treatment will work for the stainless. I know we’re not buying a UK Replacement. Wow. Drove it around a bit first to road test for later this month; it may or may not get the nod. Ran great, sounds like a twin-cam early 50’s sports car ought to.

Hey, this Braga-Louvered deck lid is for sale…we went smooth. Well, I say we, what I mean is Branch did and I followed.

SE VENDE - BROOKVILLE WITH HOT ROD LOUVERS

Grab a Gear.

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Monday, February 6

Have to finish prepping the roadster for that show…don’t really much want to do it (the show). The sports car might have gotten a pass on that tour later in the month; have to go waaaaay back to the other side of town afterwards for a deal, so might take a DD. Need to get the thing out any way since we have to ship it away in July for another tour up north and even though I know it’s ready for the tour, I’d like for it to be improved a bit more and further detoxed from the ham-hands that put it together. We are winnning on that one and proving that hot rodders know tons more about old cars than (some) Jag guys do; it’s a head-shaker. Pretty funny.
Reading the i—net how it’s becoming ‘normal’ trad to have same size tires (4) on hot rods when - as we’ve always thought - the only reason they had that then is they couldn’t afford new tires (big/littles) to make it lower which was always the goal. Likewise, anybody who could afford to get the rears lower (the knowledge was there) did so. So I guess the new standard is to mime what the poorest guys had, whose cars were incomplete. so all you have to do is strip the fenders off a stocker and you’re an accompished hot rodder. Sounds more like rationalization to me than hot rod creativity.
“Great stance” compliments on stock sitting cars with just the fenders removed…nothing else….make it easy to move on.
Carpe Diem

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Weekend Summary:
If I’d taken pics, we’d see a cool place Friday nite for cocktails and familiar surroundings. Then, Sat we’d see a couple familiar faces at at a car show , which had some of everything (including an HHR Club- yikes) and us. Had to blow, go get organized for at rip across town to an intimate (no, I don’t mean naked) birthday dinner, stayed over in a killer historical house, then came home and damn if we didn’t have time for working on a car, getting some ‘furnishings’  for the garage, then hanging in that garage watching a ball-and/or stick type sport, had a good cigar, E had the usual Happy Man dinner going on and now…Chianti in hand…..I have fancies. You know what I mean. Yes, some of it is E, and the rest of it is 356, Ghost, SL, cottage, travel, tomorrow, you and…15 more food summers.
It’s not all good everywhere, though. Somewhere out there, there are people who have gotten a bad patch, for no good explainable reason. And, no matter who they are, we all need to think always about those who need comfort that we cannot provide. It’s a bitch.
Take an even strain…..................

Friday, February 3

Streamofconsciousness: Going to trial fit me in the Ramrod this afternoon but the seat we mocked up is still the piece of poop it was when we took it out of its’original failed application. Frustrating, but maybe we can get a sense of where the column/wheel need to live. then eventually Paul can fab a seat as planned. It was a long shot that the take-out junker would work anyway. Fabian has the tube body bracing in it and I like it a lot.
Sat is that local car show; we have to make it a quick one, and get across town for a gig with a small group (of car people ) to celebrate a birthday. Chances are fairly well good that cheeks will hurt from laughing but that’s OK.
Got the roadster set up to drain the trans and will do so Sunday then probably get set up to watch one of the two ball-and-stick shows we watch each year. Half time we’ll no doubt be back inthe garage with the TV out there working for background.
I’m getting cabin-fever, watching Flip videos of years past on the road…I’m not over it. Good thing every month before June has something really worth while because June will be a dandy.

Note from a real car guy:
Mark,
If they don’t like Bentleys they aren’t car guys. Those blower Bentleys that ran La Mans in the 30s were British Hot Rods. Post war Italians rodded their Fiat Topolinos and 600s with aftermarket parts from Abarth, Stanga, and Stanguellini. They were the Herberts, Evans and Edelbrocks of the Italian Hot Rodder of the ‘40s and 50’s. The Cal Club and SCCA were formed so that Hot Rodders could go road racing. The field at the Palm Springs in ‘53 was filled with Ford specials. How about a MGTC with a Paxton blower on it or a TD fitted with a V8 60 aren’t they Hot Rods? And the guys on the west coast were mostly lakes guys from the ‘30s and ‘40s. Jack McAfee, Erni McAfee, Phil Hill, Chuck Maney, Troutman/Barnes, and Ted Cannon were some of the names that I remember. If Gasoline is in your blood and you have grease under your nails your probably a Hot Rodder.
That’s my view and I’m going with it.
Marshall
* Remember to be selective; don’t suffer fools.

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Thursday, February 2

Groundhogs Day. Plenty of shadows for them here but ..it’s all about Pennsylvania, isn’t it.
Sneaky Stan is what I call Wanlass’ severely chopped hot rods. Here’s another one for which he credits our staff car for influence; I rather think it’s more concidence that it’s been in his hood for the last 9 months (I hear he drops momentos in it when he see it!); generous compliment coming from such a man, either way. We’ll see hm and Hugh, Jim et al in June, then retrieve the coupe, head east to Lincoln and a T Meet.

SNEAKY, SINISTER, ALL REBEL HOT ROD IS THE NORM HERE

NOTICE TOP OF WINDOW OPENING IS PARALLEL TO ALL LINES

WE WANNA RIDE IN THIS, PROBABLY WILL IN JUNE

*

Uncle Mike and his Pal he calls Whiskey Man (I know him) up north of here, is adding some shop space, looks good for working on the trad-founded iron he and his son do.

PERFECT SPACE FOR HOT-ROD-TO-THE-CORE PROJECTS

COUNTER BALANCE FOR CHERRY PICKER IS…A MERC BLOCK

Typical hot rodder innovation, Mike was setting trusses with a cherry picker extended way out….and the block was perfect to counter-balance the rig. Who needs a crane when a hot rodder is available?

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For me today it’s more shopping for parts for the Ramrod, and thriving on the calendar that has so much good on it this year (as always). Total flexibility makes it easy to only go where people have class…

It’s a long shot but that highboy might actually make it to B’ville. I hear the Hop Up 100 MPH Bang-quet has a new, prominent location for 0’12, and it would be nice to be there for our own party..

Take an even strain

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Wednesday, February 1

When I get up, make coffee and savor the morning sun for a while, I’ll join ya here….............

...and here we are.

Today I plan to shop for some parts for the Ramrod. Tomorrow I’ll go to give it a trial ‘sit’ on a temp seat, for permanent location of the steering column and final once-and-for-all call on the steering wheel. Fabian is bracing the body against wracking and T-Boning with steel tubing.
It’s time to do some real planning for the first run in the Staff Car, SLC to Lincoln (June). And there’s a sportscar requirement for the Desert next month so I suppose I should see if the sports car is as good as it was when last parked.
Oh yeah: since I have not pulled the engine and trans on the black one, I have to drain the trans, see if I can fish out any broken teef and make it ready to drive to that Petersen thingie next month as is. Better do that now or next month I’ll find myself in the Desert in a sports car when I should be under a roadster in South Orange County.
I guess I have job security right here at the Villa.

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On a much more interesting subject, our Pal John has acquired this Fairly Famous 427 Cobra and will vintage race it.. as he has with his previous 289 version, his Camaro and God knows what else (he also has the ‘32 highboy).

John’s Hop Up Car Coat is now being finished up at the embroidery place, so soon after he has his sorting done on the car he can debut it while wearing Hop Up colors…aw…beautifo.

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