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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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

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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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