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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 Thirteen: Be Smart
Making a list, and checking it twice for the Wheels of Dreams Chevy
It's wise to take notes. And since I seem to be low on notebooks, this week's Wheels of Dreams instalment is four-pronged. We'll be recognizing all of our current partners, identifying new ones, and letting you know which parts are still on the list. I'll also be snipping out the story, and pasting it on my fridge as a much-needed reminder for what to get next. In case you're just tuning in, the Wheels of Dreams project car is a 1940 Chevrolet Master 85 two-door sedan, which is receiving a street rod makeover by the Hillbilly Garage near Garson, and the El Diablo's Car Club. The Chevy is being built to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of The Rainbow Society, a Manitoba-based charity that grants wishes to children living with a life-threatening illness. (www.therainbowsociety.com) When completed early in 2008, the Chevy will go into the raffle stage, with all proceeds going to the Society.
Here's what we got:
- Engine: Check. A brand-new 290 horsepower 350 cubic-inch small block Chevy V8, from the GM Performance Parts catalogue, donated by Vickar Community Chevrolet.
- Transmission: Got it. A fresh-rebuild on a GM Turbo-Hydramatic 350 transmission, donated by Precision Transmission.
- Rear Axle: Yup. Precision Transmission gets an additional nod, for rebuilding our donor 10-bolt rear axle.
- Front Suspension: Here! Macgyvers Hot Rod Products from Edmonton donated a Mustang II-style rack and pinion set-up, including adjustable coilovers and tubular A-arms. (Drool...)
- Rear Axle U-Bolts/Related Hardware: Thanks to North End Spring for these necessary bits, needed to hang the rear axle onto the leaf springs.
- Rear Spring Bushings: Mid-Canada Suspension found the original-spec bushings for our Chevy's rear leaf springs.
- Radiator: It will be a fab custom-fab job, from Ted's Glass and Rad Service in Beausejour.
- Body Finishing Supplies: from sandpaper to clearcoat, Rondex Limited has us covered.
- Sandblasting: The crew at Winnipeg Sandblasting continues to erase the brown and crusty from the Chevy's flanks.
- Digital Instrument Panel: Winnipeg's FJO Racing Products is busy working on this high-tech piece. Minds will be blown.
- Starter and Alternator: The Battery Man has unfurled his cape. Look for details on these new shiny things in the coming weeks.
- HEI Distributor and Spark Plug Wires: A big thanks to Accel's home office in Cleveland, Ohio, for these electrical items.
- Fiberglass Front and Rear Fenders: A super guy named Mr. X. (Our first anonymous benefactor.)
- Upholstery: The man with the stitch is Lloyd Gering. His swatches will come from LoomTex Fabrics Limited.
- Brake and Fuel Lines: 'The Westcan Boys', AKA the crew at Westcan Hydraulic Lines.
- Battery: Dixxon Barrow, local working-class hero. It's something to be.
- Water Pump/Body Pad Kit/Power Steering Pump/Panel Insulation: Norm Smith, yet another working-class hero.
- Rear Brakes: Park Pontiac Buick GMC. Wicked thanks!
- Chrome plating: North Star/Fairmont Plating Limited will be bringing our bumpers back from the Land of Tarnish.
- Glass: Ted's Glass and Rad Service.
- Gas Tank: Wasn't I just talking about you? Another job by Ted's Glass and Rad Service in Beausejour.
It's wise to take notes. And since I seem to be low on notebooks, this week's Wheels of Dreams instalment is four-pronged. We'll be recognizing all of our current partners, identifying new ones, and letting you know which parts are still on the list. I'll also be snipping out the story, and pasting it on my fridge as a much-needed reminder for what to get next. In case you're just tuning in, the Wheels of Dreams project car is a 1940 Chevrolet Master 85 two-door sedan, which is receiving a street rod makeover by the Hillbilly Garage near Garson, and the El Diablo's Car Club. The Chevy is being built to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of The Rainbow Society, a Manitoba-based charity that grants wishes to children living with a life-threatening illness. (www.therainbowsociety.com) When completed early in 2008, the Chevy will go into the raffle stage, with all proceeds going to the Society.
