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Find out how you can get involved with the next 'Wheel of Dreams' project. Email Michael Clark today!
michaelclark@mts.net.
michaelclark@mts.net.
This is the story of the '40 Chev raffled off in '08. Reprinted with the kind permission of Michael Clark.
Previous portions of this story can be found here.
Part Ten: Hosed and framed (But in a good way)
You can never have enough heavy-duty.
That's the reasoning behind the finish coat on the frame of the Wheels of Dreams 1940 Chevrolet project car. The foundation for this Bowtie was recently treated to three coats of Gloss Black Endura EX-2C Topcoat, after a second visit with the Sandmen at Winnipeg Sandblasting. "It's a special polyurethane coating," said Winnipeg Sandblasting's Dale Rogowski. "It's the same thing used on heavy equipment, such as gravel trailers." Our 10-bolt rear axle was also finished in the same thick goo, putting the finishing touch on the rebuild work performed by Precision Transmission. For those new to the Wheels of Dreams scene, this 1940 Chevrolet is being transformed through complete donations, heading towards a raffle in 2008 to benefit The Rainbow Society. The Society grants wishes to Manitoba children living with a life-threatening illness. (www.therainbowsociety.com)
The Hillbilly Garage team had been contemplating a show car treatment for the Chevy frame, with plenty of smoothing work to be worthy of a mirrored chassis display at the 2008 World of Wheels car show. While the undercarriage will be squeaky clean, the general consensus settled on the Endura treatment. "It still needs to be a driver," said Don Park, Head Mechanic at the Hillbilly Garage near Garson. "We would hate to see the raffle winner carting it around in a trailer, instead of driving it on the street." The Endura coating makes the daily driver theory a reality, with high resilience to chipping from stones or gravel.
That's the reasoning behind the finish coat on the frame of the Wheels of Dreams 1940 Chevrolet project car. The foundation for this Bowtie was recently treated to three coats of Gloss Black Endura EX-2C Topcoat, after a second visit with the Sandmen at Winnipeg Sandblasting. "It's a special polyurethane coating," said Winnipeg Sandblasting's Dale Rogowski. "It's the same thing used on heavy equipment, such as gravel trailers." Our 10-bolt rear axle was also finished in the same thick goo, putting the finishing touch on the rebuild work performed by Precision Transmission. For those new to the Wheels of Dreams scene, this 1940 Chevrolet is being transformed through complete donations, heading towards a raffle in 2008 to benefit The Rainbow Society. The Society grants wishes to Manitoba children living with a life-threatening illness. (www.therainbowsociety.com)
The Hillbilly Garage team had been contemplating a show car treatment for the Chevy frame, with plenty of smoothing work to be worthy of a mirrored chassis display at the 2008 World of Wheels car show. While the undercarriage will be squeaky clean, the general consensus settled on the Endura treatment. "It still needs to be a driver," said Don Park, Head Mechanic at the Hillbilly Garage near Garson. "We would hate to see the raffle winner carting it around in a trailer, instead of driving it on the street." The Endura coating makes the daily driver theory a reality, with high resilience to chipping from stones or gravel.
You never quite know where the next donation for the Wheels of Dreams is going to show up. The latest ring-a-ding came from Jim Bais of Westcan Hydraulic Lines, who happened across the Wheels of Dreams project coverage in the Tuesday pages of the Winnipeg Sun. The Westcan crew has stepped up to the Parts Offering table, with the supply of needed hydraulic hoses for brakes, power steering, fuel delivery, and stainless steel brake lines. "We make custom hoses for everything, from Caterpillar tractors to cappuccino machines," said Bais.
