THE PERFECT COLOR

You just never know where or when it's going to hit you. The perfect color reference. 

Not a photo. Photos can be deceiving. Nope. I'm talking about a genuine, bonafide physical object. Something with shape, curvature, edges. Something you can hold in your hand and admire in direct sunlight. It happened to me yesterday as Drew and Debbie and I toured the local thrift shops in search of mid-century objects, beaded dresses, vintage snap shirts and vintage costume jewelry to make into custom shift knobs.  

I rounded the corner and there it was in all of it's glory. Viola'! 

A helmet in the exact color I've had in my head. 

I picked it up in my hand and was instantly amazed by how it looked both silvery and light turquoisey (yeah, I know... it's not a word). It reminded me of the curvaceous pieces of metal that you often see paint samples displayed upon at major car shows (SEMA, for instance). I naturally had to buy it. Now all I have to do is visit a good paint store to find the same color. Or cruise mall parking lots on busy days with helmet in tow. Here's a shot of it. Just for grins, let's see how close it is to some of the references I've already pulled. As you can see, the helmet goes more to the blue side than the Charger, which was my color of choice until yesterday. 

I know have the exact color. I'll keep you posted, 

PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE

Here's an example of a chopped Duvall. 

Haven't posted in a while. I'm letting the parts budget build to the point where I can pull the trigger on a Sellers Equipped Hallock-style windshield for the roadster. Not cheap, but well worth it. So bear with me while I ride out the next month or so. The plan for the windshield is to mildly chop it for my '29. An inch or inch and a half, tops. The brown car up above is a perfect example.

LIGHT TURQUOISE COURTESY OF KEITH WEESNER

Came across the perfect light turquoise color reference on Keith Weesner's website. If you're unfamiliar with Keith's illustrations, you're in for a real treat. http://www.keithweesner.com/

It looks like Keith's color is a wee bit more silvery than the Charger's. 

Keith's illustration is the color I want to paint the Roadster. There. I said it. 

More thoughts on color

As many of you might already know, I've been thinking about going with lime green metallic in a satin on the roadster for some time Yesterday I spent a good few hours at the Good Guys show in Loveland, CO. As I walked amongst hundreds of beautiful cars I found myself reflecting on just how much I appreciate subtle colors on cars. There's something to be said for showing restraint, especially when one could have  just a easily have gone bright and blingy.
To that end, my favorite car of the show was a bare metal model A couple with red scallops. Subtle. And it really got me thinking about going with a subtler shade on the roadster. If any of you have followed my blog from the beginning, you may remember the aqua Fibes drum kit color.


Well I'm leaning back that way but in a far more subtle shade, like the Charger pictured above. I figure a lighter, almost silvery value of aqua would be very tasty. The engine could be painted a richer shade, like the AMC engine color seen here:

Imagine these in a much lighter silver or white.

In terms of interior color, it would really open up the possibility of a pearl white or a very light silver which would open up the tight interior confines. The frame and firewall could be painted to match the interior color which would nicely tie it all together. It would also harken to some of the kinds of interior treatments used in the late fifties and early sixties.

PROPER CARE & HANDLING OF FRESH METAL HEADERS Pt.2

Phix Corrosion Treatment

www.ppcbest.com

PPC manufactures a complete line of unique surface care products that consistently produce the professional results you are seeking. Our products are developed using the latest, most innovative chemistry available today.

After looking all over Denver for the product Matt @ Lake Pipes so highly recommended I picked up the phone to bug him about where I might find this stuff. He referred me to the company's URL and I ordered a gallon of Phix Corrosion Treatment which while being formulated for removing corrosion, is equally effective at preventing surface. 

Thanks, Matt. 

PROPER CARE AND HANDLING OF FRESH METAL HEADERS

This is one of those note to self entries. Matt and I had a follow-up chat after I received my handmade pipes in the mail. The subject? The proper prep and storage of fresh metal pipes, prior to installation. Matt advised that since I would neither be installing the pipes right away, nor ceramic coating them anytime soon, avoiding flashing was something I'd want to be mindful of. I told him I'd be storing them indoors (which he was glad to hear) and here's what he advised. Coat the headers in a metal prep product that contain no silicone base (which can make coating them problematic) and load 'em into large trash bags. Seal the bags and keep it as warm and dry as possible. Thanks, Matt. Off to the hardware store I go.

A CLUSTER OF FUN-- 1959 PONCHO

We had a good walk around the Bandimere Drag Strip's swap meet yesterday, just a couple miles from our current digs. I came across a really cool instrument cluster out of a 59 Pontiac. I'm interested in putting this cluster in the '29, or perhaps the 26 tall T. The '29 will get first crack at it, since the Tall T isn't slotted to be built right away. Of course, that's another blog altogether. 

I bought it because I really like the three piece bezel and think it would look great centered or free floating in my model A or model T's dash. As I was googling to confirm its lineage, I came across a company that is making some beautiful instrument bezels themselves and while they may not appeal to the hardcore traditional rodder, I certainly do like what they're doing. I'll let you judge for yourself: CCM Rod Shop Check 'em out.