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Welcome to Hotrod1057's Homepage
This page is a diary of my passion for a hobby and sport that I love.
Streetrods
There are many definitions of what a streetrod is so I will start with my definition.
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a vehicle that is of pre-1949 vintage (don't ask me where this defintion comes from)
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a modified/not original vehicle
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normally modified power train
Like any car nut, I love cars in general have have an appreciation of all of them, new or old, restored or not, car or truck. I like the diversity of cars. My heart will always belong to streetrods. My 1st streetrod material was a '26 Model T I got while in highschool. I didn't have the resources (money or talent) at the time to ever complete it. I also had a 1941 Dodge pickup. Never being able to finish any of these projects, for the next 15 years I dreamed of the day I would be able to build my "ride". When I got married, the highlite was being able to drive my brother-in-laws '31 Model A sedan in the wedding persession!
Here is my current ride's story.
THE REBIRTH OF FAITH
December 1990 - Life is good! After one marriage gone sour and a wonderful daughter I had finally landed the car I wanted to build. A 1928 Model A (leatherback coupe that had been converted to a roadster). 2 owner original car and everything was there! I had her flatbedded home. The only time she was ever on a trailer. Within the 1st 24 hours I had her torn apart, ready to make her a "real" streetrod. I spent almost every waking hour building her up. Taught myself the necessary skills along the way. Improvised at almost every turn. She was coming along very slowing as money was extremely tight, but coming along never the less. Opps another interruption, got married again, car on hiatus for about one year. Opps another divorce. Back to the car, rarely did she disappoint me and she was finally on the road licensed and all, short final paint and an interior. My daughter even picked out my custom plates "TOPMISN".
My daughter had helped me when she was in town…putting in seatbeats,…get this get that for dad kind of thing. She was very proud of what I had accomplished. Building a car from the ground up. My daughter and her friend were due to come to town for spring break, and one of the highlights was to take the rod out for a spin. She was so excited! Olde "Topmisn" only had 236 miles on her. Mostly from moving from one place to another. This was going to be her year! I was one week from being done with the paint, so I could go to my 1st meet.
March 17, 1997 - A bright and fairly warm day for Chicago. The kids wanted to go for that "1st ride", and I agreed. I called my insurance guy to tell him we were going for a spin and to have the insurance activated. We were just going to take a short trip down to the walmart for a few things. I warmed up the car and buckled the kids and off we went. You know what its like defensive driving the whole way right?
Whew, made it to the store no problems. Since the streetrod was "in suede" I decided why park way out in the parking lot away from the store. I found a fairly close spot and parked "just like everyone else." What could happen while it was parked? We went into the store to get what we needed. I decided to stand outside and wait for the kids to check out what they were buying. As I stood there on this glorious day, I was looking at the streetrod, thinking life is good.
Then it happened! BANG BOOM
My heart sank. I stood by watching as this little old lady in her Benz came flying backwards out of the parking space opposite my streetrod. The old lady in her Benz, hit a Towncar 1st that was parked on my right, for a spit second my car was saved! The old lady kept going, backwards! She hit the Towncar with such force that the rear-end of the Towncar was pushed into the right rear new American wheel I had just got, she just kept on the gas and pushed the Towncar until it slid off the wheel and tire and plunged into the right rear quarter panel of the streetrod. The old lady was still on the gas, both cars were traveling sideways now, until finally the streetrod was up against the new Saturn parked on my left. The old lady’s tires were smoking she was on the gas still. The squealing of tires stopped, and it was everything I had to hold the tears back. Five years of work destroyed in a matter of seconds.
After the smoke cleared, the little old lady just pulled back into her original spot. Acting as if nothing happened. After untangling the cars we limped the car home and back into the garage. Obviously I was hurt, mad, wanted to kill etc. Most importantly no one was hurt.
March 20, 1997 - I’m sitting here waiting for the tow truck to come get olde "TopMisn", and take her to get fixed (hopefully). Was just thinking this will only be her 2nd trip on a trailer, sad. This will be her 1st time anyone else has ever worked on her, sad.
