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Projects Dennis Wile 32 Coupe - 3Window

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by 64crump, Jul 20, 2014.

  1. 64crump
    Joined: Oct 17, 2011
    Posts: 398

    64crump
    Member
    from Alta Loma

    Here is a clip of the coupe making a pass in Bakersfield, at a Nostalgia Drag Race around 1987. At this time Dennis had a 10:1 406 cu.in. Small Block, duel quads with tunnel ram intake.
    This was a 11.98 second pass at 112.78mph.



    [​IMG]
     
  2. 64crump
    Joined: Oct 17, 2011
    Posts: 398

    64crump
    Member
    from Alta Loma

    Monday Evening update (only it is Tuesday cause I did not get on the computer last night). Over the weekend the engine was mounted, and angle set for the driveshaft. A little surgery is needed on the driver side headers to miss the new steering box.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    Front engine plate/mount had to bent back to shape at the drivers side.
    [​IMG]
     
    Hemi Dude likes this.
  3. 64crump
    Joined: Oct 17, 2011
    Posts: 398

    64crump
    Member
    from Alta Loma

    Back in 1987, they used a picture of Dennis Wile's 32 coupe along with a gasser 55 chevy with full glass front clip for the 3rd annual San Diego Antique Drags, held at the now defunct Carlsbad Raceway.
    [​IMG]
    Sorry about the quality, just took the shot from the wall in his garage office
    [​IMG]
    Here we are some ten years later at the 13th annual SD Antique Drags, still in Carlsbad.
    E.T. 10.65 at 125.17 mph.
    [​IMG]
     
  4. 64crump
    Joined: Oct 17, 2011
    Posts: 398

    64crump
    Member
    from Alta Loma

    Here are a couple of shots of the body damage. The body is going in this weekend to be worked on. We will give more details then, but the rear decklid corners are damaged.
    [​IMG]
    This side is a little worse
    [​IMG]
    Once the body is pulled back a little this rear quarter should pop back out.
    [​IMG]
     
    loudbang, Searcher and Dean Lowe like this.
  5. Cusco
    Joined: Nov 10, 2010
    Posts: 63

    Cusco
    Member
    from Europe

    Very beautiful 3window coupe. Sad to see this but metal is just metal. Glad the gentleman is alright.

    Best
     
  6. The has to be some kind of record for rebuilding a wrecked hot rod!
     
  7. Great job rebuilding! I agree you guys are making record time with the work.
     
  8. Wow - I just caught all of this. I have always been in awe of that video and wheelie. Especially now that I see the frame wasn't boxed! Just saw the video of the accident. Glad Dennis was OK. Wow again. Wow a third time - the rebuild is going awesome! Bad ass NICE car man. That's some dudes getting it done.
     
  9. Sad story with a (so far) happy end.
    Fantastic car
     
  10. McGurk
    Joined: Jul 13, 2011
    Posts: 85

    McGurk
    Member
    from Mid West

    This 32 coupe was on Pinks All Out. The color along with the stock valve covers caught my attention. I do not remember the exact details but the car was very impressive. It is a shame to see this happen but, racing is a high risk game.
     
  11. 64crump
    Joined: Oct 17, 2011
    Posts: 398

    64crump
    Member
    from Alta Loma

    Actually it was on Pass Time in Vegas. I have been trying to find the clip to post here, but do not have one. You may have also seen Dennis on Won-N-Done winning a round in his jaguar.

    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     
  12. 64crump
    Joined: Oct 17, 2011
    Posts: 398

    64crump
    Member
    from Alta Loma

    Ok, here is a quick update from last weekend. The body was mounted, and a little floorboard surgery was needed to get lined up correctly. The Coupe has been sent to Rocky at L&P racing to work on the body, and straighten everything back out.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  13. 64crump
    Joined: Oct 17, 2011
    Posts: 398

    64crump
    Member
    from Alta Loma

    The original 32 frame, has gone off to a better place. It had provided it's fair share of service through it's lifetime. Henry would have been proud and amazed.
    [​IMG]
     
    catdad49 likes this.
  14. How about an update? Must be getting close!
     
