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Find out how you can get involved with the next 'Wheel of Dreams' project. Email Michael Clark today!
michaelclark@mts.net.
michaelclark@mts.net.
This is the story of the '40 Chev raffled off in '08. Reprinted with the kind permission of Michael Clark.
Previous portions of this story can be found here.
Part Fifteen: Who needs a mirror, when you've got an ididit steering column?
I'm still rubbing my eyes from the gleam of the company's 33-inch Chrome Tilt Column Shift steering column, which arrived this week from the home office in Tecumseh, Michigan. (www.ididitinc.com) It's the latest in donated parts for the Wheels of Dreams project car, a 1940 Chevrolet Master 85 two-door sedan. The old Bowtie is receiving a street rod makeover, from the Hillbilly Garage crew near Garson, Manitoba, and the adjacent members of the El Diablo's Car Club. When completed in early 2008, the Chevy will go into the raffle stage for the summer cruise, with all proceeds going to The Rainbow Society. The Society, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2008, grants wishes to Manitoba children who are living with a life-threatening illness. You can follow the entire series at www.therainbowsociety.com.
After a few call and emails, ididit Sales Manager Marty Waterstraut agreed to supply our Chevy with this stunning new chrome steering column, which will tie in nicely with the silver anniversary theme that will dominate throughout the car. "Old steering columns are a nightmare waiting to happen," said Don Park, Head Wrench at the Hillbilly Garage. "You never know what you're getting if you pull one out of a wreck." While old columns can be spruced up on the outside, there is always the issue of wiring within. "We don't want it to short out when the raffle winner gets the keys," said Park.
Speaking of shorting out, it was one particular blow-up that actually lays claim to the creation the ididit name. The business was still in its infancy, when company founder Ken Callison was displaying his wares at a car show. A 'gentleman' was inspecting the parts at the table, continually asking who had made them. As Callison's patience reached the breaking point, the man commented that there was no way that Callison could have made the products, quote: "You're not smart enough to make stuff this nice." What happened next included some lapel gabbing, a few colourful words on Callison's part, and the phrase that started it all; "I did it!" The name stuck, ididit is now in its 21st year, producing everything from street rods to golf carts.
After a few call and emails, ididit Sales Manager Marty Waterstraut agreed to supply our Chevy with this stunning new chrome steering column, which will tie in nicely with the silver anniversary theme that will dominate throughout the car. "Old steering columns are a nightmare waiting to happen," said Don Park, Head Wrench at the Hillbilly Garage. "You never know what you're getting if you pull one out of a wreck." While old columns can be spruced up on the outside, there is always the issue of wiring within. "We don't want it to short out when the raffle winner gets the keys," said Park.
Speaking of shorting out, it was one particular blow-up that actually lays claim to the creation the ididit name. The business was still in its infancy, when company founder Ken Callison was displaying his wares at a car show. A 'gentleman' was inspecting the parts at the table, continually asking who had made them. As Callison's patience reached the breaking point, the man commented that there was no way that Callison could have made the products, quote: "You're not smart enough to make stuff this nice." What happened next included some lapel gabbing, a few colourful words on Callison's part, and the phrase that started it all; "I did it!" The name stuck, ididit is now in its 21st year, producing everything from street rods to golf carts.
We had considered the installation of a retro-style floor shifter, but that would have seriously impacted the chance to sit nice and close to your honey at the drive-in. We also wanted to keep the traditional dash location for the ignition key, while adding a bit of new-age comfort with tilt adjustment. Thanks to Waterstraut's direction, the 33-inch unit was the perfect choice. Fashioned after the traditional inner workings of the GM steering column, the ididit unit includes the levers and knobs for tilt, turn signals, and automatic shift. It even has the four-way hazard light switch. The wiring loom connector will cinch up perfectly with the Painless Performance wiring harness, which is probably drifting through Customs as we speak. The column will be held to the bottom of the dashboard, with a polished aluminum ididit 'Swing-Drop' bracket, and held securely to the floor with the company's Adjustable Floor Mount collar bracket.
The body shell will soon be on its way to the Van Aert quonset, where our Torch Man Jim Van Aert will begin the removal of the floorboard sections that resemble Swiss cheese. The crew at Winnipeg Sandblasting is carefully stripping away the layers of paint and rust, and sealing the shell in epoxy primer, supplied by Rondex. The primer will prevent any new rust from forming, which would require a return trip to the blaster. Filling those floorboard voids will be a few sheets of hot-rolled steel, from the warm hearts of Varsteel. (www.varsteel.ca) "I've got two children myself," said Varsteels's Branch Manager Rob Remillard. "If it's anything that helps out kids, I find a way to make it happen."
The Parts Hotline continues to ring-a-ding, this week with Bob Duncan from the House of Silver. It's a familiar name amongst restorers in need of stunning stainless steel polishing, as well as replating services. Duncan has offered up his expertise to finish various trim pieces for the Chevy. We can accept no responsibility for the temporary blindness caused when you see the finished product. For some reason, the These from Shaft keeps rolling through my head. It must be the arrival of our driveshaft fabricator to the Wheels of Dreams fold. Dan Iwanchuk from Canada Auto is no stranger to building custom driveshafts for every manner of street rod.
The body shell will soon be on its way to the Van Aert quonset, where our Torch Man Jim Van Aert will begin the removal of the floorboard sections that resemble Swiss cheese. The crew at Winnipeg Sandblasting is carefully stripping away the layers of paint and rust, and sealing the shell in epoxy primer, supplied by Rondex. The primer will prevent any new rust from forming, which would require a return trip to the blaster. Filling those floorboard voids will be a few sheets of hot-rolled steel, from the warm hearts of Varsteel. (www.varsteel.ca) "I've got two children myself," said Varsteels's Branch Manager Rob Remillard. "If it's anything that helps out kids, I find a way to make it happen."
The Parts Hotline continues to ring-a-ding, this week with Bob Duncan from the House of Silver. It's a familiar name amongst restorers in need of stunning stainless steel polishing, as well as replating services. Duncan has offered up his expertise to finish various trim pieces for the Chevy. We can accept no responsibility for the temporary blindness caused when you see the finished product. For some reason, the These from Shaft keeps rolling through my head. It must be the arrival of our driveshaft fabricator to the Wheels of Dreams fold. Dan Iwanchuk from Canada Auto is no stranger to building custom driveshafts for every manner of street rod.