Projects Building My First Roadster in San Francisco

I just got back from Texas and, oh boy, do I have a story to tell. Full replies and updates to follow.

 

Thank you! Even though my updates aren't as frequent as they used to be, I'm still making progress on it every day. Hope to see ya soon!

Oh yeah, that's all in the cards. I'm doing everything in my power to build this thing to last!

I might have to take you guys up on your offers!

Oh man, that stuff is amazing. Is that an old homemade die (or dice) turned-shift knob?

Hahaha up, up and away!

 

Thank you for bringing those to my attention. They look super nice!

 

Thank you guys—and everyone—for being so patient with me. I've been thinking that I really need to get back in the habit of updating the thread more often. Like I mentioned above, just because I'm not posting doesn't mean that I'm not chipping away at the car. I promise.

 

Sidebar 32.3: A Walk(er) to Remember - Part I.

Last weekend, my work sent me to Fort Worth to cover the Lone Star Nationals at Texas Motor Speedway. It was a whirlwind trip. I left San Francisco on Friday afternoon and arrived in Texas later that night. After enjoying a tasty dinner at Whataburger, I sunk into the hotel to prep for the following day.

When Saturday rolled around, I was rested and ready to see the sights and shoot a whole lot of photos. As part of my usual loop, I wandered over to the swap meet area. I reminded myself that, since I flew there, I didn't need to even think about buying anything big. Well, that mindset quickly changed as I nearly stubbed my toe on...a....radiator. Not just any radiator—it was a Walker built specifically for flathead-equipped 1932 Fords.

Buying it was one thing, but getting it home is a completely different story.
It's getting late early here, so let's pick right back up tomorrow.

 

And we're back.

When I first saw the radiator, I knew I had to have it. There were a few problems. First, I opened up my wallet and miraculously had a little bit of money. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough. Seeing that it was early, I asked the seller if I could go find an ATM to make up the difference. He agreed and even took the radiator in the back of his booth, writing my name on the original box in Sharpie.

So, on a sunny Saturday morning, I searched for an ATM while also covering the show. "Excuse me, do you know if there's an ATM on the property?" I'd ask anyone in uniform. "Uh, not sure," they all replied. Finally, a man in a Texas Motor Speedway jacket informed me that this was a cashless event. End of story. He did, however, say that there was an ATM at the gas station just down the road. My heart sank. I wasn't about to leave work, even if it was to get an NOS Walker radiator. Oh well.

Defeated, I walked over to the seller and told him of my strife. He told me not to worry; he would be back the next morning. I thanked him profusely, paid him half and gave him my business card.

That night after dinner, I drove to the local Walmart to shop for suitcases. After checking the dimensions, I figured that the radiator would just barely fit in their biggest rollerboard if I shaved the sides of the bag. I held off on buying it. I did, however, buy the most basic bathroom scale to double-check the weight prior to flying.

Leaving Walmart, I was feeling good. Then it hit me: what if it's too heavy? All the Post Offices were closed the following day (Sunday) and none would be open by the time I had to catch my flight on Monday. I began to panic.

Seeing that I didn't have the radiator in my possession, I started texting friends who may know the weight. I also put a post up on Instagram. The replies started pouring in. Within a minute, I had my answer down to a pound. (The answer was 34 pounds—which is A-OK for checked luggage.) After hitting the ATM, I made it back to the hotel and went to sleep.

The following day was a full one to say the least. But when the dust settled, I had completed all my work assignments—and picked up the radiator. Lugging it across the infield, I spotted my friend Dave Lane. Dave is a talented hot rod builder who runs FastLane Rod Shop in Donahue, Iowa. I remember first reading about him in The Rodder's Journal quite some time ago. I flagged him down and asked if he could take a picture of me and my latest acquisition.

"Looks like it fell off the back of the truck!" he said. We laughed. I thanked him and hit the road.

Driving back from the track, I plotted my next move.

1) Go to Walmart and actually get a suitcase.
2) Prepare to ship.
3) Relax and unwind. Seriously!

