Blane_S
03-03-2004, 09:41 AM
Greetings.
The pressure has finally mounted, and I have had my arm twisted long enough. It's time to get this thing over and intro. Here are the basic stats, and then I'll get to the car.
Name: Blane
Family: Amazing wife, and 2 gorgeous kids
City: San Antonio, TX
School: UTSA - Mechanical Engineering
Work: Program Manager with a major medical device manufacturer
HAMB Friends/ Acquaintances (although they may deny it): Chris (Crease); Mark (Sandman); Dan (Barnett); Patrick (AntiChrysler); Willie (Slick Willie); Christian
History: Dad developed my love of cars early; Crease introduced me to hotrods while in college.
Experience: My first car modification - 2 inches of modification to the lower end of the deck lid Crease's 1940 Dodge (impressive, I know). However, I was really able to cut my teeth last year while helping Crease build his amazing 33 coupe. Lots of hours, blood, sweat, and tears on the floor of his garage culminating in finishing at 3:30 am before driving to Austin for last year's Roundup in Austin at 9:00am. Having a buddy let you learn what you are doing on a ride like his shows a level of trust, faith, and patience you don't find anywhere.
Ok, enough of that. On to MY project - 31 Ford 5 window (chopped and channeled). I picked it up (just the body and frame) in Blanco, TX from 2 redneck hillbillys that had Crease and I staring a "Deliverance" scene right in the face at midnight in the middle of freakin' nowhere (he tells the story better than I).
Starting last Saturday I had exactly 27 days to drive this thing to Austin for the Roundup, and no 2 parts were touching each other! From that day until the day of the roundup I'll try to post the late night progress to chronicle the build and let everyone gamble on whether I'll make it or not. With the days pics, I'll try to list whatever was completed during that day. Crease has been, and will be aiding along the way when he gets his hall pass from both the wife and work.
Here goes...
February 28th: 27 days to the Roundup
Progress: Frame primed and front horns cleaned up.
February 29th: 26 days to the Roundup
Progress: Frame partially finished in satin black. Ran out of paint at midnight.
March 1: 25 days to the Roundup
Progress: Frame paint complete. Installed Ford 8 inch rear with model A spring. Installed '49 F-1 pedals, late 30s master cylinder, '53 F-1 modified steering box with shortened column and 1936 shaft welded for use of rebuilt banjo steering wheel.
March 2: 24 days to the Roundup
Progress: Picked up front end parts from chrome shop during the day and installed them last night (purchased axle, perches, reverse eye main leaf, lower shock mounts, modified '49 F-1 shock mounts w model A headlight mounts, tie rod, modified early 40s drag link, steering hoop. I had the radius rods re-chromed earlier, but now installed.
More progress tomorrow...
So, its good to finally toss up the proverbial softball intro for everyone to knock out of the park. So start swinging. As far as Austin on the 26th goes, I'll do my best. Will I make it...?
-Blane-
The pressure has finally mounted, and I have had my arm twisted long enough. It's time to get this thing over and intro. Here are the basic stats, and then I'll get to the car.
Name: Blane
Family: Amazing wife, and 2 gorgeous kids
City: San Antonio, TX
School: UTSA - Mechanical Engineering
Work: Program Manager with a major medical device manufacturer
HAMB Friends/ Acquaintances (although they may deny it): Chris (Crease); Mark (Sandman); Dan (Barnett); Patrick (AntiChrysler); Willie (Slick Willie); Christian
History: Dad developed my love of cars early; Crease introduced me to hotrods while in college.
Experience: My first car modification - 2 inches of modification to the lower end of the deck lid Crease's 1940 Dodge (impressive, I know). However, I was really able to cut my teeth last year while helping Crease build his amazing 33 coupe. Lots of hours, blood, sweat, and tears on the floor of his garage culminating in finishing at 3:30 am before driving to Austin for last year's Roundup in Austin at 9:00am. Having a buddy let you learn what you are doing on a ride like his shows a level of trust, faith, and patience you don't find anywhere.
Ok, enough of that. On to MY project - 31 Ford 5 window (chopped and channeled). I picked it up (just the body and frame) in Blanco, TX from 2 redneck hillbillys that had Crease and I staring a "Deliverance" scene right in the face at midnight in the middle of freakin' nowhere (he tells the story better than I).
Starting last Saturday I had exactly 27 days to drive this thing to Austin for the Roundup, and no 2 parts were touching each other! From that day until the day of the roundup I'll try to post the late night progress to chronicle the build and let everyone gamble on whether I'll make it or not. With the days pics, I'll try to list whatever was completed during that day. Crease has been, and will be aiding along the way when he gets his hall pass from both the wife and work.
Here goes...
February 28th: 27 days to the Roundup
Progress: Frame primed and front horns cleaned up.
February 29th: 26 days to the Roundup
Progress: Frame partially finished in satin black. Ran out of paint at midnight.
March 1: 25 days to the Roundup
Progress: Frame paint complete. Installed Ford 8 inch rear with model A spring. Installed '49 F-1 pedals, late 30s master cylinder, '53 F-1 modified steering box with shortened column and 1936 shaft welded for use of rebuilt banjo steering wheel.
March 2: 24 days to the Roundup
Progress: Picked up front end parts from chrome shop during the day and installed them last night (purchased axle, perches, reverse eye main leaf, lower shock mounts, modified '49 F-1 shock mounts w model A headlight mounts, tie rod, modified early 40s drag link, steering hoop. I had the radius rods re-chromed earlier, but now installed.
More progress tomorrow...
So, its good to finally toss up the proverbial softball intro for everyone to knock out of the park. So start swinging. As far as Austin on the 26th goes, I'll do my best. Will I make it...?
-Blane-