The father in law and I left town at 5 Sunday morning to head down to Newstead. We got there at about 8, and by the looks of it, we could have had a hour or so more sleep in! Plenty of cars about on the oval, but not too many people, and the ones that where milling around, they looked like they had a pretty good time on Saturday night!

Well the last Sunday of September saw the annual American Car Nationals which also incorporated the Canberra Chrysler Day, although the weather was terrible the cars weren't.

Despite the shocking cold winds and the occasional down poor there was a great turn out of cars. Approximately 120 beautiful beasts turned up to show off their wares and the onlookers weren't dissappointed with a good selection of American beauty and Chrysler muscle.

The run wasn't heavily advertised, just mainly through word of mouth and invites to friends of club members (By invites, I of course mean we told them they were expected to be there or else....) so we had just under 30 entrants. Anyway it was pretty standard format for the weekend, rego and sausage sizzle on the Friday night, Cruise and lunch Saturday with dinner at night and finishing with a show 'n' shine on the Sunday.

Written by Michael Kidd   

Photo: Andrew Hewson

The inaugural Real Fine Stuff automotive show was held at Londonderry last Saturday, and it was an absolute cracker. The event was coordinated by the Londonderry Rural Fire Service, as part of it’s annual station open day with assistance from the Blue Mountains & Macquarie Towns Hot Rod Club's.

It's that time of year again when speed freaks both young and old, as well as a small Aussie contingent, get salt fever and head to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

Pakenham Vic. The 17th PICNIC 30-31st October - 1st November 2009

Kustoms Of Australia is proud to present the PICNIC for your enjoyment, one of the most entertaining and successful events in the world.
The PICNIC attracts more entries than any other rod event in Australia mainly because the organisers understand what rod & kustom enthusiasts expect for their enjoyment, and work tirelessly to achieve the end results that have brought so much happiness to enthusiasts over the past 17 years. The sole aim of the event is to promote the fun in rodding!
The party starts on Friday with a get together, BBQ, Shop tour, and Bench racing session at John's Rod & Custom in Berwick. Saturday morning a cruise is organised to depart Sandown Park and proceed to Pakenham Racecourse, followed later in the evening by the annual Cruisin' of the Main drag, and Rockabilly Dance!

 

Keep your first weekend in October free for this year's Chopped Rod and Custom Show. This year is shaping up to be a massive event with new cars being debuted, more music, more activities and of course more good times and drinking. More information will be released closer to the date so be sure to stay tuned.

Where: Newstead Football Ground, Panmure Street, Newstead, Victoria

When: October 2nd - 4th 2009

 

Follow the journey of Mad Fabricators creator Piero De Luca as he and his super talented friends create one of the most period correct sixties show cars to hit the pavement. It all started off with a rusty Model A Coupe body in Texas with chickens living in it and after two years of discipline,emotional ups and downs and the ultimate joy of the first drive the car gets its big break as Cover and Feature of Rod and Custom magazine Some Mad Fabricators alumni join the build like Bob Bleed and Johnny Cola from Aceholes, Donnie Baird from Imperial Customs and making there first appearances in Mad Fabricators, Luke Di-Cuircio of Di-Cuircios Hot Rods and Dave Martinez of Martinez Custom Upholstery. See How We Go From Rust To Show! Featuring Music By:The Surfites+The Kilaueas+The Nebulas+The Madeira+and More..

 22.95 Run Time Aprox: 90 minutes

THEY ARE NOW TAKING PRESALE ORDERS! $22.95 ($24.95 for International customers to cover shipping costs)

Check out www.madfabricators.com/dvd.htm

Ian Davis (commonly known as Elvis from Rod Bods Downunder) will be holding Day Seminars in NSW, QLD and VIC to assist the Street Rod Builder enthusiast in the building process of a vehicle from beginning through to Registration.

Each Day Seminar will cover the following topics:

Technical Advice
Chassis design, construction and components
Fibreglass Bodies including laminating, steeling-out, fit-out and preparation for paint
Fitting of Fenders
Basic Wiring
Body fit-out e.g. Fitting of Heater Demister, Wiper Kits, Seats and Seatbelts
Accessories and Parts
Trim
Wheels and Tyre combinations

This article was originally published in the United States so some references may not be applicable to Australia. If you're unsure of something ask on the forums, this is intended to be a guide only.If you want to change something in this article you can become a Contributor to Rod & Custom. Click here to find out how.

Tools & Work Area

What tools are needed?
The first tool you need is a service manual with complete specifications, such as torque values and tolerances.

You will need a basic set of hand tools, such as a good variety of boxed end wrenches, ratchet and socket set, screwdriver set, and a gasket scraper. This basic set of tools will get you through the majority of the disassembly steps.