One day when I finish my pickup, I'll build a hot rod. And when I do, it'll be like Gary Heliker's fabulous T roadster. I've saved some pics, but I'd really like to see some more color pics! Especially in it's green guise ala Hot Rods To Hell movie period!!!
By golly that is El Polacko of course at a much younger age and slightly slimmer profile!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I like the looks of it, but I don't think I would enjoy driving it other than the initial novelty of it. With the channeled T body you would be sitting on top of it basically and with that short windshield you would likely be above the top of it with your head and out where the bugs etc. are. A top would be difficult with that situation, and you wouldn't look too cool driving with a full faced motorcycle helmet That's why I'm building my 26 RPU without a channel.
Neat car but it would be a bitch to drive channeled like that. You can gain footroom by moving the toeboards forward. I think I'll build mine on top of the rails like this drawing...
I found some screen shots from the movie. Not great. I'd still love to see some good shots from when the car was green. Or any more color shots. Pretty please. These shots are six years or so after the magazine article. Either there are some changes or its a different car. Anybody know for sure?
i wonder whats up with the t deck it sits below the seat back like an early T.....i think it looks cool ....possibly a touring 1/2 with a coupe rear? ....you wouldn't want a bug or be uncomfortable....maybe a top....for the rain......maybe some side windows.....that wind is loud.....its hot in here .....better get some a/c.......
It really isn't that bad. I've driven my channeled 27 (with chopped ws) that way for the past 20 odd years, in all kinds of weather. We roadster guys are tough ! That 27 was always one of my favorites too. Didn't realize it was the same one in the movie though. I watch some of those cars that were used on tv and in the movies and wonder how the owner sat back and watched them be abused. (Like Norm's door hitting the headers in that one movie ) Don
The Heliker T has now been found, and I have added more info here: http://kustomrama.com/index.php?title=Gary_Heliker's_1926_Ford
It's good it has been found. Now if it will only be restored to the burgundy version...........please.
I think I just threw up a little seeing that modern pic, since it has been one of my favorite cars for ever.
Really really store-bought, and honestly that car was so tits that I hate to see it any other way....
I just came across another color photo of the Candy Burgundy Metalflake iteration of the Heliker Roadster that I thought I would share here. The photo comes from the Steve Arnold Collection on Kustomrama, and it was taken at the Tridents Rod Custom Autorama indoor car show. Notice the display sign behind it that reads "Flaky Street Roadster." I don't know what year this was taken, but I guess it must have been the 1961 or 1962 Tridents Show. If you know, please let me know. When it comes to my previous post about the car being found, Gary Heliker met up with Mike McHenry in 2015 to check out the car. After meeting Mike, he was not convinced about it being his old car, so I guess its whereabouts are still a mystery. I'm also sorry to inform that Gary passed away back in 2017. I was lucky to get in touch with Gary before he passed away, and below is a construction photo of the roadster that he shared with me. That was the only old photos he was able to find of the car in his album.
The Jalopy Journal
