To go along with our new website, we'll be posting features on cars we build. Here's the first. http://www.verntardel.com/blogs/tardel-built-hot-rods Enjoy!
I don't know that I've ever seen a Champion gauge panel like that before. What are the details on it? Very nice car!
DING DING DING!!!! We have a winner. I am willling to give up my first five unborn children for that roadster. Wouldn't this one look right at home in RYAN's garage next to The Tardel/Cochran Coupe? Absolutely Stunning.
600+ miles on the Odometer and no inspection sticker?? I smell trailer queen. nice car, but I don't get it. what's up with the generator cover? why leave the friction shock balls on the spring perch when you are running tube shocks? early sharp heads look funny on a french flathead. 32 "heavy" axle doesn't look like a heavy axle to me. no rear view mirror...... seems a bit too "mixed" for me. it's obviously a HUGE gold chainer ride but some pieces were left intentionally rough and unfinished looking while others are the polished to the Nth degree
revkev6- You're more than welcome to each of your opinions. If we all had the same exact taste in cars, our hobby'd be awfully boring. However, calling this car is a 'trailor queen' is a rather spurious claim. This car has earned every single mile on the odometer, and the owner uses it for its intended purpose-driving. Those of you who know us and the work we do will attest to the fact that every car we build will withstand the wear and tear of daily driving-no trailor necessary.
With remarks like that I think it's popcorn time. LOL I think you need to take a trip and visit Tardels. If you went there saw Verns work and talked with him maybe you'd understand
The rare exception being some punk kid dropping the clutch on his hot flathead and 39 tranny while trying to impress his friends with his best gal in the car. The car looks really sweet. And you know it doesn't matter who you are, or what you create, there's always gonna be a critic.
rolo, not knocking the talents of the builder here. I hate to see cars misrepresented is all. not getting your car inspected after putting 650 miles on it doesn't lend credit to it's non trailer queen status. phat rat, I'm sure the work is top notch, he's a great guy and he knows how to build an awesome car (which it really is, I was just pointing out some small details of an obviously pro built car) BUT I've read portions of his book which I don't agree with. methods and parts that are taken as gospel by the raging hamb hordes that should not. according to his book my AV8 shouldn't fit together......
Bitchin car! What "inspection" are you talking about? I've never had one "inspected". While I may not like 100% of any car...if it's about 95% there and I'm not gonna pick on the 5% I don't like. Neal
With regards to the mileage/inspection, every mile shown was put on by us-the car being constantly adjusted and improved until it was ready for the customer. I think that qualifies as an "inspection". I won't get into anything beyond this. (Lunch break's over!) Each is welcome to his/her opinion. Enjoy the pictures if you will, if not, best wishes.
Check out the third picture down for a way cool detail. See that little decal on the firewall. It came on the head of authorized Ford factory rebuilt flatheads. Anytime you bought an over the counter rebuilt part from a Ford dealer, it had that little ribbon sticker on it. The rebuilt flatheads had that big one. Back in '58 I drove a hundred miles down to Oklahoma City and talked a guy in the back shop at Fred Jones Ford into giving me one for my roadster firewall. It's still there after fifty years (pic below). I was proud to consider myself an "Authorized Re-Conditioner" back then and they sure don't come any better than Tardel today. Congrats on a great nostalgia build.
phat rat, I'm sure the work is top notch, he's a great guy and he knows how to build an awesome car (which it really is, I was just pointing out some small details of an obviously pro built car) BUT I've read portions of his book which I don't agree with. methods and parts that are taken as gospel by the raging hamb hordes that should not. according to his book my AV8 shouldn't fit together -------------------------------------------------------------------- revkev6, yes there's always a different way to skin the same cat. Just some can't figure that out for themselves and therefore they copy
I respect your opinion. The gennie cover may look a tad "flashy" for a hot rod, more suitable for a custom. Spring perch? who knows, but I like how those and certain other pieces were chromed- tie rod clamps, steering arm, shock mount, it gives a nice contrast. As for the heads, I assume you are talking about how they don't completely cover the block like the later heads, and I could see how that might bother some people. I don't see anything that was left rough, really, unless you a referring to the gage panel. All good points. Rich
If I'd use original spring perches, there's no way I'd cut those studs off either. Those are Henry parts, not 1-800 parts, and you gotta show them! Only thing I'd change on the car is to install old Stewart Warners where the new ones are. But that's understandable that they couldn't find any, cause I own them all! This car doesn't look one bit "mixed" to me. Spot on.
My thought exactly. Definitely out of reach for the average Joe. I couldn't picture myself spending that kind of dough for one car..............I'd rather have 5 $30k cars and drive 'em all like they are stolen.
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