I know he's not actually a member of this group, but I thought I'd put up a few pic's of my son Michael's wheels. He's 17, and hasn't yet passed his test. Although he's completely eaten up with football, he does at least share a little of my enthusiasm for cars. He admits he doesn't know a Corsa from a Focus, but he likes coming to the car shows with me, though I suspect that's something to do with the wet T-shirt competitions!
the car is a '74 Vauxhall Viva Magnum, 1800cc manual, and we have already uprated it with an overdrive gearbox from a later Vauxhall Victor. Future plans include shaving off a lot of the chrome, inc the doorhandles, a hefty lowering job, a set of modern big-inch alloys with rubber band tyres and a fresh respray in the original black. May tint the windows too. We also have a 2.3 litre twin carb motor, ready to be rebuilt and dropped in when he's got a bit more experience under his belt. I bet there's not too many on this group who drive a car that's older than they are! (Apart from Mr Old Bird!)
Nice one michael. See you driving it at the NATS 2005 ...wont we? along with James' (17)Satin Black Chuvit and Kevins boy (17 I think) Satin Black Magnum Coupe. and Bye the way how d'ya get gearbox smell out of an old Custom Tart T shirt?
Hmmmm That will be 8 Black cars I can think of in the AHRA most of them Satin.
Thats awesome!!!!!!!!!! not many people these days look at the cars like this....... i may be one of the strange ones but my interest is down to me old man. with me helping him re-build / restore things like, MGB/C's, TR4/5/6's / lotus cortina / e type / triumph stag / ford anglia 180bhp pinto / so on and so fourth.
Like i said i loved me victor and was going to put a 3l v6 victor engine in it or a V8 but someone offered me nice money for it so had to sell it!!!! shame really.
Id really like an AC cobra and that is prob what il get once my cosworth starts boreing me!!!! IF it does......
Satin Paint, hmmm I agree with you that it looks like the car is in primer. Sniper's Humber Hawk is starting to turn satin black. It must be a boy thing, no make that a pre-middle aged thing!!
Does anyone know if the Chukky Pop is still sounding like it did at the Nats?
quote: Originally posted by: cabrio zo "Can explain to me the obsession with 'satin' paint? To me it looks like the car is in primer or someone forgot to put the laquer on! Z"
I just answered this and got cut off and lost all the text...grrrrrr!!
I'll try and explain. Open to correction from my fellow rodders
Hot Rodding started after world war two when returning USA service men wanted to keep the buzz going. They started souping up available cheap cars such as Ford T's, A's, and B's. America was in the midst of a depression so disposable income was not available. Fenders, Hoods and ornaments were removed to make the cars lighter. moon wheel covers and roofchops were done to give a more streamlined shape. Paint ...Black Primer. We call it Satin as it's not quite Matt. Americans call it Suede. You dont have to have black either. Any hue will do. I read that because engines were modded to the max the con rods would glow red...Hot Rod!!!
Over the years Rodding became very expensive and it seemed like you had to throw money at it to get any respect. Satin died out through the 70's and 80's. Until a group of British rodders called the Lowfliers with many members from the Colchester area started building their rides on a budget, if you like. No fenders, hoods or fancy stuff. Crossply tyres preferably whitewalled. Old engines preferably flathead V8's. They used em and abused em. An American magazine got wind of them and did a write up. It started it off in the states again. I doubt the yanks would admit that though.
So I suppose Satin is deep in the history of hot rodding and has a sort of mean look. For me it's cheap to spray your car with it, easy to repair if some twat keys it and gets respect from our piers
Have you seen the Satin Black and flamed Cycles now getting popular in the shops?
Mine isn't a nostalgia rod. I like it fendered and with modern IFS rather than a drop tube front. I would like to have it Midnight blue with mini flake. But house of Kolor paint is expensive and being 2 pack I would have to pay to have it done. The Satin will suffice for now.
quote: Originally posted by: M44TY P "Thats awesome!!!!!!!!!! not many people these days look at the cars like this....... i may be one of the strange ones but my interest is down to me old man. with me helping him re-build / restore things like, MGB/C's, TR4/5/6's / lotus cortina / e type / triumph stag / ford anglia 180bhp pinto / so on and so fourth. Like i said i loved me victor and was going to put a 3l v6 victor engine in it or a V8 but someone offered me nice money for it so had to sell it!!!! shame really. Id really like an AC cobra and that is prob what il get once my cosworth starts boreing me!!!! IF it does......"
If you had come to the KFC meet a while back. You would have seen me arrive with my mate in his Victor. It's for sale by the way.
Just to add a couple of things to what Deuce said, even in the early days a paint job was expensive. If a kid had a choice between spending money on paint, or buying the latest go-fast part from his local speed shop, guess which one won?! And the term hot rod? Well, when, as Deuce explained, all unwanted body panels were deep-sixed in the quest for weight loss, removing the running boards (The long flat bits you stepped on between the fenders) would expose the chassis rails, which were sometimes called chassis rods.
I know where you in Clacton you can get yer hands on a fake snake for only £21,000.It`s running a baby Chev block at 5.7L,5 speed box.The shell,wheels,seats,screen,in fact everything is an exact replica.It draws crowds at the shows it attends & has even won a trophy in its class.
If you want it I`ll even fill the tank.
Now 21k is cheap,if you really want a real one you`ll have to stump up £400.000 plus.
he does at least share a little of my enthusiasm for cars. He admits he doesn't know a Corsa from a Focus, but he likes coming to the car shows with me, though I suspect that's something to do with the wet T-shirt competitions!
I mean three years without changin' it, Phew!
sy 
