Wednesday, February 28, 2007

SPEEDBALL push vehicle

We have been "kicking" around some ideas for a push vehicle for the SPEEDWAGEN.
A Bus would be the hot set up, but we need it to be small enough to put in the trailer.
(when we get a trailer)--hiny-hint all you guys who need to get a trailer out of your drive way before the neighbor's burn you out.

Monday, February 26, 2007

KEY-MOE-SAUBIE'

If you peek up in the tire rack at the shop, you will see our INDIAN tribe.
There are 3 little Indian Mini Mini Motorcycles that have been following us around for years. These little Indian's might make for an interesting Bonneville project--THE WORLDS FASTEST INDIAN mini mini

Saturday, February 24, 2007

SNAP-OFF vs SNAP-ON

Jim is a SNAP-ON man from way back, but I have slowly introduced him to SNAP-OFF asian tools. Sometimes a throw away wrench is good enough. We needed a 2" wrench, so we got these monsters from the local tool buffet-harbor freight. http://ww2.harborfreight.com/ Here are a couple tricks to get them even cheaper. 1-Watch their web site for sale prices, and print the add. Take the add to the store and they will honor it. 2-Sign up on line for their e-mail letter. They usually send one add per week. About once a month they send a 10%-20% off coupon that you can combine with the internet sale price. That's todays advice from "MR CHEAPORFREE"

Friday, February 23, 2007

Let it snow !

A day or two ago I thought I'd take a ride, and soon Don Garlits was seated by my side.
We rent a blown BIG block, nito for some speed. We let the lights go down, and BLAAAAA
we take the lead.
We got some high speed shimmy and hooked a big ole rut, feel out of the cage and busted my big ole--(thing a ma jiggie)
(OPPS BETTER GET BACK TO WORK HERE COMES JW)

Thursday, February 22, 2007

PINKS Bug CRASH!

Don Edmunds Supermodified

This is a pic of my Supermodified. Jim Balder is at the wheel! this was in the early 70's at Berlin Speedway in Michigan. They have a vintage oval track class at Bonneville. Who knows what will happen with this old race car. It could come back to life as a land speed racer (spell race car backwards)

If you would like to know more about the history of Don Edmunds check out the old master himself at his web site

Don Edmunds is a legendary car builder, if you don't know about him---here is the place to start http://donedmunds.com/fullsize/supermodified/index.htm If you like old supermodifieds, you will love the RETRO ROCKETS web site http://www.retrorockets.org/home.htm

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

SLEDWAGEN

This is what Indiana has looked like for a week. It has given us a chance to experiment with ground effects on the Sledwagen snowmobile.
Looks like the down force might be a little to strong

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

That thing got a HEMI in it?

This set of heads started out as Ford truck heads that were designed by Zora Duntov.
They were sold as race parts with the Ardun name on them.
If you want to study up on the origins of Hemi Heads, check this site out http://www.allpar.com/mopar/hemi/ardun.html

Sunday, February 18, 2007

Bonneville "speeding ticket"

I can't wait to get one of these into my greasy paw!
This link will take you to an interesting story from "HOT ROD" about one crews adventure, as they do Bonneville the old fashioned way!
http://www.hotrod.com/eventcoverage/bonneville_salt_flats_2002/index.html
( might take a minute to load, if your on dial-up)

Flat Heads forever, or at least untill they meet a GMC

If you never replaced a set of valves in a Flat Head, that explains why you still have finger tips. More GOOD Flattie pics are to be found here--- http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_partsdrawings_links.htm Turn up your speakers-----

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Batten down the hatch matey

http://www.fullborerace.com/Super%20Button.htm The SPEEDWAGEN pick of the day! These little gizmo's are a lot slicker that the standard 1/4 turn panel fastener. These guys have some nice tank bungs and caps---and the price is nice too.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Wanna Drag ?