Whether it's a restoration or a full-on custom, Westcan prides itself on fabricating for the weird, and the weirder still. "We're the oddballs," said 'Westcan Boy' Jeff Forgit. "If you can't get it, you can come here and we'll make it." Recent one-offs include replacement hoses for a vintage International Scout, and steady work with the British makes at Black Knight Restorations. There's no need to worry about the compliance of braided stainless steel flex lines for Highway Traffic Act compliance. The latest products clearly state the DOT seal of approval on the outer protective jacket. Feeling colorful? The flex lines are available in a multitude of hues, for just the right second glance at the shows, or on the street. All lines are tested before being provided to the end customer, and it's anything but gentle. "If it doesn't hold 3000 PSI, it doesn't pass," said Bais.
Where steel lines are needed, templates can first be constructed by the Hillbilly Garage, from simple wire stock. Westcan uses 316 stainless steel tubing for these products, hand-bent to exacting specification. A common street rod problem is how to attach a GM power steering hose to a Ford rack and pinion, like the one found on the Mustang II-style front suspension, donated by Macgyvers Suspension out of Edmonton. "You can't buy that hose over the counter," said Bais. "But we make plenty of them."
Speaking of plenty, there are still numerous odds and ends required to complete the Wheels of Dreams Chevy. Find out how you can get involved! Email Michael Clark at michaelclark@mts.net, or call the Parts Hotline at 339-9331. Every part counts.
Whether it's a restoration or a full-on custom, Westcan prides itself on fabricating for the weird, and the weirder still. "We're the oddballs," said 'Westcan Boy' Jeff Forgit. "If you can't get it, you can come here and we'll make it." Recent one-offs include replacement hoses for a vintage International Scout, and steady work with the British makes at Black Knight Restorations. There's no need to worry about the compliance of braided stainless steel flex lines for Highway Traffic Act compliance. The latest products clearly state the DOT seal of approval on the outer protective jacket. Feeling colorful? The flex lines are available in a multitude of hues, for just the right second glance at the shows, or on the street. All lines are tested before being provided to the end customer, and it's anything but gentle. "If it doesn't hold 3000 PSI, it doesn't pass," said Bais.
Where steel lines are needed, templates can first be constructed by the Hillbilly Garage, from simple wire stock. Westcan uses 316 stainless steel tubing for these products, hand-bent to exacting specification. A common street rod problem is how to attach a GM power steering hose to a Ford rack and pinion, like the one found on the Mustang II-style front suspension, donated by Macgyvers Suspension out of Edmonton. "You can't buy that hose over the counter," said Bais. "But we make plenty of them."
Speaking of plenty, there are still numerous odds and ends required to complete the Wheels of Dreams Chevy. Find out how you can get involved! Email Michael Clark at michaelclark@mts.net, or call the Parts Hotline at 339-9331. Every part counts.
With the topcoat complete, fellow El Diablo Car Club member Rocky Chaika will soon be picking up the frame for Park, who will commence the assembly of the rolling chassis with the rest of the crew. Chaika's company, Decroc Masonry, has served a vital role in the transportation needs of the Chevy, on its various ports of call. The body shell, stripped by Jim Van Aert and Yours Truly, is next on the sandblasting list, with Van Aert eager to commence welding work on the floor pans.
Our neighbors to the South have come through yet again, with an Accel HEI distributor and 300+ Ferro-Spiral Racewire performance spark plug wire set. The distributor improves on the basic GM design, with beefed-up Accel electronics, as well as new castings. The wires use high-density silicone jackets to prevent arcing, which should keep our Vickar Community Chevrolet crate engine in a fine state of tune. Special thanks to Cary Redman, Sales Manager for the Mr. Gasket group of companies under the Prestolite Performance Group banner. (Cleveland Rocks!)
Our neighbors to the South have come through yet again, with an Accel HEI distributor and 300+ Ferro-Spiral Racewire performance spark plug wire set. The distributor improves on the basic GM design, with beefed-up Accel electronics, as well as new castings. The wires use high-density silicone jackets to prevent arcing, which should keep our Vickar Community Chevrolet crate engine in a fine state of tune. Special thanks to Cary Redman, Sales Manager for the Mr. Gasket group of companies under the Prestolite Performance Group banner. (Cleveland Rocks!)
