My friend, Bill Taylor, joined Molly and me in our trip from Lake Tahoe to Tucson, AZ. We rented a small house where we can have some more space and a place to work on my Hot Rod. It is located just a few miles west of the I-19 highway which links Tucson with Nogales, Mexico. There are two houses on the property. We hit it off great with the owners, two sisters, and got a reduction on the rent. Some of the first things we did was to wash and wax the floors in the house. We helped in moving in a refrigerator for us to use. Bill also made and installed screens for all windows of the house.
Since we do not have any furniture we were offered some items by one of the sisters. A couch, a dresser, table and chairs, etc. It appears that we made a good choice with this place. We were also hired to work on one of her other rentals. We cleaned and waxed floors, repaired a sink, and hung a door. Then we began work on the outside laundry room. We added a small side window and a new door. Then we began work on the exterior which amounted to adding some new siding, where she didn't get it installed. Then prep for painting the entire exterior. We completed this job within a couple of weeks.
The rest of our time here has been spent working on the hot rod and taking in a couple of car shows, and a car swap meet, where I purchased a new chromed alternator. Of course we enjoyed some of the sights of Tucson, local restaurants and we cooked most meals at our temporary home.
The Hot Rod is based on a Ford Model T pick-up body. This is a fiberglass replica body with a shortened pick-up bed, and widened fenders. The frame is custom built with modified suspension components. The engine is a modern Chevy that I estimate has around 250 to 300 horsepower. The transmission is an automatic for ease of driving and assembly. Some of the items we need to work on are installing a wiring system, tail and headlights, turn signal lights, engine gauges and speedometer, fuel tank and lines, transmission shifter and linkage, brake lines, windshield, upholstery and a few more items.
Below are photos of some of our activities in Tucson. Mostly pics of the car in various stages of deconstruction and reconstruction as we go about completing it. Most of the photos were taken in our covered carport. The dirt floor is a little annoying, but it is better than no cover at all.
I like the look of the car with the fenders is really different from what is popular now. I will probably add them after we get it running and licensed. No, I do not plan on a fancy paint job, I like the flat-black paint. I may have some pinstripping added, just for fun.
Prior and during completion of the car we had visited a couple of hot rod shops and had the option of getting their assistance with some of these needed improvements. We did get some good advice and encouragement to do our own work. So we did about eveything except adding the exhaust system. I purchased most of the needed parts from a few suppliers available on the internet, as well a several local merchants. SUPPORT THE LOCAL ECOMOMY!
When all of the modifications are made and the car running, we will tow it to the Department of Motor Vehicles for title and registration. With adequate insurance and proper registration we will go to a few car shows and local cruise-ins. Plus just go for rides in the country, weather permitting. Yep, it does get cold here and even rains on occasion. In fact, Sunday after Thanksgiving we had two days of rain, even hail, and then a few with temperature highs of 55. Mid Dec has alternating cold days and 55-60 temps and an occasional shower. It was a good thing we had shelter for the car, and comforting to have a house to relax in.
I hope you enjoy this and other travel logs that I've sent. We will probably be here for most of the winter. I've become a'Snow Bird'. I will send more info and photos as the winter in the desert saga continues.
Bye for now. We wish you all well and hope you have a happy and safe holiday.
Bruce, Molly, and Bill
Link back to my "Bruce The Nomad" page.