Finville, USA

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Rolf

Welcome to: Finville, USA

“A place where steel sharks are still lurking, flanked by rocket outlets and chrome”

1960 Plymouth

Photo (and owner) Jon Radue from Wisconsin, USA

Fins doesn’t have to be stock to be enjoyed.

Steve Gould Colorado Springs, CO sent us this picture of this custom truck.

1960 T-bird

Photo: Casey Tarp

1960 Fleetwood in the rain

Photo: Wayne Liles from Asheville N.C.

1961 Cadillac fin aiming for the sky…

Photo: Heine Hansen

Jim from Canada sent us this shot of his 1960 Impala:

1960 Cadillac

Lloyd , Cindy and Damiën from the Netherlands sent us this photo.

1957 Chevrolet

1964 Chrysler 300 Convetible

Photo: Michael Clay Andersen

Photo: Gary Baker

1958 Buick Limited Riviera
Photo: Kris Trexler

1958 Continental Mark III coupe
Photo: Kris Trexler

Plymouth Plaza

1960 Chrysler Imperial

1960 Ford

The fins on the 1960 Buick became somewhat more sedate than the ’59 Delta wings, but they are very classy. This photo came from the owner of this 1960 Buick LeSabre Convertible, Denis Lachapelle from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.

This 58 Ford Fairlane 500 is looking awesome at this angle.

Photo: Charlie Barone

Very few fin-cars can compete with the rocket outlets and chrome of the ’59 Dodge. Is this the ultimate set of fins??

The gull-wing fins of the 1959 Chevrolet has always been a favorite.

The Cadillac fins got smaller for every year. This 1964 Cadillac shows what’s left. Check out the reflection in the paint, a 1963 Corvette split-window!

This 1959 DeSoto Sportsman are sporting some aggressive fins.

58 Buick offered some very massive fins, as on this Century.

This 1957 Olds remind you how much the designers were inspired by space design.

Ok, these are rather modest fins for the late 1950’s…However, this 1959 Lincoln convertible is sporting a very massive rear treatment, with acres of chrome.

The 59 Cadillac is probably the most recognized fins in the world. And yes, they are still cool!

The 1959 Buick fins were called “Delta Wings”, as shown on this Electra, in a rare rose color.

The 1960 Cadillac is sporting smaller and more restrained fins. Many folks thinks the ’60 Cadillac is a better looking car than the ’59. That discussion will go on until the world ends or internet stops.

1931 Ford Model A Hot Rod Build

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Rolf

The Model A build is still sitting on static pages but I have made this directory. These links should be all pointing to the build pages. If you find any bad links feel free to ping your Humble Editor.

Frame and suspension

Frame Part II

Frame, part III

It is not necessary to pinch a 1932 frame to accept a ’30-’31 body, but I think one should, and here is why..

To pinch or not to…

Engine and Transmission

Including carburation options and accessories

Wheels and Brakes

Including pedal assembly

Exhaust

Dashboard

Including gauges and steering column

Interior

Electrical and Heater

Various Mock up stages

…this one being an early one!

Body and sub-rails

Including floor, trunk with gutters, and tank

Well, how did it come out?

Vintage Brochures: 1937 Ford Cars

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Rolf

I enjoy reading the original sales brochures for vintage cars and motorcycles, especially for the cars that I own. It is fun to see how there were marketed back then.

I got this one from that auction site and it arrived in a soft envelope stamped “Do Not Bend”.
So what does my fine post office professional do? Yup, you guessed it: They bend it.

I managed to “unbend” the brochure and all is good. However, the astute eBay peddler stated in his description that “they could be a reproduction but could also be original” Yeah, right! Looks like it was printed yesterday, it looks BRAND NEW, smells BRAND NEW, it probably IS brand new. It absolutely does NOT look like a document printed 74 (SEVENTYFOUR!) years ago. There is a huge difference. I think it is an insult but I pretty much knew what I was getting based on the above “keep-my-ass-covered-description” but I wanted a nice copy basically for the content. So…moving on.

Because of our Project 1937 Ford Cabriolet I had to immediately flip to the Cabriolet page! …and look at that: I learned something right away:

Can you see what it is? Well, Ford calls it a “Cabriolet Convertible”, not just one or the other. So I guess that would not be a double negative? Or in this case double positive!

New for the year was “Modern appearance, new streamline design”

Another new feature was the lid style hood for easy servicing and under hood mounted battery also made life easier for the Ford mechanic.

Ford also bragged about a modern compact V-type engine, and “Center-Poise Ride increased by smoother action of long tapering springs” and a new worm and roller steering gear with 18.2 :1 ratio that makes the 1937 Ford easier to handle. Man, I feel like I am in heaven already.

Further features includes “Chromium Plated radiator grille and rustless steel running board mouldings and Genuine Leather seats”

How can anyone go wrong? Trade in your old 1932 Ford and pick one up today! Oh, that’s right, I just did.

Well, I will be cruising in style firmly planted on the Genuine Leather seating, barely feeling the road thanks to Center-Poise Ride springs while the Chromium plated radiator grille points the way!

Now that’s STYLING!

1937 Ford Cabriolet – walls of white

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Rolf

The rims were treated to powder coating in gloss black and then the new look-like-bias-ply radials were installed. Looks great.

