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With this virus thing going on, Deb and I have been spending every other week alternating between the lake and the shop – so not as much got done in the last month. That said, here we go.

Screamin’ Woody

The rocker set from Jesel arrived, installed, and the motor is back to ready.

The rear of the car was ass-backwards, with the batteries in back of the weight boxes, making it near impossible to get them out. So the weight boxes and batteries were swapped around.

While at it, the rear window was made easily removable, so I can clean the insides of the side and rear windows.

I also removed the old name and numbers, and replaced with something that better matches.

The Stacker

I had some boxes Fabricated out of 1/8″ aluminum. One is the same height and width as the inside fender, and a length that fits between the fender and the lift post. That is to carry loose weight needed for the car’s weight boxes – to change the weight of the car.

I drilled through the aluminum floor and installed threads, so I could easily remove the box, should I want to.

I then drilled holes in the box, bolted them down and filled with weights.

The other was to carry the jack stands in the attic of the stacker. They were mounted the same way.

The in-floor compartment for the winch was too small for both a 9000# winch and the pulley.

So I attached 6 strong magnets to it, so that it can be stowed when not used.

I have a sweeping magnet for when my fat thumbs drop hardware – like valve cover nuts – in the grass. I riveted holders for it and a car mop.

Some HD velco spots will let me keep the T-Handle hex wrenches steady on my work bench

Allante

This was my dream car that I bought new in 93. The AC was repaired and the vent that was cracked and broken was plastic welded with Hot staples to be good as new.

The Petty Tribute Car

The first test drive had the pipes scrape on turns, the horn blow on turns, the transmission’s shifter would pop out of 2nd & 4th, and the motor broke up above 5000 rpm.

The latter was cured with a distributor re-curve and carburetor adjustment. The horn required the steering wheel disassembled many times and played with. Loosening the bottom shifter stops allowed the shifter to stay in 2nd & 4th. The car leaning so much in the turns and scraping the exhaust was solved by calling Espo Springs and More for a set of stiffer springs having a 1″ lift.

I took the car for a ride and it is exactly what I’ve wanted. I took a short video, which sucks because I’m trying to hold the phone, shift and steer a manual steering car.

This car has been rattling around in my head fir almost 20 years, and I’m happy to finally cross it off my bucket list. Here are some Glamour photos I took with my phone when I got back from my ride.

The Magnum GT

If you’ve been following along this blog for the last six months, you know that I dyed the leather, got new Radial TAs tires, and repainted the car. The only thing keeping it from being perfect was an under hood detail and paint, bumpers chromed, paint for the trunk and door jams, and new exhaust. I pretty sure I last posted photos of my cleaning, wire brushing, priming and painting the trunk; and also pulling the drivetrain.

Since then, the motor and trans have been gone through and inspected, resealed, cleaned and painted, while under the hood has been cleaned and made ready for paint.

The bumpers have come off and sent to be crush glass blasted and powder-coated gloss black. They’ll go on my Magnum XE and the freshly chromed ones on the XE will go on the GT.

Magnum XE

I bought a Holley Stinger Throttle-Body EFI with an in-tank fuel pump, 20′ of 6-AN black braided fuel lines, a large black in-line filter with 6-AN fittings, and assorted black anodized fitting to get hooked up from the pump to the black anodized throttle body. Also bought a dropped air cleaner base made for the throttle body. I fell asleep at the wheel photo documenting the install.

I drove about 100 miles at varying speeds while in learn mode. Car drives great when driven sanely. Fast, with no stutters or hesitation. It still has some learning and tuning to happen for when it is hammer time as this motor is about 550hp and much faster than what it limited me to on the first hammer down. I’m sure it will make me happy and the car will run like a raped ape when dialed in. Below is a hammer time drive after 100 mile learn.

