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Contents
is M su a 13 e o y ’2 Ap n s 3 ril ale
Find us on Facebook at mCarMagazine www.facebook.com/Custo
Regulars
20
2
News & reviews It’s going to be the year of the new show
36 Readers’ Rods A pro-touring Mustang to warm your heart
44 SoCal Diaries The Grand National Roadster Show
56 The Custom Car Years A Super Gas Pop meets Right Said Fred
34
44
58 Events More being announced almost daily
64 Next Month A feast of feature cars
Out and About 30 46-Crew Show Rods and choppers aplenty
36
48
32 Americana Chilling out in Cornwall
34 A Master at Work A fortunately timed visit to Valley Gas
Features 10 The Rod of a Lifetime
10
www.customcarmag.co.uk
John Williams’ Pop was worth waiting for
20 Big-Block Olds ‘57 cruiser with the heart of a drag legend
48 Flame and Thunder Fun and games from the Pod
SUBSCRIBE! 18 Custom Car subs offer The best value way to get your monthly fix
APRIL 2023 CUSTOM CAR 1
CC Contents Apr.indd 1
05/03/2023 23:12
News & reviews
Nothing but a Houndog
B
ritish drag racing pioneer Nobby Hills, who has died of natural causes aged 87, became involved with European drag racing at the very start. Witnessing Sydney Allard and Dante Duce racing in the early ’60s inspired him to build a race car of his very own. The first of the Houndog cars appeared in 1964 and, with Nobby focusing on the engineering side of things, was driven by a number of hired-in drivers. Nobby built six front-engined dragsters, the first having Jaguar power and the last a Chrysler Hemi. Houndog 6 regularly ran mid 7-second quarters in the early ’70s. Things then turned Funny for Nobby in 1973 when he purchased the ex-Paula Murphy STP sponsored Plymouth Duster flopper. Owen Hayward drove the car, renamed Houndog 7, running a best ET of 6.61 seconds. Houndog 8, built by Nobby himself, was a rear engined Top Fuel dragster driven by
Pic: Kenneth Robbins
Tony Nancy that ran a best of 6.30 seconds. Nobby campaigned both it and the Funny Car for a few years until the Duster was written off in 1977. A new Vega-bodied Funny Car was already being built though, appearing in 1978 – by which time Houndog 8 had reached the end of its competitive life and had been retired. Following the Vega, firstly Challenger then Corvette-bodied Funny Cars carried the Houndog name through to the end of the ’80s. After a lull for a couple of decades, Nobby Hills Racing constructed a nitro-burning Fun-
Pic: Martin Chesworth
ny Car. Nobby was inducted into the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 2007. In recent years he has continued to support and promote drag racing and regularly appeared at events such as Dragstalgia and the NSRA Fun Run. A true giant of the sport, Nobby always took the time to speak to people and will be remembered with fondness by many. Not least of all for his Stetson and flip-flops. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. RIP Nobby.
Pics: Pic: Richard Hayward
shipping for UK orders, with worldwide shipping also available on request. www.tim-odell.my-online.store/
Back to black Online art
MANY OF YOU WILL BE FAMILIAR WITH TIM ODELL, aka Surf Monkey. You know, the talented guy who can always be found amongst examples of his work in the Raydar magazine gazebo at shows the length and breadth of the country. Well not only does Tim offer his work for sales at shows, he also has an online store. His prints of hot rods and dragsters are A3 size and printed on acid free, 300gsm silk stock. Tim offers flat rate
TO ENHANCE ITS RANGE OF EFI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, Webcon has added an anodised black finish on a variety of its units. This is available from 2.5 BAR fixed rate up to 4.5 BAR fixed rate and zero to five BAR adjustable, with a choice of single 8mm side feed, twin 8mm side feeds or single -6 AN fitting feed across the range. Prices start at £105.23 including VAT. www.webcon.co.uk
Yorkshire ferrets
IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS YEAR WILL SEE THE 7TH STAGING OF FLAT CAPS AND FERRETS. Presented by Huddersfield Hot Rods and Horsepower, the date is Sunday 24 September – although with camping available, you can make a weekend of it. The place to be is Lepton Highlanders Sports and Social Club, Huddersfield HD8 0LX. Facebook: Flat Caps & Ferrets
2 CUSTOM CAR APRIL 2023
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Chris Adams Just as this issue was about to go to press, news filtered through of the passing of Chris Adams. A long-term hot rodder, Chris will be remembered by many for his ‘oh so different at the time’ Peugeot 203 lowrider that wowed the scene and graced the pages of the August ’85 issue of Street Machine, almost 40 years ago. Ten or so years later, Chris was back in the media once again, this time with his Best in Britain winning ’40 Ford coupe that was the cover car for the July ’95 issue of CC. Two very different cars and two very different build styles, with both showcasing Chris’ versatility and adaptability. Chris will be greatly missed and remembered with fondness. Our thoughts go out to Alison and Kelly, along with the rest of his family and friends. RIP Chris.
VISIT O
UR
TE & WEBSI SHOP E O N L I N
Back in time
FANCY A TRIP BACK TO THE ‘80S? If so,
you’re in luck as that’s exactly what the Blue Ridge Runners are offering later this year. It all takes place on 1-3 September at West Huntspill in Somerset. A cruise, parties, live music and a Sunday show are all in the offing, and if you start now
you’ve enough time to grow a mullet. www.blueridgerunners.co.uk
Harbour days WHEELS ON THE WATERFRONT RETURNS THIS SUMMER TO SOVEREIGN HARBOUR, EASTBOURNE. The morning meetings run from 9am to noon on the first Sunday of the month and all American cars, rods, customs and classics are welcome. The first gathering of 2023 will be on 2 April and the last on 1 October. Facebook: The Waterfront Eastbourne
01934 864310
www.speedflow.co.uk
APRIL 2023 CUSTOM CAR 3
News April 23 AWAITING AD.indd 3
06/03/2023 14:47
News & reviews
Live for the moment Make the most of your time while you can
Charity Extravaganza THE NICE PEOPLE AT KINGS LYNN KRUISERS are a charitable bunch, in a number of ways. For over 40 years the club has staged a weekend event, more latterly known as the KLK Vehicle Extravaganza.
I’M HALF A YEAR IN TO WRITING THESE COLUMNS NOW. Hardly seems like five minutes, but there you are. Something I’ve really noticed is that more or less every month, our news pages have included at least one obituary. Pat Ganahl, John Baldoccino, Jon Morton, Tom Hoover, Jeff Beck, John Bennett… and now this month, Nobby Hills and Chris Adams. It’s no secret that this scene is ageing. Many within it, whether on the racing or rodding side, talk of the need to bring in new blood. An awful lot of people who do rods and customs/kustoms got into it in the 1970s and never left, having found that nothing else comes close – and not even the best cars in the world can hold back the sands of time. Every time we lose another legendary name, it’s a reminder that the scene is on a clock. But more than that, it’s a reminder to make the most of the time we’re given on this here planet. That’s what these guys did, and they became role models because of it. I won’t harp on here, but I really do need to tell you about something that happened to me the other day. I was going through boxes of old family photos and so on in the house where I grew up, and I came across a letter in handwriting I recognised.
It was from my uncle to my dad; they had spent a quarter of a century as neighbours as well as brothers in law. As I read it, I realised it was a letter from beyond the grave, talking about things my uncle needed dad to sort out for him after his death. Nothing deep and maudlin, but it finished with one simple phrase: ‘life was good while it lasted.’ People always say it’s better to regret the things you’ve done than the things you’ve not. The nettles you’ve grasped and they stung you anyway, well there’s always a dock leaf somewhere nearby to take the pain away. But those you were too scared to grasp, too hesitant or just sheer low on gumption, the anguish of wondering what might have been will stay with you forever. So yes, life is good while it lasts. Very good, if you make the most of it. But however good it is, you know it won’t last forever. We’re all on that clock. You can’t make it last any longer than it’s going to anyway… but it’s still good. Your job is to make sure it’s bloody good. Easier said than done, possibly. But whatever life throws your way, your passion will always be your escape. If you love building cars, the better you build them the better life will be. Alan Kidd, Group Editor alan.kidd@assignment-media.co.uk
Assignment Media Ltd, PO Box 8632, Burton on Trent DE14 9PR
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4 CUSTOM CAR MARCH 2023
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06/03/2023 14:47
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News & reviews Not such a Bad Apple With designs by Binnie, a new range of Bad Apple Racing merchandise is now available via Craig Dizon at Altered Tees Apparel. It will come as no surprise that the designs feature Graham Smith’s street legal ’57 Chevy race car. Essentially there are two separate designs of the same theme; front or rear three-quarters. You decide which angle of the Chevy works best for you then make your mind up if you want a T-shirt, zip jumper, hoodie, jacket, cap or mug. The apparel is available in all sizes, and worldwide shipping is on offer. www.alteredteesapparel.co.uk/race-teams
Something for the weekend? switch to last minute tickets priced at £16.50 per person, again including booking fee. www.seetickets.com/tour/ race-the-waves-7-11pm
Take a break
Seaside bash
2 CUSTOM CAR MARCH 2023 If you haven’t already preentered, you’re now too late to participate in Race the Waves on Bridlington beach over the long weekend of 20-23 April. However that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the fun. Tickets for the Drivers Bash on Saturday 22 April are now available to all comers. It takes place at Bridlington C.Y.P. (YO16 4AY) and runs from 7pm to 11pm. The evening’s entertainment will be provided by a disco and live music and admission is by ticket only. The closing date for early bird tickets has already passed but regular tickets, priced at £13.75 per person (including booking fee), are available until the end of March. From Saturday 1 April, this will
In association with Knuckle Busters Car Club, Spring Break Kustom Kulture will once again descend upon Stonham Barns in Suffolk. The dates are 12-14 May and the weekend is billed as a gathering for everyone with an interest in rods, bikes, yanks and kustom kulture. Whilst Sunday is show day, camping is available from the Friday for those wanting to make a weekend of it, and with plenty of entertainment on offer why wouldn’t you? Advance weekend
tickets are on sale now, priced at just £20 per person. Electric hook-up is available at an extra cost and bell tents and holiday homes are available for hire in the on-site holiday park. Drivers
of Sunday only show cars are admitted free, with additional passenger tickets costing £10 per person. www.stonhambarns.co.uk
Spring is sprung The Spring Autojumble at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, is pretty much a onestop-shop for classic motoring enthusiasts. Whether you are actually seeking a particular part, or just want a good day out, it’s the place to be. The dates are 13-14 May, and the opening times are 9.30 to
5.00 on Saturday and 9.00 to 4.30 on Sunday. Advance tickets are available until 2.00 pm on Friday 5 May priced at £12.00 per adult for one day or £19.50 for both days. Child tickets are priced at £10.50 and £12.50 for one and two days respectively. Under 5s are admitted fee. The ticket prices include admission to all the Beaulieu attractions. With hundreds of stands you may just find that elusive part you’re after, or even your dream car on offer in the Automart. www.beaulieu.co.uk
Double figures The date for the tenth anniversary Herts Auto Show is Sunday 21 May, running from 10am through to 4pm. Held in aid of Rennie Grove Hospice Care, the show will be held at the new venue of Oaklands College, St Albans AL4 0JA. The last Herts Auto Show attracted over 400 show cars and bikes, together with more than 2000 visitors. Previous celebrity attendees include Ant Anstead, Phillip Glenister, Steve Parrish, Bernie Freeman and Roberto Perrone. This year’s show promises to be the biggest yet with plenty of new and exciting attractions. The organisers would like to thank sponsors BP Mitchell Ltd. Admission is £7 for adults and £4 for children, with under 5s admitted free. Family tickets are priced at £18 and cover 2 adults and 2 children. www.hertsautoshow.co.uk
6 CUSTOM CAR APRIL 2023
News April 23 AWAITING AD.indd 6
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NEW TO YOU
Love this…
If events on the calendar can be regarded as a barometer as to just how buoyant the rod and custom scene is, we can only say the mercury is rising almost daily. For whatever reason, 2023 is rapidly becoming the year of new events. Here’s a snapshot of a handful of them available with no pitch fee, just the £10 per person admission fee (plus £1 booking fee). www.mphvintagesprint.co.uk
Gone but not forgotten
Free for all
Sunday 30 April is the date for the Wakefield Classic and American Car and Bike Show. It will run from 10:30 am in the city centre (postcode WF1 1HG). All rods, customs, classics and bikes are welcome, in fact the organisers will welcome any vehicle deemed to be of interest. The show is organised by Wakefield BID and it’s totally free for both exhibitors and visitors. www.wakefieldbid.co.uk
Firing up
Seems the guys behind Flat Caps and Ferrets have itchy feet and can’t wait until September, as they’re organising an early season warm up. Details are still sketchy but it will be known as Spring Fire Up. The dates are 5-7 May and it will take place at the same Huddersfield venue as the late season event. Facebook: Flat Caps & Ferrets
Sprint to it
The MPH 1/8th Mile Vintage Sprint is on Sunday 25 June at RAF Deenethorpe, a former WWII American Airfield near Corby, Northants. The event is open to pre-’49 American cars and motorcycles, with admission strictly by pre-paid ticket only. Numbers are restricted and as tickets went on sale 28 February it’s best to get in quick. Trade spaces are also
The aptly named Festival Of The Dead is billed as a celebration of car marques no longer with us. Presented by ClassicLine Insurance and MoreThanPolish.com, the show is primarily aimed at classic car enthusiasts but we’re sure owners of rods and customs will be welcome especially if the base vehicle make is no longer in production. It takes place on Sunday 2 July at Burghley House, Stamford, Lincs, with all proceeds from the day going to the armed forces charity Mission Motorsport. www.festivalofthedead.uk
Krazy days
Krazy Horse launched their new event in style, with a poster designed by Ryan Roadkill. Known simply as The Weekender, it takes place on 7-9 July at Bardwell, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The event promises a curated motorcycle and car show, music festival, beer festival, specialised vendor village and a local businesses food village. Admission tickets cover single days or the full 3 days and camping is available. Bands and official sponsorship announcements will follow in the near future. www.krazyhorse.co.uk/pages/ krazy-horse-festival
‘I don’t want it to look like a Noddy car.’ We doubt John Williams’ wife was unhappy with the outcome when his Pop came back from paint…
NEAT STUFF
in this issue
Even with a jet engine, you still need to mop up the rain before the fun begins Ready for some of thi
s come summer?
