Cazalea takes readers on a tour of a specialized automotive shop, introducing the 'Radiator Lady' and the team behind custom hot rod builds. The post highlights the meticulous work involved in transforming classic cars into refined, streetable machines, focusing on engine modifications and cooling solutions.
There is a woman called "Radiator Lady" and she was pulling out of the driveway when we screeched to a stop outside. She waved hello (and goodbye), driving off to run errands leaving the two guys to show us around the yard. At Todd's request, I am going to start with the cars in the garage, which are more beautiful than the ones outside.
The owner's business card says "Rods sorted" which he defined to mean - "taking them from beautiful and unusable" to "comfortable, streetable, and refined". OR "just plain finishing the job". This Chevy is a good example. The car looks very stock on the outside, but the engine is lowered, moved rearward, the back wheel wells are "tubbed" or cut INTO the center of the car allowing 10" rubber to fit comfortably in the body, the interior is upgraded, etc.
The entire engine compartment is "sanitized" and only the spark plug wires will show. All other wiring is enclosed, hidden, or eliminated.
New welded alloy radiator support will "support" an all alloy radiator which he supplies under his brand name Nitro Cool.
This shop, on the edge of a very hot desert, is VERY EXPERIENCED in dealing with engine cooling issues...
For those from Down Under, this is a Chevrolet (Holden) rod from circa 1935. It's just "skin" by GM and "innards" by hot rodders.
Ford Galaxie is getting a total restoration / hot rodding treatment
Can you imagine how spacious cars would be if they didn't have dashboards? Just slap a speedo in front of the wheel and off you go.
In front of a totally polished camper shell, Shawn shows my wife the inside of the DeSoto
It's getting a new Chrysler hemi
and matching transmission
which they have test-fitted twice already while making the new floorboards for the De Soto (a now-defunct brand name related to Chrysler Corp.)
I especially liked this pickup which was described as "totally stock, except for the new engine, running gear, 4-wheel disc brakes and dual fuel tanks and new seat and A/C. Otherwise, the body is totally stock"
In part 3 I will show some of the cars less inclined to run ...