64 Imperial Convertible

I’ve been working on getting the car right, and its not far away. I had a leak in both convertible rams, and bought replacements that were suppose to fit off Ebay. Their stroke was about 1/2″ short, so they were cut, threaded on both ends of the cut, and an extension screwed on in between.

While the back seat is out and I’m at the lake, my Shop Rat will vacuum, degrease and paint that area with POR 15. The car needs an exhaust modification as the new factory pipes have the left side has about a 1′ too close to the floor. After the exhaust, the car gets new carpet. Someday, if I win the lottery, I’ll convert it to EFI and overdrive too. Hell, it might someday have a pump gas 440 race motor that I have ready to go into something.

Red, White & Blue

I’m not just stopping at my single-car trailer and three rocking chairs in Red, White and Blue.

I had my Shop Rat paint my fence with Red top boards, White posts and center boards, an Blue bottom boards.

Since Grandson #6 and his mother live at our Beasley residence, I had the playground strip down, the vertical boards painted White, horizontal boards painted Red and diagonal boards Blue. I ordered blue grips for the climbing platform, a red swing and a red toddler swing. The slide is in my paint booth, waiting for me to scuff, hit with adhesion promoter, and paint blue.

But why stop there? I have two chairs and table in front of my shop.

One chair is fixin to be red, the other blue and the table white. Then there’s the furniture on the front porch of my barndominium.

Yup, you guessed it. Red, White and Blue. That porch is fixin to get tripled in size and screened in for front porch time.

Well, that pretty has my shop action up to date.

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So we’re at Atlanta Dragway, and it’s raining – so its a good time to catch up on what;s been goin on since last week’s post.

Racing

I’ll start with racing. I loaded up Tuesday morning and Deb, I, Smith & Wesson left at half past noon. That’s 12:30pm for digital Snowflakes. We drove to just north of Hammond, LA (350 miles) at about 7pm, and spent the night in a Walmart parking lot . We left the next morning at 9am and drove the remaining 550 miles, arriving at the staging area of the track at 8pm. The track started letting us in at 7:30am. By 11am my pit was setup, credentials established, and car teched in.

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On Thursday you can buy two test hits in the afternoon, and I did so. The first was a 9.48 off the trailer. While that’s normally OK to run the 9.50 Index, the weather is going to be all over the map and I need to bag a 10th. So I took one of the 37 pound batteries out.

I made a second hit and got a 9.45. I have another trick or two up my sleeve if I need it. So I put the car away for the night. It drizzled and light rained most of the night. It is still 1pm, and they claim that we’ll all hit the track at 2pm – but I’m not thinking so. Still light drizzle, track still wet, and this track tends to seep.

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We were suppose to have a time trial in the morning, then two of the three Qualifying passes today. Now its down to one Qualifying and no test hits – if that even happens. It needs to stop drizzling and the sun and wind needs to appear for that to happen.

Update 10pm

The track went hot at 5pm, as they were havinf problems getting the timing to work. They finally gave with right lane not getting an accurate MPH and neither lane getting a 1000′ time. We were called at 6pm, but it was almost an hour later that we finally ran because of a lane cleanup.

I went a little more “go for broke” than usual. I usually just try to get in the first Qualifying, then go for perfect in 2nd and 3rd Qualifying. I’m not sure if we’ll get another qualify, so I went for broke. It appears everyone had that plan because my 9.510 on a 9.50 index was only good for 3rd after first round. Pretty amazing everyone did so well as the weather was all over the map, the lanes are way different and you can’t plan which lane you get, and we sat in our cars for and hour.

Family Grows

Last week, Son number 1’s wife gave us Grandson number 4. The wife of his younger brother went into labor a couple of hours later, but Grandson number 5 didn’t arrive until the next day. Everyone is doing well.

My youngest daughter is due in October. We’re hoping for Granddaughter number 2.

My Petty Tribute

I have a 1960 Plymouth that I’ve been building to be a Petty Tribute, that looks like its been sitting out in the fields for 50 years. Click Here is you want to start at the beginning of this build. The latest news is that the motor and transmission has been test fitted and mounts made/tacked in. I’ll have a professional come in to weld the mounts in purdy.

