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Hot Rods The Unibody Roadster Dissected

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by metalshapes, Feb 5, 2009.

  1. Gotgas
    Joined: Jul 22, 2004
    Posts: 7,175

    Gotgas
    Member
    from DFW USA

    This is what happens when inspired thought meets impeccable build quality. Truly an impressive car. It's as forward-thinking and tastefully built as the Doane Spencer roadster was in its day, and created by a modern master craftsman.

    Hell yes!

    When's he gonna paint it? :D ;)
     
    falcongeorge likes this.
  2. metalshapes
    Joined: Nov 18, 2002
    Posts: 11,138

    metalshapes
    Member

    Thank you for all the nice words, guys.

    The brake drums are vintage Alfa Romeo, but they were a bitch to get them to fit.

    Basically, the inside diameter was right, every other dimension had to be changed. ( a lot of work, but I think they were worth it...)

    I have an idea for matching rear drums, I'll post that when I've got them done...
     
    brEad likes this.
  3. desertdroog
    Joined: Nov 16, 2001
    Posts: 1,020

    desertdroog
    Member

    Alex, did you punch your own louvers? I like the small to large gradient pattern all the way around.
     
    brEad likes this.
  4. metalshapes
    Joined: Nov 18, 2002
    Posts: 11,138

    metalshapes
    Member

    Yeah, I did them on my Pullmax.
     
  5. desertdroog
    Joined: Nov 16, 2001
    Posts: 1,020

    desertdroog
    Member

  6. Alphazombieelite
    Joined: Jan 27, 2017
    Posts: 3

    Alphazombieelite

    Hey Metalshapes, I noticed you're in Tucson AZ, I also live there and was wondering if maybe sometime I could get an actual look at this, as I'm looking to do something of the sort with a rat-rod I'm going to build
     
  7. Blue One
    Joined: Feb 6, 2010
    Posts: 11,459

    Blue One
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Alberta

    :eek: He said rat rod.
    Read the rules of the HAMB forum and run along there Skippy.
    We don't do rat rods here. :D
     
  8. Bandit Billy
    Joined: Sep 16, 2014
    Posts: 12,286

    Bandit Billy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    13 minutes, not your best time. :rolleyes:
    Metalshapes, fantastic build. If I missed it in your thread I apologize but what color do you plan on if I may inquire?
     
    cactus1 likes this.
  9. Alphazombieelite
    Joined: Jan 27, 2017
    Posts: 3

    Alphazombieelite

    I wasn't planning on posting it, however I'm building it in the style of a 30s ford, I'm just building it out of pieces that I have laying around of various cars.
     
  10. nochop
    Joined: Nov 13, 2005
    Posts: 3,818

    nochop
    Member
    from norcal

    Now that's Americas Most Beautiful Roadster
     
    dos zetas likes this.
  11. metalshapes
    Joined: Nov 18, 2002
    Posts: 11,138

    metalshapes
    Member

    Thanks guys.

    When I built the car I had battleship gray in mind.
    Or the slate gray Porsche used.

    Yeah.. Please don't call my car a rat rod.

    Alpha, I'll send you a P/M next time I take it to a show...
     
  12. Alphazombieelite
    Joined: Jan 27, 2017
    Posts: 3

    Alphazombieelite

    Alright, thanks. Also to clarify, I wasn't calling your ride a ratrod, sorry if it came off that way.
     
    metalshapes likes this.
  13. AHotRod
    Joined: Jul 27, 2001
    Posts: 12,216

    AHotRod
    Member

    Alex,
    What is the distance from the bottom of your frame rails to earth?
    Glenn
     
  14. metalshapes
    Joined: Nov 18, 2002
    Posts: 11,138

    metalshapes
    Member

    Hey Glenn.
    How are you doing?

    About 5.5" ground clearance at the lowest point under the frame rails. ( the exhaust pipes are 1/2 diameter lower, so about 4.5")
    A bit less under the grille shell because of the rake.
     
