Hot Rods | Cool McCool's Garage

Posts Tagged ‘Hot Rods’

The car may be cut and buff(ed), but I’m exhausted…

Posted: January 25, 2018 in Ford Roadsters, Hot Rod, transportation
Tags: '34 roadster, 34 Ford, Hot Rods, transportation, travel

Today’s task was to go to AutoZone and spend my Christmas money on transmission fluid, wax, hand buffing compound, tire cleaner, wheel cleaner, fuses, and other miscellaneous stuff. (Of course I didn’t get a three prong flasher, number one on the list…). I added 2 quarts of trans fluid, and backed it out of the garage into the (almost) sun.

It was then that I could see that I wasn’t done buffing and polishing! The paint is single stage urethane, and has fully cured, meaning it’s pretty hard. I wet sanded it with 1200, then 1500, then like 4,000 on my DA, which left a pretty uniform satin finish. Then I buffed it with 3M Heavy Duty Rubbing compound and wool bonnet, washed the car, and then used a foam pad and 3M machine finish glazing compound. If I’d done all this when the paint was still soft, lets say within a week of shooting it, it’d have been much, much easier.

As it was, I had quite a few “hazy” areas, that needed a lot more polishing. So, out came the buffer, foam pad and glazing compound, and I hit most of the car again. I also hand rubbed the character lines, door and hood edges, as I didn’t want to cut through the black. I’d originally planned to intentionally cut through into the red-oxide primer beneath, to make the paint look old, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do that.

Call me crazy…

Now however, I’m very happy with the results, the paint looks deeper, and has a somewhat “softer” shine, a bit less “plasticky” than the uncut urethane. I got supplies to detail and spiff the car for its debut at AutoRama in Detroit in one month, like tire dressing, some Meguires liquid wax, spray detailer, wheel cleaner for (very hard to clean wire wheels), Armor-All wipes for the interior and so on.

I ordered some little stuff for the interior, some welting, Common Sense snaps for the saddlebag style map pockets in the doors, vinyl tack strip, and metal spring clips to hold the trim panels on, as Kim hates using screws and trim washers. I don’t mind that, but she is right, it’ll be a more finished look.

So, it’s coming down to the wire. The car runs GREAT, it looks as good as anything I’ve ver built, it seems to drive OK, at least up and down the drive, the brakes and steering are tight and feel really good.

See you in Detroit!

Va-Rooooom!

Posted: December 25, 2017 in Hot Rod, Roadsters, transportation, travel
Tags: 34 Ford, cars, Hot Rods, roadster, transportation, travel

I’ve been forced to upgrade my WordPress account to accommodate more memory, so, as a Christmas present to myself, I splurged and added more memory, more features I don’t fully comprehend, so you, faithful reader, can suffer along with me and all the shenanigans here at Cool McCool’s Garage!

Here’s the latest video of the Roadster NOT shucking the fan belt at WOT (a study in frustration trying to determine the correct size belt, then the challenge of actually finding one in stock somewhere). In addition, I ordered a pair of rear wheel cylinders, a new Stewart Warner mechanical temp gauge in the correct 2 5/8″ diameter to replace the one I tried to rebuild using a cheap gauge as donor, and a speedometer cable. I ordered them at 4 pm on the 22nd, they were delivered at 2 pm the 23rd! That’s excellent service, and the cylinders are Raybestos, made in USA, at the astoundingly low price of $5.97 each! Free shipping too, props to Summit Racing!

We’re relaxing in front of the tree, our presents to each other are opened, we basking in the glow of the fire (and a couple of Mimosas), so to all our friends, Happy Holidays, and thanks for reading and following along! Stay tuned for lots more fun this next year, and look for new stuff here with all the widgets, features and improvements at the site!

’34 Roadster updates

Posted: January 4, 2017 in Hot Rod, Roadsters, transportation
Tags: Hot Rods

The holiday season is over, and it’s time to update the blog. Progress on the roadster has been steady, if slow, but there is progress.

I’ve gotten the frame DONE, unless you count priming and paint. I thought I was done yesterday, but my friend Matt Lesky posted some photos of a ’32 chassis he just finished up, and that inspired me to make a couple changes on the ’34, even if it’s not on a level equal to what “Ionia Hot Rod Shop” does. This extra detail is gussets were the “X” member joins the perimeter rails. I’d thought it need a little extra, but wasn’t sure what to do until I saw Matt’s work. So, that’s now done.

