Indholdsfortegnelse for May 1954 i Hot Rod

Couple of months ago we fired a cool. blast at those who would seek to ' “commercialize” the drag strip sport. In answer, the general readers' response has been “Hooray!” A few local growls of disapproval were heard from members of one group that has lumped some of the “hot dog'' car owners together into a combine that runs for money, or else. Recently, this latter group tied itself in with a car club group that sponsors regular monthly drag meets. The combine's only requirement was that they should receive 60 percent of the hard-earned proceeds. In return, they would see that an abundant supply of their hotties were on hand to compete for the meet's records, awards, etc. True to their word, they showed up en-masse. In addition, a…

The guy who wants to bleed that last I ounce of “go” out of his iron would do well to study the subject of drag just as carefully as he digs for power in the engine room. A mere ten pounds cut from the resisting forces on your car—wind resistance, tire rolling drag, and chassis friction—is worth more than 2½ engine brake horsepower at 100 mph! And there are some cute angles here. Clay Smith came up with a weird one recently. Describing some of the techniques behind his “Mexican” Lincolns, he mentioned that the absolute peak tachometer reading on a level straightaway would gradually rise a good 350 rpm over a period of about two hours after they started out on a leg in the morning. How come? Simply…

It's Matador Red and it storms—and that's not all. The proverbial “bug's ear” would be a grotesque thing alongside this '29 Ford cutie. Here's a hot rod from the ground up, and that's just where this Salt Lake City boy started. Completely stripping the body, frame and running gear, Chuck Sugden's threefold purpose was that of strengthening, lowering, and installing a new powerplant. In that order, Sugden started by welding a plate along the open side of the C-channel frame, converting both frame rails to a box-like structure as an anti-twisting measure. By cutting the floor out of the body and relocating it in its new raised position, he was able to drop the body down over the outside of the frame—presto, a 5-inch gravity cheater! This, plus the addition…

Gone are the days when organized speed trials were limited to the West Coast and its convenient dry lakes, or the once-a-year week's sojourn at Bonneville's salt flats. A newer phase of the sport, known as drag racing, has caught on like wildfire and is rapidly spreading to all sections of the country. Not only have the drags brought automotive competition within the scope of every alert community, they have introduced a medium of activity in which any car owner may participate, regardless of the pedigree or nomenclature of his vehicle. Hot rods, customs, stock production models, sports cars, and motorcycles all have their place in these amateur competition events. Basically, drag races consist of rapid acceleration runs, made from standing start, over a quarter-mile straightaway course. Entrants are divided…

Those at Bonneville last year will recall one particularly spunky little guy by the name of Lloyd Bulmer, who. among a sea of storming four wheelers, succeeded in snagging one of the top honors in the motorcycle world—the national 21-cubic-inch speed record. Just reflect a minute about the amount of swept volume involved in his single stick Velocette, 2.913 bore by 3.189 stroke, about the size of a small drinking glass, before pooh poohing his one-way mark of 125 mph. Even more impressive than the record were the preparations that Bulmer made preceding the big national speed battle. Working strictly on his own, and without previous technical experience, he built his own dynamometer at home, mounted the cycle frame to the dyno, installed the tiny powerplant and proceeded to tune…

The Mechanics Building on Boston's Huntington Avenue once again housed an automobile show early in 1954. For very many years prior to World War II, local motor dealers presented latest models of stock production autos from Detroit and environs in the exhibition halls of the Mechanics Building. In 1954, however, tradition was broken. Hot rods, custom cars, foreign and domestic sports cars as well as outstanding antiques and specials took over with the Third International Auto Show. Fully one-third of the cars exhibited were hot rods. a very much improved showing over previous years. All six New England states were represented. Many rod owners had to be satisfied with announcing estimated top speed performance, as a permanent N.E. drag location has yet to be established. The Hot Rod Council of…

"AND A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM” Shortly after the 1054 Bonneville Nationals Rules appeared in Hot Rod magazine (March '54) the following letter was received by the Bonneville Committee, who felt that our readers would be interested in its contents Dear Friend (Technical Committee or Contest Board): I am a nineteen-year-old college student who hopes to have a degree in automotive engineering in the near future. My problem is this: I have the world's fastest car, but have not found a place to run it or open it up. The car has been clocked over 350 mph on a highway. The car was not three-quarters open. It will break John Cobb's record by ten miles an hour or more. Off to your rules—the part which eliminates me. I read…

It might have looked a bit neglected to the average passer-by, but to me that Model A roadster parked in the alley meant the end of a long, long search. “I'll take a hundred for it,” the owner said when questioned about the For Sale sign leaning against the window. It meant selling my midget race car to raise the money but there was no such thing as a problem this day … I was soon lost in a roadster! I'd made up my mind that what I wanted was a car that looked absolutely stock on the outside but was actually a fast, dependable, well handling machine. The Model A was in good condition throughout—no rust and only a few minor dents in the body—so I had a good…

