Thread: Does this qualify as a Hot Rod?

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Got the green light from the wife. Was looking forward to getting wheels today, but the little shop that imports them wasn't answering their phone today and their voice mailbox was full. Closed for the holiday I guess... maybe tomorrow.

Dontcha hate that?!?! LOL..

After three days of conflicts, I was finally able to pick up my new wheels. I spent no time getting them on and checking for clearance issues. The fronts are pretty tight, and depending on tire width, may need a small spacer to keep from rubbing against the spring. Even if no spacer is required, I may opt for a small flare to the front fender openings to get that hunkered down, slightly wider look, that I've seen on some of the Porsche Speedster replicas.
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Looks like the rears will need an adapter to push them out around an inch (again depending on tire width) to fill the tub completely. I anticipated this.
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Rota RB Royal Hyper Black
Front: 17x9 -13mm
Rear: 17x9.5 -19mm

While I wouldn't describe these as "top of the line", I do feel they are a great value. For me, they are a good compromise between the styling I want and cost. I get a deep dish,slightly muscle car look, and save some cash by utilizing the stock suspension / brakes, etc. Custom wheels made to the specs I need are three times as expensive. Who knows, I might even placate some of the Ferrari guys who feel that wire wheels are the only way to go on these cars. Eight spokes with that Torque Thrust look?? Not enough spokes? Oh well, I like them.

I tried to get the suspension to approximate ride hight, by supporting the car on its suspension as close to the outside as possible. But as one can see, it didn't work out that well. Can't wait to get them wrapped in rubber and finalize the stance. Alas, it won't be soon. But there is some light at the end of the tunnel.

I really really like those wheels! great eye. I'm a torque thrust kind of guy, but those just take it to another level.

Ok I had to go back and look from the start of this project, Hotrod yes. cool yes, beyond yes. I even got to the section about color, I am a black fan on my cars, but what did I wind up doing, try red on the Firebird, OK (well what ya going to do with that) Purple and lavandar on 31 ford, and daily driver Black, (finally got my black) I really like the white on yours, with whatever accents, just clean car

Originally Posted by Fauxre

Eight spokes with that Torque Thrust look?? Not enough spokes? Oh well, I like them.

Oh no, those look great on that car specifically! I always wondered what those would look good on. Now I know!

Ok, dang it! Now I want one. I'm serious! I have a 68 Triumph Mark III (with a hard top) and was concidering finishing it up with a destroked 400 but the little car just never looked right to me so I gave it to a friend 1/2 restored so he could finish it up for his son. I really thought I was clear of the little European cars but I guess not. What kit company made yours? I must of missed that reading through the thread. How did you like the fit overall. I've got access to an old Z reeeal cheap with a blown motor.

BTW, don't be to hard on me folks. I'm finishing my 36 first.

David

Those wheels fit the car. Glad that you didn't opt for the 22s and rubber bands for tires (like I saw on a dark blue Cherokee yesterday - not pretty)

Looks like some really nice wheels you got for the car! The black inner and polished outer wheel really look great, and I think the design fits the car very well!

X2, a great choice on the wheels!

Wes
Nice choice. They really add to the overall look!

Not that you need any more affirmation, but the wheels look just right - can't wait to see them wrapped.

Originally Posted by rspears

Not that you need any more affirmation, but the wheels look just right - can't wait to see them wrapped.

Don't be silly... I always need more affirmation... just ask my wife.
Seriously, thanks for all the responses. As a first time builder, I really enjoy hearing the opinions and suggestions of everyone here.

Originally Posted by Stovebolter

...
Ok, dang it! Now I want one. I'm serious! I have a 68 Triumph Mark III (with a hard top) and was concidering finishing it up with a destroked 400 but the little car just never looked right to me so I gave it to a friend 1/2 restored so he could finish it up for his son. I really thought I was clear of the little European cars but I guess not. What kit company made yours? I must of missed that reading through the thread. How did you like the fit overall. I've got access to an old Z reeeal cheap with a blown motor...
David

A 400 in a Spitfire??? WOW? My old high school buddy had one. We replaced his blown engine with a used stock 4 banger. The two of us just lifted it by hand out of his van and set it on the mounts. Easiest swap ever! My first car was a '66 Triumph TR4A. That's what got me hooked on the little British ragtops. An affliction that persists to this day.

