That's one Damn Nice first Hotrod! I've had to pull mine from the swamps and figure out how it once used to fit before welding up half a million patch panels!
Wow ! I got my first real hotrod at about 35 an that was 37 years ago. It looked like this. Good luck and have fun. PS. I hate you too.
Congratulations! Do you know any history on the car? (other than the interior) When was the last time it drove?
Awesome! Get rid of those merc heads tho. You loose compression with them. Get a set of ford heads or performance heads Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Boden is right about lower compression, but my 8ba ran really good with them ?? They may have been shaved upping comp. some. Check comp just 4 giggles. You've got time to "play" with it & have fun learning. Awesome car & WELCOME aboard Eric !!! mike
Welcome to the fold, Eric! As your first Hot Rod is a Deuce Roadster you can't do any better than that. Just a word of warning, you may have contracted Deuce Fever which means this will be a life long passion and you will be in pursuit of many more Deuces. You can't own just one! It's great to see you are a fan of Bernie Couch and his roadster. Bernie is the real deal and his passion burns bright to this day. Even though he sold his roadster to Dave Simard recently, he told me how much he misses it but is very happy that it is being restored to its lakes period. He is looking forward to this years 2020 GNRS where his roadster will be displayed with the AMBR contestants. He is hoping to be there with it. If you can attend you may be able to have a word with him. I have posted many of the hundreds of pictures here on the Hamb that Bernie gave me of lakes racing and him and his Deuce roadster in the late '40s after he returned home from the war. Here's a pic of Bernie and I at this year's LARS. Sent from my SM-A505U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Here's a few pics of Bernie and his roadster from 1947............ Bernie and his roadster receiving the "Best Deuce" Award from the Mid-West Deuce Club at the 50th Anniversary LA Roadster Show in 2014..............
It is! Jack was very good to me! He's helped me get pointed in the right direction. Can't thank him enough for this collection of vintage speed parts. Now I just have to get it on the road!
I was a little worried I would come off that way. I've just been waiting for the right one and found it! Hopefully I'll prove to you guys I'm the right kid for this car!
Unfortunately I had to make a quick sale on the 37 truck to round up the money for the roadster. It was a kool truck, but I'm happy to have a roadster!
The body can be traced back to 1946 in Long Beach CA. The previous owner found 1946 Saturday Night Evening Post and another local paper stuffed in the doors for insulation!
Currently have a set of Weiand Cheater heads that I plan to run. I would love to track down a set of original Evans heads just like Bernie Couch ran.
Alright, after a big move, and another school, I finally have some updates! In an effort to get the car as close to the late 40's as possible, I'm starting with a fresh, stock, 32 frame. As pictured, I'm working on grafting a new center section into the K-Member after a bad hack job to fit a modern trans. I have to admit, it's a little scary for my first time just cutting up parts like this, but you have to learn somehow!
Thanks to the help of some new friends, I've been collecting some good original pieces! 32 Axle 32 Wishbone 35 Wires
As for the motor... The goal is to get as close as possible to the Bernie Couch Roadster. He ran 134 mph in the late 40's, so we know his combo worked. He ran a 39 Merc, Evans heads, Navarro intake, Potvin ignition and cam. I currently have a 40 Merc block, Navarro intake, Weiand cheater heads (trying to locate a set of Evans heads), fresh rebuilt Strombergs thanks to Vern Tardel, and a cool 40 Merc emblem for the dash. First image is of Bernie's motor, the same motor that he ran in the 40s!
And last...just some shots of what I'm working with. I'd love to have a massive shop, but you work with what you have. Most guys back in the day worked with less. For now, we'll make a 2 stall garage work!
Quick weekend project that really helps working in a small garage! Cheap speedway spreader bars and some square tube!
Front cross member was bolted and booger welded in. Took it out, cleaned up, and will be getting riveted back in.
Now the disassembly starts! Got the front end moved over to the new frame. Swapped in an unsplit wishbone. 34 rear spring, reversed main spring, and every other leaf taken out.
Big day! Got the drive train out of the car, only going to reuse the 39 trans. Sold the frame, rear end, and motor.
Got a little more work done this weekend. Disassembly of the 34 rear, and some blasting before the sand ran out.
The Jalopy Journal