for The crew were out a curry last night
‘Where shall we go to shoot your big-block ‘57 Olds,’ we ask the driver. ‘I know a place with a petrol pump’ comes the reply…
APRIL 2023 CUSTOM CAR 7
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News & reviews
cast
The latest happenings at the home of UK drag racing, Santa Pod – where on 16 June this year, the UK’s first Street Weekend will get underway at long last Weekend. The heavy favourites under normal circumstances would the Street Eliminator contingent, with the likes of Andy Bond in the iconic ‘Ugly Sister’ Chevy 210 and Sick Week veteran Al
Pics: Julian Hunt
After several abortive attempts to start the event during the pandemic, Street Weekend finally takes off in 2023 – and to say the response has been immense would be an understatement! Truth be told, a final entry of 20 cars would have been considered a success. However, at the time of writing, the number of confirmed entries has already nearly doubled that goal – with dozens more hard at work to get their vehicles ready in time to be part of this historic occasion. The UK’s first official Drag and Drive competition will certainly be one to remember! The concept of Drag and Drive is simple. You set the quickest time you possibly can at one track, submit your timeslip, drive your race car on the road to the next track and repeat. Those among you who’ve
followed the likes of Sick Week or Hot Rod Drag Week in the US will know that it’s far easier said than done – three days of gruelling race and road miles will take their toll on even the toughest racing machines! For year one, the weekend will start off on Friday June 16th at Santa Pod. Competitors will then make the 200-mile trip up north to Melbourne Raceway, just outside of York. On Saturday, competitors will be required to set a time at Melbourne before driving back down to Santa Pod to set another time on Sunday. The overall winner will be the competitor with the lowest combined ET across the three days of racing. The astounding diversity of the entry list is one of the major talking points in the lead up to the first Street
McSweeney already confirming their entries for Street Weekend. The 400-mile round trip is a far cry from the usual 25-mile cruise at a regular Street Eliminator championship round, however. Could this open the door for an upset come June? Outside of the heavy hitters, many competitors are stepping up from RWYB track days or from the ranks of other racing classes simply to experience the unique challenge of a Drag and Drive event for the first time. Thank you to all our supporters so far who have pledged contributions to the prize fund for Street Weekend; the support we’ve had for this first event is truly humbling. With nearly £4000 in prize money already pledged for the first edition, there is no better time to be part of the action than now. Entries for competitors are open until May 26th, with more information on the event and how to enter available at santapod. co.uk/street-weekend.
Andy Bond’s Chevy and Al McSweeney’s Volvo have already signed up for Street Weekend and are sure to be among the favourites. But with 400 road miles to be covered, the Street Eliminators might not have it all their own way after all
8 CUSTOM CAR APRIL 2023
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10 CUSTOM CAR APRIL 2023
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Going all the way
Aged just 18 years old, John Williams hankered after a hot rodded Ford Pop. More than 40 years later, he’s finally scratched that itch Words: Dave Biggadyke Pics: Vic Peel
T
his sit up and beg is the Ford Pop John Williams always dreamed of owning. It’s not his first, though – far from it. Having been inspired by visiting the likes of the Belle Vue shows in the late ‘70s with his mate Dave Sheldon, John bought his first Pop when he turned 21. Fast forward quite a few years and he has owned three others since – although, despite his best intentions, none of those projects was seen through to fruition. John did come very close with the project before this one, until selling it on at the eleventh hour. The new owner did carry on where John left off and completed the build, with the finished car being featured on these very pages. ‘While selling that car seemed the right thing to do at the time, I soon found myself with itchy feet,’ John confided. ‘I kept my eye on the small ads and it wasn’t too long before I came across a stock Pop for sale in London. ‘It proved too much of a temptation and I bought it solely from the pictures I’d seen.’ That was back in 2014 or 2015. But what he got was not so much a car as an opportunity. ‘It had already been stripped,’ he explains. ‘And with many of the panels being beyond saving, I only kept the shell, grille surround, nearside front wing and boot lid. I bided my time though, and patiently tracked down NOS replacements for all the other panels.’
The straight and narrow
John’s plan was to beef up the original chassis. But upon investigation he found that it was actually twisted. After that, he had no hesitation in turning to Mark Gibbs at Wisbech Engineering, whose craftsmanship had featured in his previous project. Running with no bonnet is not a common practice with Pops; some would say it’s an acquired taste. On this occasion, however, it came about by accident and won’t always be the case. The paint colour is VW / Audi Nardo Grey, which is reflected in the Nardopop Instagram page created by John’s son
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The Wisbech 80 x 40mm box section alternative features an IFS with stainless steel A-arms, modified Cortina uprights, Capri 2.8i vented discs and calipers, a Cortina steering rack and a pair of Protech Shocks adjustable coilovers. Driving the rear wheels is taken care of by a Volvo 740 axle, narrowed by John and fitted with resplined shafts. A Wisbech Engineering stainless steel 4-bar and Panhard rod, together with another pair of Protech coilovers, handle the axle location and rear suspension. When it came to sourcing a powerplant, John was drawn to a motor in a box from Real Steel. The crate small block is welldressed, along with being distinctively plumbed thanks to products from Automotive Silicone Hoses in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, chosen to complement the colour of the interior trimming. John soured a pair of Corvette tubular headers, thinking they would bolt straight on, with the reality being that he had to extend them and utilise thicker flanges to get the fit right. The headers feed an owner-fabricated exhaust system featuring Profusion silencers, with the tailpipes exiting just forward of the rear wheels. Bolted to the back of the engine is a three-speed TCI TH350 automatic transmission.
John’s cunning plan was to incorporate repeater lights within the cowl side vents. That proved something of a mission impossible, though, so he improvised by fitting reflective tape instead
Looking flush
With a very distinct vision of how he wanted the Pop to sit firmly in his mind, John took the decision to channel the body some three or four inches over the Pro Street-style chassis. Understandably, that channelling dictated a fresh floor needed fabricating, along with a pair of not-insignificant rear wheel tubs. While John knew a new floor would be needed from the outset, as the original was pretty much non-existent, it’s doubtful he would have considered a two-tier approach back then. But having fabricated the panels for what he refers to as the main floor, he welded them to the lower edges of the body as per a conventional installation. However with the body being channelled, that floor lay a few inches lower than normal – so having created a support framework, John fabricated panels to form a second floor that lies flush with the top edges of the inner sills. John carried out the inevitable metalwork repairs while keeping the bodywork looking pretty much as it did when it rolled off the production line – with one notable yet very subtle exception. With that work all completed, he prepped the metalwork before firing up the compressor and painting it himself. The brief for the colour given to him by his wife Janice was pretty self explanatory: ‘I don’t want it to look like a Noddy car!’ As it was painted grey when it left the factory, John figured that fitted the bill quite nicely. Thankfully, Janice approved of his choice.
The Pop that John bought sight unseen from a seller in London
John fabricated the bead rolled panels that combine to create the main floorpan
The depth of the sills shows how much the body has been channelled over the chassis rails
On the left are owner-fabricated concealed hinges for the boot lid
John and assistant Jon-Lee donned their masks for the final stage of spraying the exterior
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The ali fuel tank ready to be fitted inside the boot
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The floor was a no-hoper from the outset and the chassis soon followed suit
The Volvo axle installation features a stainless 4-bar and Panhard rod
The front chassis rail kick-up helps with the stance John was looking for
The support framework for the raised secondary floor came next
A new transmission tunnel was carefully formed from sheet steel…
…and fitted in place. As you can see, the secondary floorpan was cut from plywood
John had the ali radiator and transmission cooler custom fabricated
With the bodywork prepped, the process of priming began both inside and out
Literally anything that stood still for long enough got painted
With all the metal coated in primer, it was time for the colour coats
The underneath of the shell and then the interior were the first to turn grey…
…and there was a lot of metalwork in need of a colour change
Left: The block was treated to some bling before being slotted back between the chassis rails
To match the chassis, the engine and transmission were painted VW / Audi Volcano Red
John fabricated the rear light mounting pods…
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Right: The Corvette headers that John had to modify to achieve the fit he was after
…which replicate the shape of the teardrop lights
Part way through installing the wiring and the gauges light up as they should
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I don’t want it to look like a Noddy car Left: Power for the Pop comes from a 350ci Chevy crate motor sourced from Real Steel. A Weiand Street Warrior manifold and Edelbrock 650cfm top it off, whilst dress-up goodies include a pair of Edelbrock ribbed rocker covers and a finned alternator. Sparks are provided by an MSD distributor, with the waste gases exiting through a pair of Corvette headers modified by John
Above: Wheels are polished American Racing Torq Thrust II 5-spokes. The 4 x 15 fronts wear Michelin 125R15 tyres and the 8 x 15 rears are wrapped in 225/70R15 rubber from BFGoodrich Right: Channelled body aside, the interior is unmistakably the pièce de résistance when it comes to this particular Ford Pop. Front seats came from a Saab 93 and John formed the plywood base for the diminutive rear squab himself. Sumptuous diamond-stitched red leather trimming is the expert handiwork of Steve Summers of Summers Upholstery, who also sorted the headlining and carpet
The smoothed out dash plays home to a cluster of white-faced gauges from the Omega Kustom Instrument Co, plus a quartet of warning lights with a row of toggle switches discreetly mounted underneath. Also under the dash are a knob for adjusting the brake bias and a modified 100E heater. John shortened the steering column that Steve Lang supplied, then topped it off with a Speedway Wheel that came via Russ Pepper at R&R Hot Rod Imports. The shifter is by B&M and the pedals by obp Motorsport
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Our interior shots didn’t show it, but as you can see here the front seats are high-back buckets. The roof panel insert was trimmed in Mohair by Steve Summers
Bucket list
In need of something to sit on inside the car, John once again turned to Scandinavia, along with his local woodyard for a bit of ply. The front bucket seats he chose are a perfect fit and comfortably accommodate both driver and passenger, while the rear squab is more for show than practicality. The seats needed trimming, of course, and for that John enlisted the services of a mate of a mate who, after working for Morgan for 44 years, now runs an automotive upholstery business based in Malvern, Worcestershire.
The end product is nothing short of stunning. A true focal point of the finished car and a testament to the skills of the man with the sewing machine. Less sexy but still spot-on is the wiring, taken care of by a kit from EZ Wiring which John fitted himself. With the incidentals then finished off, for the first time ever John had gone all the way. Not only had he seen this particular Pop project through to the very end, he had done it with style. It may have taken him the best part of half a century, but it was most certainly worth the wait.
The build was actually finished and the Pop on the road in 2021 but it wasn’t until the following year that John started putting it about a bit – taking in, among other shows, the 50th Anniversary NSRA Fun Run at Rutland not Billing, and Popstalgia at Billing not Bosworth. Such was the reception at the latter that John drove home from Billing with the Participants’ Choice trophy resting on the seat next to him. When speaking with John, his satisfaction with completing the job and delight with how well the car has turned
Left: Let’s just say that boot space is limited. The custom made ali fuel tank is by Collin Reay, who also made the radiator, and the twin reservoirs feed fluid to the bias braking system with independent circuits front and rear. Even the screenwash bottle is tucked away in there. John told us the side-hinged boot lid was one of the most challenging jobs on the car, yet it can be easily overlooked Right: The extent of the kick-up in the rear chassis rails is apparent in this shot, as is the extent to which the Volvo axle has been narrowed. That’s a Carter fuel pump mounted under the boot floor
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John and his son, Jon-Lee, looking pretty pleased with themselves. And why wouldn’t they?
out is immediately apparent. ‘I’ve now clocked up around 3000 miles in the Pop,’ he enthused. ‘It drives far better than I ever expected. It’s comfortable, there are no rattles or bangs and that crate motor certainly has plenty of power on tap. There have been no real issues with it, although I have fitted softer springs all round to improve the ride quality. ‘I’ve no plans to change anything – although I will eventually get around to
repainting and fitting the bonnet I accidentally damaged during the final assembly, as it was never my intention to run the car without it. That should give the car a completely different look.’ Maybe John hasn’t quite gone all the way just yet, then. But he has attained his lifetime goal, and that for sure is an achievement to savour.
