Indholdsfortegnelse for June 2001 i Hot Rod

As we announced last year (July '00 Roddin) Chevys SSR is a go for the 2003 model year and will share a common frame and suspension platform with the new Chevy TrailBlazer. The hydroformed steel framerails will feature eight crossmembers for exceptional stiffness; the one for the engine fits the new 4.2L inline-six (see “Return of the Stovebolt Six," p. 50, for more on this engine), the Trail Blazers only source of power. That crossmember will differ in the SSR to accommodate the V-8, so stop thinking about swapping a V-8 into a new TrailBlazer yourself Moles were cagey about specifications on the SSRs V-8, saying only that it was in the 4.8L/5.3L/5.7L/6.0L family of engines, (The show vehicle had a hot 6.0L variant.) The only available transmission will be…

Jack Roush has impeccable credentials in the racing community-all of it from wheeling Ford products. NASCAR, 10-time Daytona winner, NHRA, Trans Am—name the race series, and Jack has had a (winning) hand in it. His company also does prototype work for all of the Big Three. One can only wonder what his touch would do to a street car. Wonder no more. Welcome to the savage Roush Mustang Stage III. This pony incorporates all of the bodywork and sus pension upgrades offered on the successful Stage I and II vehicles and acquires an intercooled 6-psi Eaton blower to the two-valve 4.6L modular V-8 to pump out a healthy flywheel 360hp at 5,250 rpm and a beefy 375 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm. A reshaped intake, 75mm BBK throttle body,…

This is a Buick Blackhawk. The story inadvertently ran last month with the picture of the Tucker, seen elsewhere in April. We know it, you know it, and now our art director knows it. So no more letters, please. Thanks. Also, in our March '01 issue we got so excited describing the Holley Road Runner that we forgot to mention the custom Vintage Air A/C system. Vintage Air offers a wide variety of air conditioning kits for street rods, classic and custom cars, and trucks. Call 800/862-6658 or visit www.vintageair.com…

As a youth, I was into the badge-free look, and my long-suffering 76 Impala bore the brunt of it. My odyssey started with the trunk script: a small bit of chromed plastic that read “Chevrolet” was attached only with adhesive. It (and a faded dealer sticker) went first. Weeks later I eyed up those thick-as-a-Cro-Magnon s-skull B-pillars, and decided the “Impala Cus-tom^^ badges needed to be eighty-sixed. Open mounting holes remained, but she was a dark green metallic, so they barely showed. And it looked good. Well, it didn’t look bad. Sort of And then there was the Chevy Bow Tie in the front: the big yellow parallelogram that fastened to her eggcrate grille, providing her with her sole remaining bit of external identity. For a couple of years, I…

Must function follow form? Must one lead the other? Surely the two can coexist, maintaining equal stature, resulting in a creation that operates as efficiently as it pleases the eye. Unlikely? Agreed. Impossible? Hardly. Witness the 59 Chevy wagon of Iowa native and communications expert Dave Lane. Lane had built several cars, most of which could be classified as street rod material, including a '28 Pontiac, a '35 Chevy, and the obligatory '32 Ford, which we featured in the Sept. '97 issue ("Ultra Suede"). Finding himself a thirty-something professional and family man, Lane realized that spending quality time at home while balancing a career left little time for tinkering. His solution was to get the family involved. Sounds simple, but wives and young kids don't get all that excited about…

The Edelbrock Performer series carburetor has earned a strong reputation for delivering power and economy in an easy-to-tune package. The only thing lacking was a king-sized version for potent big-block applications. That's all over now that the Performer 1412 is on the scene. Checking in at a whopping 800-cfrn, the new 1412 retains all of the best features of the smaller 1404 (500-cfm), 1405 (600-cfm), and 1407 (750-cfm) Performer carburetors, but adds huge 1¾-diameter primary and secondary throttle blades and revised fuel metering calibrations to match the increased airflow. Performer series carburetors are generally ready for use after a simple curb idle adjustment but can be tuned for a wide range of conditions using an Edelbrock calibration kit. There are three metering systems: the idle system, the primary main system,…

Bitchin’ Transmission Sherman & Associates Now available through Sherman & Associates is the new Four-Speed Conversion Hump, designed to fit all 68-70 Belvedere, Satellite, Roadrunner, and GTX B-bodies originally equipped with automatic transmissions. These heavy-gauge steel humps are exact reproductions of the factory floor area where the four-speed shifter fits, and are virtually impossible to obtain from a factory original donor car. Also, check “How to Weld a Four-Speed Hump” on the & Associates Web site at www.shermanparts.com for installation tips. Additional information: Sherman & Associates Inc., Dept. HR06, 61166 Van Dyke Rd., Washington, MI 48094; 810/677-6800; www.shermanparts.com. Keeping Time TA Performance Products Upgrade your Buick big-block with a new timing cover (PN TA 1531B) from TA Performance. This superior 356-T6 cast-aluminum cover fits all '67-'76 Buick 400, 430, and…

