Rod & Custom Feb-14

As of late, most of the news coming out of here has been old: anniversary this, tribute that … you know, stuff related to, well, old stuff. This month, more of the same. As most of you have already been hip to, thanks to last month’s unique coverage of the Goodguys PPG Nationals in Columbus, Ohio, Rod & & Custom has once again jumped on the awards bandwagon, this time around with its Fab 5 program, sponsored by our good friends at Coker Tire. As it implies, the award is given out to five select vehicles at, no coincidence, five select events across the country. Here’s how the event itinerary for the 2013 season was broken down: • Goodguys PPG Nats (July 12-14) • NSRA Street Rod Nats (Aug. 1-4)…

SHARP INTAKE Al Sharp was a machinist, pattern maker, and hot rod pioneer who entered the speed equipment industry after World War II. After making speed parts for many different companies, he started Sharp Speed and Power Equipment. Primarily known for Flathead parts, he manufactured equipment for many other engines, including aluminum Hemi heads. Al Sharp died in 2004, but Sharp Speed Equipment has found a new home, with H&H Flatheads acquiring the rights and patterns to continue the legacy. Sharp 59A heads are in stock along with 3x2 intakes, 2x2 intakes, fuel blocks, finned generator brackets, and foot gas pedals. H&H Flatheads plans to reintroduce many of the old intakes that have been out of production for over 20 years. For more information, contact H&H Flatheads at (818) 248-2371…

rob.fortier@sorc.com SPARKING INTEREST In the Aug. ’13 issue of R&C it shows a PerTronix ignition module for a ’42-48 Ford Flathead engine using a crab-style distributor cap. I have a ’46-48 59A engine that I would like to use this on to be able to eliminate the braided solid-core plug wires and run 7mm wires. However, the PerTronix tech informed me that they have never tried to do this. Speedway is also offering this conversion in their latest catalog, however, their tech adviser is also unable to tell me. It appears to me that the only difference in the ’42-44 distributor and the ’46-48 is the cap and bails that hold the cap in place. Possibly a different rotor would be required. Do you, with your vast knowledge, have any…

HAVING DONE WITHOUT, DARREL PETERSON FINALLY DID ONE FOR HIMSELF. Imagine getting paid to do the thing you love. It’s real for some. Every year countless enthusiasts follow the siren’s song and hang a sign on their garages. “Ever since I was a kid I loved anything mechanical,” recalls Darrel Peterson, co-owner of River City Speed & Custom in Post Falls, Idaho. “It doesn’t even need to be cars either; I love the idea that I can create things with my hands and there isn’t anybody who says I can’t. “I opened my shop in 2000,” he continues, explaining his almost accidental journey to proprietorship. “Until then I was working in Seattle doing subcontract work for Boeing and then building food distribution machines. When I came back [to Post Falls]…

Although we’d completed 80 percent of the wiring on the Speedway Motors R&C Tribute T, once we got it back from the Street Rod Nats in Louisville and caught our breath after the rapid build, we decided it really should have turn signals, especially since they’re mandatory for our forthcoming DMV titling process. This would be easy in the rear, as we could wire it so the brake lights flashed, but what to do at the front, as we didn’t want to add extra lights? Our T Swaps Hand Signals For Flashers 1 A T may have minimal electrical circuits compared to a full-bodied car, but there’s also minimal space in which to fit it all! Once we’d removed the circuits we wouldn’t be using (A/C, heater, electric windows, antenna)…

IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT GOING ALL-IN, HOW ABOUT STARTING WITH FRESH SHEETMETAL? In today’s world, "genuine steel" is literally becoming a thing of the past. And those of you fortunate enough to possess—let alone locate—decent, savable, original bodies oftentimes still have plenty of work cut out for them when it comes to making them usable. Why not forgo the hunt, forgo the resurrection process, and start afresh with what our resourceful aftermarket has to offer in the way of reproduction bodies and related components. The multi award winning Speed33 all-steel body of Michigan-based American Speed Company is a rod like few others. The Speed33 features a number of innovative hot rod features, including the first modern, fully integrated convertible top in a ’33, the first full substructural design for…