Thanks ‘Richard Wensley for machining parts, Colin Bennett for coming up from Gloucester to do the first start up, everyone in my family for putting up with me talking about it for 40 years – in particular my son Jon-Lee and of course my wife Janice, not least of all for the endless cups of coffee’
LED teardrop rear lights are mounted on homemade steel pods. Note the boot hinges are concealed and the handle is mounted in the same place as when it left the factory, giving no hint that it is now side-hinged
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The ’57 Oldsmobile is not traditionally considered a sporty car. But Kelvin Helsdown and Valley Gas have put a rocket up this Jet Age cruiser Words: Mike Pye Pics: Vic Peel
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The build Pics by Valley Gas Speed Shop
What started as a mild brake upgrade and engine refresh snowballed into a full restoration and comprehensive programme of upgrades
There was evidence of former repairs in the floorpans and boot, but everything was cleaned up and protected against future corrosion and then Dynamat’d for sound and heat insulation
Mustang II-style IFS benefits from tubular upper and lower wishbones, Wilwood disc brake upgrade and power assisted rack and pinion steering
Alongside the amount of work that went into restoring the dashboard, the new transmission tunnel cover was a walk in the park
Back axle is the rebuilt original ’57 Olds unit, plenty strong enough with its 9.2-inch ring gear, though it’s now held in place by Gaz adjustable coilovers and a triangulated 4-link
Jimmy loves a Ford in a Ford, and a Willys, and an Oldsmobile, and just about anything else. Believe it or not, this big block Ford is the old motor from his Boston Brawler Willys
Engine had to be de-tuned for street use and received a new crank and pistons in the process, as well as top and bottom girdles
If you thought that sounded fun, then this will really put a smile on your face
First stage mock-up with the Procharger, which Jimmy describes as really a belt-driven turbocharger
Bunch of snaked headers were fabricated in house at Valley Gas Speed Shop
If you want to have the ability to switch between mufflers and the sound of hades at the flick of a switch, electric cut-outs are what you need
And wanting to make a feature of them, they now protrude out under the doors, their neat duck bill ends in line with the car’s sills
We don’t want to know what the chrome bill was for that front bumper. Actually we did, and we do, but all we’ll say is S&T Electroplate in Yate made a damn fine job of resurrecting it
Heads are aluminium Ford Motorsport Cobra Jets with a full roller valvetrain
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Luscious House of Kolor Brandywine Kandy paint was laid on by Sweep at Berkshire Bodyshop. It’s one of those colours that completely changes when the sun hits it… or on a dull day in February, the cameraman’s flash
‘I saw it come across the field at a Thorney Island car show and just thought it was so low, so sleek. I wanted it’
T
year 1957 was a seminal one for car design. The Jet Age was in full swing and car designers took every opportunity to reflect that in their offerings. While the origins of the term can be traced back to the 1940s, it really came to prominence in the 1950s when commercial jet aeroplanes like the British de Havilland Comet and American Boeing 707 took to the skies. Alongside this, the Space Race was in full flight and by 1955 had become an allconsuming fixation, particularly in America and the former Soviet Union. Car manufacturers and marketeers – never ones to miss the opportunity to promote and sell their products – took their lead from the aeronautical and aerospace industries and all manner of weird and wonderful ideas came of it. Tail lights reflected afterburners and fins mimicked those on rockets, while logos and model names suggested other-worldly travel. Every US manufacturer had its own take on the theme, but GM’s upper middle class Oldsmobile division strode boldly forward with names like Starfire, Super 88, Golden Rocket, Jetaway and Power-Ride. Even its radios were sold as Wonderbar. The various models on offer could be loaded with power everything, from windows to seats to steering, brakes and aerials.
Golden oldie
Befitting the image of an upmarket luxury cruiser, in 1957 there was just one engine option, a 371ci overhead valve V8, up from the top dog 324 of the year before. Now officially named the Golden Rocket V8, even the base model 88s came equipped with a four-barrel carb and made 277bhp, while ticking the J2 option gave you a trio of two-barrel Rochesters (for a total of 860cfm) on a special manifold, thinner head gaskets to bump compression to 10.0:1 and a nice round 300bhp, with 415ft. lbs of cruising torque. If you really wanted to scare your date, you could order a higher lift cam and mechanical lifters under the J2R package – developed through the brand’s successful forays into NASCAR – from your local Olds parts department, and then go out and run the quarter in 17 seconds. At $395, though, that was an expensive and rarely chosen option when compared to the $83 regular J2 set up. As exciting as all that sounds, with sales figures hugely favouring four-door models, the now legendary Olds performance pack found few buyers and was deleted from the options list in late ’58. The standard transmission was a threespeed, column-change manual, but who could resist the optional Jetaway, a smaller,
improved development of GM’s Hydra-Matic four speed auto. In addition, ’57 also saw the arrival of balljoints in place of the old king and link pins on the 88-series’ 122-inch Power-Ride chassis, allowing owners to ‘ride in style’ – or so said the 1951 song Rocket 88, often cited as the world’s first rock ’n’ roll record.
Style et luxe
That was all well and good but, for most Oldsmobile buyers, it was the flamboyant exterior styling that drew them in. And in truth, what drew Kelvin into this car in the first place. ‘As I understand it, the car was brought into the country a long time ago, but I first saw it in the late 2000s. At the time, it was owned by a guy called Matt from Southampton. I saw it come across the field at a Thorney Island car show and just thought it was so low, so sleek. I wanted it. ‘I think it’s just the best looking car of the ’50s,’ says Kelvin. That’s a bold statement, considering some of the opposition, but it’s hard to deny the appeal of that huge chrome front bumper, enlarged but subtly simplified over the previous year to further emphasise its jet air intake treatment, while the ’56’s single ‘rocket’ bonnet ornament was replaced with two smaller ones, leading each peaked front wing forward into the future.
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But walk round the back and – blam – that three-piece rear window makes your jaw drop. A one-year-only styling touch, the curved corner windows and pronounced styling ridge that extends through them for the full length of the roof and boot lid is just magnificent. Add in an even more pronounced sweetheart dip at the B-posts and it’s enough to make you swoon at first sight. It certainly did Kelvin. ‘I tried to buy the car for about four years, but the guy kept saying yes, then no, and the price went up each year. I think it started around four grand, and got up to about nine before I lost track of it.’
Off a cliff
‘Then one day I was at Carolina Classics – I knew Cliff Hepton and the guys there pretty well – and the car was there. Turned out after all that, it had been traded in for
a ’90’s Camaro or something. I asked if it was for sale, expecting the price to have gone up even further, and Cliff said: “As it’s you Kelvin, and I know you’ll do something special with it, you can have it for four grand.”’ Result. Kelvin immediately swapped the rusty, 15-inch chrome reverse wheels for the 17inch Torq Thrust IIs that are on it now and drove the car like that for a couple of years. ‘Just doing that made a massive difference to the way it drove, but when the brakes failed on the drive out from the Hayride one year and the car tried to kill all six of us that were in it at the time, I decided it was time to upgrade things a bit.’ A call was put into Kelvin’s good buddy, Jimmy Hibberd at Valley Gas Speed Shop, and the car booked in to have a set of disc brakes fitted up front. And to give the engine a once over. That was in 2005.
‘Yeah, 17 years and more money than I want to remember later, it’s had a bit more than just a set of disc brakes added,’ laughs Kelvin. Just to set the record straight, that wasn’t 17 years in at Valley Gas. The car was a bit of an on / off project for Kelvin, which had to be sidelined a number of times over that period while other matters took priority.
All change
The original Golden Rocket 88 motor was long gone, replaced at some point by a 383ci small block Chevy which Kelvin says needed work. The same could be said for the gearbox. And the suspension. And he wasn’t sold on the matt burgundy paint. Or the interior… ‘It came in to us at about the same time as I was selling my Willys,’ remembers Jimmy. ‘I’d taken the engine out to sell
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Above left: Like the rest of the car, the interior has also had the works, including a new headliner, freshly painted garnish mouldings, new carpets and a retrim in burgundy and biscuit leather, all by Matt Ellison at Herbert and Ellison in Stockbridge, Hampshire Above Right: A big old bench for a big old car, but with air con’, dual zone heating, a modern Bluetooth / DAB stereo and some clever trickery with the electrics, it’s a fine place to while away some time Left: Gone is the three-on-the-tree Jetaway auto’ transmission, replaced with the C6 auto’ out of Jimmy Hibberd’s Boston Brawler Willys drag car. It’s a race ’box originally built by Powered by Ford in Tampa, Florida with full reverse shift pattern manual, needle roller bearings throughout and trans’ brake, though that’s not currently hooked up. Overkill for a street car perhaps, yet still perfectly useable. Jimmy made up the gearshift gate and topped the shifter with a re-purposed ornamental ball he felt suits the colours of the car
‘All my cars are supercharged… so I thought I best have one on the Olds as well’ separately and Kelvin said he’d have it. What are you going to do with it, I asked, and he said we could put it in the Oldsmobile. ‘Trouble is, as soon as you start putting a 9.6-litre engine in, you have to do a lot more work,’ adds Kelvin. Not least because it was a full tilt race motor running on alcohol. Consequently, the big-inch mill has been completely rebuilt, increasing in capacity to 558ci in the process but decreasing in compression to make it work on the street, and on regular pump fuel. ‘Thing is, all my cars are supercharged,’ grins Kelvin. ‘My Model T is, my Model A is and so was my daily driver at the time, so I thought I best have one on the Olds’ as well.’ The reason for going the Procharger route was primarily because it fits under the stock bonnet and Kelvin wanted to keep the meat inside the pudding, as it were.
Store bought
‘We bought the whole set up from The Supercharger Store in Tucson, Arizona,’ explains Jimmy. ‘You give them the whole spec of the engine, what power you want to make and what you’re going to do with it and they build a complete kit to suit. They were bang on too. It fired straight up, ticks over like a sewing machine and is great out on the road.’ So out went the entire factory independent front suspension, replaced with a Mustang II-style IFS, complete with power rack and pinion steering and power assisted Wilwood disc brakes with four-pot calipers. In the rear, the big ’57 Olds back axle was deemed up to the job, so was just rebuilt with the stock 3.48:1 final drive. Brakes remain drums on the back. Out went the stock leaf springs, though, replaced with adjustable coilovers and triangulated 4-link location.
Above: Like the trans, the big block Ford engine previously saw duty under the hood of Boston Brawler. As it ran on alcohol then, it’s been completely rebuilt with a new crank and Wiseco pistons to bring the compression down to a more pump fuel and blower friendly 10:1. Heads are Ford Motorsport Super Cobra Jets with a Crane cam and Crane and Comp Cams roller top end
Right: I’m only here for the party. F-1 series Procharger was spec’d specifically for the engine and came complete with a Holley 850cfm carb modified for blow-through use and a two-stage water injection system. In its current state of tune, the 558ci motor is estimated to make somewhere between 700 and 800bhp
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Above left: The smooth Bitchin Products steel dashboard houses a complement of Speedhut instruments including a GPS speedo. The switchgear is housed in a custom-built panel below the dash, formed using part of the original front grille from Whiff’s ’39 Ford. Top right: The seats are from a 2005 Pontiac GTO, the fronts being power-operated. The original leather was stripped and replaced with yet more or the same. The Golders Green hides, a colour Kieron was persuaded to go for by the rest of his family, were expertly trimmed to shape and stitched by Finn and Whiff. Kieron himself is responsible for the Wheat carpet though. Right: It will come as no surprise that the boot void is as sumptuously trimmed as the car’s interior. Below Right: No prizes for guessing what the speaker housings in the door cards are formed from. The lack of window winders hints at them being power operated.
Above: The only external giveaways of a Super 88, as opposed to the base model 88 two door sedan this car is, are a couple of discreet badges on the front wings and some additional chrome trim around the windows. That amazing three-piece wraparound rear ’screen, however, is unmistakably 1957 Oldsmobile
The chassis was beefed up to take the additional torque and a new crossmember made to mount the Ford C6 transmission, another ‘only occasionally raced or rallied’ part from Jimmy’s old Brawler. ‘With the exception of the axle casing, everything’s new underneath,’ says Kelvin summarily. ‘I usually like to do all my own work on my cars, but this one needed so much that I’d be dead before I’d finished it if I had tried to do it all myself.’ As you’ll have guessed from looking at the pictures, that work didn’t stop at just the mechanical modifications. It continued into a bare metal repaint, re-chroming and polishing of all the factory trim, a complete new interior and re-wiring, including such niceties as air conditioning, heating, rear ’screen de-misting, DAB / Bluetooth stereo and even central locking. Yep, it’s like a new car alright.
Beauty in the beast
Now, we’re well aware of Kelvin’s antics in pre-war Fords with the VHRA, so were keen to hear how this one compares. ‘It’s certainly a bit of a change from the Flathead stuff I race,’ he says with a smile. ‘It’s just beautiful, though. It’s beautiful to look at and it drives beautifully, nothing like the barge it used to be. ‘It hasn’t been dyno’d yet. We’re hoping for 7-800 horsepower out of the motor, but with the Procharger it’s still very driveable at that. And the suspension and brakes are night and day to how it was before. ‘I like fast cars, but I also like a bit of a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and I wanted something to cruise around in, maybe go on holiday in, and to shows. Something a bit more sedate than my old hot rods. Okay, it’s not exactly sedate, especially not when you open the exhaust cut-outs – then it sounds like a Top
Above: In ’56 you got one enormous rocket ornament on the bonnet and pressings flowing into the windscreen that supposedly mimicked vapour trails. For ’57, however, your 88 came with two smaller rockets, one on each front wing top
Above: Ironically, Oldsmobile downsized to 14-inch wheels with wider 8.50-14 tyres for the ’57 to visually lower the new year’s model. Kelvin has gone the other way and upsized to 17-inch Torq Thrust IIs with 215/50-17 and 255/5-17 Kumho radials
Fueller going down the strip – but it really is just a beautiful car to drive. And the best thing is, I don’t think I’ve got anything left to do on it now, other than drive it. ‘Oh, and take it down the drag strip. After everything that’s been done to it, I’ve got to give it a go, haven’t I?’