Engine is coming back out and the car , and the body will get about 80 hours of wet sanding 400/600 grit; and High Build Primer and more sanding – until the body panels are as smooth as a baby’s ass. In June, it has a date with the lady in Indiana to wrap it. I ordered the clutch assembly last night; but I’m still needing to find a decent shifterless steering column and a 4-speed shifter.

Screamin’ Woody

So the wagon is getting there. I’m pretty sure my last post spoke of the new red paint under the hood. My shop Rat and Assistant Shop Rat spent the week getting the over spray off the brand new Lexan, and polishing it up. I took the headers to get blasted and recoated.

After blasting, a ton of pin holes were discovered, so I had to go bring back to the shop to get wet welded up. I’ll take them back to the powder coater when I get back home from racing.

1964 Imperial

Still finishing up the leather on my Imperial convertible. Repaired and dyed the front seat, but the the tint was off a little so we had to coat with adhesion promoter and dye all leather, plastic and vinyl. I had to order more Top Coat last light, so the gloss will happen when I get back.

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Well that pretty much catches me up, and just in time as they just came over the squawk box saying that its time to get cars ready, as they project they’re going hot in an hour.

Leaving Sunday evening for the NMCA race in South Florida, so a lot of the last week was spent getting the Motorhome (Not driven since October), Stacker and car ready. Loaded the car and golf cart today as it appears to have had the only two hour window of no rain between now and Sunday.

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Getting my Magnum GT ready to sell, and the only real sore spot was the front seats.

I bought some dye from autoleatherdye.com, watched the video, and taught my shop rat how to do. He dabbed on six light coats to get to here.

Next he needs to scrub the dye off the buckles, apply the Semi-gloss topcoat, and finally the conditioner. The pictures don’t do the job justice, and it will look pretty damn good when finished. I ordered dark green dye and self-leveling crack filler to do the seats on my 64 Imperial.

My Magnum XE (Ginger) has had a ton of retro-mod upgrades over the years. Motor, 8.75 Rear-end, stereo, convert from column shift to factory floor shift, new carpet, addition of power windows, headers and 2.5″ dual exhaust, modern leather seats, and a new dash and custom gauges. Click here to read more. This week it was new wheels and fabricating the missing console plate out of 1/8″ aluminum plate and black wrinkle paint to match the dash. The AC leak was fixed and recharged, and the turn signal issue from the gauge upgrade fixed. Also added a deep trans pan with temperature sender to go to the gauge. I normally wouldn’t have an oil temp gauge, but I had an extra hole to fill when I did the gauge panel.

There was some work done on the the Screamin’ Woody. The fuel system’s AN -10 hose was run to the front of the car, as was some double-ought battery cable. Stopped short of running under the hood as that needs to be freshened up with new paint.

Turned the shop rat loose with some sand paper to scuff it up. Need a couple days of 70+ degree weather with no rain before being able to paint. Ordered the rotating and bearings for the wagon’s motor. The block is done, so assembly will start soon. Getting down to home stretch.

Wheeled my 60 Plymouth into the bay. While it doesn’t look like it, a lot of work has been done in this car. Click here to check out it’s story.

Its getting all new front-end parts. Then then engine compartment will be painted Petty Blue. Then the trim will get removed, body wet sanded and spray with clear. Then a bad ass lowdeck and 5-Speed stick installed.

Finally it goes to the wrapper to get wrapped to look like Petty’s 60 Plymouth in the woods in back of his shop for last 55 years.

So other than a little cleaning of the shop and some parts that I’m selling/sold; ordering new parts and shipping sold parts – that’s most of it for this last week.

