MAGAZINE

T'n A

This is the space we allocate for the torch-carrying. T's and A's have gotten marginal respect since we all got too old or too hefty to fold up into one of them. But Hopping Up cars started with them, and we can't get enough of them . Especially T's. Do yourself a favor and learn to drive one of these flivvers. We are always pretending we are in some other time while driving our 40's, and 50's rods, but these critters will set you all the way free. It's the cradle of cars. The Big Bang of modern transportation. The slimy amoeba of Rodvolution. The Genesis.

We have stockpiled some stories and photos of these august beginnings, but the tease this month is to offer up the following photos of a T coupe that has been upgraded in several ways, including everything some cat could pirate off of a '37 Ford, including tube axle, wheels, caps, V8-60 motor, and some later (40?) juice brakes that were probably on the '37. What a neat runnin' thing this must be. It is one that we have seen quite often in obscure places, but Dave Lukkari took these snaps because he knew we'd like to have them to ponder when the work day got long.

GOOD SHOT OF FRONT END MODS

HANDSOME REAR VIEW /A LITTLE TALL IN THE SADDLE?

OPEN HOOD IS FORGIVEN HERE/ YOU'D NEVER GUESS IT'S CONTENTS OTHERWISE

RATTLE CAN NATS - VOLUME 1

There were twice as many cars there than we were sure of; and there were half as many as were probable. Eight cars. Twelve guys. Whoa. Not much of a rod party. On the other hand, when the eight of them drove into Hanford on a little 25 miler, it must've looked pretty cool. Coincidentally, there was some kind of confab of Model A and Model T restorers all driving into the town square the same time we were, and those un-painted , rumbling Hop Ups looked mighty sinister making a flanking movement pulling into the ice cream joint. I expect that the rest of our hooligans felt like I did: this bunch of grandpas looked like teen hoodlums compared to the great grandpas in the T's. A sense of aprehension showed in the faces of the T people and the townfolk alike, when we......... naaaaaah. They knew we were no threat from the beginning. It was me pretending I was Lee Marvin sliding into Hollister striking fear in all who dared be on the street. The only thing those folks had to fear was the stopping power of those stockers!

The mission was a success according to all those other scuz buckets, cuz they want to do it again. And we will, on the same weekend next year. Wiith any luck I won't have to borrow a friends' car next time. Is that lame? I couldn't even make a beater meet without borrowing a car. But it's that bitchin '36 Sedan Delivery you've seen in the real magazines and it is all hot rod. Quirks? A couple. What real hot rod doesn't have a few? It was an honor (Hop Honor) to drive it, and shake it down for next months' Americruise. The long wheelbase on those late-models tends to make them ride nice. And listening to the quick-change howl was better than stereo.. (It is a quickie, isn't it, Thom?)