Classic Metal Works has made a name for itself offering quality 1/24 scale die-cast at a fraction of Mint pricing (see Roddin’, Nov. '00). Now CMW has expanded its offerings into three distinct series. One is simply labeled Classic Metal Works, which depicts vintage tin in its original, unmolested state (like the bitch in new '66 Chevelle seen here). Details like engine wiring ‘and a spare tire label are standard-issue. Then there is the Street Beast series: serious street machine material like the '49 Merc shown here, and also Chevelles and Corvettes with engines bursting through their brightly colored hoods. On both of these series, hoods and doors (and sometimes trunks) open, front wheels steer, and proportioning and stance are on the money. Then there is the “Kalifornia Kicks by…

Funny Cars By Robert Genat MBI Publishing Co. We've been suffering from match race madness lately, so imagine our surprise when this little gem showed up in the mailbox. We stopped everything to take a look. Robert Genat's Funny Cars offers a nice history off the breed's evolution from early-'60s Super Stockers to the all-out land missiles of today. Filling the 96 softbound pages are 80 color illustrations and plenty of rare photos and interviews with legendary Funny Car pilots ranging from "Dyno" Don Nicholson to John Force. Force relates classic war stories about match racing against "Jungle Jim“ Liberman, who staged a fight for the amusement of the fans. The second half of the book shifts gears and offers an intricate examination of the inner workings off a modern…

Consider the old maxim about the village shoemaker who had no shoes. So busy fitting and tanning and cutting footwear for an eager clientele, his own tootsies went entirely untended. Selflessness and dedication to a craft is too often missing in a selfish society. The term “cobbler” can go so far as to be construed as an insult; the product he generates for sale is far from cobbled together, but is instead rugged, attractive, even individualistic—an essential accessory that the buyer will long take pride in owning. The artisan himself, who brings such enduring objects of desirability into the hands of loving owners, will never end up completely barefoot, but will instead throw together something a little more utilitarian for his own use-functional and comfortable. If, that is, he gets…

Six Appeal When we heard that General Motors was about to introduce an all-new straight-six engine, we had a hard time believing it. Hadn't the V-6 invasion of the late-70s sounded the death knell for the “obsolete“ inline design with its inherently compromised fuel distribution? Why was a Detroit automaker tooling up an all-new version of this supposedly antiquated layout? Tb get the scoop on this hero 1-6, we contacted GM Powertrain. The Vbrtec 4200 will be of interest to hot rodders for its outstanding power, cutting-edge features, low mass, compact dimensions, and sheer kink factor. Although designed for the 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada, GMC Envoy, and Chevy Trail Blazer SUVs, once this motor begins to trickle down via salvage yards and a possible crate program within a few years, it…

Back in the early ’70s, lunchtime bull sessions at Rod & Custom magazine usually involved plot-ting editorial strategies. We dis-cussed every rod-related topic known to man, including the lack of good sheet-metal. The lone naysayer was Jim “Jitney Jake” Jacobs, and he soon proved us wrong by scrounging up four °34 coupe bodies—all on the cheap, too. Furthermore, he wanted to chop one of them. The lid-lowering project at his garage in Compton, California, attracted a number of pals, including a cocky little guy with a bristling ‘stash and pointy-toe boots. Jake introduced us, and after this cat left I wondered out loud why drag racing’s premiere Funny Car builder would take the time to watch a virtual unknown chop his first top. Jake simply shrugged his bony shoulders and…

In June of 1962, the moon hung quietly in the sky, somehow reduced to a political prize awarded to the country that sent the first visitor. The Seattle World’s Fair drew thousands from all over the globe to celebrate peace and progress despite looming Cold War sentiments. Computers were the size of multi-family dwellings, most TVs were black-and-white, and radios were AM. On June 25th, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals supported African American James Meredith’s right to admission at “Ole Miss,” leading to the desegregation of the University of Mississippi. On that same day, somewhere in Los Angeles, a shiny green Ford Galaxie 500 XL ragtop was born. It was a decent performer when compared to other big four offerings of the day, sporting a 300-horse 390 and a…

After two years of speculation, we know for certain that the Mercury Marauder sedan has been approved and that it will arrive mid-2002 as an '03 model. Though it will pump out at least 300hp, it wont be from the supercharged 4.6L 2V that we expected. As we hinted in February '00 Rod-din5, the Marauder will be equipped with the DOHC 4.6L engine that now resides in the Mustang Cobra. A true dual exhaust, 3.55:1 gears, a high-stall converter in the four-speed automatic, 18-inch rims, leather-trimmed bucket seats, console and round gauges with sweep needles (140-mph speedo, 7,000-rpm tach, temp and oil pressure gauges, voltmeter) are all part of the pack age. In a nod to Henry himself and to badness in general, color choice is limited to black. “Mercury…