When you get to this site click on the red buttons
and have a shot at a low e.t.
Go ahead and post you times here as a comment.
We want to see who the real hot shoes are!
Turn UP your speakers!

high speed rear

Our buds from the CCVW club put this display together for the World of Wheels.
The simulated drag strip scene was really slick. These guys get-er-did!
The engine cover and wing on the blue car gave me an idea of how we can work our design to take advantage of the latest Bonneville rules for rear engine cars.
This wing has some vents in the top to get air into the engine cover. If a guy did this just right, you could have a nice RAM AIR intake from the high pressure spot on the wing. The rules require for air intakes to be on the rear half of the car. They allow the engine cover to have a hood scoop that can stick 11 in. above the roof, and as far forward as the front of the rear window. If all that sounds like Pig-Latin, you are doing good. Interpretation of the Bonneville rules requires an altered state of consciousness.
Here are some good links to learn to learn more about Land Speed Racing

What BIG eyes you have!

This sled was at the Indianapolis World of Wheels.
It has a small block Chevy in the nose. It's good to see some VW based rides starting to show up.
Every girl and boy wants a SPEEDWAGEN toy.

BUBBA HEAD

In our QUEST for new products --we have decided to follow in the successful steps of the CHIA HEAD product, and introduce the BUBBA HEAD shift knob. Any resemblence to Jim Linder is purely coincidental!

Stick IT !

When I bought my first stick welder I couldn't get enough steel to burn on.
A stick welder cranked all the way up with a big fat rod on a thick chunk of steel--so fine!
Plus its an easy way to get sun tanned hands.
Migs & Tigs are smooth and pretty, but don't miss a chance to learn how to "burn a rod"
An old stick Welder taught me a good trick--everything is all right when your welding sounds like bacon frying in the pan.---give it try.
Here is another welding tip--cut the frayed threads of the bottom of your ragged jeans, or you will get a chance to do the Boogie Woogie, when tour britches catch on FIRE.

Sunday, February 11, 2007

TEE-SHIRT Triva 101

The CAR T-SHIRT phenomena began on the West Side of Indianapolis. There used to be a "beer joint" on west 16 th St called Mates' "White Front". It was the favorite watering hole for drivers and mechanics during the month of May. In the mid Fifties Champion Spark Plug,and Mobil Oil started giving away printed T-Shirts to Mechanics at the Speedway. And likewise the White Front had their shirt for their loyal Speedway customers. You can see these shirts in some of the old garage pictures of the Speedway. In later years (or so the story goes) the Speedway put a stop to the printing of these shirts because of their "rights" to the term "Indianapolis 500" This picture is from an e-bay auction for what looks like reproductions of the original Artwork . WARNING---Car shirts can multiply in your dresser drawers, and before long they could be more numerous that your ball cap collection!!!!!!

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Shocking NEWS !

A shocking time was had today at the SPEEDWAGEN shop! We took delivery of an exotic collection of high tech suspension components. This collection of goodies was sent to us from our partners at AFCO racing. http://www.afcoracing.com/ They custom engineered our shocks specifically for the Bonneville Salt Flats. The valve design is a custom configuration just for our car set up. These goodies will be going onto the suspension as soon as we get the trailing arms flipped and battened down tight.

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Don't you just luv car parts

This is our remaining inventory of IRL Aurora Rods and Pistons. We have been able to offer some sweet deals on Pankl and Carrillo rods on e-bay. We have had parts sold around the world. One of our buyers has an Aurora mill in a Bonneville motorcycle!---now thats a hang on tight! These would make nice Valentines Day gifts for your girl. Nothing says "Hey Baby" like a set of Pankl Rods ! Don't get left out, these baby's are hopp'in off the shelf; well maybe fall'in off

Monday, February 05, 2007

Zoooooooooooooooooom

Faster than a speeding bullet--more powerful than a locomotive-- Its a Mercedes, Its a Dussenburg, NO-- Its SPEEDWAGEN......

Sunday, February 04, 2007

X-File Top Secret GM photo

Secret agents supplied the Speedwagen with this TOP SECRET photo of the GM Colbalt going past the timing flags at Bonneville. It is wound out at 8500 rpm @ 175.4. This G/FCC is pumped full of nitrous and running on E-85. That's walk'in the dog with only 2 liters and no huffer! We are having secret meetings at area 51 (the speedwagen shop) to develop a strategy to save the World from corporate domination of the Bonneville Salt Flats. Now that you have seen this photo, BEWARE of black helicopters over your garage! If you would like a less dramatic look at the above pic in action check this out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giOCNpzYybg&NR