Toppers Tuesday

Today has been a very busy day for the old man. Dave drove his 34 phaeton to the Toppers meeting and Bob O drove his roadster. Dave just finished repairing his phaeton after someone ran into him at the NSRA Nationals in Louisville last year. Dave purchased his phaeton from Neal East in 1963 as a primered custom. Over the years he has changed a few things but kept the over all profile as you see it. He, like Bob O, likes chopped tops. One feature I was not aware of is how small the front seating area really is. My roadster has a ton of room by removing the rear top compartment. Dave told he most people unbolt the front seat and add a piece of metal to the center post to move the whole seat assembly reward as much as 4-5 inches. I like that feature. I sat in the rear seat and that is where I would ride. I stayed too long so I hurried home to finish the painting I had started earlier.

Once home, the phone rang and my friend said he had a buyer for my Deuce chassis. I have heard this before but the fellow did call me and asked some more questions. I told him the chassis was on a dolly/jig and could be hauled back to his shop. I have had a lot of interest in the chassis but nothing ever develops so I guess I will take it apart and store it for a future build. I need the room in my garage so tomorrow the frame comes apart for storage. Maybe Bob can let me have some space in his mansion.

I did manage to strip some more of Andre’s cowl area tonight and it is in perfect shape, no rust anywhere. I like that. I will try to take the doors (3) to the stripper on Friday. I am making progress…sort of.

The last subject is RPU’s and the number of them being built on the West Coast. I have been watching this movement ever since my friend, Ed, offered Brookville the opportunity to have him build the first one from a roadster cowl and doors. The rest is history. I can remember in the seventies 29 RPU’s were the rage and I liked them but they were too small for my needs. I now have another friend building a Deuce RPU so…

Stay Tooned!

Lynn

This is one of Dave’s long time rides. He has been to Louisville over 10 times in this reacher. I love the top profile.

The rear end view show how nice a chopped phaeton can look sitting on the grass. Whitewalls are optional except for Bob O.

Auburn dashes look good in 28-36 Fords. I prefer the whole dash not just the panel. I know they are pricey even in 1963. I saw one sell on Friday this year at the LARS for $300. I was standing there like a dummy watching the haggling going one. The fellow wanted $350. It did not have all the gauges.

This is one of the first one’s Roy built and I loved it. I would not need the wheels but would really like the Rousch motor. Just add a quick change. Thanks.

The Washington blue hiboy sure looked good to me. He comes every year and I drool. Note front air dam and drilled bones.

This is a local car that has a kicked front chassis giving it the Hot Rods and Custom Stuff look. Bright yellow really stands out on these cars.

Very few of the RPU’s are full fendered. Hot rods don’t have fenders… do they!

Neal has the best bare metal real RPU around. I see this car each year at the PRC. Super workmanship and original parts make this a real rare car. The rear bed has a unique seat for the kids.

An early Brookville build from Florida. Wire wheels, cream firewall, drilled axle and three two’s scream racer.

A recent SRM feature car this beauty is all owner built and has the current trendy look with suicide front suspension. I love the look but would not trust the spring welded to the radius rods.

Todays RPU…not a Deuce!

SAR built this one off RPU for a local hot rodder and he drives it everywhere. I love the look of the primer and sinister black top on the DuVall windshield.