The re-creation of the Vulcans 32 Victoria

Well, here is the re-creation of the Vulcans 32 Victoria that raced at Lions out of willmington CA.



Some of you may be old enought to remember, some have seen it in pics in hot rod mag back int the early 60s, Some may have no idea at all.

The Vulcans car club out of willmington CA were a group of friends who all shared a race car. All playing there role to build, race and be competitive with a car that no one person could have probably afforded or acomplished alone.

When my friend/customer (Bill Workman) came to me talking of building a vintage dragster to run on the nastalgic circut i was stoked. Then he had decided to build a functioning version the the Vulcans car i was really stoked!! The car had a distinct look no only due to it being one of the few rare 32 vickys on the track at lions but also because it was chaneled 5 inches and bright purple and white with two hoops sticking out of the cowl to accomidate the updraft stromberg carbs that had once been on a WWII tank.

I knew the Vulcans Crew chief (Tom) was still alive because he had come into my shop a few years back needing some powder coat and i had talked to him about his racing days and the chain drive set up on the blown chrystler in the vicky. How the Christmans allways would beat them and how they would switch classes so they would not have to race them! That way they would allways go home with a trophy!! haha!

Bill started making calls and made contact with him and then to find out that all/most of them were still alive. They were more excited than we were about building the car.

I started building the car about a year ago, We couldnt find a vicky that was worth starting with and we found some that were to nice to turn into race cars. I have seen some sedans turned into vickys but they allways look funny. Bill found a sedan for cheap and off we went. I knew I could not just make the bustle butt, I would have to reproportion the car at the same time, make the back 1/3 of the body, channel it, fill the roof with a removable insert, make the body tip like a funny car while still allowing the doors to open. (body had to be stiff/ridgid and light) so that would require making an inner structure and getting rid of the wood. And then making a full belly pan that doubled as a legal catch pan.

Frank Aldanna built the cage (as to he has built a lot of cars and knows the rules like the back of his hand) Bill Workman has worked his ass off helping me, Aldanna, and fabing a lot on his own. Those who know me know i specialize in sheetmetal so as to use everyones talents we all played our roles. This is my picture time line of the build. The car is currently getting painted (bill is doing the body work and i think bob cole will spray it) It will hopefully be at bakersfield at the hot rod reunion.

When there is more progress (color on it) i will post more pics, but this is start to current day from my perspective.

Enjoy

 

After re-proportioning the body I built a buck of the rear profile of a vicky from a prior 32 vicky i had built. and started shaping a new rear section.

 

good luck with the build,truly a bitchin car

 

some more of what it looked like before channel and after new proportions

 

excellent is an understatement. ​

 

Then i had to channel it and build an interior that would be strong and light but yet allow the car body to tip at 45deg like a funny car and all the while allowing the doors to open and not haveing a perminently filled roof. I made a lightweight insert frame and skinned it wih aluminum that bolt in for the roof insert. Then channeled the body over the frame 5" and built a hinge that would allow the body to remove and tip

 

Amazing work, nice!

 

The car then went to Frank Aldanna to get a cage built and the chassis set. here is how it returned to me.

 

I then set about buiding a removable trans tunnel, some interior panels, building a removable radiator and grill shell unit, fitting hood with steering going through louvers. etc...

 

Then it was on to the full length aluminum bell pan that would still allow the car to be jacked up, remove in sections that make sence, double as a catch pan for engine (as to track rules)

so...here it went

 

Very nice!

 

And here is where we are today. Bill (the owner) is doing all the body work himself and i think bob cole may spray it. not sure. here it is in primer surfacer.

Thats all i have for now. When more progress is made i will post more pics. hopefully with some color on it! Hope you enjoy, i have had a blast building this car! Cant wait to see her run at bakersfield for the reunion!

All the Vulcans have been kept up to date on progress, have given it her blessing and are more excited to see her go down the stip than we are!

Jeb

 

awesome work

 

I love both your desire to build a clone of such a neat car and the workmanship I see in your photos is outstanding.

 

Soooo awesome! The craftsmanship is incedible!
Nice looking cars in the background too...

 

Hell yes!! Very nice work.

 

I'm just... dumbfounded. Outstanding work. Gary

 

Every time I visit the shop there is always something cool to see. I don't remember seeing it there, but it's no exception. Great skill as usual, Jeb.

 

Definitely looking forward to updates on this one.

 

That sure is nice metalwork! I often regret parting with my '32 Vicky project, wonder were it is now?

 

Amazing work!!!

 

True craftsmanship !

 

Nice one Jeb, it looks great.

 

Stunning achievement! Man I worshipped that Vulcans car in its day. Very impressive,thanx for sharing . ~sololobo~

 

Beautiful work, Jeb!

 

thats some real nice fabrication there , great job , and nice choice of car to reproduce , please post some pics when it s in paint

 

What a great car to re-create! Your workmanship, is very inspirational. Thanks You, for sharing such detailed pics.

 

Jolly nice stuff.indeed!!!

 

Looks great. I watched it many times at the Beach

 

Your craftsmanship is inspirational...