Hot Rods The SOHIO Special

This is the build of my DREAM CAR. It started as a budget build and took off.

This after dad and I finished the chassis.

Figuring out engine mount location. The RUFF 3 window glass body's first meeting with the chassis.

Engine mounts finished. Had to roll it out. I'm NOT running FI. (bought a wrecked Mustang for drive line)

Real hot rods have 3 pedals. Think its a 39 set up but can't remember.

I didn't like how the 39 pedals sit so I machined these, and had a buddy burn me out my redesigned pedal arms. I drilled and tapped both so I can grease them.

Rebuilt my steering box. Surprisingly pretty easy and straight forward.

Built my first header for the driver side. It was tight clearing the steering box and motor mount.

World Class T5 form the Mustang donor that I swapped a S10 tail housing onto.

Made my own rear ladder bars and had a friend TIG them for me.

Then I took a MUCH better paying job and talked to Bebop's at the Louisville Nationals in August of 2015. They sold me when they told me to bring my chassis down and they would build the body to it. So in October it was ready.
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Bought a HOOSIER HOODS 25 louver hood. Had to see how it would look.

After the hood was FINALLY fitted good enough for me. Took me and dad a whole week to get it close enough for my liking. Started sanding the gel coat at this point.

My main dude Jack, my son helping with disassembly so we could start body work.
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Jack doing his part on the fire wall. GOTTA START THEM YOUNG!!

This is my first time ever blocking a entire car.
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Chassis came back from my buddy all pretty. Time for assembly.

After 4 coats of heavy primer, NO finger prints, and much deliberation I decided to have my friend paint the body. He has a better shop and I haven't sprayed anything gloss in 20 years.

Been hammering away on the chassis. Dad came over to help me finish the exhaust. Without his help and knowledge this car would have never been possible.

The tail light buckets in the sun. Saw a SOHIO sign at THE AMERICAN SIGN MUSEUM and the color was almost EXACT. So that's where the SOHIO SPECIAL came from. Gonna have 2 EXTREMELY TALENTED brothers I know letter up the dash.

Then I got THE CALL. My buddy was buffing and was about halfway finished when the HIGH speed on his buffer went out. So he is waiting on it to be fixed. The chassis is ready for them to meet. That's where I am on my DREAM CAR as of right now.

 

What happened to the 3 window body?

 

Good start.. Header work looks great.. Like the 5 window better and color is cool....

 

Looks great.........loving that color as well.

 

Thanks for the kind words fellas. Man this thing is starting to nickle and dime me with little things. One of the main things are fasteners. I want to run all stainless on everything (that doesn't need grade 8) and its starting to add up.

 

I got some work to do.

google picture sharing

 

Pull finger ya slacker. Shit thats some serious progress from your 1st post. Looking bloody good.

 

My Rebel Wiring kit comes tomorrow. Hoping to have it fired up next weekend. Have to measure for my drive shaft and have mine shortened. Should have a Maiden Voyage video here soon. Also Pops is finished with all his little projects so I have a Full Time employee now.

 

Looking good (nice dream)! Joe

 

She is wired and fired. All lights and turn signals work. Called my glass guy he is coming next week. I am waiting until Friday when I have my son to take it on its maiden voyage around the neighborhood. Going to make sure it makes it around the block then tie up all wiring neatly.

 

Well it backed up the driveway under it's own power today. Loading it up tomorrow and taking it for an alignment. Should be cruising all weekend.

 

Nice work. Have fun driving until it gets too cold.

 

Been driving the snot out of this thing. Fuel pump took a shit tonight installing a new one tomorrow. And hopefully my hood as well.

 

I gotta ask. What makes it "The Sohio Specdial" I worked/hung around /almost lived at Sohio stations for years and now collect anything Sohio service station related so your title caught my eye. Is that color Sohio blue? Are you going to add the red and white later? The coupe looks great!

 

The Blue matched a SOHIO sign at a local museum and my dad worked at a SOHIO station in high school.

 

As would I if I owned it! Very COOL indeed! Joe

 

My son and I have still been driving the wheels off this thing with the AWESOME weather Ohio has been having. Put the hood on after I felt comfortable with the running gear. So far the only thing needing changed this winter is a gear. I need to swap to a 4.11 from my 3.50. I need to be going about 85 MPH to make use of 5th gear.

 

Hell my car likes 85 with a gear vendors overdrive! The sweet spot if you will is right at 75mph at about 2000-2100 rpm. Joe

 

Such a nice car. Well done. It has a great look.

 

Original SOHIO cap from 1929 National Air Races

 

Those are AWESOME!!!!

 

Did you put the cowl vent and windshield frame in or was that an oprion on a BE-BOP body? Looks killer

 

It was an option with the body. The steel drip rails were also an option. Thanks a ton. Now just waiting on this Ohio weather to cooperate.

 

I hear ya on the weather, rain as far as the forecast will let us look! But hey it's spring right! Joe

 

Changed it up a bit.