Thanks Just a massive thanks to my good friend Jimmy really, and all the ‘unhinged crew’ at Valley Gas Speed Shop, for their hard work and making it the car it is. I really can’t thank them all enough
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Right: Dash looks stock, albeit with a leather wrap on the original steering wheel, but… Below: …if you were to look behind all the restored original switches and sliders, you’d find modern switchgear and various microswitches to control such interior niceties as the heating, air conditioning and rear ’screen de-mist. ‘We just tried to make it a little bit more comfortable, more useable all year round,’ explains Jimmy
Below: Where Chevy and Cadillac peaked their ostentatious fins, Oldsmobile designers chose to work with the oval shape, neatly finished at the rear end by the chrome-embellished tail lights. One of Kelvin’s favourite parts is the way the complete new stainless exhaust exits through the bumper openings, just as it did originally. Similarly, the fuel filler, which hides away behind the 88 logo on the nearside rear wing
‘It’s beautiful to look at and it drives beautifully, nothing like the barge it used to be’
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Out & About
Heaven and Helston
Words and pics: James Webber The annual Hot Rod and Bike show at Wendron Cricket Club in Helston is fast becoming a must-do event in the southwest. Organised by the 46-bike crew, it’s just £5 on the gate and all money raised goes to Cornwall Air Ambulance. A great selection of bikes filled the middle of the field, while cars started to fill the back row. There were a few cars less than the previous year but with so many events jostling for space in the calendar it’s hard to try and get to them all. A few traders were pitched up, including Bumpy’s Powder Coating, LCA Upholstery and Tyrefinders, as well as catering from The Wonka Wagon, Cold Start Coffee and KC Grill. A few of the winners come prize-giving included Best Hot Rod Paint Job, which went to Roger Flamank’s ’47 Tudor, Best Hot Rod in Show for Barry Aimable’s ’65 Thunderbird and Best Home Built Chopper, Dale Reardon’s custom green machine. Afterwards, John Hinder of the 46 Crew, gave me a run down of how the day went. ‘It was a very busy day with huge support from the bikers and the Yank owners,’ he said. ‘The weather was great all day which made it all the more enjoyable. In total we raised £3986.77 for the Air Ambulance,
‘The show is getting bigger and better each yet, and of course it’s all for a great cause’ which shows the generosity of people even during the cost of living crisis.’ From a punter’s point of view, it was another thoroughly enjoyable day with a
relaxed, stress-free vibe. This is becoming a great show to mark on your calendar – it’s getting bigger and better each year, and of course it’s all for a great cause CC
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Roger Flamank’s ’47 Tudor is a well known sight both in the south-west and in these pages. It went home with the award for Best Hot Rod Paint Job
Left (opposite page): Best Hot Rod went to Barry Aimable’s Thunderbird Below: Two wheels less than we usually like around here, but Dale Reardon’s custom green chopper is a thing of beauty in anyone’s book. The judges certainly liked it
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Out & About
A heady tale
Words and pics: James Webber In 2021, the team at The Bearded Brewery did an outstanding job of helping the south-west’s car lovers to blow away the lockdown cobwebs with their Americana Show. And they did it again last summer, bringing a heady combination of cars and music to their venue near Newquay keep a happy crowd entertained all day long. Cars were parked on the main show field and bikes on a hard standing area, allowing plenty of space for people to wander around and check out the stunning variety of vehicles on display. Music was provided throughout the event by singers and bands including Laura Kate, The Sugar Bullets and Lost in Space, while food was served up to perfection by the team putting on a BBQ, along with the on-site Dough and Base pizza shack. It won’t come as any great susprise to hear that the company’s awardwinning ciders were going down a treat. With so many other events also going on, the number of cars wasn’t quite as high as the previous year. But that didn’t dampen what was a glorious afternoon and evening in the Cornish sun. A couple of prizes were awarded, with Treve Farley’s ’65 Mustang
Robert and Hilary Gunson took the runners-up award with their 3100 Chevy. Hidden to its right in this picture is Treve Farley’s ’65 Mustang, which went one better to be named Best in Show
winning best of show and Robert and Hilary Gunson taking the runners-up spot with their 3100 Chevy truck. The Bearded Brewery’s venue is fast becoming a great social hub for the community in and around Newquay, and many events are in the planning for the coming year. So be sure to check out their social media pages for news of future car shows. There’s a pretty temping range of ciders on there too… CC
‘The venue is fast becoming a great social hub and many events are planned for the coming year’
Quite a range of cool dudes and dudettes here… and the sheer variety of equally cool cars in the background ain’t bad either
32 CUSTOM CAR APRIL 2023
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01/03/2023 17:15
Artist at work
Out & About Words and pics: Vic Peel By the time you get to this page in this month’s issue of Custom Car, chances are you’ll already have cast your eyes over Kelvin Helsdown’s stunning ’57 Oldsmobile. It has spent the last while in the workshop of dreams that is Valley Gas, which is where we went to meet up with the guys there prior to doing our photoshoot. Naturally, it wasn’t just a case of turning up, fetching the car out of the yard and setting off to do our thing. With so many exciting projects on the go, declining the opportunity to take a nose round would be little short of criminally negligent – especially when so many of them are earmarked for future CC features. In particular, one of them – a ’41 Ford pick-up – is getting very close to being finished. And by an enormous stroke of luck, on the day we visited Valley Gas they had the signwriters in. Not just any signwriter, either, but Neil Melliard. Words like ‘legendary’ and ‘world class’ get thrown around way too often – but you won’t find many people who’d begrudge him this level of praise. There are so
1pp Out and About Valley Gas.indd 34
many incredible cars out there on which his artistry and technique have gone together to provide the finishing touch.
these pages very soon. In the meantime, what a pleasure it was to watch an artist at work… there’s no such thing as an ordinary
‘There’s no such thing as an ordinary visit to the Valley Gas workshop, but this one was very special indeed’ The ’41 is going to join them, and we’re delighted to say that it’ll be appearing in
look around the Valley Gas workshop, but this one was very special indeed! CC
06/03/2023 10:57
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APRIL 2023 CUSTOM CAR 35
Custom Car_2023_04_April_Composite Page_FP.indd 35
06/03/2023 15:05
S D O R ’ S R E D A RE post to Custom Car, alan.kidd@assignment-media.co.uk, or Email photos and details of your car to 5 0YZ. Please include Business Park, Bretby, Derbyshire DE1 by Bret , 1.08 se Hou ton Rep Ltd, ia Assignment Med size you have available ing digital pictures, use the largest file your contact details – and when send
Living life to the full
P
ro-Touring is a relatively new style that has washed over to these shores from the land of the free and opportunity. The concept behind the style is to keep the car’s body looking relatively original (with the option of body kits in some cases)
Words and Pics: James Webber
speaking the Pro-Touring definition applies mainly to muscle cars. Steven Cox, for example, works with Land Rovers by day, and people are forever modernising those while keeping them looking standard. But since when was a Land Rover capable of being Pro-anything?
‘I’ve always had a strong interest in my cars since I was young,’ he says. ‘Back in South Africa, growing up I learnt most things from my Dad and my Grandad during my first car ownership. ‘I’ve always had a huge passion to work on cars, making them into what I feel they should be and sorting any issues along the way. I’ve always strived to live for the day and jump on every opportunity that arises, and this has enabled me to slowly build my way up to better and more powerful vehicles, be they on two or four wheels.’ In 2016, my dad was finally at a point in his life where he could treat himself to
Steven might work on vehicles made in Solihull, but his heart lies further west but with modern and enhanced suspension, brakes and wheels. This is a formula you can apply to almost any vehicle of a certain age, however strictly
Steven wasn’t about to be that guy. And anyway, he might work on vehicles made in Solihull but his heart lies further west. To put it bluntly, he’s a Mustang man.
36 CUSTOM CAR APRIL 2023
WITH JAMES Steven Cox Mustang.indd 36
06/03/2023 10:40
S hood Aluminium grille, lower valance and of pins all do their bit to add to the Pro part is the Pro-Touring image. The hood scoop minds functional, too. Steven says he’s in two s’ 1960 a like up it er stick to er wheth t abou business, track car; it would certainly look the is though it’s already spot-on the way it
something new. We bounced back and forth between a BMW or a Mercedes… or a Mustang, as they had recently become available in the UK. ‘With our love for American vehicles ruling over any common sense, he decided to take the plunge!’
It may have been his old man’s car, but Steven loved it like it was his own. ‘I was there as often as I could be, detailing it, stealing it and just outright bugging him that it’s my inheritance!’ That turned out to be strangely prophetic, however, when four years later the story took a nasty turn. ‘In October 2020,’ Steven tells us, ‘I was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer. It’s an incurable cell-based cancer that attacks the hormonal system; it can spread to almost any part of the body and prevent organs from functioning properly.
‘Currently, my condition is stable. The tumours often tend to be slow growing and symptoms stay pretty mild, but it can be unpredictable like any cancer and one day it may become more aggressive and spread.
Early inheritance
‘With the uncertainty that any day I could have less than a year ahead of me, or another 30, my dad decided it was time for me to have that inheritance so he could be sure I will definitely get to enjoy it.’ So Steven was now the owner, and you’d think a very proud one, of a modern
Shelby side scoops behind the doors add a definite sense of purpose to the way the car looks. It’s not trying to be a kustom, but the non-standardness of its appearance is as menacing as it is subtle
APRIL 2023 CUSTOM CAR 37
WITH JAMES Steven Cox Mustang.indd 37
06/03/2023 10:41
Mustang. But it’s what the two of them did next that will stir your soul. ‘I feel more comfortable in an older car,’ he admits. ‘It’s where my knowledge is and the experience of the drive is always there. ‘Dad decided to go for a ’66 as a replacement for the excitement a Mustang brings, which we all the to m knew he would miss. syste e k carb and intak Steven added a 4-barrel Edelbroc fully rebuilt been have t migh h whic V8, i So I then sold the 2016 fully rebuilt 1970 Ford 302c ilt bag of spanners. The engine and followed suit with but it was running like a fully rebu m, also runs a full MSD ignition syste has been bored out 30 over and and strut the a ’65, to make sure also w exhaust. Note long-tube headers and a Magnaflo ne bay engi the nd arou ther toge e that every time we can fram export braces tying the be at a show together, we will be.’ Steven travelled across southern England to buy the Mustang from a guy in Hemel Hempstead. ‘I found it was not running well at all. I discovered some of the plug leads had burnt through and the Weber carb system was unbalanced and majorly over-fuelling the engine. So the
first change I made was to an Edelbrock 4-barrel carb and intake system.’
Front to back
That was just the beginning, though. Only one of the Mustang’s headlights was working, so Steven decided to check all the wiring. Then he found that the steering wheel was loose and there were nuts and bolts missing: somewhere down the line, this car had been badly bodged. ‘It was then that I decided to go through it from front to back and make it my own as I went along.’ And he sure has. Which is where the Pro-Touring vibe comes on. The Mustang doesn’t appear drastically non-standard, but the more you look beneath its skin, the more you see how much it’s had done. Coincidentally, the build was done in 2016, the same year as that modern Mustang. It’s just that the build wasn’t completed until Steven got his hands on it and did it right. The full spec on the engine is that it’s a fully rebuilt 1970 Ford 302ci V8, bored out 30 over and fitted with full MSD ignition as well as that 4-barrel Edelbrock. It runs long-tube headers and a Magnaflow exhaust (soon to be changed for a cherry bomb with electronic cut-outs) as well as an uprated radiator and cooling system, and behind it is a Borg Warner T5 World Class box.
Keeping it stiff
So it goes right, and a disc brake conversion using early 2000 Mustang rotors and new
Hurst shifter, Forever Sharp steering wheel, original-look modern stereo, Autometer gauges… it’s all made to look like it would have been when it was new, but through the lens of what modern engineering can do. The seats have been redone using new foam and what was an optional factory leather trim pack
38 CUSTOM CAR APRIL 2023
WITH JAMES Steven Cox Mustang.indd 38
06/03/2023 10:41
FROM £1860.47 [Gold Card]
-Zero bump steer & anti-dive built in-
Ford Mustang 1964-70. Billet coil over shockabsorbers [adjustable], tubular suspension arms, complete, manual steering rack assembly, forged spindles for suspension, 11” ventilated disc brakes, Ford bolt pattern, 600lb coil springs, coil over bearings, [makes it easier to adjust height]. ................................................ £2954.76 net.
1937-39 Chevy Pickup, tubular suspension arms, 2” dropped spindles, shock thru coil spring, manual stg rack,300lb coil springs, 11” ventilated disc brakes, 23.375” inside to inside-can fit other models ... £2369.23 net. 1947-54 Chevy Pickup, as above except-std spindles, 350lb spring, anti-roll bar- ............................. £2324.96 net.
1955-59 Series 2 Chevrolet 1/2 ton pickup, Rear 4 bar kit. Complete kit with coil over shocks-[black non-adjustable]. Includes, weld on Panhard rod & 250lb springs. One only- ....................... £1116.79 net.
1947-53 Chevy pickup .......... £651.80 net Universal oval-chrm housing £719.40 net 1956 Ford 1/2 ton pickup ...... £581.28 net 1953-55 Ford 1/2 ton pickup . £665.74 net 1957 Chevy car use OE bezel £607.87 net Late 65-6 Must-use OE bezel £623.14 net
Custom Car_2023_04_April_Real Steel_FP.indd 1
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Left: Of all the mods on the car, Steven reckons the custom aluminium spoiler tops the lot. It took loads of work, he says, but he’s never seen another one like it Right: Bridgestone Potenza rubber lives aboard a set of 17” American Racing Torq Thrust 2s
lines throughout means it stops right too. There’s an Eaton TrueTrac in the back axle, which runs anti-wrap bars to go with the uprated springs and shocks fitted all round. Strut and export braces keep it stiff up front, and adjustable electronic steering really is a perfect example of a Pro-Touring mod. As we said, this style is all about keeping it looking relatively stock from the outside. Nonetheless, Steven’s Mustang sports Shelby side scoops and a functional bonnet scoop as well as an aluminium grill, lower valance, debadged bodywork and LED taillights. Hood pins are always a winner and the custom aluminium rear spoiler ranks as his favourite mod. ‘I haven’t come across another in the UK with it,’ he says. ’There was a lot of work involved getting it there.’ The car got a full windows-out respray during the original rebuild, while down on the ground the look is completed by a set of
American Racing Torq Thrust 2s, measuring 17x8” up front and 17x9.5” at the back, wrapped in Bridgestone rubber. Move inside and you’ll see a set of factory leather seats. Or rather, you’ll see a set of original seats that have been refoamed and reupholstered in factory leather, complete with the famous Mustang horse motif on the backrest. The carpets have been done too. All the original chrome has been refreshed or replaced, and Autometer gauges added in an aftermarket centre console. There’s a Hurst shifter on the floor and a Forever Sharp steering wheel, and the dash houses a modern stereo with the original look – another very Pro-Touring mod.
Kicking and screaming Would a full 1960s’ track-style makeover with retro sponsorship logos still be Pro-Touring? Possibly not so much, but
when we spoke to Steven about the Mustang he admitted to being on the fence about taking it in that direction. It would certainly look very cool indeed, not that the car isn’t already… Mainly, his over-riding ambition is simply to live life to the full aboard his Mustang. And who could blame him? ‘I hope to use car as a daily, or as near to a daily as possible,’ he promised us. ’They were designed to be regularly driven when they were released, so there’s no reason why they can’t be now. ‘I plan to drag my kids kicking and screaming to every show, ride and pub in it that I can find along what’s left of my journey. They might not know it yet, but those are what they will remember when my time finally comes to an end. ‘Every moment is a memory in these types of cars. I wouldn’t change it for the world.’
