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Projects GNRS 2017, The Hill Country Flyer, by Austin Speed Shop

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by skullcracker, Jan 6, 2017.

  1. skullcracker
    Joined: Feb 2, 2005
    Posts: 208

    skullcracker
    Member
    from Austin

    hamb.jpg

    I don’t post on here very much, mostly because my knowledge of cars pales in comparison to the average HAMB’er. While I am a founder of the Austin Speed Shop, my day job has some fairly demanding requirements on my time. Having started the shop with a great group of guys, we’ve seen a lot of versions and evolution, and I am proud of all that we have been able to accomplish and where we are as a family. The culmination of this satisfaction is the 32 roadster I am calling the Hill Country Flyer.

    A bit of background. Austin is built on a limestone terrace that holds about an inch of soil. When settlers first came to central Texas in the 1800’s, the land was virgin, the grasses tall, the oaks and pecans majestic. It seemed like a great place to graze cattle and grow cotton, until the early Texans realized that overgrazing and failure to leave pastures sallow, in conjunction with our cycles of rain and drought, soon left the land barren; the soil washed away in the Pedernales and the Blanco. Just west of this limestone plateau is the rocky hill country. The 98th meridian basically divides the terrace of Austin from the low mountains of the hill country. Coincidentally, it was also a boundary between rainy and arid climates, and the barrier between settled parts of Texas and wild Comanche territory, so called Comancheria. It was into this rugged and unforgiven setting that a few enterprising and naïve folks built a railroad over the limestone into the hill country. This railroad was and is The Hill Country Flyer.

    I have a podiatrist friend in Austin who is just as obsessed with trains as I am with cars. He bought the real Hill Country Flyer, and brought it back to life. The next time you are in the region, it is definitely worth the excursion.

    This roadster is an homage to the pioneering spirit represented by the Flyer. I always wanted a roadster, and it’s been a few years in the making. We borrowed parts from my other projects, and soon the car began to have such a life for me that I decided I wanted to take it as far as I could, given my limited budget. I wanted something sort of race-inspired yet elegant. People in my profession tend to be rather risk averse, so something powerful to meet the genre, elegant to meet my taste, and painted by my dear friend Gary Howard with a special mix that only he could pull off, became the goal.

    The Grand National Roadster Show is the ultimate indoor car show. Having been there numerous times, my mind began to process how and why the Flyer could actually make it there and represent the shop and all our associated artisan partners well. It was at this point that I engaged the ubiquitous and miraculously talented Eric Black to help develop a concept for the interior that would compliment the elegant salt-race theme. What a gift Eric is. It can’t be understated. This industry is elevated by his brain in ways that are indescribable, yet his hands stay as clean as mineJ. My good friend Phil Cato is killing it executing on the upholstery vision that Eric designed.

    The Hill Country Flyer will be representing the Austin Speed Shop in the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Competition. There are obviously a lot of wonderful builders in that room, and the Award is a spectacular achievement. For me, I am thrilled to be in the mix, in the big room, and in the conversation. Kind of like the real Flyer, our roadster is the result of some enterprising and determined folks pressing forward on a shoestring, and it has the soul of places like Weir, Dripping Springs, and Austin in her.

    When you see it at the show, keep in mind all the special folks who have had a hand in her build: my partners Cory Moore and John Joyo for their friendship, inspiration and taste; Ryan Cochran who has always been there for us; Eric Anderson who grunted through every minute; Gary Howard for the paint and the subtle eye rolls regarding stylistic choices; Eric Black- he’s kinda talented; Phil Cato for pulling off in 3D what can only be imagined; Chris Hagerty- the wiremaster; Kail Withers who keeps the plates in the air and works his sleight of hand to keep it rolling; and artist of the universe Darren Wenzel for the show sign.
     
    Last edited: Jan 7, 2017
  2. skullcracker
    Joined: Feb 2, 2005
    Posts: 208

    skullcracker
    Member
    from Austin

    dwollam, bonesy, Hnstray and 14 others like this.
  3. Malcolm
    Joined: Feb 9, 2006
    Posts: 8,032

    Malcolm
    Member
    from Nebraska

    Such a great looking roadster. I've enjoyed seeing it come together, via Eric's photos. Best of luck at the GNRS!
     
    Kail likes this.
  4. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 19,132

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

    Very tasty!
    More chassis detail shots please.
     

  5. Beautiful roadster!Got my vote.
     
    Kail likes this.
  6. .... where will the Lone Star long neck beer holsters be ? :) Happily subscribed ! Thank you. 《hiccup》
     
    Kan Kustom and loudbang like this.
  7. Anderson
    Joined: Jan 27, 2003
    Posts: 7,155

    Anderson
    Member

    Don't forget Matt the hardware specialist
     

    Attached Files:

    RoadFarmer, TexasSpeed, Stogy and 2 others like this.
  8. Evel
    Joined: Jun 25, 2002
    Posts: 9,038

    Evel
    Member
    1. 60s Show Rods

    Kail likes this.
  9. So cool and nice to post everyone that had a hand in this build. I for one can't wait to see the finished roadster....
     
