Funny Stuff at Izismile.com
Funny Stuff at Izismile.com
1931 Bentley 8 Litre Sedan 1929 Isotta Fraschini
Classic Car Restoration on cars like the 1931 Bentley 8 Litre Sedan and the Isotta Fraschini was going strong in the 1980s and 1990s.
I was working with Walt Johnsen back then and these two particular cars were among those that we restored. His business was "The Auto Shop" on Bainbridge Island, Washington. The 1931 8 Litre Bentley was a complete restoration that we did. Terry Foss was apprenticing with us at the time.
Dave Loeington did the Mechanical and wiring, Dave had to manufacture a lot of the components to get this car up and running in the fashion that Bentleys are known for.
Don Volgosang took care of the bright work and chrome trim,
Kirk Person who was the best of the best in his trade, did the Upholstery. He was an all around, nice, easy going guy. It was a tremendous loss to the car community when he passed.
The Isotta Fraschini was more of a cosmetic, or body restoration in "The Auto Shop". I did make a new fuel tank for the car, in the original fashion, with the leaded seams etc. The 1929 Isotta-Fraschini is a Tipo 8A with limousine bodywork by Castagna of Milan. The marque and the coachbuilder were a great combination among European luxury cars. This is one of the very few Isotta-Fraschinis to have come to the United State in the 30s. The Tipo 8A's massive straight-eight, displacing 7,370cc, was just under 450 cubic inches and produced 110hp.
Both of these cars were owned by Al McEwan and Dick Hooper of Seattle area. They have both subsequently been sold. Jay Leno purchased the 1931 8 Litre Bently and the Isotta Fraschini went to Mort Bullock, pictured here from left to right, Al, Mort, And Dick, standing in front of the Isotta Fraschini.
We didn't have many pictures of the Bentley 8 Litre, but this one is interesting in that it shows the turnbuckle system on the bottom of the frame. Over time a large car like this would tend to sag from all the weight. This system would correct sag. The top was covered with leather that had to come from a very large bovine.
I was working with Walt Johnsen back then and these two particular cars were among those that we restored. His business was "The Auto Shop" on Bainbridge Island, Washington. The 1931 8 Litre Bentley was a complete restoration that we did. Terry Foss was apprenticing with us at the time.
Dave Loeington did the Mechanical and wiring, Dave had to manufacture a lot of the components to get this car up and running in the fashion that Bentleys are known for.
Don Volgosang took care of the bright work and chrome trim,
Kirk Person who was the best of the best in his trade, did the Upholstery. He was an all around, nice, easy going guy. It was a tremendous loss to the car community when he passed.
The Isotta Fraschini was more of a cosmetic, or body restoration in "The Auto Shop". I did make a new fuel tank for the car, in the original fashion, with the leaded seams etc. The 1929 Isotta-Fraschini is a Tipo 8A with limousine bodywork by Castagna of Milan. The marque and the coachbuilder were a great combination among European luxury cars. This is one of the very few Isotta-Fraschinis to have come to the United State in the 30s. The Tipo 8A's massive straight-eight, displacing 7,370cc, was just under 450 cubic inches and produced 110hp.
Both of these cars were owned by Al McEwan and Dick Hooper of Seattle area. They have both subsequently been sold. Jay Leno purchased the 1931 8 Litre Bently and the Isotta Fraschini went to Mort Bullock, pictured here from left to right, Al, Mort, And Dick, standing in front of the Isotta Fraschini.
Here is a picture of the Bentley in Suite 200 in Kirkland before Jay Leno took ownership.
1957 Chevrolet Belair Fuel Injected, Restoration
1957 Chevrolet Fuel Injected Belair original matching numbers cars are few and far between. Because this car is a complete original fuelie, it was worthy of an extensive, first class restoration. Being an original black car makes it even more desirable, but being black, requires special talent in both sheet metal work and final finish.
Walt Johnsen and I worked together back in the late 80's and early 90's, when we were restoring Classic Cars and showing them in the west coast Concours d' Elegance events at Pebble Beach and Forest Grove, consistently receiving "Best in Class" awards and in 93 had the Murphy Bodied Duesenberg that was very close runner up for "Best of Show" at Pebble Beach.
The two of us have always complimented each others exception talents and abilities. Walt is the best re finisher that I know. I have been in the automotive body and restoration business for over 45 years, just to put my comment into perspective. Walt has a keen eye for attention to detail, and again it shows in his completed 1957 Fuel Injected Belair.
Walt Johnsen and I worked together back in the late 80's and early 90's, when we were restoring Classic Cars and showing them in the west coast Concours d' Elegance events at Pebble Beach and Forest Grove, consistently receiving "Best in Class" awards and in 93 had the Murphy Bodied Duesenberg that was very close runner up for "Best of Show" at Pebble Beach.