Clean as they come” is a term that aptly describes the sleek. lined competition coupe shown on these pages. Owned by V Alex Xydias of Burbank. California, and running under the banner of the now famous So-Cal Racing Team, the car holds its share of speed records both at the Bonneville Salt Flats and on California's quarter-mile drag strips. Owner Xydias, who is better known to his friends as “The Greek.” can be credited with having contributed more toward improving the appearance of car and crews in the field of hot rod competition than any other participant. The red and white cars he sponsors, in addition to his own. with their white clad crews have become a familiar part of the West's outstanding hot rod sports events. When there's an…

We have recently noted various printed matter on how vehicle performance should, or can be measured on a chassis dynamometer and on the road. Well meaning but inaccurate comparisons between road performance and chassis dyno road horsepower readings have been made. When the information is incorrect, it usually hinders the person who is after more performance, and it is the aim of this material to get the facts straightened out. If you want to know for sure, correct measurements are important. This goes for the performance of a car or the weight of a steak. WHAT IS VEHICLE PERFORMANCE? A drag strip enthusiast will say it is acceleration. A dry-laker will say it is top speed. A Sunday driver will say it is economy and the ease with which his…

I was so fed up after the first seven months with my new car, I was ready to swap it for a bushel of bus tokens! Having just laid out quite a few kopeks for the latest “super deluxe” model, I was pretty sore when service bills began piling up. First, it was overheating; then squeaks & rattles; later two loose rod bearings, then my battery went dead; the tappets needed adjusting; wiring got a hidden “short,” etc. Frequent “tune-ups” failed to produce the smooth idling or the mileage I expected, and in spite of two alignment jobs, my front tires wore smooth at 7,000 miles. Maybe you think I simply got a “lemon,” but if 1 told you the make, you'd agree it's one of Detroit's finest. With each…

NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION OHIO-The Sparkers club of Bellefontaine, Ohio, sends word of their First Annual Auto Show, scheduled for the dates of May 7, 8 and 9 at the Ohio National Guard Armory in Bellefontaine. Awards will be given to winners in both hot rod and custom car classes. Entry forms may be obtained by writing to Joe Gillespie, Jr., 341 S. Detroit, Bellefontaine, Ohio. SOUTH CAROLINA—The Gaston Gear Grinders, a first-rate club with a fine record, is planning its first drag meet along about this time. This wouldn't have been possible a year ago, but the boys in S.C. have made advancements. PENNSYLVANIA-The Eastern Custom Car Club of Reading, an affiliate of Penn. State Timing Assn., announces its Auto Show dates: May 21, 22 and 23. The show…

MODEL CAR KIT Styled after the MG automobile, by the Charles William Doepke Mfg. Co., of Rossmoyne, Ohio, the new kit can be put together in an evening with a screwdriver. All essential details have been retained in the sturdy durable 14 inch long operating model. From radiator grille, to spare tire, the major lines and parts have been faithfully followed. About 90% of the model consists of metal parts. Steel chassis supports the body and each rear wheel has its own leaf spring attached to the axle. Price, $10.95. HEAVY-DUTY PRESSURE PLATE Schiefer Automotive Co. offers a new type clutch pressure plate … manufactured from aluminum alloy, reportedly stronger and lighter than cast iron (heat treated 34,000 psi). Designed to replace original cast iron product. Aluminum plate is surfaced…

The average high school lad has his hands full with classes, after-school activities, a part-time job to supply pin money and lessons to study in the evening; a full day in any man's language. Perhaps that is one of the reasons why it took Wayne Miller, of Portland. Oregon, over two years to complete his coupe. He started building the coupe when he was only fifteen and has crammed every spare minute and every dime into it. Custom body work was a bit too expensive for a student's meager income so Wayne studied a while, practiced some on scrap material and then tackled the radiator shell and hood problem. His efforts certainly merit a large 'A' in metal working. for this is the first time we have seen a '32…

Have you ever been faced with the problem of replacing a broken rear axle shaft in one of the late model cars which have axles that are held in place by bearing caps at their outer ends? Removing the outer end of the axle is no problem at all. but the chore of extracting the inner stub often appears to be without a practical solution other than dismantling the rear end completely. Quite often, though, it is not even possible to dismantle the rear end without first removing the broken end of the axle. Not long ago. I was faced with this same problem. The particular car I was working on was a 1950 Ford. After removing the wheel, brake drum, and outer end of the axle, I found that…

Requirements of “Hot Rod Mort” ore: limit of 25 words perod, not including nomeond oddress. Ads will be placed in this column on a first come, first served basis. We reserve the right to edit ads when necessary. We are not responsible for the accuracy of description, but we will reject any obviously misleading statements. No ads will be knowingly accepted from commercial firms. A charge of $2.00 per ad will be made and must accompany each ad. Only one car may be listed in any one ad This limitation will not apply to ports or equipment, however. Send to Hot Rod Mort, 5959 Hollywood Blvd., los Angeles 28, Calif. SELL—1/4 x 1/16 Edelbrock heads, manifold 3 pot, Weber cam, Harman-Collins ignition, adjustable tappets. Engine ready to run. 59A block.…