I also ordered a bunch of trinket parts from Speedway to mount the Houdialle shocks I saved from the Diamond T truck, and a new front spring. Faithful readers will remember the mock up shot, which clearly shows the front WAY high, considering a reversed eye spring and dropped axle. I selected, after much anguish, a Posies reversed eye, reduced arch spring. Initially I was going to use a mono-leaf, but was concerned about the reliability of a single leaf, made probably in China, and opted for a US made piece. I also sectioned, or flattened, the front crossmember 3/4″, so I should be quite a bit lower than it was, and planned “rubber rake” should take care of the rest.

I bought a quart of acrylic enamel in the color I decided on (you’ll have to wait to see what that is!), and as soon as I can get a day when I can heat the shop to near 60, I’ll paint the chassis parts, brackets, radius rods, axle, and rear end, the frame, and get the chassis assembled.

It’s exciting!

Because, Hot Rod.

Posted: November 15, 2016 in Ford Roadsters, Hot Rod, transportation
Tags: 34 Ford, Hot Rods, roadster, travel

14992032_10211784729436334_2160630791604988979_n I’ve been working on the ’34, spending the past three days getting the hood and grill shell aligned. I’m calling it a success, I believe I’ve gotten the fit as close as it can be, given the vagaries of ancient, inaccurate stampings, vaguely close reproduction parts, and my limited patience for this type of fussy work. I have to say, getting the car assembled, even in this “mock-up” phase for alignment and placement of minor stuff like brake pedal and steering column and steering box makes me pretty happy, and fired up about the project.

The hood and grill shell initially fit so poorly I didn’t think I’d ever be able to get them even close, but the end result is better than I expected. The hood is a reproduction from Rootlieb, the grill shell is an old reproduction from some unknown maker, probably Argentinian, where up through the ’60’s and ’70’s, old Fords were kept going, and crude replacement parts were available. I ended up having to make some slits in the top of the grill shell and pulling the sides in with a winch strap, the resulting fit is surprisingly good.

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The car also setting up on wheels for the first time in years, although I found some of the stuff I got with it, namely the beautiful Buick aluminum brake drums, may not be useable due to wear, but we’ll see. I’m a little concerned too about the stance, the rear is lower than I planned (perhaps I flattened that ’40 rear crossmember too much) and the front looks too high, despite the dropped axle and reversed eye spring. Not helping the goofy stance are the 14″ wheels and tires on the rear and 16’s up front, I’m going to have to get the right size rollers to see where I really am before I get much further.

Next up, I have to make mounts for the (original) top bows, and finish up the notch in the firewall for the Chevy 283’s distributor. There’s a little more glass work to do on the body, one of the doors has a corner nubbed off, and the splash aprons need to have a little added to the bottom to fit the hood the way I want (see the above photo). All in all, it’s not much, I want to get those chores done before it gets cold. Then, it all comes apart for final welding of the frame and chassis components, then prep for paint, wiring, fuel and brake lines.

Tempting to leave the body in the black epoxy primer over the original purple paint, squirt the same stuff on the chassis and hood and call it done, but I have other plans, which I’m not going to reveal until it’s done.

Stay tuned!

Hot Rods! Old Trailers! Projects! Adventure!

Posted: April 28, 2016 in '36 Roadster, Ford Roadsters, spartan trailer, transportation, travel, Uncategorized
Tags: HAMB, Hot Rods, Tin Can Tourists, transportation, travel, Vintage trailer, Vintage trailer restoration

It seems like a long time since I worked on the trailer, in reality, it’s only been a couple weeks. I’ve decided that the goal of making Camp Dearborn and the Tin Can Tourist Spring Rally isn’t going to happen, so I’ve slowed down a bit, but I’ve still gotten quite a bit done.

The new axle is under the trailer, and the Dodge 17″ 8 lug wheels and Michelon 24575R17 10 ply rated tires are on. The trailer now looks like ours, it looks good and feels good having that chore done. In addition, both waste tanks are under the trailer and the plumbing is 90% complete, so there are three things (almost) checked off the list. Most of the trim is done inside, I have to steam and bend a couple pieces of quarter round, and cut the hole in the roof for the fridge and hot water heater vent, finally get the interior varnished, and a thousand other little jobs that I haven’t even thought of yet.