40 CUSTOM CAR APRIL 2023
WITH JAMES Steven Cox Mustang.indd 40
06/03/2023 10:41
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MM1 Custom Car 275x200 pg1.indd 1Mart_3PS.indd 1 Custom Car_2023_04_April_Machine
01/03/2023 16:30 15:53 01/03/2023
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• Lift cars safely and quickly FROM ONLY • Tough £ DOUBLE .98 39inc.VAT EXC.VAT angled DOUBLE PER £47.98 steel PER PAIR construction Model Capacity exc.VAT inc.VAT CR2 2000kg £39.98 £47.98 CRW25 2500kg £47.99 £57.59
CDP102B
* WAS £478.80 inc.VAT # WAS £502.80 inc.VAT FROM ONLY HEADER ‡ WAS £634.80 inc.VAT £ .00 FROM ONLY ◆ WAS £838.80 inc.VAT 279EXC.VAT £ .99 DOUBLE £334.80 inc.VAT Power packs DOUBLE 36 EXC.VAT ▼ WAS £958.80 inc.VAT FOOTER £44.39 inc.VAT Pressure Engine † WAS £47.98 inc.VAT JSM200 Model BAR/Psi HP exc.VAT inc.VAT ** WAS £67.19 inc.VAT £279.00 £334.80 Tiger1800B 110/1595 3 Peak Max £379.00 £454.80 Model Boost Engine exc.VAT inc.VAT Tiger2600B* 180/2610 4 £399.00 £478.80 200/2900 6.5 Tiger3000B# £36.99 £44.39 JSM180† 360A 3L 180/2640 5.5 £499.00 £598.80 £52.99 £63.59 PLS195B‡ JSM200** 400A 4L £679.00 £814.80 230/3335 9 £69.98 £83.98 PLS220◆ JSM300 500A 6L 225/3263 13 £769.00 £922.80 £87.99 £105.59 PLS265B ▼ 248/3600 JSM350 500A 6L 13 £998.00 £1197.60 £99.98 £119.98 PLS360 JSM400 800A 6L
DIAGNOSTICS Ideal for use as a garage/ FROM ONLY AUTOMOTIVE workshop Extra tough triple £ DOUBLE .99 ZIP CLOSE DOOR DOUBLE WHEEL DOLLY SET 31 EXC.VAT layer cover Heavy duty powder FOOTER £38.39 inc.VAT AWD1 coated steel tubing Ratchet tight tensioning size (LxWxH) WAS NOW PRO EOBD FAULT Model m exc.VAT inc.VAT inc.VAT CODE READER CIG81212 3.6 x 3.6 x 2.5 £259.00 £346.80 £310.80 †† WAS £105.59 inc.VAT exc.VAT inc.VAT PRICE CUT CIG81015 4.5 x 3 x 2.4 £279.00 £370.80 £334.80 Model £NOW FROM .99 £31.99 £38.39 CIG81216 4.9 x 3.7 x 2.5 £329.00 £430.80 £394.80 EOBD Fault Code Reader 63exc.VAT CIG81020 6.1 x 3 x 2.4 £349.00 £466.80 £418.80 Professional Engine Diagnostic & £85.99 £103.19 £76.79 inc.VAT WAS £80.39 inc.VAT EOBD/OBD ll Fault Code Reader†† CIG81220 6.1 x 3.7 x 2.5 £399.00 £514.80 £478.80 3" CASTORS PER PAIR CIG81224 7.3 x 3.7 x 2.5 £499.00 £646.80 £598.80 Four non-marking castors for easy £1318.80 2 & 3 TONNE CIG1432 9.7x4.3x3.65 £1099.00 – movement in confined spaces Heavy duty steel CIG1640 12x4.9x4.3 £2899.00 £3838.80 £3478.80 TROLLEY JACKS construction - load rating 500kg per dolly
Model CTJ1250AC CTJ1500QL CTJ1800AB CTJ2500QLGB 33287LH
Peak Boost 900 1100 1500 1000
Model 910 JS1100C STARTS VEHICLES 4000 UP TO 6L JS12/24
through 360˚ Fully tested to proof load ■ WAS £89.99 inc.VAT ● WAS £105.59 inc.VAT CES680F ▲ WAS £131.98 inc.VAT PRICE CUT O S L exc. NOW FROM A .99 ■ WAS £47.98 inc.VAT £ Capacity VAT inc.VAT MECHANICS Model 37inc.VAT exc.VAT ● WAS £47.98 inc.VAT £45.59 SEAT ONLY CES340 ■ 340kg £72.99 £87.59 ▲ WAS £47.98 inc.VAT WAS £47.98 inc.VAT £45.59 £101.99 CES450 ● 450kg £84.99 £125.99 *Folds for Model Description exc.VAT inc.VAT CES560 ▲ 560kg £104.99 £139.98 £167.98 CES680F 680kg storage £37.99 £45.59 CMC36■ Car creeper CMC45● With adjustable headrest £54.99 £65.99 BATTERY CHARGERS INTELLIGENT CMC60▲ Car creeper reclining £49.98 £59.98 seat & mechanics seat /ENGINE STARTERS BATTERY Ammeter BC210C CHARGER/ ANGLE GRINDERS Multi-position charge regulator MAINTAINERS INC. DISC CON1150 Overload FROM ONLY IBC20 & HANDLE £ DOUBLE .98 protection DOUBLE 19 EXC.VAT on charging FOOTER £23.98 inc.VAT ‡ WAS £55.19 inc.VAT FROM ONLY FROM ONLY cycle £ DOUBLE .98 ^ WAS £117.59 inc.VAT £ DOUBLE .99 DOUBLE 29 EXC.VAT DOUBLE 93 EXC.VAT Max. FOOTER £35.98 inc.VAT FOOTER £112.79 inc.VAT Model Volts Charge exc.VAT inc.VAT Model Disc (mm) Motor exc.VAT inc.VAT ¥ WAS £211.19 inc.VAT £19.98 £23.98 IBC4 6/12V 1A/4A £35.98 ~ WAS £233.99 inc.VAT CAG800B 115 800W £29.98 £39.98 £47.98 IBC7‡ 12/24V 7A £45.59 CON1150 115 1150W £37.99 £49.98 £59.98 IBC15 12V 15A Msx Amps £87.59 Model CAG2350C 230 2350W £72.99 £69.98 £83.98 IBC20 12/24V 20A Charge/Boost exc.VAT inc.VAT £89.98 £107.98 IBC25^ 12/24V 25A £93.99 £112.79 BC125 20/120 HEAVY £112.99 £135.59 BC190 38/180 DUTY SANDBLASTERS £149.98 £179.98 BC210C 25/200 LONG REACH £159.98 £191.98 WBC180¥ 35/180 Heavy duty steel construction £189.98 £227.98 WBC240~ 45/240 JACKS sandblasters for the quick CTJ2GLS WBC400 £219.00 £262.80 60/350 removal of surface rust, paint, £259.00 £310.80 BC520P 50/510 dirt/grease etc. CPSB100B
Model Tonnes exc.VAT inc.VAT CTJ2GLS 2 £269.00 £322.80 FROM ONLY HEADER £418.80 £ .00 CTJ3GLS 269EXC.VAT CTJ5GLS 53 £349.00 £469.00 £562.80 £322.80 inc.VAT CTJ10GLS 10 £639.00 £766.80 GARAGES/WORKSHOPS
PRICE CUT NOW FROM
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* WAS £418.80 inc.VAT # WAS £418.80 inc.VAT ‡ WAS £946.80 inc.VAT
Motor (W) model Speeds exc.VAT inc.VAT £99.95 £119.94 CDP5EB 350/5 CDP102B 350/5 £115.95 £139.14 CDP152B 450/12 £209.98 £251.98 CDP202B 450/16 £269.00 £322.80 CDP352F* 550/16 £339.00 £406.80 550/16 £339.00 £406.80 JUMP STARTS CDP452B# CDP502F‡ 1100/12 £779.00 £934.80 Provides essential home, garage and roadside HEAVY DUTY assistance Integral PETROL work light 910 includes Honda & air compressor Long life Diesel POWER battery engine WASHERS models CAN in stock Max DRAW Engine exc.VAT inc.VAT OWN £96.99 £116.39 3L NEW WATER £96.99 £116.39 3L £164.99 £197.99 6L £179.98 £215.98 PLS265B 8L
Britain's Tools &
inc.VAT
Motor Tank WAS Model HP CFM ltr exc.VAT exc.VAT 8/260 2 7.5 24 £119.98 £155.98 11/260 2.5 9.5 24 £129.98 £179.98 8/550 2 7.5 50 £159.98 £215.98 11/550 2.5 9.5 50 £179.98 £251.98 16/550 3 14.5 50 £249.00 £334.80 16/1050 3 14.5 100 £309.00 £419.98
£
DOUBLE 99 EXC.VAT FOOTER £119.94 inc.VAT
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.98 119 exc.VAT £143.98 inc.VAT
£
B = Bench mounted F = Floor standing
FROM ONLY
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PRICE CUT NOW FROM
exc.VAT £134.99 £109.98 £199.98 £179.98
inc.VAT £161.99 £131.98 £239.98 £215.98
PRO SANDER/ POLISHERS
79
JACKS ALSO IN STOCK UP TO 5 TONNE
CP185
MM2 Custom Car 275x200 pg2.indd 1Mart_3PS.indd 2 Custom Car_2023_04_April_Machine
3 forward and reverse gears
Inc. hook &
£
pad and wool polishing bonnet
Dual action combines rotary & orbital motions to produce an excellent polished finish CP150
150MM PAD DIA.
69
£FROM ONLY .98
DOUBLE EXC.VAT DOUBLE FOOTER £83.98 inc.VAT
1 TONNE FOLDING WORKSHOP CRANE
BRUSHLESS FROM ONLY HEADER
.98 109EXC.VAT
180MM loop backing PAD DIA.
CTJ2250LP
## WAS £195.59 inc.VAT Model Type Tonne exc.VAT inc.VAT £44.99 £53.99 CTJ2L Long 2 £46.99 £56.39 CTJ2000LPB DIY Low Profile 2 CTJ2250LP* Low Profile 2.25 £52.99 £63.59 CTJ3000GB Pro Garage 3 £109.98 £131.98 CTJ3000QLB Quick Lift 3 £119.98 £143.98 CTJ2QLP## Low Quick Lift 2 £159.98 £191.98 * CTJ2250LP has a 2.25 tonne capacity, has a low entry of only 80mm and includes 2 sockets
£FROM ONLY .98
DOUBLE EXC.VAT DOUBLE FOOTER £95.98 inc.VAT
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SELLER
18V ½" IMPACT 450NM WRENCHES
£131.98 inc.VAT
Folding and fixed frames available Robust, rugged ONLY HEADER construction £ .98 219EXC.VAT Overload safety valve
CIR18LIC
2 2AH X
Model Desc Batteries exc.VAT CCIW160 Cordless 2X 2AH £109.98 LI-ION CIR18LIC Cordless, 2X 2AH £122.99 Brushless LI-ION
inc.VAT £131.98 £147.59
£263.98 inc.VAT
Fully tested to proof load
CFC100
01/03/2023 16:32 15:53 01/03/2023
PAY Monthly
EASY TO USE WEBSITE
Spread the cost over 12, 24, 36, 48 or 60 months Any mix of products over £300 5 MIN APPLICATION! 17.9% APR
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WAS £44.39 inc.VAT
Max. exc. WAS Model Output VAT inc. VAT PROPANE Devil 2000PTC 2kW £33.99 £44.39 IN STOCK FROM DOUBLE 94 EXC.VAT £224.40 inc.VAT FOOTER £113.99 inc.VAT GAS FIRED Devil 2850 £52.79 £42.99 2.8kW Devil 2800PTC 2.8kW £53.99 £68.39 Max. Output Model kW exc.VAT inc.VAT ELECTRIC £94.99 £113.99 Little Devil II 10.3 HEATERS £119.98 £143.98 Devil 700 15 £159.98 £191.98 Devil 900 24.9 BEST DEVIL SELLER £189.98 £227.98 Devil 1600 36.6 6003 £269.00 £322.80 Devil 2100 49.8 PRICE CUT £479.00 £574.80 Devil 4000 131 NOW FROM FROM ONLY
DOUBLE.00 229 EXC.VAT
Ideal for fast efficient heating Extra-long run fuel tanks – up to 53 litres Variable heat output XR80 with thermostat control MAX WAS NOW model output exc.VAT inc. VAT inc.VAT XR60 14.7kW £229.00 – £274.80 XR80 20.5kW £279.00 – £334.80 XR110 29.3kW £329.00 – £394.80 XR160 46.9kW £399.00 £502.80 £478.80 XR210 61.5kW £459.00 £574.80 £550.80
SOCKET SETS Top quality chrome PRO360 vanadium steel. 18 Sockets 8-32mm Reversible ratchet Comfort grip handle
29
PETROL GENERATORS
PG3800A
WAS £173.99 inc.VAT
150AMPS
239
£ FROM ONLY .00
DOUBLEEXC.VAT DOUBLE £286.80 FOOTER inc.VAT
Model MIG102NG* MIG106 MIG145 * no gas PRO90 only MIG196 135TE Turbo 151EN MIG240
ELECTRIC PRESSURE WASHERS
Makes easy work for washing vehicles, patios, stonework, etc. JET7500 & JET8500 include hose reel 180 Bar
135TE 130AMPS
2610 psi
219 DOUBLEEXC.VAT DOUBLE £263.98 FOOTER inc.VAT
£ FROM ONLY .98
PRICE CUT NOW FROM
£
Honda engine £99.59 inc.VAT models available WAS £101.99 inc.VAT For a * WAS £358.80 inc.VAT # WAS £394.80 inc.VAT brilliant shine ‡ WAS £694.80 inc.VAT Dia. WAS Model KVA HP exc.VAT inc.VAT PG2500A 2.2 5.6 £225.00 £270.00 Model (mm) exc.VAT inc.VAT inc.VAT PG3800A* 3 5.6 £289.00 £346.80 CBB150 150 £82.99 £101.99 £99.59 PG3800ADV# 3 5.6 £309.00 £370.80 CBB200 200 £94.99 £119.98 £113.99 PG6500ADVES ‡ 5.5 9.7 £549.00 £658.80 CBB250 250 £174.99 £215.98 £209.99 V
DOUBLEEXC.VAT DOUBLE £167.98 FOOTER inc.VAT
MMA200A
NEW
INC. ELECTRODE HOLDER, EARTH CLAMP, & BRUSH/ HAMMER
Min/Max Electrode Output Dia. Model Current (mm) MMA140A 20A-140A 1.6-3.2 MMA200A 20A-200A 1.6-3.2 AT165 10A-160A 2.5/3.2/4.0
ACCESSORIES
AUTO DARKENING WELDING HEADSHIELDS FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE .99 DOUBLE EXC.VAT FOOTER £44.39 inc.VAT
36
7 MODELS IN RANGE
FROM ONLY
exc.VAT inc.VAT £104.99 £125.99 £139.98 £167.98 £219.98 £263.98
ARC WELDERS
115N
For home user, automotive and industrial applications.