The stock reproduction caps were in perfect condition but they are rather boring. I found these on that auction site. They are old stock and after some polishing they look very nice. I added gloss black to the V8 logo that matches the rim color. I am not sure if they were a Ford or Mercury item or possible an aftermarket. If you know, let me know.

Of course I can’t want to see the caps on the rims so by laying on the floor we can get a sense of what we are looking at.

With five blades removed from the rear spring I think I got the rear sitting right. It centers the tire in the wheel well. I think the front need to come down a smidge.

Like that!

Since I got the car up in the air it’s time to attend to the exhaust system. A stock single exhaust is no way to treat a flathead engine. The plan is for an all new dual exhaust with remote electric openers. It may be fun to make a little noise from time to time. The short glass packs should ensure a nice rumble from said flathead when going through the 1939 syncromesh transmission during cruising…and cruise we will !

Instead of adding chrome extensions to the rear of an exhaust i opted for 1 1/2 inch stainless pipes for the last bit of the exhaust. As you can see I had to test polish and it will look good when done.

I have another hot rod to work on so…more later…

Let’s continue on Project ’37 Ford

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Rolf

As spring is fast approaching the pressure is on to get the Cabriolet ready.

Whitewall, dual exhaust, side mirror, full service and other small things will make this a nice cruiser. So let’s get started:

Santa came early…or late…depending on if you are a glass half full or half empty kinda person. As much as I like things with a little patina and some history I also have a soft spot for nice new chromie thingies!! Outside mirrors, glove box, radiator cap, tank lid, battery holder downer (technichal term) and more.

Mirrors installed. The enclosed hinge pin did not fit these hinges so I just made a pin. With the small back window in the convertible top the mirrors will be a welcome addition. The glass in these reproduction mirrors are not wide angle so they are still limited in what you can see. We will see how well they work once on the road. BTW: Check out that super cool torpedo hood!! This baby is sporting some LINES !!

Man, Santa came again. He is a busy man…in the middle of April. Probably bored…

This time he brought snow white colored white wall tyres. How nice! As much as a car like this is predictable with white walls I still think they will be the cat’s pajamas on this maroon cabriolet. I plan to powder coat the wheels black and add a nicer Mercury style cap. I will keep the trim rings as well. Reliable sources tells me that more chrome and shiny stuff makes the car run better, faster and smoother. Honest!

The lockable filler cap is a nice option but what an ugly contraption, eh?
I opted for a smooth new one.

Mo betta! Strange reflection, though!

There would not be a place to put my gloves unless there is a glove box.
I got this snazzy reproduction part but I realized quickly why the restorer/builder did omit it. They worked really hard on making the car look original. The original car did not have a voltage regulator but the more contemporary ABA flathead came with a generator that uses the more reliable but separate voltage regular. By now you have figured out where they hid said voltage regulator. Yup, where the glove box goes.

I have to move the regulator, maybe even to the engine compartment as it is not a big deal to me if the car looks totally stock. I do however like a place to put my gloves!

Mo later…

Let’s detail the 1937 Ford

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Rolf

The last weekend offered temperatures in excess of seventy degrees, something that is unheard of in Late March in this part of the country. Needless to say it would be a felony to leave an open car in the garage under such circumstances…not to mention the fact that the open car in question is a super cool flathead powered 1937 Ford Cabriolet!

Anyway, the car got some miles on it and the only problem I encountered was to wipe that stupid grin off my face but the weekend is over and it is time to look over this beauty. I need to detail it, do a service and check general tune of the car so it’s ready for action this summer season.

How can you NOT like this Art Deco style?

Daum…this thing is clean in every corner. I am not a big fan of blue dots but they will stay for now.

Love this! OK, I am getting a little too excited now. Let’s get back to work.

I am sure you have seen those ads for some snake oil miracle paint rejuvenator or some other auto detail product: They usually have a slightly faded but super straight rust free 1967 Camaro Z-28 or a 1970 Hemi Charger they just found in a barn and all it need is a detail. Yeah right??
If and when I find a Hemi Charger in a barn it would be rusted up to the door handles, the engine replaced with a stuck slant six and the interior would have been eaten alive by various animals who made it their home (and toilet!) Sure, that will BUFF out !

Anyway, THIS car is actually like that snake oil car. It just need a proper detail and it should really make for a nice 1937 Cabriolet. The reason for this is of course the fact that it was completely restored and not driven much since then. That kinda helps!!

Well, let’s get this thing jacked up…so to speak. After removing the rolling stock I get a chance to see the suspension properly and I can only confirm that everything seems to be in great shape.

The wheel wells also looks very nice and clean. All brackets have been cad plated and all rubber seems fresh. I can’t complain.The fenders have a rubberized coating under them to protect them from “tned”. That is “dent” backwards. That is what you get when a rock leaves the tire at high speed and makes a dent from the inside. Dent but backwords = tned. Now you know…

1937 Ford Cabriolet brakes

After removing the drums I discovered new brake shoes and hydraulics so there was nothing for me to other check adjustment. My work is done here.

When did you last time polished between the spokes??

A swap meet visit yielded this vintage license frame for $15.00. It will help dress up the restored 1937 WA plate. I think I need to make a backing plate for this as well since it sits on top of the post with the backside exposed.

I plan to add wide white walls to this car but the tire I want is on back order so I have to roll on these black walls for now. That will not be a problem as the Pirelli piecrust tires are in great shape. Kinda cool, actually…

More later…

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