You, know what? Two days ago, I was so down about this incident (I didn’t say accident) that I didn’t think I could rebuild and move on. Last night I was online ( a computer thing ) talking with some of my new found streetrodder friends. The encouragement, understanding, etc. I received from them was unbelievable. Thank you ROADTOADS! So my hopes are high again. I don’t know whether or not I will be able to make any of the events this summer but I’m going to try. Hopefully the insurance will at least get it back to where I was so I can get back on the road. The insurance guy is a streetrodder so there is hope! Lots of 2nd doubts, why couldn’t the girls have been quicker. Why didn’t I park where I should have. Etc.
Its only the old lady’s’ fault, and its that simple. I will rebuild, and I will join back into this great hobby of ours. Well, got to get back at it! Life is going to get good!
Here's a colage pic 
Your only slightly delayed Streetrodder
Rick S.
Build Spec's; 1928 Model A Roadster (converted from leatherback coupe)
Body: No running boards, no fenders, no bumpers, no top, no hood, smoothed rumble lid, shaved door handles, chopped 1 1/2" and laid back windsheid posts, chopped 4 1/2" '32 grille shell, deitz chrome halogens, taillights flush mount from Gearhead, color-to be-'76 Dodge Red.
Frame: Modified Original, Boxed by owner, TCI Independent Front Suspension owner installed, 4-bar rear-end, new front-rear and center crossmembers, steering-rack & pinion, stainless steel brakelines, brakes-manual, wilwood proportioning valve, with ck valve, disc front/drum rear, TCI brake peddle assembly.
Drive Train: engine stock '76 Chevy 350 - 60 overbore, Edlebrock Intake, Edlebrock 4-barrel, Hedman block hugger headers, dual exhaust - by owner, transmission stock '76 T-350, stock torque converter, custom drive shaft, stock 8" Ford rear-end out of '75 Maverick 2.73 gears(rebuilt,not shortened.)
Interior: mostly missing, Dash - original owner modified, gauges - VDO, Steering shaft - GM mid-'70's tilt, steering linkage - Borgenson, seatbelts, clip on windshield wiper - owner made, AM/FM cassette with 6 speakers, wiring owner installed Ron Francis.
Tires & Wheels: American Racing, shod with B.F. Goodrich Radial TA's, Big and littles
Misc: radiator-Walker custom shortened, gas tank original.
Although, many might question my selection of parts to build this car. The car was built to be a cruiser not a racer. Hence, the low rear-end gears, stock converter, and mostly stock engine. For a car this light, the horsepower to weight rato is pretty good. It will pull the front wheels off the ground! Anyone who has ever built a car knows its never done, so I'm sure I will be changing out things as time goes on to make it more drivable.
Well here's olde "TopMisn"
Here's an update: Well It turns out the bodyshop/streetrod shop was worthless!!! I went and got the car(late April)....drove/limped her home. My goal was to try to make Back to the 50's in Minnipolis/St.Paul. I went to work on her big time, I had less than 30-days to put her back together! I replaced a bent right rear axle..tire..wheel. I also learned Bodywork/Paint! Its not perfect...but not bad for an amature and painted in my garage! I literally got her back together 4 hours before I was to leave for my 1st meet. I checked and rechecked everything.
7 hours of driving and not a hicup out of her! I did run into a little snag(big snag) RAIN! and lots of it for 2 1/2 hours for the last part of the trip. I'm sure people thought I was nuts driving a roadster in the middle of a downpour. I didn't care, I was all smiles...and soaked to the bone. I was almost glad that it was raining. Short of the birth of my daughter it was the proudest momment I can remember. Pulling into the Minnesota State Fairgrounds for the Back to the 50's in something I had built by myself and had spend 6 long years building and dreaming of for many more. The rain hid the tears of joy. You know the kind....the ones that make it real hard to swallow. My daughter had come with me on this trip, which made it even more special. MSRA put on a fantasic event! My daughter even had a great time. I got the car inspected by NSRA (National Street Rod Association), while I was there. It passed and I got my 23 Safety Pin. All the hard work, blood, time, money, disappointments, challenges, they were all worth it. Would I do it again in hindsight...........YES!!!!!!!
Here are some of my favorite links:
Pics of our members rides (my favorite of course)
NSRA - National Street Rod Association, specializing in cars pre-'49
GOODGUYS - specializing in cars pre-'64
STREETRODS - Cobrabldrs homepage
Information on our AOL Chat Room "Streetrods"
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