I’ve taken advantage of the lack of a rush on the trailer, to finally start organizing and working on the ’34 Ford roadster project I bought last fall after selling the ’48 Pontiac convertible. I lifted the body off the frame, and made a (sort of) frame table/jig using two Stanley Work-Mates and some steel rectangular tubing. I have the frame leveled, squared, tacked together, the engine mounts are in, and the front axle is hanging from the crossmember. I’ve started welding the center section in, and will get the ’40 Ford rear crossmember flattened and in tomorrow. At least, that’s the plan…

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So, that’s what’s happening here at Cool McCool’s Garage, progress on two fronts!

Project overload.

Posted: April 6, 2016 in Hot Rod, spartan trailer, Tin Can Tourists, Uncategorized
Tags: HAMB, Hot Rods, Tin Can Tourists, transportation, Vintage trailer, Vintage trailer restoration

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A Facebook friend in California just relayed that he’d found a cool old bread loaf style trailer near his home. Prewar, intact, fairly priced, but a total rebuild. He was torn, because he has a very cool, very rare trailer now, and this other one would be a nice compliment to their current one, and his vintage tow car.

He passed.

I should take a lesson from that. While I’m making good progress on the ’47 Spartan, it’s down to the fussy finishing and detail work that I’m not fond of, not patient enough for, and takes more time than I want to spend. It’s also clear I’m in no way going to meet my (self imposed) deadline of having the trailer done by the third week of may for the Tin Can Tourist Spring Rally in Milford to debut. I could have it usable, but not finished, and I don’t think it’s worth taking it uncompleted, not polished or finished to the level we want. It’s disappointing, but not we have two others to use, and lots of events coming up this summer where we can “debut” in style.

I have the plumbing done, the fridge is in and the vent system roughed in. Had to order more Olympic rivets before I can cut the vent hole in the roof and move the original stove vent blister to that space, so that’s a bit of a hold up.

The plumbing is done, mostly. The grey water tank has to be hung and the sink drains run to it. My good friend Mike Greene of Sierra Custom Interiors gave me a bunch of PEX tubing drops, crimp rings, miscellaneous fittings and the crimping tool, I’m indebted to him for that. It went well, it’s always good to add another thing to my skill set.

The trim work is also 90% complete. I steam bent the curved pieces with a home-built steamer set up, my first attempt at bending wood. It went pretty well, and I have a few little pieces yet to go that can’t be done till some other things get done, like the fridge cabinet.

We have the interior fabrics, thanks to another friend who’s an upholsterer and let us buy the fabric on her account for half what it’d have otherwise cost. The foam we have to order, but she’s helping us out with that too. Kim will make the covers and curtains. It should be very dramatic, we’re excited about our choices, no peeking until we’re done!

All this is good, and I have to admit I did feel relief whenI decided the other day not to try to have it ready for May. It was like a weight had been lifted. Not that I’m not working on it, but the pressure is now off. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by that project, and seeing my long neglected Thunderbird, the half-completed ’63 Riviera I started last year, and the “new” ’34 roadster setting in pieces, all of them covered with a thick, soft layer of wood dust, was a bit overwhelming.

These three cars are cars I’ve loved since I was a kid, and always wanted. The fact that none of them are completed and drivable doesn’t really matter, because I love having a project, but three at once, along with normal maintenance on our other cars, not to mention household chores, lawn care, and so on, takes tool on my “free” time. Part of my rationale for having all these projects is to provide activity for my upcoming retirement, so the fact that they’re not finished shouldn’t be a stress factor. It seems a long way off, but I know that 4 years from now I’ll look back and wonder where the time went.

And what I was worried about.

Gilmore Car Museum and Center for Physical Therapy.

Posted: November 28, 2015 in Antique trucks, Gilmore Car Museum, travel, Uncategorized
Tags: Custom Cars, HAMB, Hot Rods, Tin Can Tourists, transportation

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In the Cadillac building, a beautiful recreation of the Cadillac approved Art Deco dealership building design from the late 30’s.

Since my hip replacement a little over a week ago I’ve been going over to the Gilmore museum every day for a walk. I’ve graduated to being able to use a cane, rather than walker, which is good, although it does make me rather sore later on. Going through the museum at my forced slow pace enables me to notice things I’d normally breeze right on buy. My visit yesterday was focused on the Model A museum. I admit I’m not very enthused about Model A’s, particularly in stock form, but the versatility and adaptability of this humble depression era car is amazing. From family transportation, to marine, medium duty truck, and even aircraft, the reliable little Model A kept America moving during the tough 30’s, into the 40’s and 50’s, and continues today as restored and hot-rodded little Fords are still going strong.

A break in the still open “Blue Moon Diner” was a welcome stop for a root beer float. The museum was very busy, but I managed to belly up the much counter and get an empty stool to enjoy my float.