The back of Screamin’ Woody had two (cutdown)
Aerospace Components battery holders, two weight boxes, fuel cell, and battery cables mocked up; taken back out; the compartment Spatter Painted and Cleared; the aluminum polished; and finally everything reassembled with fuel plumbed to Fuelab Pre-filter.

The back of Screamin’ Woody had two (cutdown)
Aerospace Components battery holders, two weight boxes, fuel cell, and battery cables mocked up; taken back out; the compartment Spatter Painted and Cleared; the aluminum polished; and finally everything reassembled with fuel plumbed to Fuelab Pre-filter.

New Double-Ought positive cable to the front. New AN -12 braided also going from pre-filter to Fuelab pump, and then new AN -10 heading to front for the post filter & regulator.

Allante got it’s first power buff since it left the factory in 1993. I bought this car new in June of 1993.

Did some Spring cleaning on the cars in one of my warehouses. All walls and the floor cleaned, and all cars detailed in and out. The Superbird, Demon, Barracuda, Grand National, Drag Pak, Magnum GT, Marlin and 58 Pickup are for Sale. I also have a nice 2014 Ford Pickup for sale. I might even sell the Viper if enough money was waived in front of my face. It has sentimental Value and I have mixed emotions on that. It would have to be someone wanting the best 3000 mile 99 GTS available. I’ve posted an album of thumbnails that can be right-clicked and enlarged to full size. If you know of anyone interested in any of these cars, let them know. Below is my business card. Email or text as I don’t answer the dozens of unknown calls I get daily.

Last month I sold the Vitamin C to Dave Lewis in Oklahoma, under the condition that he kept it as the Vitamin C. He stripped the car down, did the minor bodywork needed and repainted with replication of the Original Graphics. Looks great.

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A couple of years ago my 3000 mile Viper GTS had it’s fluids drained, battery and tires removed, and put in a climate controlled bubble. Last month we took it out, restored fluid levels, replace plugs and wires, replaced the battery, puts its wheels back on, and completely went through it. Broke it back it and then I ran it up to 140mph.

So the new Lexan is in, replacing the 2006 version. Moving onto mocking up the fuel cell, two battery hold downs, weight boxes, and fuel system. Them pulling back out for a couple coats of black spatter paint and a couple coats of clear top coat. Then all back together. After that, new fuel line and battery cable will be run to the front.

I n 1996, I promised myself that if I ever hit a homerun selling the largest of my three businesses at the time, that I would reward myself with a new black on black Viper GTS; and my family with a lake house and diesel pusher motorhome. In June 1998 I sold that business and ordered this car. It took almost a year to arrive. I never really drove it much, and in 2005, with only 3000 miles, I took out the battery, drained the coolant, took off the wheels and put in a bubble. Last month it came out, all fluids changed and topped off; new plugs, wires and battery, and the car started and taken for a ride. It ran great (and fast) and my shop rat power buffed the paint and my youngest daughter detailed the inside. Today, I applied for collector car insurance and when I receive the card I’ll take to get inspected and register It was raining today, so I’ll wait before taking for photos.

I’ve been incredibly busy, mostly with starting a new business for my son and I, but some stuff has been completed at the shop. Some on the Texas Thug, some on the Screamin’ Woody, and some an some of the other vehicles I have. This will be the extremely condensed version, as even that will be a little long.

Vitamin C Sold

Yup, I sold the Vitamin C. It gave me 10 years of loyal service but it was time for another caretaker. I sold it to a 70-year-old drag racer in Tulsa by the name of Dave Lewis. He’s in the process of stripping it down and will freshen it up in the same Vitamin C theme.

I mentioned that I started a new business with my son. We sell, install and repair Blinds, Shades and Shutters. It is now running and my eldest son is now handling the day to day operations.

The Texas Thug has a new rear ProGlass window installed to replace the one that skated across the finish line at 140 mph in Indy last year.

The underside has been cleaned, the every nut and bolt has had a wrench put on it, and the valves run. Everything was looked over and appears well. The oil still needs to be changed and the car a good polishing. I had wanted to redo the inside of the trunk – but that might have to wait.

