Repo Friday

February is the season opener for our gang. The Superbowl will be over and we will be looking at no football for a long period of time. Car outings seem to satisfy that void for most of us along with having a project in the garage. As I mentioned, I have something started on my frame jig. I am not sure what the final body selection will be but at least I can be working on the components which is what I love to do. I am a scrounger by nature and tend to locate items that are stored in my friends garages. Discarded cross members, grille shells, front and rear axles and variety of other parts, enough to build a chassis, usually find their way into my garage. My wife doesn’t always agree with the build choice but we usually end up with a compromise on the body style. I love convertibles and she loves sedans. The roadster show provided lots of adrenaline for a roadster since their were very few sedans on display. My buddy Larry has several Deuces and likes his sedan the best for overall comfort and luggage space. I don’t need luggage space to go to the “Office” but it would come in handy going to P-Town. The Brookville body is by far the cheapest entry into the Deuce field that you can obtain — no rust, no patch panels or dents to worry about. Sedans seem to run around the $15K range and require another $5K in repairs. Parts are hard to come by and expensive.

Larry and I looked a long time at the UPI 5 window at the GNRS. Roy built this one and we both fell in love while sitting in the driver and passenger seats. A car of this caliber, built at a professional shop, will set you back $150 – $200K in our area. The body and all the related parts are available from UPI and more are on the way. The representative told us that a total package, less fenders would run around $40K which combined with paint, upholstery and a complete chassis adds up to near the six figure mark. Yes, it cost a lot of money to build a reproduction coupe body and chassis. The roadster has a less expensive entry fee due to the lack of a top. Even with a Bop Top you are still in good shape compared to a coupe body (I am bias toward roadsters). My first Deuce was five window and it would be nice to have another one but Jane likes sedans for the extra room they provide — she always is on the practical side which is good for me. Maybe Brookville or UPI will build a sedan next.

I am working on the final route for our trip and we should see some beautiful scenery along the way plus a wonderful lunch at the Boathouse on the magnificent blue Pacific Ocean. Living the Dream!

Stay Tooned!

Lynn

Roy had a nice UPI coupe in his display which was done in an early style.

Sid did the R&P interior and Roy’s team added the Classic Instruments to the dash.

UPI now has the all important tack strip of the coupe. A new 25 louver hood will be available for the LARS in June. Could a sedan be next

As you know, I prefer the chopped top, fender-less version of hiboy coupes and this one was very nicely executed.

Sid did the interior and we sat in the car for about 20 minutes to admire all of his stitching and innovations. The use of woodgraining is to my liking.

A traditional front end that came right out the reproduction catalog. Why bother with rusty parts when the new ones are perfect and less expensive.

Roy also had a super nice Brookville roadster in his booth. The car had raised wheel wells and lots of unique items you normally don’t see in a Brizio hiboy. The car sat very low and used JHRS bones front and rear.

Roy has been using the Moal pedals and they make filling the m/c much easier for us old guys.

Build it yourself and make it yours with the help of a Brookville roadster body. You can make a Deuce that is different if you try and want to.

This is not a Don Small creation but he has a similar talent as Don does. Mine would be similar.

Not your usual R&P interior gut more of a race car look. I love the dash panel. Dodge?

I don’ t think my back would survive but I have sat in these type seat with a cushion on the back and they weren’t bad.

Long time favorite of mine this simple tudor is about as basic as you can build and it wow’s the people all the time.

Roy freshened up this older sedan for Scott and it was ready to hit the road. I watched this one being built at Roy’s old shop.

An Old Man and his love of the Hiboy Roadster.

The Austin Speed Shop display was directly across from our display of 40’s. I resisted looking at it for a day and then finally gave in.

The car was built to 1939 standards (nothing newer) and I fell in love. The SW hub caps were perfectly restored and looked like they belonged to the era. John Joyo was the owner and took time to explain the build to us. Keith Tardell was also involved in the build.

A stock front end with a dropped axle and Lincoln brakes made up the traditional front suspension. The frame was also stock.

A Brookville body was used and made to look like a real one by cutting the rear reveal to install the wood header.

I am smiling as I fit fine in this beautiful rendition of an early hot rod roadster. Thanks John and you can be proud of your build.