The two of us have always complimented each others exception talents and abilities. Walt is the best re finisher that I know. I have been in the automotive body and restoration business for over 45 years, just to put my comment into perspective. Walt has a keen eye for attention to detail, and again it shows in his completed 1957 Fuel Injected Belair.
Overdrive upgrade in your Vintage Automobile
Doug,
I’m working on a 1936 Dodge (P-24 Engine, original transmission). Planning to use this as a DRIVER ... Local Car Shows and Cruise In’s. I’d like to be able to cruise at current road speeds (55-60). Can’t do it with stock gearing. The engine’s ‘sweet spot’ is around 45 MPH. Any suggestions you have will be appreciated but would really like information and sources for an original, period correct, floor shift Borg Warner (?) OVERDRIVE or Overdrive Transmission. Thanks in advance for your help and counsel.
Bill
Hello Bill,
My suggestion would be to research the later Chrysler Corp. 3 speed overdrive transmissions. I seriously doubt that you will find anything that would be date correct to your 36 Dodge that would give you the gear ratio that you are seeking. I am not that familiar with the Chrysler options and or interchangeability. It may be that you will have to mount an overdrive separately, as I did in my 37 Chevy Pickup.
Yours should be easier to install if I am correct in assuming that you have an open drive line situation in your Dodge.
If I can be of further assistance, let me know.
Doug
Econoline Visor 1963 Ford Custom
1960s Econoline Van outside Visor was never offered. My friend at Doghouse Powder Coating wanted a visor for his van, so I made one for him. The screws in it are temporary, and will be replaced with stainless finish screws. If you're interested in a custom made visor for your vehicle, please contact Doug's Classic Coachworks.
235 Chevrolet Stove Bolt Split Exhaust Manifold
Dual Exhaust 235 261 Chevrolet Stove Bolt Six, Split Manifold. Here is another example of a custom split manifold. I think this is the best looking one yet that has come out of Doug's Classic Coachworks. The original manifold did have some East Coast rust pitting but a tight shaft on the heat riser because it is off a low mileage truck.
HOT RODS and CLASSIC CAR RESTORATION SEQUIM WASHINGTON
Car restoration, from rust repair and wreck repair all the way to Concours d' Elegance award winning, complete restorations, is what I have been doing since 1969. Completely disassembling and reassembling of bodies has been performed by me many times. Wooden bodied cars as well as all metal cars are included in my list of accomplishment. Best of show awards, magazine articles and many best in class awards have been presented to owners of cars that I have had a large part in the restoration of.
Hot Rod building is something I find great satisfaction in. Unlike most, I make a big effort to maintain a "Theme" when building a car. In other words, if I'm building a 1950's style Hot Rod, it will be built with 1950's and prior parts. Naturally, those parts will be restored to top notch condition, because Resto RodsTo Go stands for Hot Rods that can be driven daily. One of the things that makes these cars so special is that they are "timeless" and will maintain their desirability through time, unlike the fad cars that are being built with the "off the shelf parts", that are obsolete next year.
Taking advantage of the work that those highly skilled designers that worked for GM, Ford, and Chrysler seems to make a lot more sense to me than using the machine shop designed billet steering wheels, etc and industrial gauges, that are usually used in Street Rod building.
If you set up your steering column properly, you don't need to install that tilt column, but rather use a cool early column and wheel that has real character, and not that Kubota tractor look.
I would much rather lift the hood to see an early Hemi or an early fuel injected 283 or dual quad 265 Chevy. Generic chrome becomes pretty bland when up against a tasteful paint scheme under the hood like the factory designers developed.
Hot Rod building is something I find great satisfaction in. Unlike most, I make a big effort to maintain a "Theme" when building a car. In other words, if I'm building a 1950's style Hot Rod, it will be built with 1950's and prior parts. Naturally, those parts will be restored to top notch condition, because Resto RodsTo Go stands for Hot Rods that can be driven daily. One of the things that makes these cars so special is that they are "timeless" and will maintain their desirability through time, unlike the fad cars that are being built with the "off the shelf parts", that are obsolete next year.
Taking advantage of the work that those highly skilled designers that worked for GM, Ford, and Chrysler seems to make a lot more sense to me than using the machine shop designed billet steering wheels, etc and industrial gauges, that are usually used in Street Rod building.
If you set up your steering column properly, you don't need to install that tilt column, but rather use a cool early column and wheel that has real character, and not that Kubota tractor look.
I would much rather lift the hood to see an early Hemi or an early fuel injected 283 or dual quad 265 Chevy. Generic chrome becomes pretty bland when up against a tasteful paint scheme under the hood like the factory designers developed.
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