FROM ONLY
11
£ DOUBLE .99
FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE .99 DOUBLE EXC.VAT FOOTER £116.39 inc.VAT
DOUBLE EXC.VAT FOOTER £14.39 inc.VAT
96
GAS
BEST
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WIRE 0.6, 0.8
& 0.9mm 5DOUBLE EXC.VAT SIZES IN FOOTER £7.19 inc.VAT
£ DOUBLE .99
GWH7
HUGE RANGE!
STOCK
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EXETER 16 Trusham Rd. EX2 8QG 01392 256 744 GATESHEAD 50 Lobley Hill Rd. NE8 4YJ 0191 493 2520 GLASGOW 280 Gt Western Rd. G4 9EJ 0141 332 9231 GLOUCESTER 221A Barton St. GL1 4HY 01452 417 948 GRIMSBY ELLIS WAY, DN32 9BD 01472 354435 HULL 8-10 Holderness Rd. HU9 1EG 01482 223161 ILFORD 746-748 Eastern Ave. IG2 7HU 0208 518 4286 IPSWICH Unit 1 Ipswich Trade Centre, Commercial Road 01473 221253 LEEDS 227-229 Kirkstall Rd. LS4 2AS 0113 231 0400 LEICESTER 69 Melton Rd. LE4 6PN 0116 261 0688 LINCOLN Unit 5. The Pelham Centre. LN5 8HG 01522 543 036 LIVERPOOL 80-88 London Rd. L3 5NF 0151 709 4484 LONDON CATFORD 289/291 Southend Lane SE6 3RS 0208 695 5684 LONDON 6 Kendal Parade, Edmonton N18 020 8803 0861 LONDON 503-507 Lea Bridge Rd. Leyton, E10 020 8558 8284 LUTON Unit 1, 326 Dunstable Rd, Luton LU4 8JS 01582 728 063 MAIDSTONE 57 Upper Stone St. ME15 6HE 01622 769 572 MANCHESTER ALTRINCHAM 71 Manchester Rd. Altrincham 0161 9412 666 MANCHESTER CENTRAL 209 Bury New Road M8 8DU 0161 241 1851 MANCHESTER OPENSHAW Unit 5, Tower Mill, Ashton Old Rd 0161 223 8376 MANSFIELD 169 Chesterfield Rd. South 01623 622160 MIDDLESBROUGH Mandale Triangle, Thornaby 01642 677881
#Turbo fan Model Amps exc.VAT inc.VAT cooled 115N 30-110 £96.99 £116.39 CW145ND 40-140 £109.98 £131.98 235TEN# 40-210 £169.98 £203.98
SEE THE FULL RANGE LEATHER DOUBLE EXC.VAT ONLINE & IN-STORE FOOTER £8.39 inc.VAT GAUNTLETS
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£ FROM ONLY .98
• Compact & lightweight • Efficient inverter technology • Variable output
SELLER
Model Tonne exc.VAT inc.VAT PRICE CUT CSA4B# 4 £169.98 £203.98 NOW FROM CSA10BB*◆ 10 £289.00 £346.80 £169.98 exc.VAT CSA12F*# 12 £379.00 £454.80 £203.98 inc.VAT CSA20FBT 20 £499.00 £598.80 WAS £209.99 inc.VAT ◆ WAS £358.80 inc.VAT
139
MMA & ARC/TIG INVERTER WELDERS
AT165
PROFESSIONAL QUALITY Built for tough daily use in automotive/industrial workshops * Available with/without 7 pce pin, bracket & pressing plate kit safety screen # Economy BEST model
.99 82exc.VAT
Min/Max WAS Amps exc. VAT inc.VAT inc.VAT 35/90 £134.98 £173.99 £161.98 £214.80 40/100 £179.00 £286.80 35/135 £239.00 £298.80 24-90 £249.00 £334.80 40/180 £279.00 £356.39 30-130 £296.99 30-150 £259.00 £311.98 £310.80 50/240 £489.00 £598.80 £586.80
JET8500
BENCH BUFFERS/ POLISHERS CHECK FRAME TYPE WHEN ORDERING
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.98 DOUBLE 134 exc.VAT £161.98 inc.VAT
£
MIG 102NG
MIG145
HYDRAULIC CSA4B PRESSES
29
WAS £286.80 inc.VAT
SELLER
DEVIL 7003 Heat WAS Output exc. inc. Model Voltage kW VAT VAT inc.VAT Devil 6003 230V 1.5-3 £64.99 £83.98 £77.99 £69.98 £92.39 £83.98 Devil 7003 230V 3 £97.99 £118.79 £117.59 Devil 7005 400V 5 Devil 6009 400V 4.5-9 £119.98 £149.99 £143.98 Devil 7009 400V 9 £149.98 £183.59 £179.98 Devil 6015 400V 5-10-15 £179.98 £227.98 £215.98 Devil 7015 400V 15 £219.98 £275.98 £263.98
Max. exc. WAS inc. Model Motor Pressure VAT inc.VAT VAT JS1850 1400W 1523psi £64.99 £83.98 £77.99 JS1950 1600W 2030psi £99.98 £131.98 £119.98 Jet7500 1600W 2030psi £159.98 £203.98 £191.98 Jet8500 2100W 2610psi £199.98 £251.98 £239.98
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90AMPS
.99 42exc.VAT
64exc.VAT
5" Extension bar 1/2"-3/8" adaptor 28-210 Nm
.00 225exc.VAT £270.00 inc.VAT
BEST
£51.59 inc.VAT
£77.99 inc.VAT
1/2" TORQUE WRENCH - CHT141
Professional type torches Easy to set up & use
135TE
DOUBLE.99 296 EXC.VAT 239.00 FOOTER £356.39 inc.VAT
£
£
WAS £83.98 inc.VAT
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“Excellent machine and exactly as described. Easy to set up and comes with everything you need to start welding straight out of the box”
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33exc.VAT
£
£40.79 inc.VAT
230&
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0844 880 1265
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NORWICH 282a Heigham St. NR2 4LZ 01603 766402 NORTHAMPTON Beckett Retail Park, St James’ Mill Rd 01604 267840 NOTTINGHAM 211 Lower Parliament St. 0115 956 1811 PETERBOROUGH 417 Lincoln Rd. Millfield 01733 311770 PLYMOUTH 58-64 Embankment Rd. PL4 9HY 01752 254050 POOLE 137-139 Bournemouth Rd. Parkstone 01202 717913 PORTSMOUTH 277-283 Copnor Rd. Copnor 023 9265 4777 PRESTON 53 Blackpool Rd. PR2 6BU 01772 703263 SHEFFIELD 453 London Rd. Heeley. S2 4HJ 0114 258 0831 SIDCUP 13 Blackfen Parade, Blackfen Rd 0208 3042069 SOUTHAMPTON 516-518 Portswood Rd. 023 8055 7788 SOUTHEND 1139-1141 London Rd. Leigh on Sea 01702 483 742 STOKE-ON-TRENT 382-396 Waterloo Rd. Hanley 01782 287321 SUNDERLAND 13-15 Ryhope Rd. Grangetown 0191 510 8773 SWANSEA 7 Samlet Rd. Llansamlet. SA7 9AG 01792 792969 SWINDON 21 Victoria Rd. SN1 3AW 01793 491717 TWICKENHAM 83-85 Heath Rd.TW1 4AW 020 8892 9117 WARRINGTON Unit 3, Hawley’s Trade Pk. 01925 630 937 WIGAN 2 Harrison Street, WN5 9AU 01942 323 785 WOLVERHAMPTON Parkfield Rd. Bilston 01902 494186 WORCESTER 48a Upper Tything. WR1 1JZ 01905 723451
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MM3 Custom Car 275x200 pg3.indd 1Mart_3PS.indd 3 Custom Car_2023_04_April_Machine
01/03/2023 16:35 15:54 01/03/2023
Grand National Roadster Show ‘23
SoCal Diaries A
Former Custom Car editor Tony Thacker lives in California these days, and this month he’s been enjoying the sound of flatheads…
bout time, quarantine is over and we can play cars and attend indoor shows again. Meanwhile, ARP Racing Products has stepped up to sponsor both the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Award (AMBR) and the Al Slonaker Memorial Award at the 73rd O’Reilly Auto Parts Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS). Each award comprises a substantial trophy and a cash prize of $12,500, as well as the prestige of winning what has become the world’s most significant custom car and hot rod show – the ‘Grandaddy of Them All.’ Of course, $12,500 is but a drop in the bucket of the guesstimated $1 million or more it takes to build a show-winning contender. Cost notwithstanding, there were nine entries up for the AMBR and 11 contenders for the Al Slonaker Award. That’s a cool $20-plus million for just 20 of the approximately 600 vehicles on display. To say it was a staggering show would be an understatement.
Right: Most controversial award (just kidding) went to artist/designer Coby Gewertz for his radical, wildly painted, sixties-race-car-inspired, stack-injected, Hemi-powered ’34 coupe built by Bill Ganahl’s South City Rod and Custom Shop Below: A surprise for most people was this LS-powered ’41 Willys coupe built by Roy Brizio Street Rods for rock legend Eric Clapton. It sported a lot of flames but maybe needed bumpers or nerf bars or something
Above: One of the coolest pickup trucks in the vast show was built by the Kennedy Bros and finished by Brit Jay Dean for Mike Williams of Western New York. The truck is a tribute to one that Mike lusted after as a boy – period perfect Above right: There’s a drive-in element to the Grand National Roadster Show that sees hundreds of enthusiasts drive their cars to the show grounds. This ’50 Chebby was owned by ‘Way Back’ Jack Right: I’m partial to this style of Model T-based Modified Roadster. Although often flathead powered, this one had a small-block Chevy behind its suicide front end. They’re snug but fun
44 CUSTOM CAR APRIL 2023
4pp SoCal Diaries April 23.indd 44
05/03/2023 22:07
Above left: Jack Chisenhall, founder of the Vintage Air Co, has been building this super low ‘The Champ’ Deuce Roadster for 10 years and was rewarded with this year’s America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Award Above right: My pick for Best Roadster not entered for the America’ Most Beautiful Roadster Award was Larry Erickson’s svelte Bonneville Roadster. Erickson was a Ford and GM designer that penned both CadZZilla and the Aluma Coupe for Boyd Coddington
Above: A somewhat polarising hot rod was this monochrome Deuce Roadster belonging to Joe Kugel, of Kugel Kompenents suspension fame. Some people didn’t like the paint treatment but it was a tuf looking ride Left: One of the toughest cars in the whole show was this ‘gangsta’ Deuce Phaeton built by the Veazie Bros, Evin and Justin, for Sonny Koneru. It’s powered by a classic 265ci Chevy V8 backed by a ’39 trans Left: The infamous Jitney Jim ‘Jake’ Jacobs, once half of the famed Pete and Jake’s duo, has survived cancer by working on this ‘A-Bone’ ’28 Roadster. Power comes from a Riley ohv converted four banger Below left: Best Appearing Flathead Engine Award, presented by H and H Flatheads, went to this Navarro-headed 59A fitted with a staggered-height Tattersfield-Baron intake with four Stromberg 97s Below: The epitome of the hot rod craft was exemplified in Dan Webb’s hand-crafted belly tank built for Dan Davis. The hand-shaped, polished aluminum body was formed by Craig Neff, who also did the body work on Billy F Gibbons’ CadZZilla
FEBRUARY 2023 CUSTOM CAR 51
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Left: Paint still plays a huge part in the hot rod world and this example cleverly translated through the interior. Incidentally, a gallon of paint costs about $1400 in Los Angeles so the material alone for a job like this probably costs about $25,000 Below: My own barn-find roadster comprises a ’27 T Roadster body on a Deuce chassis with 1940 flathead V-8, column shift and juice brakes. The car was parked in Pasadena in 1958 and not moved until we found it Bottom: Another ’27, this time a coupe, is owned by Tim Dempsey who travelled all the way to California from Des Plaines, Illinois – and that’s a long drive in such a radically chopped coupe
Right: Another drive-in was this stunning bagged n’ chopped ’39 Mercury Eight coupe with beautiful matte burgundy paint Left: Stromberg’s Clive Prew discusses the six BIG97s atop Troy Ladd’s Hollywood Hot Rods’ coupe. Built by Troy in about 21 days, the street driven drag car had some carb issues until Troy installed the ‘real’ Strombergs Below left: Brit Mick Jenkins had his own in-progress, bare-metal Deuce Roadster on display. Car is powered by a Hilborn stack-injected 454ci big-block Chevy in true eighties’ style Below: More stunningly straight paintwork could be found on Habib Chababi’s ’67 Chevelle Malibu, built by Steve Strope’s Pure Vision Design with body and paint by Brit Mick Jenkins at Mick’s Paint
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Left: Father of Roy Brizio, Andy ‘The Rod Father’ Brizio was one of the founders of the modern hot rod movement with his ‘Andy’s Instant T.’ Restored by his family and friends, it won the Bruce Meyer Preservation Award Above: Winner of the Al Slonaker Memorial Award was George and Angela Eliacostas’ ‘X-60’ 1960 Buick Invicta Custom, built by Andy Leach’s Cal Auto Creations. The car was stunning but the engine looked like a Samsonite display Right: As these two young fashionistas showed, not everybody wears the seemingly regulated hot rod garb – and that’s a good thing as they certainly brightened up the show Left: Bobby Green, proprietor of the Old Crow Speed Shop as well as a few LA bars, displayed his tribute to the Babe Stapp ’33 Roadster that raced at Mines Field (now LAX) and other venues in pre-WWII Los Angeles
Above: Built in about 21 days, on the one day a week he takes off at his Hollywood Hot Rods shop, Troy Ladd’s chopped ’31 coupe pulls wheelies and runs 8s at the Irwindale Dragstrip with a big blown 392 Hemi Right: My pick for the most outstanding car in the show went to Luc de Lay’s beautiful, hand-crafted, LS-powered one-off roadster. The craftsmanship left observers speechless Below: Scary but this is what three generations of Custom Car staffers look like today. Eighties editor Tony Thacker (left) flanked by fellow journalists Clive Prew of Stromberg and Greg Emmerson of iDAgency
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While it’s not a race meeting per se, Flame and Thunder is a major event in the Santa Pod calendar and a must-do meet for many. This firework spectacular is billed as an action packed day for the whole family – and it doesn’t disappoint. The on-track programme featured cars and bikes from numerous drag racing classes, along with an impressive gathering of jet-propelled vehicles. Off track action included drift cars, monster trucks, sky diving and even people
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Below: Drag Karts run 10-second quarters, are very, very lively to drive and provide great entertainment for spectators. The two pictured here are piloted by Mick Desmond and Pat Venvell
Words: Dave Biggadyke Pics: Julian Hunt
Left: Another driver offering passenger rides was Simon Prest in his Mercury Comet, the Rocket. Simon is a regular runner in the ranks of the Gasser Circus Right: Ian Walley’s Pro Street Mk2 Cortina ran 9.5736 / 143.03 thanks to a Dart Sportsman Pro Block and a Garrett GT series turbo under the bonnet. The potent power plant puts out more than 1000bhp
dressed as characters from Toy Story, but we’ll leave that one right there. Heavy overnight rain delayed the opening of the track and the ground crew put in a massive effort to get things rolling as soon as possible. When things did get running, some impressive times were recorded – including a number of PBs for bike and four-wheeled racers alike. A stunning firework display wrapped up the show, with many racers stopping over for the RWYB on Sunday. Here’s a look at just some of what happened.