  15. cheesegrater
    Joined: Sep 1, 2011
    Posts: 114

    cheesegrater
    Member
    from california

    I know your suspossed to get back on the horse if it bucks you off but this wreck might be a warning from the higher up & maybe you just ought to enjoy it as a street rod & buy a glass one if the race "BUG" still has you bitten.Just Sayin'
     
  16. No Time
    Joined: Jan 13, 2011
    Posts: 20

    No Time
    Member
    from Oregon

    Don't see that happinin'. "Street Rod" is not in that coupe's vocabulary.
     
  17. It's not in Denny's either. He is 100% racer!
     
  18. InstantT
    Joined: Aug 15, 2012
    Posts: 716

    InstantT
    Member
    from SoCal

    Dennis is the nicest guy in town. He never hesitated to help us kids in high school. "What's up with the Olds?" "I don't know, let's see if Dennis is his garage. He can help." Things like that. A great guy and a great car.
     
    loudbang likes this.
  19. 64crump
    Joined: Oct 17, 2011
    Posts: 398

    64crump
    Member
    from Alta Loma

    Ok, update coming soon! The car is back from Rocky's and body work done, doors shut great. I am hopefully going to get some photos from Rocky, and get some shots from the garage. As far as turning his original steel 32 coupe into a street rod, well, as Dennis puts it, that is "sacrilegious". "You just don't put a tilt column in an old race car!" Thanks Dean, I think you know what Dennis would say! Instant T, Dennis is always willing to help out, and has saved my ass on the side of the road more than once. Luckily I can sometimes coast downhill to the front of his garage. Well, I do promise more stories and updates soon.
     
  20. brokenspoke
    Joined: Jul 26, 2005
    Posts: 2,968

    brokenspoke
    Member

    What caused the accident?
     
  21. Fogger
    Joined: Aug 18, 2007
    Posts: 1,804

    Fogger
    Member

    Hope the reconstruction is going well and looking forward to the results.
     
  22. InstantT
    Joined: Aug 15, 2012
    Posts: 716

    InstantT
    Member
    from SoCal

    Drove past day before yesterday. I t looks like its coming together well. And the roadster was looking AWESOME!!!!! as always.:)
     
  23. 64crump
    Joined: Oct 17, 2011
    Posts: 398

    64crump
    Member
    from Alta Loma

    Update!!!! Finally I was able to stop by Dennis place and the coupe was there. It had came back after the body work, but was sent back to L&P racing to get the surgery of the header around the steering box. They also welded in some of the floor panels. So now back home for some final assembly. Dennis thinks in a couple of weeks he'll be all plumbed and wired and ready for some test passes. His son Scott is coming by this weekend to do all new wiring. Radiator is ready to go in. Seat back in this evening with floor boards and shift linkage and emergency cable. Dennis is on a roll. Hope your all able to check in on the updates.
    20140911_081537.jpg
    Right side, body mounted, doors shut like a fine machined latch. Passenger side cowl straightened out.
    20140911_081644 (640x480).jpg
    Drivers side cowl and door straightened. This one shuts like a glove too.
    20140911_081602 (640x480).jpg 20140911_081625 (640x480).jpg
    Rear Quarter Panel shots. Rocky, that is some fine craftsmanship there!
     
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2014
    catdad49, Countn'Carbs and loudbang like this.
  24. 64crump
    Joined: Oct 17, 2011
    Posts: 398

    64crump
    Member
    from Alta Loma

    Here are a couple of shots of the header surgery around the Vega Steering box.
    20140911_081655 (640x480).jpg 20140911_081719 (640x480).jpg 20140911_081731 (480x640).jpg
     
    Countn'Carbs likes this.
  25. 64crump
    Joined: Oct 17, 2011
    Posts: 398

    64crump
    Member
    from Alta Loma

    20140911_081741 (480x640).jpg 20140911_081858 (480x640).jpg
    New Grill primed with Red Insert. Original Fenders were saved.
     
    Dean Lowe likes this.
  26. Thanks for the update. Been wondering how it is coming.
     
  27. m.ralph
    Joined: Nov 6, 2009
    Posts: 540

    m.ralph
    Member

    Bitchin coupe
     
  28. Pewsplace
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 2,795

    Pewsplace
    Member

    What a great story with a happy ending and no one was hurt during the crash.
     
  29. Glad to see you guys moving forward in spite of the setback. That thing really sounds great, whats the specs on the engine? Tim
     
  30. The engine is a 434 incher built by Scott Schafiroff.
     

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