Here's what we got:
- Engine: Check. A brand-new 290 horsepower 350 cubic-inch small block Chevy V8, from the GM Performance Parts catalogue, donated by Vickar Community Chevrolet.
- Transmission: Got it. A fresh-rebuild on a GM Turbo-Hydramatic 350 transmission, donated by Precision Transmission.
- Rear Axle: Yup. Precision Transmission gets an additional nod, for rebuilding our donor 10-bolt rear axle.
- Front Suspension: Here! Macgyvers Hot Rod Products from Edmonton donated a Mustang II-style rack and pinion set-up, including adjustable coilovers and tubular A-arms. (Drool...)
- Rear Axle U-Bolts/Related Hardware: Thanks to North End Spring for these necessary bits, needed to hang the rear axle onto the leaf springs.
- Rear Spring Bushings: Mid-Canada Suspension found the original-spec bushings for our Chevy's rear leaf springs.
- Radiator: It will be a fab custom-fab job, from Ted's Glass and Rad Service in Beausejour.
- Body Finishing Supplies: from sandpaper to clearcoat, Rondex Limited has us covered.
- Sandblasting: The crew at Winnipeg Sandblasting continues to erase the brown and crusty from the Chevy's flanks.
- Digital Instrument Panel: Winnipeg's FJO Racing Products is busy working on this high-tech piece. Minds will be blown.
- Starter and Alternator: The Battery Man has unfurled his cape. Look for details on these new shiny things in the coming weeks.
- HEI Distributor and Spark Plug Wires: A big thanks to Accel's home office in Cleveland, Ohio, for these electrical items.
- Fiberglass Front and Rear Fenders: A super guy named Mr. X. (Our first anonymous benefactor.)
- Upholstery: The man with the stitch is Lloyd Gering. His swatches will come from LoomTex Fabrics Limited.
- Brake and Fuel Lines: 'The Westcan Boys', AKA the crew at Westcan Hydraulic Lines.
- Battery: Dixxon Barrow, local working-class hero. It's something to be.
- Water Pump/Body Pad Kit/Power Steering Pump/Panel Insulation: Norm Smith, yet another working-class hero.
- Rear Brakes: Park Pontiac Buick GMC. Wicked thanks!
- Chrome plating: North Star/Fairmont Plating Limited will be bringing our bumpers back from the Land of Tarnish.
- Glass: Ted's Glass and Rad Service.
- Gas Tank: Wasn't I just talking about you? Another job by Ted's Glass and Rad Service in Beausejour.
- Body Work Tools: DeWALT Canada gets the nod for our grinders, nibblers, and other things that make lots of sparks.
- Donor Seats: Team Auto Parts is keeping their eyes on the latest wrecks.
- Dual Exhaust: Duals Muffler. With a name like that, you know they can twin a couple of pipes to bring the exhaust gases from the engine to a rumbling conclusion.
- Stereo Head Unit: Sony of Canada. You gotta have tunes.
- Speakers/Amplifiers/Subwoofer: JBL Audio. Correction, you gotta have tunes that are LOUD!
- Wiring Harness: Painless Wiring. It's on its way; we'll give you the lowdown when we tear into the box, and after we stop popping the bubble wrap.
- Steering Column: IDIDIT Inc. It's also on the way. A high-polish, tilt unit with column shift, and all the necessary attachments. (Double drool...)
- Powder Coating: D.I. Custom Coatings in Tyndall, Manitoba.
- The Holley Party Pack: This package consists of the following; Weiand ActionPlus Intake Manifold. Holley Street Avenger 4150 Carburetor, Holley Valve Covers, Holley Air Cleaner, Holley Heavy Duty 110 GPH Mechanical Fuel Pump, Flowtech Blockhugger Exhaust Headers.
- A Grand: AKA $1000 of incidental parts from Piston Ring. We're saving this coin till we absolutely need it. Bits and pieces add up in a big hurry, like hoses, belts, etc.