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The wackiest
Some of the more, err, unusual quarter milers included Danny Key in (on?) his drag tractor that goes by the name of Wheel Horse, Tom Bagnall in (on?) his Jet Kart and Kevin Nicks most definitely in his World’s Fastest Garden Shed
Amongst the ranks of street cars running on the strip were Danny Wilson’s Mk1 Z car, which ran 9.5037 / 151.61, and Simon Swarbrick’s Ford Pop
A number of UK Nostalgia Superstock racers were taking part in the fun, such as Chris Tyhurst in his 12-second 468ci ’66 Chevelle SS
Power for Matt Wright’s Jeep comes from a Rolls Royce Gem turboshaft engine developed for the Westland Lynx helicopter
Another of the Superstock racers burning rubber was Robert Main in his 451ci Plymouth Superbird Another Steet Eliminator racer is Alan Williamson in his 555ci Chevy 3100 pick-up, Howlin Hauler. Alan had missed a good chunk of the season with engine damage but got some important runs under his belt at Flame and Thunder
Resident 2-seat dragster driver Paul Brown gets some air under the front tyres of his own car, the 555ci BBQ Roadster he runs in Wild Bunch. Paul’s best ticket read 9.7531 / 151.05
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Ray’s Classics
San Carlos CA since 1980
California Collector Car Export Sales Specialist TWO OF THE BEST FROM A CALIFORNIA COLLECTOR OFFERED EXCLUSIVELY BY RAYS CLASSICS 1963 FORD RANCHERO - $9,850
Original 260v8/auto truck with power steering, now running a v8/4spd manual trans with power steering, gt rally wheels, dual exhaust, very straight body, on the button california drive.
1963 MERCURY COMET 2 DOOR HARDTOP 6CYL/AUTO - $9,250
One former owner, new gas tank/sender, fuel pump, rebuilt carb, new tyres, runs & drives great.
1951 CHEVY CROSSLEY HOTSHOT ROADSTER, EXCELLENT CONDITION THROUGHOUT, ON THE BUTTON GREAT LITTLE DRIVER - $14,750
1949 CHEVY 3100 PANEL VAN - $22,750
6cyl/3spd , one California family owned since new, documentation since 1949, bone stock, runs and drives excellent.
25 VEHICLES UK REGISTERED READY FOR PURCHASE IN THE SW OF ENGLAND POA Prices include shipping from Oakland CA to UK mainland. Check the website for complete inventory list.
WE CAN LOCATE LOCA THE CAR OF YOUR DREAMS
Vehicle shipping to the UK inspection services available in the Western States
Custom Car_2023_04_April_Rays Classics_FP.indd 1
650-361-8083
Tel: e: raysclassics@earthlink.net www.raysclassics.com
02/03/2023 09:16
Model B Electric Child’s Car Our product is a bespoke engineered electric car for 6-12 year old children 1.0 -1.5 metres tall. A purpose made chassis in either black powder coat or stainless steel polished, with tough fibreglass body. Running all main components from 125 kart series, hydraulic brakes, positive steering, 48volt 2 speed, reversible motor and 40Ah rechargeable Lithium-ion battery, these cars are engineered to the highest standard. Capable of a maximum speed of 45kph, with control to restrict at 20kph. Full leather interior and paint scheme finish the car to your own taste delivering a total unique gift for generations to come. Shipping possible anywhere in the world. €12,000
www.abasengineering.com
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Darren Hussey makes another run in his Angry Bird ’65 Ford Falcon XP, right hand drive hinting at the car’s Australian origins
Another Tri-Chevy, another Gasser Circus car. Pictured here in the burnout box, Ray Turner’s Green Onions is even another ’55
Rob Carter’s Pro Steet Mk1 VW Passat can normally be seen running in VW Pro. Powered by a turbo Cosworth YB motor, the car runs 10-second quarters
Not to be left out, the Junior Dragster class had representation. Pictured here are Teddy Howe, and Ellie Brown in MissStig
Above-track thrills came from a group of people who jumped out of an aeroplane and made a smoky descent to terra firma. In case you’re wondering, the members of the Jump Dogs Parachute Display Team landed safely on the grass adjacent to the finish line
Cherry Bomb is the name Jason Pickett’s Tri-Chevy goes by. Built by Williams Bros Racing, the ’55 runs high 9s at around 130mph. Jason took the Gasser Circus event win at the last year’s Hot Rod Drags
Alan McSweeney was out having fun in Evolution, his 400ci Street Eliminator Volvo 162. With twin-turbo 400ci Chevy power, Alan regularly runs mid 7-second quarters at more than 180mph
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Jet drag Flame shooting Jet Car passes were put in by Martin Hill in both Fireforce 5 and Fireforce 3, Julian Webb in Split Second and Roger Goring in Firestorm. The quickest and fastest passes were run by Fireforce 5 with a 5.5323 / 181.39 and Split Second with a 6.8421 / 228.94
Regular Pro ET racer Lee Huxley was running the numbers in his 630ci Dark Horse Mustang. His best time was a 9.5013 at 140.71mph
Chris Todd lifts the wheels in his Suburu EJ20-powered Ford Fiesta. Chris ran an impressive best of 9.0188 / 163.06
It’s fair to say that dragsters were thin on the ground. Allan Schofield was there in his Pro ET machine however, and ran a best of 9.3169 / 151.05
The quickest of the runs from Street Eliminator campaigner Anthony Higgs in his Capri carded a 7.7808 / 176.44, but with a passenger on board he ran a more leisurely 8.55 at 117mph
Pro ET racer Brett Featherstone ran Nova Scotia, his 440ci ’67 Chevy Nova, to a best of 9.6507 / 138.52
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Right & above: As always, Perry Watkins entertained the crowd in his jet-powered Oklahoma Willy VW pick-up. Not until after he’d done some mopping up, though…
The UK Nostalgia Superstock cars kept on coming. Here, Gary Semper begins to burnout in his ’69 Pontiac Firebird…
…while Don Scott ran a best of 9.9637 / 125.20 in his 572ci Plymouth Superbird…
…and Stuart ‘Kiwi’ Thompson was launching hard in his ’71 Plymouth Duster
The ever-impressive firework display signified Flame and Thunder was coming to an end – as was the 2022 racing season. Not to worry, as you read this it’s almost time for the new one to begin!
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the Custom Car years APRIL 1992: A dip into history from Custom Car and the rest of the world Bijeljina, 1 April: Serbian paramilitary forces murder dozens of men, women and children in the early stages of a genocidal campaign against the people of Bosnia. By the end of the month, the death toll is in the thousands.
Britain, 9 April: After months of polls in favour of Neil Kinnock’s Labour Party, the Conservatives defy the odds to win the first general election following the end of the Thatcher years. Thatcher’s successor John Major retains the position of Prime Minister which he has held since November 1990. London, 10 April: A 15 year old girl is among three people killed in IRA bomb attacks on Staples Corner and the Baltic Exchange. London, 19 April: Comedian Frankie ‘titter ye not’ Howerd dies of heart failure at the age of 75. The following day, his friend Benny Hill also passes away, aged 68. London, 20 April: Elton John, David Bowie, George Michael and Bob Geldof are among a galaxy of stars taking part in a sell-out AIDS awareness concert in memory of former Queen vocalist Freddie Mercury, who died the previous autumn. Los Angeles, 29 April: The acquittal of four police officers, who had been filmed beating the unarmed Rodney King following a vehicle stop, provokes six days of rioting, leaving 63 people dead and more than 12,000 under arrest.
KEEP ON POPPIN’ IAN NORMAN WAS ALREADY ON HIS THIRD FORD POP when he experienced his first hit of drag racing. An ET of 11.69 at 116mph was the best he ever got out it; his highest speed was actually 120mph though, which got him thinking that if he was to go quicker, he needed to start being serious about protection. But while he was thinking about a new cage, a new chassis came to mind. Then with a new chassis, well, why not put a 9-inch out back and have a strut front end? There was so much to change, Ian decided to go for a completely new and un-chopped body, therefore starting at square one. What this meant was paying a visit to Clive Bond at Ultimate Race Cars to talk about a tube frame. The idea was to have this under a stock Pop body, powered by a small block. The stock body was used, but somewhere along the way Ian discovered a Super Gas engine which came up at a reasonable price. As they do.
This 383ci motor had come out of Richard Eton’s 9.68sec Plymouth Duster which, at 2600lb, powered to a best of 9.68 at 142mph. The 11.5:1 compression lump has a Magnafluxed, polished and chamfered steel crank, stock steel con rods and TRW forged pistons with 0.1” removed from the valve relief area. The block has been shaved down to a negative deck height of 0.035” and the block has been punched out 0.003”. The cam is from Cam Dynamics, giving an effective lift (with 1.75:1 Sig Erson rockers) of 0.656” on the exhaust and 0.630 on the intake. Ultimate Race Cars fully ported the head castings to make the most of 2.14” intake valves, delivered fuel by a 750 Double Pumper Holley, and 1.74” exhaust valves which exit into Hooker kit headers. The box is a 727 Torqueflite shifted by a Hurst Quarter Stick.
The suspension is what’s needed for strip action – a pair of 2.8i Capri shortened struts up front and a four-bar with track locator and coil-overs out back. A reversed Escort Mk3 steering rack sits Ian on the left of the car and keeps the Pop straight on the road, while the 9in axle is filled with 4.56:1 gears and Strange shafts and is somewhat narrower than stock – thanks again to Ultimate Race Cars. Ian put as many glassfibre panels as possible on the car to make it light, ranging from the sills to the roof insert. These items are detachable too, along with the front section, wings and boot. He prefers the combination of a street and strip car – although his mates do tend to give him a fair bit of stick. ‘They reckon I’m getting too old to drive it on the street.’ There’s no such thing. No way. Especially in a car that’s as good as this.
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Can a hot rod make a good vehicle for your business? PHIL WHEAR’S ’34 FORD SEDAN DELIVERY IS THE NICEST WORK TRUCK WE’VE SEEN. And, he says, it’s getting better all the time. He bought its glassfibre repro shell from Saturn Industries back in 1990, when it showed up with the doors hung and not much else. Now, Phil is a pretty busy chap, running his own business down in Redruth, Cornwall, so he contacted Dave Finch to do the rest of the build. Dave is known for both the speed and the quality of his building projects. But even he took seven months to complete this one. At the time, Dave had a 351 Cleveland, complete with a Galler proof forged steed crank, sitting in his garage looking for a good home. As you do. It was soon mated to a C6 auto and dropped on to a Chris Boyle chassis. An Iskenderian cam gives the deep-breathing Cleveland mill
a little boost in power and a 750 Holley caps an Offenhauser intake rnanifold. The dependable Ford C6 automatic transmission has been left stock, both for the driver’s comfort and to ensure a long life for the car. The rear suspension is from an S-Type Jag, while the front suspension and crossmember were designed and built by Dale Rearden using spindles and vented discs from a Capri and steering put together from the best bits from an Escort and a Dolomite. The suspension is not radical in design, being a wishbone/ coil-over type, but it’s well made and brute enough for a vehicle that works for its living. And that comes down to the reason Phil decided on the Sedan Delivery. He needed a work vehicle to haul storm windows, double glazing and conservatories, but wanted something a bit more exciting than a stock Bedford pick-up.
A major part of the fun factor comes from the unique character of the Sedan Delivery. ‘People remember the car, and that’s what you want,’ says Phil – and he makes sure it’s seen by having it on the road five or six days a week. Signwriting was done by Keith Massey, and a set of 15in Sharp wire wheels completes the period look. So, does a rod make a good business car? Phil thinks so. ‘I’m very, very pleased with the car. It’s practical and reliable. I get the VAT back, and expenses and the build through the business, and it’s now an asset of the company.’ At least as important a factor is the resale value – he has no plans to sell the car since ‘it won’t wear out if I take care of it,’ but he’s certain that in ten years it should worth about what he paid for it. A ten-year-old Bedford pickup might also have some value left after ten years. But a few rounds at your local would take care of it.
