Joined
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2,277 Posts
Feburary 5, 2013....... if you look at the date when I joined this forum & started this build thread (August 5, 2011) quite a bit of time has
passed since then. When I read what has been posted since then so many things have either been "changed" or "omitted". So much so I feel
in NEED to try & bring things into "order" and get some sense what has happened to bring me to the point I am currently at. The previously
posted text & pictures may be helpful to some or at least give you a good understanding of why I need to basically "start over" with this build
thread. (post #109)
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I am NOT only a "new member" to the GasserHot Rod.com forum but also a Gasser owner.
I am NOT new to owing "TRUE HOT RODs" (not Street Rods) ..... thus the "Milner" nickname that I was given by my drag racing buddies back in the 70's when everyone else was still riding around in "muscle cars".
Back then I had a '40 Chevy powered by a 301 ci SBC & 3 speed tranny right out of a "totaled" '57 Vette. Gasser stance - carb thru the hood - fenderwell exit headers - gutted interior - Mustang bucket seats - '57 Pontiac rearend.... Not your "Father's street rod" In fact, back then, most "street rodders" hated my hot rod. My, My.... things have changed over the years.
Currently the Opel Wagon is running a 350 sbc with a turbo 350 tranny & Ford rearend. Everything about install was done right and the welding done over the years have been by professional welders. You can see that some of the original welding (that has not been re-done or replaced by updated mods etc, etc) was done with a stick welder. Nicely done but NOT as "pleasing to the eye" MIG or TIG welding of today.
Right now I am doing a lot of looking "around" and especially "under" the car.
The Opel was built by GM using a unibody design very similar to all of its "American-Made" cousins. It was imported from Germany & sold thru BUICK dealers.
Currently the front & rear unibody frames are tied together & reinforced with 2" x 3" rectangular steel and there are "cross members" and gussets here, there & everywhere.
Just like you guys..... even though it's the middle of Summer I am making a "to-do-list" for this Winter already!!!!
This car has been together for many years & recently updated & drag raced again by the guy I got the car from. Over the Winter I would like to re-do the rear suspension & update the frame to match the 2 x 3 frame that was built for the front & mid-section of the car.... along with putting on new "coil overs" .
Up FRONT I plan to modify the rack & pinion suspension - re-position the shock mounts and also raise the car 3-4 inches. It has a transverse spring so raising the front should not be too hard to do.
For now all I want to do is at least get the car "streetable" if not "street-legal".
Currently, I am working on installing an exhaust system using "shorty mufflers" from Summit along with Bandlanz electric controlled exhaust cutouts which will be a LOT of FUN on cruise nights. Plus, I am getting TOO OLD to crawl under cars to un-hook mufflers from headers.
Also need to install some headlights, turn signals, wipers & mirrors.
Some of the "fun to do" things I am going to do NOW is to replace the tiny "for looks" hood scoop with a 427 Vette scoop .... and then add some SS badges to "really confuse" people about what this car is. Most people seem to think it looks like a "mini-Nova" .... being a station wagon really confuses them.
I am really going to enjoy working on this car & sharing it with everyone here on this forum.
passed since then. When I read what has been posted since then so many things have either been "changed" or "omitted". So much so I feel
in NEED to try & bring things into "order" and get some sense what has happened to bring me to the point I am currently at. The previously
posted text & pictures may be helpful to some or at least give you a good understanding of why I need to basically "start over" with this build
thread. (post #109)
=============================================================================================
I am NOT only a "new member" to the GasserHot Rod.com forum but also a Gasser owner.
I am NOT new to owing "TRUE HOT RODs" (not Street Rods) ..... thus the "Milner" nickname that I was given by my drag racing buddies back in the 70's when everyone else was still riding around in "muscle cars".
Back then I had a '40 Chevy powered by a 301 ci SBC & 3 speed tranny right out of a "totaled" '57 Vette. Gasser stance - carb thru the hood - fenderwell exit headers - gutted interior - Mustang bucket seats - '57 Pontiac rearend.... Not your "Father's street rod" In fact, back then, most "street rodders" hated my hot rod. My, My.... things have changed over the years.
Currently the Opel Wagon is running a 350 sbc with a turbo 350 tranny & Ford rearend. Everything about install was done right and the welding done over the years have been by professional welders. You can see that some of the original welding (that has not been re-done or replaced by updated mods etc, etc) was done with a stick welder. Nicely done but NOT as "pleasing to the eye" MIG or TIG welding of today.
Right now I am doing a lot of looking "around" and especially "under" the car.
The Opel was built by GM using a unibody design very similar to all of its "American-Made" cousins. It was imported from Germany & sold thru BUICK dealers.
Currently the front & rear unibody frames are tied together & reinforced with 2" x 3" rectangular steel and there are "cross members" and gussets here, there & everywhere.
Just like you guys..... even though it's the middle of Summer I am making a "to-do-list" for this Winter already!!!!
This car has been together for many years & recently updated & drag raced again by the guy I got the car from. Over the Winter I would like to re-do the rear suspension & update the frame to match the 2 x 3 frame that was built for the front & mid-section of the car.... along with putting on new "coil overs" .
Up FRONT I plan to modify the rack & pinion suspension - re-position the shock mounts and also raise the car 3-4 inches. It has a transverse spring so raising the front should not be too hard to do.
For now all I want to do is at least get the car "streetable" if not "street-legal".
Currently, I am working on installing an exhaust system using "shorty mufflers" from Summit along with Bandlanz electric controlled exhaust cutouts which will be a LOT of FUN on cruise nights. Plus, I am getting TOO OLD to crawl under cars to un-hook mufflers from headers.
Also need to install some headlights, turn signals, wipers & mirrors.
Some of the "fun to do" things I am going to do NOW is to replace the tiny "for looks" hood scoop with a 427 Vette scoop .... and then add some SS badges to "really confuse" people about what this car is. Most people seem to think it looks like a "mini-Nova" .... being a station wagon really confuses them.
I am really going to enjoy working on this car & sharing it with everyone here on this forum.