The preceding list covers what we have, or what has been confirmed to be arriving soon, or provided when we need it. The next category is 'Pending', which means we've had conversations with potential donators, which are just in the process of finalization.
- Weatherstripping/Window Seals: Pending.
- Sheet Metal: Pending.
- Firewall Mount Brake Pedal Assembly: Pending.
- Custom Grille: Pending.
- Steering Wheel: Pending.
- Wood-based Products: (MDF board): Pending.
- Windshield Wipers, Electrical: Pending.
And now, the completion list. These are items that we are currently trying to source from manufacturer's, local fabrication shops, and private individuals.
- Driveshaft: We are in need of a custom-built driveshaft, as well as required U-joints.
- Rear taillight assemblies: Ours have shattered/rusted into oblivion. LED, anyone?
- Seatbelts: Safety first, preferably street rod-savvy three-point harness for the front, laps in the back.
- Interior Door/Window Handles: Let's go uptown, with some shiny silver billet pieces.
- Outside Mirrors: See who's admiring you too closely. A pair of the classic chrome driprail models would suffice.
- New Hood Release Assembly: A Chev's of the 40's piece. (www.chevsofthe40s.com)
The completion list is what we know we need/desire today, and is subject to change as we progress. We're open to your suggestions! To find out how you can get involved in donating parts and services, email Michael Clark today. (michaelclark@mts.net) or call the Parts Hotline at 204-339-9331.
- Donor Seats: Team Auto Parts is keeping their eyes on the latest wrecks.
- Dual Exhaust: Duals Muffler. With a name like that, you know they can twin a couple of pipes to bring the exhaust gases from the engine to a rumbling conclusion.
- Stereo Head Unit: Sony of Canada. You gotta have tunes.
- Speakers/Amplifiers/Subwoofer: JBL Audio. Correction, you gotta have tunes that are LOUD!
- Wiring Harness: Painless Wiring. It's on its way; we'll give you the lowdown when we tear into the box, and after we stop popping the bubble wrap.
- Steering Column: IDIDIT Inc. It's also on the way. A high-polish, tilt unit with column shift, and all the necessary attachments. (Double drool...)
- Powder Coating: D.I. Custom Coatings in Tyndall, Manitoba.
- The Holley Party Pack: This package consists of the following; Weiand ActionPlus Intake Manifold. Holley Street Avenger 4150 Carburetor, Holley Valve Covers, Holley Air Cleaner, Holley Heavy Duty 110 GPH Mechanical Fuel Pump, Flowtech Blockhugger Exhaust Headers.
- A Grand: AKA $1000 of incidental parts from Piston Ring. We're saving this coin till we absolutely need it. Bits and pieces add up in a big hurry, like hoses, belts, etc.
The preceding list covers what we have, or what has been confirmed to be arriving soon, or provided when we need it. The next category is 'Pending', which means we've had conversations with potential donators, which are just in the process of finalization.
- Weatherstripping/Window Seals: Pending.
- Sheet Metal: Pending.
- Firewall Mount Brake Pedal Assembly: Pending.
- Custom Grille: Pending.
- Steering Wheel: Pending.
- Wood-based Products: (MDF board): Pending.
- Windshield Wipers, Electrical: Pending.
And now, the completion list. These are items that we are currently trying to source from manufacturer's, local fabrication shops, and private individuals.
- Driveshaft: We are in need of a custom-built driveshaft, as well as required U-joints.
- Rear taillight assemblies: Ours have shattered/rusted into oblivion. LED, anyone?
- Seatbelts: Safety first, preferably street rod-savvy three-point harness for the front, laps in the back.
- Interior Door/Window Handles: Let's go uptown, with some shiny silver billet pieces.
- Outside Mirrors: See who's admiring you too closely. A pair of the classic chrome driprail models would suffice.
- New Hood Release Assembly: A Chev's of the 40's piece. (www.chevsofthe40s.com)
The completion list is what we know we need/desire today, and is subject to change as we progress. We're open to your suggestions! To find out how you can get involved in donating parts and services, email Michael Clark today. (michaelclark@mts.net) or call the Parts Hotline at 204-339-9331.