Between the nostalgia-tinged name “At the Drive-l” and the El Paso heritage they embrace in interviews, one might expect a more gentle sound from these guys. Those expectations are dashed with an intro evocative of a jet taking off, which sets the tone for the whole album. The intense assault rarely lets up; it's not until five songs in (''Invalid Litter Dept/'j that they even attempt the quiet verse/loud chorus dynamic that Nirvana established as the alternative hard rock standard a decade ago. The obvious comparison is Rage Against the Machine, who opened up radio for bands like this, thus setting up nicely the "next big thing" hype that At the Drive-In's received for the last year or so. I'm immediately suspicious of new bands in this genre, because volume…

Suddenly, buying collector car insurance has never been easier thanks to the good folks at Hagerty. Just click on www.hager-ty.com and input your year, make, model, and an estimated retail value, then choose from a menu of available coverage. Your quote will appear within seconds. An online application form follows. Because Hagerty utilizes a unique Agreed Value policy, you don't have to deal with agents, adjusters, or middlemen. Not convinced? Click on www.hagerty.com and see for yourself.…

1957 Mercury Montclair Voyager We’ve been telling you for years that wagons are hot. In a time when hot rodding has almost totally transformed its outlaw image into one of family entertainment, cars to accommodate the whole clan (and their goods) are the next logical step. Combine this with the memories millions had growing up, riding around in the back of one of these, and the lure is easy to see. Though Detroit stopped building station wagons of substance years ago, more and more of them are being resurrected for recreational use. GM, Ford, Mopar, high-buck, low-buck, big-block, small-block, fuel injected, carbureted, stick, automatic, all are covered here in full-color splendor. All of the vehicles in this section have been improved with the same tricks others have used on coupes…

Building a car isn't so different from building a home, really. Ask Dennis Smith-as general superintendent of land development for a housing contractor in Orange County, California, as well as a lifelong car nut, he's done plenty of both. Three-bed/two-bath duplex, '65 Chevelle wagon…whatever. Of course, the car moves (though so might the house if it’s in one of these nutty California quakes), and you can live in the house (though the back of that Chevelle is mighty expansive), but the steps to accomplish the goal remain the same. FALLING IN LOVE WITH A STATE-OF-THE-ART '65 CHEVELLE WAGON • First, you need a plan: a vision, a blueprint, a rough idea to build upon. Dennis wanted a wagon for him, his wife Nancy, and his three kids—Jaime, Kelly, and Dale-so…

Dear HOT ROD, Fm not here to criticize Ray Bohacz' article “Passing Gas” (Oct, ,00); it was an excellent overview on modern theories and methods of power production via exhaust modifications. But guys! Exhaust is not about power; its about sound. Everyone has a set of pipes they want to be heard! Why not forget about the power and do a tech piece on how to produce a gorgeous burble or bark? Samuel Veccharella Rochdale, M A Sam, this one's for you—Ed. It's fascinating how the various aspects of technology impact each of us differently. The vast majority simply let technology lead them along while they use it with delight. However, there are those who spend a good part of their time turning creative energy into technological advances. “Taking a…

Back in the '50s, a vehicle equipped with electric window lifts was a novelty, limited to top-of-the-line models slathered with all the trimmings. Even during the '60s, when power windows became a regular option on most models, only Cadillacs, Lincolns, and the like were commonly equipped with them—reliability issues persisted in many applications. Today, it seems like few cars come with window cranks, and most of us are quickly annoyed, turning a handle to get some fresh air. But the thought of converting a car with manual windows to power lifts is daunting. Nightmares have been evoked by the prospect of installing factory power windows into a car not originally built with them, and many con-sider universal systems blasphemous for treasured classics. Owners of many classic cars now have an…

Demon Carburetion rocked the world a few years ago with several all-new carburetor designs that offered gourmet “carb tuner” features at prices mere mortals could afford. One of its most popular lines is the Speed Demon series of street and strip general-performance carbs aimed at the hot rodder with between 350 and 500 horsepower. Sized at 650-(PN 1282010), 750-(PN 1402010), and 850-cfm (PN 1563010), Speed Demons are available with either vacuum or mechanically operated secondaries. (Just add the letter V to the part number for vacuum models.) Selecting the right carburetor for your engine is the first step in getting maximum performance. Lots of guys plop an 850 on their stock 283 then blame the carburetor for being “too big.” Perhaps it’s more accurate to describe the engine as being…

Choice isn't always a good thing. In the case of the traditional Holley 4150-style carburetor, many first-timers fall into the tuning trap. We all know the place—it’s where we go when common sense and trustworthy instincts are overruled by that primal urge to explore uncharted territory. Moments after installing a new carburetor, the screwdrivers start spinning, carefully researched factory calibrations are disturbed, and the motor reacts by stumbling, stalling, backfiring, or spewing a filthy rich black cloud out the tailpipes. As we make these mistakes, we learn and eventually see that most carburetor problems could have been avoided had we just read the instructions and put more faith in the stock calibration settings. Holley’s new line of Street Avenger 4150-series vacuum-secondary carburetors incorporate specifically designed features to eliminate many of…