Parts counter in the Model A museum.

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Stay tuned for more hip replacement recovery, rehab and fun. I’m hoping to be able in the next couple weeks to be able to a little light work on the Spartan trailer project. For now I still need to use a cane or walker, but as rapidly as this seems to be progressing I should be back at it, at least in a limited way, pretty soon.

Thanks for visiting, see you next time!

Goodby, my lovely.

Posted: November 14, 2014 in Hot Rod, Thunderbird, Tin Can Tourists, Traditional Custom Cars, travel, Vintage trailers
Tags: chopped tops, Custom Cars, HAMB, Hot Rods, Tin Can Tourists, transportation, Vintage trailer

After a three week stint on the Tin Can Tourists classifieds board, a dozen calls from persons with moderate to almost desperate interest in the Spartan, it’s sold, and heading across the pond to France to become a vacation cabin in a private campground, with four other vintage American trailers, and a gorgeous stone cottage.

We’re a little sad, but excited to because now we can start on the ’47 Manor that’s been waiting patiently in the wings. We’ve got big plans for this one, and while it’ll be hard to improve on the ’46, we think we have an interior layout that’ll be a knock-out, and the body has a few less bumps and dings, so it should be a suitable and worthy replacement. It also means we’ll be roughing it next season in the Tini-Home or the Del-Ray, but Kim says she’s going to re-cover the Del-Ray dinette cushions and make some cool curtains, which is all it needs to be done. So we’ll have a choice of two nice, but smaller than we’re used to, vintage campers until the ’47 is done.

This afternoon I painted the three steel 16″ wheels that’ll be going on the Spartan to its new home in France. New tires will go on next week, and we have to empty it out and clean it. After that I spent some time hanging the 5.3 Vortec in Kims Riviera. I’m happy to report that with the transmission mounted, the engine still fits, although I will need to “clearance” the transmission tunnel a bit with a VERY big hammer to let it set exactly where it needs to. It’s close, but the trans needs to come up about half an inch, which will let the front of the engine nestle into the notched crossmember, which will allow the hood to close without a bulge to clear the intake. Nice. When that’s done, mounts made and the engine/trans resting where they should, I’ll let it set this winter and work on the T’Bird and the “new” Spartan.

All play, no work!

Posted: October 21, 2014 in Antique trucks, Diamond T truck, Hot Rod, Las Vegas, Motor home, Thunderbird, Tin Can Tourists, Traditional Custom Cars, travel, Uncategorized
Tags: chopped tops, Custom Cars, Diamond T truck, HAMB, Hot Rods, Old Trucks, Thunderbird, transportation, travel

The crew here at Cool McCool’s Garage has had a VERY busy October, but we haven’t gotten anything done on either the Riviera or the T’bird. Instead, we’ve been camping, soaking up art in Grand Rapids at “Art Prize”, and took a trip to Las Vegas to visit our son Craig and his family. He and Kathleen recently got engaged, and we are excited to have our family grow!

While we were with Craig and his family, we drove to Burbank California, and visited our niece Meghan and her husband Ron, and got to meet their daughter Maren. She’s beautiful, and we got to hold a baby! As luck would have it, their home is only a mile from two great hot rod shops, “Hollywood Hot Rods”, and “Old Crow Speed”, so Craig and I took a few minutes and got great tours at both shops. Sadly, for me anyway, the ’59 T’bird under construction at Hollywood Hot Rods, inspired by the same artwork by Eric Black that got me to chop the top and cut up the quarter panels on mine, was out for paint, so I didn’t get to see that.

We’re back home, and today got some long overdue fall household maintenance chores taken care of, and I fired up the motor home chassis, pulled it around to the garage and stripped it of some wiring and am going to (finally) pull the 454 and Turbo 400 tomorrow at the shop at my dad’s place. It’ll be good to have that thing gone, I’m planning scrapping the chassis to help generate some cash to replenish the Hot Rod Fund, which was depleted with the purchase of the 5.3 LS motor and 4L60E trans we just picked up for the ’63 Riviera.

There are plenty of warm sunny days ahead (I hope) this fall before snow flies and the woodshed is full, so we’re ready now to get back at the T’bird, get started on the Riviera, and keep busy during the winter months. It’s gonna be a busy winter!

Stay tuned!

On the road to Milford and the Tin Can Tourists Fall Gathering, late in September.

Joe Dirt meets Dog the Bounty Hunter.

I picked up this hot chick!

My favorite from “Art Prize”

Bellagio in LV, where we got a private VIP tour to the cupola!

