DEFINITELY!!! Don't forget to use a Passenger Car-Sedan/Hardtop/Convertible REAR bumper and NOT the Wagon/Sedan Delivery style for authenticity. I guess that's all George could come up with when they built the car originally. There were a couple of other Junior Stock racers who also did that, or vise-versa. I know Yoo Hoo Too is about/has finally made some passes; have't heard the ET or MPH however. I love these cars!!! I am Butch/56sedandelivery
Sure can tell it doesn't have the upper ball joint spacers in there. way this one is probably safer that way!
Wow!! This turned out fantastic. I wouldn't worry about your " Mediocre body work" , nobody will ever see it. The lettering is so good it'll certainly grab everyone's attention!!
We do have the ball joint spacers. We have the 3 bolt aluminum style and I think the C-shaped were the faulty type, but if I'm wrong, somebody please let me know. They don't change ride height, they give more suspension travel. We also installed Moroso springs. I cut a coil and a half off of them, but I'm wishing I hadn't. They've settled A LOT. We're also using a single adjustable QA1 shock. I know those aren't period correct, but we are going to do a little bracket racing and I really like these shocks, plus they're built here in Minnesota. I can't say enough nice things about the job Don Dennis did on the lettering. He does incredible work and is reasonable on what he charges. He's a car guy and digs these sorts of projects. If you need some lettering, let me know and I'll fix you up. He also does vinyl, but we both agreed that would have been a sin with this car.
looks great! can't wait to see some 'action shots' yup, stay away from the C shaped spacers, these are best...
Those are the type on my 57 but you need to cut off the bracket for the upper bumper. Kyle didn't and it busted out the upper control arm where the ball joint bolts on.
Definitely would of been a sin! I think I would consider a new set of springs tho. Seems low. I do not think in this day and age you could even get the "old school" correct shocks. I have a set of "Government issue" Hardened steel custom made spacers, Directly copy'd from the original Tokyo Rose.
There is a reason that broke along with the fact that the upper control arm is rusty. The original Rose A-Frames have steel reinforcement pieces welded on them for extra strength.
The ball joint hits the upper A arm bumper bracket on the frame if you don't cut it off. This is the bracket that needs removed.
Got a phone call from George this morning and he said that the car was a daily driver and had the passenger car bumper on it when he bought it and that it appeared to have been on the car since it was new. He also talked to a friend of his who is a former GM exec and he told George that they probably ran out of wagon bumpers when the car was on the assembly line and used the passenger car bumper as they would not shut down the assembly line to wait on a wagon bumper.
Don told me to bring that guitar along when we picked up the car. Here's what he brought over to the house today.......
What is your amp of choice? Big Block Marshall (100w)? Small Block Marshall (50w)? or perhaps a Fender?
Cars and Guitars....what more needs to be said. Strat?...I wish. It's a cheap imitation I bought off the internet. Amp....I have a 15 amp Johnson. I'm 59 and just starting to learn. Call it a late mid life thing. As for the car, I had a real nice conversation with George the other night. He's sending us some more cool stuff. I'll share it here as soon as it arrives and promised to display it with the car.
Thats my life cars and guitars you should get some pics of them together Sent from my LGMS330 using H.A.M.B. mobile app
No doubt the manufacturers did stuff like this. They would have drilled the tailgates for tag brackets also.
Congratulation on a beautiful car. If GM put the license plate on the gate they would have had to install lights and wiring for the plate?
Don Dennis is a true master and his work is flawless in my opinion. I love seeing him use his grease pencil and maul stick just the way it has been done for years. Wonder if he is using reducer in the One Shot Paint or what he thins it with? Real Classic Craftsmanship work. Jimbo
I generally use pure gum turpentine as my paint thinner. When the weather is high in humidity I will use either "high temp reducer" or " Chromoflo." Both products slow down the drying time of the paint so it has a chance to level out before curing.
Been busy with another project trying to make a few bucks for chrome goodies for the Rose. A box came today from George with some vintage decals that he said he was saving for something special. We feel pretty special that he sent them to us! He also sent us his personal NHRA plate. I'm going to cringe drilling holes in the new bumper, but that plate looks like it belongs there....don't you think?