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To begin,.... this thread is placed in the OT Forum because it will document a number of items that may offend some P15-D24 purists. That is not the intent here. However, and although the canvas a 1950 Plymouth Suburban, it is a modified, modified for comfort, style, safety, and performance. It's a Hot Rod! I am privileged to be called a friend by Mike and his family. We became acquainted years back when he performed a whole lotta magic on my '56 wagon. He's a quality young guy with computer and engineering savvy, a garage full of tools and projects, grease under his fingernails, is generous to a fault, and is dedicated to his wife and young son. And he tolerates my need to kick tires and imagine all sorts of projects we should work on. This year, in July, there is a major event in Victoria, BC that a number of us Yanks will attend. It's a Hot Rod event. So to travel to and around BC and witness the majesty of the Pacific Northwest, Mike and family decided to build a "cruiser" that would accommodate them and their paraphernalia for a two week trip. I take some pleasure for pointing them toward the Suburban, a car and style they were not aware of previously. It's perfect for a family while providing something vintage for Jessica, as well as a project to share with young Josh. The goal is a daunting one,...to drive to Victoria in July of this year. The car, a solid stocker, came home in October 2015. And after a lot of thought and hard decision making, work began just after the first of the year. October 2015 - I indulged in some "Photo Shopping" to help visualize the stance of the finished project.

Hi All, ​I've decided to share my current fantasy with all of the two or three of you who might enjoy this upcoming trip. I have had some success with fabricating stuff w/o prior experience, so I am embarking on another adventure. I'll never learn. It's amazin what you can achieve with ignorance and tenacity, so follow along and see what happens. I am open to questions and comments and will share failures as well as successes. About a dozen years ago I patched some Dodge Poly valve covers onto the Chev small block in my Roadster. Amazing the response in a sea of 350 billet. Had a lot of folks scratching there heads which was great fun for many years. The Poly engine, the valve covers came from, became a Hemi,..... another Story . - So a few weeks ago, a local shop was liquidating their stash of vintage stuff and I scored my next project. - - - It's a 270 cu. in. Dodge. More in a few days

One of the things that's particularly satisfying for me is fabricating a part that I cannot otherwise find or does not exist in the real world. Sometimes it a special tool or fixture. They are usually smallish and involve fabricating something by hand to look like a production piece. Often it involves "re-purposing" something that already exists. Many of us do that as a routine. However, there are some of our fraternity who might learn something or be inspired to stretch their view of what might be achievable with a little ingenuity and encouragement. There are many of these little "nuggets" of inspiration buried in many of our threads,.... i.e. 40plyrod's "lower grill trim piece". Some may recall my wrench turned pitman arm (on the Hemi Build thread). Normally associated with a specific project thread, they might also apply to, or serve as inspiration for, any number of other subjects. Here's a start. I found a neat little tank that I wanted to use as an overflow reservoir. This is the special bracket that was made to mount it. - - -