Hot Rod heaven.

Of course, we found a brewpub, this one in Boulder City, a favorite of ours when we’re out there.

Old Crow belly tanker. These guys have the coolest stuff…

Our beautiful great-niece, Maren.

Craig and Kathleen, at Getty’s Center in Hollywood.

The Rivieras new power plant! 5.3 LS and 4L60.

The Rivera’s new power plant! 5.3 LS and 4L60.

The Riviera, patiently waiting for its new heart.

Trailer Trash at Gilmore Car Museum.

Posted: August 4, 2014 in camping, Diamond T truck, Gilmore Car Museum, Hickory Corners Michigan, Pure Michigan, Relix Riot, Tin Can Tourists
Tags: Custom Cars, Diamond T truck, Diamond T trucks, Gilmore Car Museum, Hot Rods, Tin Can Tourists, transportation, Vintage trailer

Oh no, not THEM again!

Last Thursday, the staff at Cool McCool’s Garage managed to leave work early and head out to the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners for the “Red Barns Spectacular” show, held on Saturday. Since we here at the shop are getting older, we need a couple of days to gear up, then a day or two to wind down from event, so we wanted to get a head start on the weekends activities.

We’d moved the Spartan in on Wednesday evening after the cruise in at the museum, had the awning up and fridge plugged in. Anxious to begin a weekend of festivities, we quickly made the first round of cocktails, and watched our friends Jay and Angie, then Butch and Pam roll in and get set up. As you can see by the photos, a bad day camping is better than a good day at work…

Let’s race…

This is more like it…

Jay had been working hard all week preparing his Tiki-Bar, and the results were not disappointing. The smoking Tiki heads set the mood for the entire weekend. Now, where’s the TCT Fun Punch?

The Gods have spoken!

Belly up to the bar!

In the morning after aspirin and caffeine, Friday was all about kicking back, catching up with friends, and watching the campers roll in. The grounds are perfect for a leisurely stroll, a bike ride, or just relaxing and catching up with friends. By evening, there were 25 rigs under the trees, the grills were fired up, the Tiki-bar was smoking, beverages flowed and the party started.

JaKe and Tami’s ’53 Chev BelAire and Scotty.

The crowd gets bigger!

Saturday morning Jake and Tami introduced us all to turkey cooker omelets, which was such a hit that we’re all going out this week and getting our own turkey fryers. (We actually have one, but it was lent out and never came home, so a new one is on the “must have” list!) After breakfast, the days activities were prowling the swap meet for that much-needed item, checking out each others campers, meeting new friends and catching up with old ones. Over 2,000 cars, and thousands of spectators made the grounds a busy place.

Fixing our omelet.

Ready to go!

Boil 13 minutes and eat!

Breakfast is ready!

After breakfast, time to check out all the trailers and cars…

Longroof alley.

Beautiful GMC coach, owned a totol of 4 hours! On it's maiden voyage with it's new owners from Traverse City, to Gilmore, then back to Wisconsin on the Badger.

Beautiful GMC coach, owned a total of 4 hours! On its maiden voyage with its new owners from Traverse City, to Gilmore, then back to Wisconsin on the Badger.

This only gets 30 mpg. Cross country trip, anyone?

Tini-Home, big fun.

After a long day in the sun, once again the Tiki-bar was put into action, and the good times rolled. We had a chance to play a little harp with Butch’s brother-in-law, a very talented musician whose guitar work more than made up for our lack of skill on the harp…

More cowbell…

Sunday morning another omelet festival, and it was time to pack up and make the long journey back home. If it were any further than 2 miles, I think we’d still be there recovering. Jay and Angie left their Airstream at our place, and will be back in two weeks for the “Relix Riot” show at the museum, so we’re baby-sitting for them. I just plugged our Spartan in the yard, turned the fridge back on and collapsed. Hopefully I can rest up enough at work to be ready for the Riot, and get the trailer re-loaded for the next high-octane weekend!

Angie gets her omelet on.

Breaking camp.

Lets see if this photo ends up shared as much as the wagon and Spartan!

Rolling past the new Lincoln museum.

The Cadillac building, as seen through the Cadillac of trucks windshield.

So, that’s it for now. In two weeks it’s the Relix Riot, we hope to get the Riviera’s home by then (have I mentioned the two ’63 Riv’s soon to arrive at Cool McCool’s Garage?), the motor home still needs to get dismantled, so there are lots going here. Stay tuned for more updates, and news as it happens!

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