Not a whole lot of work has been done on the Screamin’ Woody. The block has been machined, but the crank had a crack – so I’m shopping for a new rotating.

I just bought a 4’X8′ piece of 1/8″ Lexan; stainless steel #10 buttonhead/hex drive machine screws and nuts; and some weatherstripping – so the windows are next on the list.

Years ago, I bought a Tube Chassis Barracuda and restored it. It’s spend about ten years in a bubble – until taken out last week.

Everything was gone through, filled with new fluids, carb rebuilt and a new battery installed. The car was started, tune and I took it for a shakedown drive. It’s now for sale, as I’m going with the Japanese Kondo philosophy of it doesn’t bring Joy – get rid of it,

The Demon that was Dallas’ first race car wasn’t so lucky. It’s ten years in a bubble cause a pin hole in number 6 cylinder. It took me half a day to tear down the motor and get the piston out.

It’s one of those deals where the sum of the parts are worth more than rebuilding the motor for it. I’ve already sold the heads, intake and rocker assembly. The car was been detailed and I’ll be listing for sale.

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Next up, my 64 Imperial Convertible.

I’ve had a full size Chrysler convertible since the 70s. First a 67 Newport, then a 64 300, then a 65 300, and then I bought this from the original owner in her 90s about 18 years ago. I stopped driving it about 10 years ago. So in the last couple of months all of the brakes, brake lines and master cylinder was replaced. Gas gauge sender replaced. The carb was rebuilt. The power window switches disassembled and reassembled. The convertible pump system rebuilt. A brand new complete factory exhaust system installed. Brand new tires. Odometer rebuilt. The AC system rebuilt. The paint was power buffed. The leather conditioned. All off the dash chrome meticulously polished. Right now I’m waiting for the power steering pump to return from the rebuilder. Then the only thing left is redying the carpet when it gets a little warmer. I’ve really loved getting reacquainted with this car again. It’s a blast to drive.

In 1964, I remember the Mustang, Barracuda and Marlin fastbacks coming out. I loved all three of them. When the 67 Marlin was released on the fullsize Ambassador, it looked so much better than the smaller 65-66 versions on the compact Rouge chassis. There were very few made and all of my life I’d only seen a picture of one, and never one in the wild. About 20 years ago, I started my quest to find one in good original condition. About ten years ago, I ran into a man with a large car collection who had this car from Florida in it. He was dying of cancer and selling his collection off, and I bought this car. It had electrical issues, so I had in the back of my warehouse and planned to restore it to Red/Black with black Interior some day. That day never came, so the car was pulled out, the electrical completely redone, the ignition replaced with a Pertonix, the carb rebuilt, new battery, and new tires. The car runs like a Champ, but I’ve decided to keep it original and find a new caretaker for it. I’ll not drive it enough with my busy life.

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The Leaning Tower of Power and 3-on-tree that was in my 60 Plymouth Post car was pulled in favor of a bad ass 383 that was recently rebuilt for it. When I drove this car home from Arkansas, I had it over 100 with that engine and skinny ass 25-year-old tires. I’m looking to put a 4/5/6-speed that has overdrive. That car is a keeper.

I’ve done a lot work on that car, which is a topic for another day. The point for this post was that I Cleaned the engine up and hit it with some Slant 6 blue. I’ll wrap and store it for a future project.

Finally, two of my Magnums had a lot of work done on them. I’ll be keeping the big block XE that is now exactly how I’ve wanted it for years. I just bought some new wheels for it. I’ll take it next week to get tires swapped over. I love the look of the Keystone Klassics on the car, but the Uni-lug design keeps having the nuts loosen up.

The rare 79 GT with E58 Cop motor has been completely gone through, detailed and I’ll be selling.

The shop has actually been busier than that, but I hit the important stuff and that catches me up.