Well, let's just say that didn't go as planned. Moments after buying the biggest suitcase Walmart had to offer, I was wrestling 34 pounds of brass into its depths on an island near the cart return. As I went to set it in the bag, I sliced open my thumb on one of the upper water outlets. Blood began running down my hand, dripping over everything as the early spring wind seemed to change direction with each passing moment.

I searched everywhere for something to stop the bleeding, eventually settling on a tissue that I had in my jacket. The wind howled. A couple of teens watched from their car with sad curiosity. I stared at the suitcase, still with tags, and then at the radiator. My thumb throbbed. "Shit," I said. "This isn't going to work."

Time was running out. I had to act fast, because it was Sunday night and things were closing. From across the lot, I spied a Home Depot. "That's it," I said. "I'm gonna find a way to ship this—whatever it may cost."

So, that's exactly what I did. I bought a bunch of bubble wrap, shrink wrap, and a moving blanket from Home Depot that evening, and then a pillow and a towel from Walmart (again) later that night. I used to work in a shipping department way back when, and I used all the tricks of the trade to prepare the Walker for the long trip back to San Francisco.

The following morning, I woke up before the sun and made my way to a little Post Office on School House Road. I waited for the doors to open as I listened to 91.7 KKXT in my rental Corolla. When they did open at 7:30, I was the first in line. A Postal Worker named Amy was behind the counter, and she was happy to help me get my radiator back home. "There's one thing though," she said, lifting the massive box off the counter, "I wish I would have eaten my Wheaties this morning!" We both smiled, and I was on my way.

A sign on the Post Office door.

***

I've actually been waiting to post this until the radiator had arrived safely. I'm happy to say that my packaging worked, and I'm now the owner of a genuine Walker 1932 Ford flathead radiator. Maybe you've noticed, or maybe you haven't, but this is one of the biggest items that I can finally check off the list in my signature. And, best of all, it's another story to add to the saga of Building My First Roadster in San Francisco.

 

Overall, I had a great time in Texas. I got to see a bunch of H.A.M.B. cars, including my favorite Model A coupe of all time.

Fun fact: I actually tried to buy this car long before I started mine. It didn't work out, but that's okay.
That being said, there are a few things on my roadster that are/will be inspired by this very special Model A.

My biggest regret is not being able to hang out with @trevorsworth. Next time I'm in the Dallas area we're going to cruise in his Model A and really cause some hot rod havoc.

 

I do have some fun updates from di Falco's shop, but I figured I would show you the final Mazi Moto tank video. Keeping germane to this thread, you'll recognize me, my roadster and my Rat Fink hat.



That's all for tonight. Thank you for coming along for the ride!

 

Oh man, so good! I'll be heading to Portland in late April for the One Motorcycle Show. I'm not sure if I'll be able to swing two trips up there! We shall see.

 

Interestingly enough, the fenders were in California while I painted the tank in Michigan.

Once I had the basic layout, I actually painted most of this by feel. I'm looking forward to applying some of the same principles to my car's paintjob wayyyyy down the line. You'll have to tune into my Instagram for my next motorcycle side project which, for all intents and purposes, is not H.A.M.B. material.

Hahah thank you! The thumb is healing, and it hasn't interfered with my typing so life is good.

 

On Saturday morning, I arrived in Petaluma ready to work. Despite gray skies, David and I brought my frame out in the driveway, set up my workspace and got moving.

The task? Notch and partially box the front of the frame to clear the reverse-eye spring.

Step 1: measure and mark with chalk

Step 2: make a cardboard template out of 10-gauge

Step 3: cut them out with David's garage-sale bandsaw

Step 4: David welded them in place

Step 5: I then ground down the welds

And there you have it! It was super fun diving in and working on the chassis. Next up, we'll be filling a few more holes and figuring out the rear crossmember location.

 

Miscellaneous shots from around the shop:

Speed, power and a Hillbilly Hat.

My Mazi Moto/J.Ukrop sticker made its way onto the gas tank of David's roadster. A real honor!

My favorite hot rod x my favorite hot rod shop.

 

Thank you! David is a master, and I'm lucky to be able to learn how to do things right the first time.

 

Gotta be a little weird!