2012 GNRS MUSINGS

I'm sure that I'm not the only guy building a roadster who anxiously awaits pics from the Grand National Roadster Show. A quick trip to the HAMB will reveal that even though the show is still in progress, pictures are already being posted. So what is happening this year that could inform my build?
I thought you'd never ask.

Love this car. Its rake intrigues me. Is it sectioned or pie cut? I intend to find that out. 

Love the two-tone color and the chopped windshield. 

Love the wheel choice.

Check out the belly pan.

Nice tail lights and the bumper.

Dig the welded doors. I'm very temped to do the same on my roadster.

ROADSTER UPDATE

With the Model T's frame now built, it's time to make a tough decision. Do I move forward into phase two with the T, or divert the attention back to the roadster by getting its chassis into roller status? I'm torn. I know if I put the T on hold, it'll be years before its running. And if I start going back to the roadster, neither car will get done anytime soon. I'll post back once I decide.

OLIVE SAGE METALLIC

This is a stock Honda CRV color called Olive Sage Metallic. Pretty close to the type of color I see the roadster being. 

SOME GOOD NEWS, SOME BAD NEWS.

After a heart-to-heart with my wife over the future of the roadster, I have once again put the project on hold. Fortunately, I've amassed a parts pile including a magneto, an aluminum timing chain cover, a 6X2 intake with carbs. Not to mention a Seller's Equipped Hallock-style windshield. With the economy still in a funk, and my aspirations to build a magazine-quality car unchanged, putting the project on hold was the only intelligent thing to do. The project will continue, just not right now.
Instead, I'll turn my attention to the Tall T coupe that has been on the back burner and will now start building its foundation, beginning with a Mercury Charlie double Z'd frame, which will be happening in December. The difference between the T build and the Roadster is that the T will be far less precious. It will be a real-world driver, using parts I've had sitting around. Namely, the drivetrain the roadster came with when I bought it from Ian Loska years ago.  A cammed-up 425 nailhead, a Turbo 400, and 12-bolt rear end with "highway" gears. The engine and trans will be soon finding their home in a frame built by my old friend, Mercury Charlie. More later.

Addendum: The 12-bolt is being ditched in lieu of a new 9" with 3.50 gears.

TO CARB OR NOT TO CARB

I came very close to pulling the trigger on 6 new Stromberg carbs for my 6X2 intake, but ultimately decided to invest the money in a business venture instead.
But after doing my research, I did find a great local vendor that I wanted to share. Riley Automotive is based in Denver and sells some incredible traditional hot rod parts. Eric is a good guy and a wealth of information if you have questions.
And no, the attached photo is not Eric. Too bad. It could be good for business.

PAINT SCHEME

Here's the overall idea for the roadster's look.

Body color: Vintage VW Bahama blue, a solid light grayish turquoise color

Frame and firewall color: A creamy white solid color.

Engine color: Metallic aqua ( a sixties AMC color).

Upholstery: Pearl white with subtle accents of aqua.

Wheels: Vintage torq thrusts on the rear with white walls. Chrome reverses on the front white walls

A DASH OF INTRIGUE

A 1956 Packard was nice enough to give up its dash for this cool little roadster.

My roadster will be built a lot like this one.

Another nice touch was that the license plate slides left, revealing the trunk latch. 

Every once in a while something will pop up on e-bay that really catches my interest. In this case, it's a 1929 Ford Model A roadster for sale in Medford, OR. So what's the big deal with this particular car? Well, somebody did a lot of custom work on it and it is very late 50's cool. Particularly inventive is the dash board which is a 56 Packard unit. Forgive the photo quality, but we had to photograph the car off of my computer screen using my wife's I-pad. How much do I like this dash on my '29? Well, let's just say I might just steal the idea hook, line and sinker. Of course, it does look like it could use being sectioned a little bit. There, that's really not so much like stealing. It's more about being "thoroughly inspired".