  15. gnichols
    Joined: Mar 6, 2008
    Posts: 11,344

    gnichols
    Member
    from Tampa, FL

    Alex, time to blow it apart, blast it and put on that gray paint. The new mini-coopers have a nice shade. Gary
     
  16. sjrodder
    Joined: Sep 23, 2008
    Posts: 113

    sjrodder
    Member
    from vermont


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  17. metalshapes
    Joined: Nov 18, 2002
    Posts: 11,138

    metalshapes
    Member

    You are right, Gary..
    I'll have to make some time and do it.

    I'll check out the new Mini Cooper color.

    Thanks guys.
     
  18. kasselyn29
    Joined: Dec 18, 2009
    Posts: 240

    kasselyn29
    Member

    Very cool thanks for the info on it.
     
    metalshapes likes this.
  19. AHotRod
    Joined: Jul 27, 2001
    Posts: 12,216

    AHotRod
    Member

    I'm doing good Alex, ... for a old guy now ;)
    I blew my old Coupe all apart a couple of weeks ago and I'm giving it a major makeover.
    After 30 years of beatings and driving tons of miles it's time to work on the ride quality as my back and neck just won't take it anymore, but I don't want to give up. The Coupe has been used as a daily driver since 2009, but since I built a Chevy II Wagon 3 years ago to also drive, it's now time to make the Coupe more comfortable and safe.
    Sure miss all the good times we all were having back in the 2000's. What is Fred (RaceFab) doing these days?
    Are you still enjoying your roadster?
     
    metalshapes likes this.
  20. brg404
    Joined: Nov 10, 2008
    Posts: 159

    brg404
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    So here's the deal. Its one thing to create a clever solution to a problem, its another to wrap that solution into a beautiful package that: a) gets everyone's attention and b) does so in a such a wonderfully subtle way.
    I get the 'charger, but I would love to see your ride finished out in a deep blue with the hood - that would be stunning creation.
    brg,
    p.s. I plan to shamelessly steal your ideas on a '27 coupe on '32 rails, including a hard chopped roof.
     
    brEad and metalshapes like this.
  21. metalshapes
    Joined: Nov 18, 2002
    Posts: 11,138

    metalshapes
    Member

    Hey Glenn.
    I'd love to see what you are doing with the Coupe.

    Yeah, I'm still enjoying the roadster. :)

    Me and Fred call every once in a while, but not as often as I'd like to.
     
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2017
    AHotRod likes this.
  22. metalshapes
    Joined: Nov 18, 2002
    Posts: 11,138

    metalshapes
    Member

    Thank you for the nice words, BRG.

    Please let me know when you start a buildthread on your '27 Coupe.
     
  23. Bump for a great thread.
     
    metalshapes likes this.
  24. CadMad
    Joined: Oct 20, 2012
    Posts: 876

    CadMad
    Member

    Perfect timing that this popped up this morning. First time I've seen it and already I've completely changed my previous chassis plans. I love the hardtop roof as well. Begs the question why hasn't it been done more?
     
    metalshapes likes this.
  25. metalshapes
    Joined: Nov 18, 2002
    Posts: 11,138

    metalshapes
    Member

    Hey T.

    How are you doing?

    Thanks for the bump... :)
     
  26. Good here, health scare for the last couple weeks has me aligned and focused.
     
  27. scrubby2009
    Joined: Jan 9, 2011
    Posts: 204

    scrubby2009
    Member

    Bump for an update? Love the innovation and the fact that it remains "unfinished" because you're too busy wearing out tires. Epic...
     
    Tim_with_a_T and metalshapes like this.
  28. metalshapes
    Joined: Nov 18, 2002
    Posts: 11,138

    metalshapes
    Member

    Thanks Scrubby . :)
     
  29. Gotta love the H.A.M.B. Browsing of thread leads to another and then some link to a really old cool thread! Love the car, cool that you built it without the benefit of this board but still found so much acceptance here. Back to the top for other, newer members who haven’t seen this yet.

    (Any paint on it yet?)
     
    Stogy and Grumpys Hot Rods like this.
  30. metalshapes
    Joined: Nov 18, 2002
    Posts: 11,138

    metalshapes
    Member

    Thanks for the nice words.

    No, still no paint on it. :)
     
    brEad and kidcampbell71 like this.

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