    Kail likes this.
  10. brady1929
    Joined: Sep 30, 2006
    Posts: 9,253

    brady1929
    Member

    Beautiful roadster
     
    Kail likes this.
  11. 54BOMB
    Joined: Oct 23, 2004
    Posts: 2,109

    54BOMB
    Member

    Good luck guys ! It's looking great
     
    Kail likes this.
  12. skullcracker
    Joined: Feb 2, 2005
    Posts: 208

    skullcracker
    Member
    from Austin

    a few more images from Erics previous thread:
    IMG_8011.jpg ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1443734761.267625.jpg image (13).jpeg dr21.JPG
     
    Last edited: Jan 6, 2017
  13. tevintage
    Joined: Mar 12, 2014
    Posts: 261

    tevintage
    Member

    Best of luck at the GNRS. It is one of the world's great car gatherings. I have seen your roadster developing and it has all the earmarks of a true contender. I am sure with all of Austin Speed Shop's talent it will be stunning. TEB

    Sent from my SM-N920V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
    Kail likes this.
  14. Rand Man
    Joined: Aug 23, 2004
    Posts: 4,860

    Rand Man
    Member

    I haven't seen it with paint. I guess we won't get a sneak peak of the new paint before the show?


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  15. m.ralph
    Joined: Nov 6, 2009
    Posts: 540

    m.ralph
    Member

  16. Ken Partch
    Joined: Jun 2, 2011
    Posts: 27

    Ken Partch
    Member

    Wow! Love it! Can't wait to see you at GNRS as I will be there with my car as well.
     
  17. Great job guys, beautiful roadster look forward to seeing it at the show--
    Best of luck.
    Got to play with the big boys last year, unforgettable experience.
     
    Last edited: Jan 7, 2017
  18. poorboy
    Joined: Feb 8, 2003
    Posts: 1,467

    poorboy
    Member

    Amazing build. Can't wait to see in person
     
  19. waxhead
    Joined: May 11, 2013
    Posts: 1,172

    waxhead
    Member
    from West Oz

    Great looking roadster.
     
  20. Doc.
    Joined: Jul 16, 2005
    Posts: 3,558

    Doc.
    Member Emeritus

    That's awesome Dan. Well done guys.
     
    JohnJoyo and Kail like this.
  21. catdad49
    Joined: Sep 25, 2005
    Posts: 6,397

    catdad49
    Member

    Now.....That's gonna be Special!
     
  22. Kail
    Joined: Jul 7, 2007
    Posts: 828

    Kail
    Member
    from Austin, TX

    Some last minute metal work before going to Gary Howard for paint, getting the gaps straight, windshield frame fitment, and last minute changes to the chassis which went through several changes through out this build. For instance we re-routed the exhaust, and made some notches on the top of the frame rails to tuck our plumbing up high and tight. IMG_6142.JPG IMG_6155.JPG IMG_6156.JPG IMG_6105.JPG
     
  23. JohnJoyo
    Joined: Feb 19, 2005
    Posts: 1,381

    JohnJoyo
    Alliance Vendor
    from Austin, TX

    Congrats Dan, I'm really happy for you! The color is awesome. Gary nailed it as usual. I can't wait to go flying through the hill country with you...
     
  24. skullcracker
    Joined: Feb 2, 2005
    Posts: 208

    skullcracker
    Member
    from Austin

    At Gary Howards getting color:
    IMG_1454.JPG IMG_7452.JPG
     
  25. What adapter are you using and what 5 speed to be able to use the closed tube driveshaft? This is what I want behind my 35 ford truck.


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  26. Kail
    Joined: Jul 7, 2007
    Posts: 828

    Kail
    Member
    from Austin, TX

    I can't remember the guy who makes the adapter off hand but its a 4wd t5. I will find out on that adapter kit for you.
     
  27. Blue One
    Joined: Feb 6, 2010
    Posts: 11,459

    Blue One
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Alberta

    Good to see you here Eric. I (we) have missed your posts and threads.
    I was sad to see most of your T roadster thread disappear and enjoyed following your great fabrication skills.
     
  28. Kail
    Joined: Jul 7, 2007
    Posts: 828

    Kail
    Member
    from Austin, TX

    The car went over to Cato's Custom Upholstery

    FullSizeRender.jpg

    Our amazingly talented friend Eric Black put together some renderings for us, this is the one that we used for guidance . IMG_6797.JPG
    Here is our color pallet, Paint mixture by Gary Howard, Nickel plating by Advanced Plating, and "espresso" leather by Relicate Custom Leather
    IMG_7976.JPG

    Cato recreating Eric Blacks vision:
    IMG_8005.JPG 50404331277__DF10A5F7-C85F-455C-8681-2ADD7443FBBA.JPG
     
  29. Kail
    Joined: Jul 7, 2007
    Posts: 828

    Kail
    Member
    from Austin, TX

    Cato had some door hardware made, the holes are where studs go and will be welded up, then nickel plated.
    49840334295__D6E0D777-C521-4495-B161-95A051468BCC.JPG.jpeg 50040322978__C83758FD-03B6-4EA1-9354-FD2ABCE65471.JPG.jpeg
    Trying to find a rubber that matched the rendering was challenging, after getting samples that matched the pattern E.Black illustrated and being let down with the quality of the rubber, either in color to cleanliness design. We finally found one that was clean and consistent and went with this diamond patter. Next time around I think we will start this process a little earlier and make a mold for our own rubber.
    IMG_7646.JPG
     
    chryslerfan55, dwollam, Stogy and 3 others like this.
  30. Using nickel plating is a nice touch. It's so much warmer than chrome.

    Outstanding job overall!
     
    dos zetas, loudbang and 6-bangertim like this.

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