London, 4 April: Oxford beat Cambridge by just over a length to win the 138th Boat Race; it’s described as one of the greatest in the history of the event. Aintree, 4 April: 14/1 shot Party Politics, ridden by Welsh jockey Carl Llewellyn, wins the Grand National at his first attempt. London, 12 April: An early goal by Brian McClair sees Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 in the League Cup Final at Wembley. The Forest team include future United stars Roy Keane and Teddy Sheringham.
HIT PARADE
UK Top 10, 12 April 1992 1 (2)
Deeply Dippy Right Said Fred 2 (1) Stay Shakespears Sister 3 (8) Save The Best For Last Vanessa Williams 4 (3) To Be With You Mr Big 5 (4) Joy Soul II Soul 6 (10) Evapor 8 Altern 8 7 (-) On A Ragga Trip SL2 8 (6) Finally (1992) Ce Ce Peniston 9 (15) You’re All That Matters To Me Curtis Stigers 10 (17) Viva Las Vegas ZZ Top
New entries this month:
• Separate Tables (Chris de Burgh) • Popscene (Blur) • I Am The Resurrection (Stone Roses) • Pretend We’re Dead (L7) • Make It Happen (Mariah Carey) • Hold On My Heart (Genesis) • The Disappointed (XTC) • Be Quick Or Be Dead (Iron Maiden) • Finer Feelings (Kylie Minogue) • House of Fun 1992 (Madness) • Temple of Love (Sisters of Mercy) • In The Closet (Michael Jackson) • Nothing Else Matters (Metallica) • Tired of Being Alone (Texas) • Never Again (The Mission)
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NB: We advise you to double check with organisers that the event or show as listed is still going ahead, to avoid any wasted journeys. To submit an event, email alan.kidd@assignment-media.co.uk
15-16 Straightliners Race Meet Melbourne Raceway, York. www. straightliners.events 15-16 Wagon UK Offset Show Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge. www.wgnuk.com 17 Top Speed Monday Elvington Airfield, Elvington, West Yorkshire. www.straightliners.events 18 VW Air-Cooled Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 20-23 Race the Waves Bridlington. www.backfirepromotions.com 22 Drag & Drift Dakota Raceway, Honiton, Devon. www.straightliners. events 22 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 25 All American Cruise In. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com Dragstalgia – Santa Pod, 7-9 July Pic: Julian Hunt
MARCH
APRIL
18 Drag & Drift Dakota Raceway, Honiton, Devon. www.straightliners. events
1 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
19 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
1-2 Straightliners Race Meet Santa Pod. www.straightliners.events
21 VW Air-Cooled Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com
2 ‘Normous Newark Autojumble Newark Showground, Newark, Notts. www.newarkautojumble.co.uk
24-26 Classic Car and Restoration Show NEC, Birmingham. www. necrestorationshow.com
2 Wheels on the Waterfront Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne. Facebook: The Waterfront Eastbourne
25 All American Cruise In. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com
5 Hot Rod Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com
25 Run What Ya Brung Saturday Night Special Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
7 Wheelsday Rushmoor Arena, Aldershot. surreystreetrodders.co.uk
26 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 27 Top Speed Monday Elvington Airfield, Elvington, West Yorkshire. www.straightliners.events
7-9 Festival of Power Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 9 Easter Meetster Motoburo, Brighouse. www.motoburo.com 15 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
29 Barnstormer Weekend. Kay’s Barn, Dunnington, York. www.backfirepromotions.com 29 Spitfire Raceway Drag’n’Drift. Parranporth Airfield, St Agnes, Cornwall. www.perranporthdrivingcentre.com 29–1 Springspeed Nationals Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 30 Wakefield Classic and American Car and Bike Show. Wakefield city centre. www.wakefieldbid.co.uk
MAY 1 BHP Show Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone. bhpshows.com 3 Hot Rod Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 5-7 Spring Fire Up Lepton Highlanders, Huddersfield. Facebook: Flat Caps and Ferrets 5-7 Nostalgia Nationals Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
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7 Wheels on the Waterfront Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne. Facebook: The Waterfront Eastbourne
4 ‘Normous Newark Autojumble Newark Showground, Newark, Notts. www.newarkautojumble.co.uk
25 MPH 1/8th Mile Vintage Sprint RAF Deenethorpe, Corby, Northants. www.mphvintagesprint.co.ukk
13 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
4 Wheels on the Waterfront Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne. Facebook: The Waterfront Eastbourne
30-2 Summer Nationals Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
13-14 Spring Autojumble Beaulieu. www.beaulieu.co.uk 13-14 Springbreak Kustom Kulture. Stonham Barns, Suffolk. www.stonhambarns.co.uk 13-14 Straightliners Race Meet Melbourne Raceway, York. www. straightliners.events 15 Top Speed Monday Elvington Airfield, Elvington, West Yorkshire. www.straightliners.events 16 VW Air-Cooled Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 19-21 Doorslammers Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 20-21 Custom and Classic Show Earlswood, Solihull. www. motormayhemcc.co.uk
7 Hot Rod Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 8-11 Hot Rods and Hills Park Foot Holiday Park, Pooley Bridge, Cumbria. parkfootullswater.co.uk 9-11 Retrofestival Newark. Newark Showground, Newark, Notts. www.retrofestival.co.uk 10 Run What Ya Brung Saturday Night Special Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 11 Bespoke Show West Malling, Kent. bespokeshows@gmail.com 11 BHP Fuel Fest Westpoint Arena, Exeter, Devon. bhpshows.com 11 Bromley Pageant of Motoring Norman Park, Bromley. www. bromleypageant.com
JULY 1-2 Stars and Stripes Car Show Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire www.tattonstarsandstripes.com 2 Festival of the Dead. Burghley House, Stamford, Lincs. www.festivalofthedead.uk 2 Wheels on the Waterfront Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne. Facebook: The Waterfront Eastbourne 5 Hot Rod Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 6-8 Västerås Summer Meet Västerås, Västmanland, Sweden. vasterassummermeet.se 7-9 Dragstalgia Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
20-21 Duchy Capri Club Show Constantine Bay, Padstow, Cornwall. www.duchycapriclub.co.uk
16-18 Sportsman Nationals Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
7-9 The Weekender Bardwell, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. www.krazyhorse. co.uk/pages/krazy-horse-festival
21 Herts Auto Show Oaklands College, St Albans. www. hertsautoshow.co.uk
17-18 Pendine Sands Hot Rod Races Pendine, Carmarthenshire, South Wales. www.vhra.co.uk
8 Drag & Drift Dakota Raceway, Honiton, Devon. www.straightliners. events
26-29 The Main Event Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
17-18 Straightliners Race Meet Melbourne Raceway, York. www. straightliners.events
8 Spitfire Raceway Drag’n’Drift. Parranporth Airfield, St Agnes, Cornwall. www.perranporthdrivingcentre.com
18 Custom and American Show Beaulieu. www.beaulieu.co.uk
8-9 Historic Vehicle Gathering Powderham Castle, Exeter, Devon. historic-vehicle-gathering.info
27 All American Cruise In. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 28 Lincoln Castle Classic Car Rally. Lincoln Castle, Lincoln. castlerallylvvs@ gmail.com
JUNE 2-4 VanJam Fir Tree Farm, Warmington. www.vanditos.co.uk 3 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
18 Retro Show Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 19 Top Speed Monday Elvington Airfield, Elvington, West Yorkshire. www.straightliners.events 20 VW Air-Cooled Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 24 All American Cruise In. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com
3-4 Classic and Performance Car Spectacular. Tatton Park, Knutsford. www.tattonclassiccarshow.com
24 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
4 Plus Four Four Show Hartham Park, Wiltshire. www. plusfourfourautomotive.co.uk
24-25 Top Speed Meeting Machrihanish Airport, Campbeltown, Argyll. www.straightliners.events 25 Fast Show Reloaded Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
8-9 Kernow Old Vehicle Rally Penhallow. KOVC Facebook 13-16 Goodwood Festival of Speed Goodwood Estate, West Sussex. www.goodwood.com 15 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 15-16 Straightliners Race Meet Melbourne Raceway, York. www. straightliners.events 16 Ford Show Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 17 Top Speed Monday Elvington Airfield, Elvington, West Yorkshire. www.straightliners.events
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BRENTACRE CUSTOM CAR & HOT ROD INSURANCE 18 VW Air-Cooled Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 21-23 Bug Jam Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 21-23 Rock’n’Ribs Festival Wincanton Racecourse, Somerset. www.rocknribsfestival.co.uk 22-23 National Hot Rod and Custom Show Lincolnshire Showground, Lincoln. www. hotrodandcustomshow.co.uk 22-23 Carrot Town Garage American Car Show. Stonham Barns, Suffolk. www.stonhambarns.co.uk 22-23 Straightliners Race Meet Llanbedr Airfield, Llanbedr, Gwynedd. www.straightliners.events 23 Deuce Day Gaydon, Warwickshire. www.deucesofbritain.co.uk/deuce-day 28-29 Weekend of Wheels Moorgreen, Nottingham. www.coffencars.club 28-30 KLK Extravaganza Walpole St Andrew, Norfolk. www.kingslynnkruisers.co.uk 28-30 Hotrod Hayride Bisley Shooting Ground, Woking. www. hotrodhayride.co.uk 29 All American Cruise In. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 29-30 Mopar Euro Nationals Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 29-30 Ten Of The Best Elvington Airfield, Elvington, West Yorkshire. www.straightliners.events
AUGUST
7 Top Speed Monday Elvington Airfield, Elvington, West Yorkshire. www.straightliners.events 10-13 NSRA Hot Rod Supernationals Old Warden Park, Biggleswade. www.nsra.org.uk 11-13 NSVA Truck-In Drum and Monkey, Gloucester Road, Upton on Severn. Facebook: NSVA 11-13 Retrofestival Newbury Showground. www.retrofestival.co.uk 12 Best of British Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 12 Drag & Drift Dakota Raceway, Honiton, Devon. www.straightliners. events 13 ‘Normous Newark Autojumble Newark Showground, Newark, Notts. www.newarkautojumble.co.uk 13 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 15 VW Air-Cooled Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 18-20 Greenlight Nationals Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 19-20 Passion for Power Classic Motor Show. Tatton Park, Knutsford. www.tattonpassionforpower.com 25-27 GOW! Speed Hill Climb Prescott Hill, Cheltenham, Cotswolds. www.vhra.co.uk 25-27 Knucklebusters Car Show. Stonham Barns, Suffolk. www. stonhambarns.co.uk 26 All American Cruise In. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com
2 Hot Rod Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com
28 Drive and Jive Auto Show. Whitstable Bends, Whitstable, Kent. www.driveandjive.uk
4-6 Ultimate Street Car Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
SEPTEMBER
5-6 Festival of Wheels Trinity Park, Ipswich. www.motorshowevents.com
1-3 Blue Ridge Runners Show West Huntspill, Somerset. www.blueridgerunners.co.uk
5-6 Straightliners Race Meet Melbourne Raceway, York. www. straightliners.events 6 Wheels on the Waterfront Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne. Facebook: The Waterfront Eastbourne
1-3 VW Action Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 2-3 International Autojumble Beaulieu. www.beaulieu.co.uk
2-3 Jurby Drag Racing Jurby, Isle of Man. www.straightliners.events 3 Brooklands American Day Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, Surrey. www.brooklandsmuseum.com 3 Wheels on the Waterfront Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne. Facebook: The Waterfront Eastbourne 6 Hot Rod Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 7-10 European Finals Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 8-9 Hindenberg Dirt Track Races www.hindenberg-dirt-track.com 8-10 Goodwood Revival Goodwood Estate. www.goodwood.com 9-10 Straightliners Race Meet Melbourne Raceway, York. www. straightliners.events 10 VHRA Swap Meet Ramsey, Cabridgeshire. www.vhra.co.uk 11 Top Speed Monday Elvington Airfield, Elvington, West Yorkshire. www.straightliners.events 15-17 Hot Rod Drags Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 15-17 Isle of Man Festival of Motoring www.iomfm.com 01732 879153 16 Spitfire Raceway Drag’n’Drift. Parranporth Airfield, St Agnes, Cornwall. www.perranporthdrivingcentre.com 17 American Car Show. Stonham Barns, Suffolk. www. stonhambarns.co.uk 17 ‘Normous Newark Autojumble Newark Showground, Newark, Notts. www.newarkautojumble.co.uk 19 VW Air-Cooled Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 22-24 National Finals Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 22-24 Flat Caps and Ferrets Lepton Highlanders, Huddersfield. Facebook: Flat Caps & Ferrets 23-24 ACU/UKITA Records Elvington Airfield, Elvington, West Yorkshire. www.straightliners.events
60 CUSTOM CAR APRIL 2023
3.5pp Events AWAITING AD.indd 60
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30 All American Cruise In. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com
15 Straightliners Race Meet Santa Pod. www.straightliners.events
30 Drag & Drift Dakota Raceway, Honiton, Devon. www.straightliners. events
17 VW Air-Cooled Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com
30 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
OCTOBER
19 ‘Normous Newark Autojumble Newark Showground, Newark, Notts. www.newarkautojumble.co.uk 21 VW Air-Cooled Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com
21 Run What Ya Brung Saturday Night Special Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
25 All American Cruise In. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com
22 ‘Normous Newark Autojumble Newark Showground, Newark, Notts. www.newarkautojumble.co.uk
25 NSRA AGM. Venue TBC. www.nsra.org.uk
1 Wheels on the Waterfront Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne. Facebook: The Waterfront Eastbourne
22 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
25 Spitfire Raceway Drag’n’Drift. Parranporth Airfield, St Agnes, Cornwall. www.perranporthdrivingcentre.com
4 Hot Rod Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com
28 All American Cruise In. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com
DECEMBER
7 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
28 Flame & Thunder Show Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
6 Hot Rod Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com
7-8 Straightliners Race Meet Melbourne Raceway, York. www. straightliners.events
29 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
10 ‘Normous Newark Autojumble Newark Showground, Newark, Notts. www.newarkautojumble.co.uk
9 Top Speed Monday Elvington Airfield, Elvington, West Yorkshire. www.straightliners.events 14 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
NOVEMBER 1 Hot Rod Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com
19 VW Air-Cooled Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 30 All American Cruise In. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com
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