I don't think I've mentioned the kit car company here. It's called Reaction Research. It's located in Arizona. The owner is John Washington. Great guy. He always thought the original Ferrari 250 GTO would look great as a roadster. He also makes a Ferrari Daytona kit for a Corvette donor and several fender kits for the Zs. You can check out the website here.

Reaction Research Automotive

In all deference to John though, I have to say the quality, when it comes to fit, is not great. This is not a bolt on body kit and it doesn't claim to be. Mine took a lot of trimming and modifying. Partly because the pieces are a little rough and partly because of the look I wanted to achieve. For example, you don't have to cut out the rear vents. Many builders don't and the finished car still looks great. But you do have to trim the one piece hood significantly around the windshield and doors.

Today I helped another VR builder bond the rear tub to his 280z donor. His seemed to fit much better than mine. Glad to answer any other questions you might have about the kit.

Originally Posted by IC2

Those wheels fit the car. Glad that you didn't opt for the 22s and rubber bands for tires (like I saw on a dark blue Cherokee yesterday - not pretty)

Around here, 22s show up on everything from SUV's to old pink Lexus'. I hate that stagecoach look.

17s are as big as I'm willing to go. I generally prefer a little more sidewall on my tires than I've been able to find, but the prices of the 40 and 45 series around here are very reasonable. Another compromise to stay on budget, but an easy one to change if I just can't stand the look.

Originally Posted by Fauxre

A 400 in a Spitfire??? WOW? My old high school buddy had one. We replaced his blown engine with a used stock 4 banger. The two of us just lifted it by hand out of his van and set it on the mounts. Easiest swap ever! My first car was a '66 Triumph TR4A. That's what got me hooked on the little British ragtops. An affliction that persists to this day.

I don't think I've mentioned the kit car company here. It's called Reaction Research. It's located in Arizona. The owner is John Washington. Great guy. He always thought the original Ferrari 250 GTO would look great as a roadster. He also makes a Ferrari Daytona kit for a Corvette donor and several fender kits for the Zs. You can check out the website here.

Reaction Research Automotive

In all deference to John though, I have to say the quality, when it comes to fit, is not great. This is not a bolt on body kit and it doesn't claim to be. Mine took a lot of trimming and modifying. Partly because the pieces are a little rough and partly because of the look I wanted to achieve. For example, you don't have to cut out the rear vents. Many builders don't and the finished car still looks great. But you do have to trim the one piece hood significantly around the windshield and doors.

Today I helped another VR builder bond the rear tub to his 280z donor. His seemed to fit much better than mine. Glad to answer any other questions you might have about the kit.

LOL's. Yeah, a 400 probably would've rendered that light suspension helpless. I finally saw the reality, and ditched the project. Funny, I pulled the OEM motor out by hand. Your right, they're not much bigger than my Mazda rotary engne.

I know what to expect from fiberglass companies. I learned that with the fenders on my 36 with one company and the hood on my sons El Camino. For the amount of time and materials I have in his hood alone I could've painted the rest of his car. Think I spent nearly two months on it after work and weekends.

Well I'd love to have one of these but today I finally resolved what I thought would be a never ending decision for power plant on my 36. Problem solved. Pocket will be nearly empty soon. So now this will have to remain a desire for a while. I'm also liking the Daytona's till I saw the $$$

I'm going to watch your build. Very nice machine. Love the lines!

David

Couldn't wait for the new tires. After adjusting the front and back springs, I test fit the rims.....again.

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Rear still needs to drop a little, but the front looks spot on.

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Lovin the low stance

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That's about how it'll look with a set of 20Series rubber bands


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