Spring comes to the Prune Orchard Garage

[av8]

What a glorious Saturday this was! This is just about my favorite time of the year in NorCal, and juding by the turnout at Tardel's today it's a favorite time of others as well.

There was a near-endless stream of hot rods in and out of the orchard today, with about a dozen folks around for the mid-day lunch at Chubby's in Windsor. The parking there was a minor car show in its own right with four roadsters, a '36 cabriolet, and a slammed '54 F-100. And there was another half-dozen cars left back at the orchard!

So, sit back and enjoy . . .

Nor cal nics F-100 parked in the drive leading to the shop . . .

http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL64/2013751/4043229/50054324.jpg


Vern's latest treasure, a restored Cletrac that runs as good as it looks!

http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL64/2013751/4043229/50054315.jpg


Jay Ward's Cad-powered '29 is killer! Later in the day it had its windshield layed back about a dozen degrees through careful cutting, expert TIG stitching, and polishing. This is a typical result of Saturday lunchtime conversations among the denizens of the Prune Orchard.

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I rode to lunch with Vern in this handsome older resto of a '36 cabrio. If you haven't experienced the sweetness of a new old-Ford you're missing a key element of the Ford experiencs. Smooth, quiet, comfortable, and strong performers. This beauty is a high-end car, with radio, heaters, and Columbia overdrive.

http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL64/2013751/4043229/50054302.jpg


The Tardel's '40 Standard Tudor served as the family car part of the time when Keith and his brother Mat were growing up -- with this great stance all along.

http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL64/2013751/4043229/50054295.jpg


Out in the shed, where the frame table sits, right across from my grinding bench, this near-perfect '34 roadster body is nearing completion. The owner had squirreled it away for years, in pieces, in dry storage. Because of his successful old-Ford restoration business years ago, folks still seek out Vern for his expertize in making the old stuff correct.

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Although it's not well known, Vern designed the modifications for the Ford shoebox suspension marketed and sold by JAMCO. Vern also makes the modifications to the upper and lower control arms, as a subcontractor to JAMCO. This is the prototyping setup for new OEM spindles and disc brakes, plus a very substantial anti-roll bar.

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Finally, here's Gary Camara laying out lines for louvers on a hood while his duaghter and very capable assistant Ellie watches to make sure he gets it right. Lately, the big louver press is doing at least one job a week.

http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL64/2013751/4043229/50054255.jpg

[Sam F.]

mike,,can you ask Vern if he can adopt me pretty please?!?!

i wont make much noise,wont take up much room,and i promise to keep my mouth shut!..heck,give me a few pallets and some cardboard and ill be fine http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Tman]

Cool pics! Lets see the after shots of Jays car!!!!

[FWilliams]

thank-you....

[Tiny]

Hey Mike is that Moochies Buick behind the louver demo. I would love to see picks he keeps saying they are working on the chassy the bod looks the same

[BELLM]

Thanks for sharing. Looks like heaven. Red/black T coupe is in a couple of photos. Whats the story on that car?

[Levis Classic]

Gotta love Saturdays - made for good friends and cars!

[nummnut]

thanks for the pics

[Digger_Dave]

Aww.. Mike the pictures are great. The '40 Tudor reminds me of the one I drove to high school. That one a Deluxe?

(EDIT) Opps, should have read the caption more closely. Mine was a Deluxe.

[sodbuster]

Thanks again for the Weekend at Tardel's pix. Do you have any after shots of Jay's windshield?

Chris Nelson
Kansas

[av8]

Trent, Chris -- Sorry, guys, but no pics of Jay's leanback windshield. I left before it was finished.

Here's another interesting piece that showed up right after lunch. The fellow, from Napa (the town and county, not the autoparts store) was a newby to the Prune Orchard, out for a Saturday ride. A pal of his suggested he stop by Tardel's. Nice guy, sure seemed to enjoy all the neat stuff. His '34 Tudor is an interesting piece -- unchopped, non-channeled highboy sedan with a '40 dash neatly installed, real pin-drive Halibrands on a Champ rearend, and a SBC that's as serious as a heart attack! This is a SamIYam-style hot rod, the real deal.

[Digger_Dave]

That '34 looks like it means business!!

Now,... if I only lived a 1000 miles closer!

[Boones]

Thanks for the great pics.

[nor cal nic]

it's an honor and a privilege to be in the company of these folks... yea, that's moochie's ride in the pic. i went over my shopping list yesterday for my '29 project... looks like it's gonna' come together nicely.most of what i need was to be found at the POG. and in response to butt's plea... get in line!
nic

[wingnutz]

That 36 Cabrio is Beautiful..., Just Beautiful...!

And thanks for sharing all the photo's to us "Frozen Few"!

Mark

[345window]

Thanks, the weekly (almost ) post you do are something to look forward to.

[Dragrace66]

Thanks for the story and the pics. What is about the T looking project in the backround of the 34 roadster pic?

[continentaljohn]

Thanks for the pictures and just can't get enought of Prune Orchard Garage!!!! WOW

[Bigcheese327]

[ QUOTE ]
This is a SamIYam-style hot rod, the real deal.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not sure it gets any more complimentary than that! I hope Sam is reading this.

[SamIyam]

That is a bitchen' c-dan!

Mags, thumper small block Chevy... that's about all it takes to be a SamIyam style hot rod. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Sam.

[Jive-Bomber]

Well written as always, Mike. Nice catching up with you guys, and getting Vern's approval on the roadster was a plus! I posted on the other tread, but here's my windshield all relaxed now:

[av8]

The windshield looks great, Jay! It looks like Gary put some metal back after his first cut.

[Jive-Bomber]

He did indeed-
Thanks for your 2¢ in determining the angle. I always value your eye!

jay

[SamIyam]

Damn that car is cool!
Sam.