WHAT'S IN A NAME?-- LURCH

Okay, so I've settled on a name for the T. It's going to be "Lurch". Why Lurch? Because it's an acknowlegment of what the car's build will be influenced by. Which for the record, is Mercury Charlie's old T, the Munster's and the Addam's Family and the 60's show cars. "Lurch" seems fitting. Now, lest you think I'm going to get too carried away, I assure you that a few carefully chosen tips of the hat to the Munster's Car is all it will take. Basically, we're talking about 60's show cars, George Barris and goth. Darks colors, crushed velvets, etc. Subtle funeral-esque touches without being totally creepy. 

Below are a few pictures and other reference points I'd like to pull from:

Dig the Keystone five-spokes. I'm toying with the notion of Cragar SS wheels on the rear of Lurch,
and perhaps reverse chromes on front. A little more "show car" versus classic and traditional.

To me, Charlie's old T was the epitome of cool. Note the white walls and chrome reverse rims, the suede paint and wicked purple and pinstriped flames by Von Franco. 

The Uncertain-T is another influence. Dig the vinyl roof and the engine/intake.  I know I do.

Here's the canvas I'm building from. You gotta start somewhere, right?

I've love this wagon's attitude. The metallic roof, the suede black paint, the chop,
the Radir wheels and whitewall tires. Very cool and goth.

Note the aggressive rake. Badass. 

Here's the type of paint and color I'm leaning towards. Wicked.

Dan Stoner's T was vertically sectioned by Tim Conder.
Another heavy influence. 

A NEW OLD STOCK BUICK SPEEDO

Here's a little something you don't see every day. A mid sixties Gauge with only 18 miles on it. 

And not just any gauge mind you, but a Buick Riviera gauge. I couldn't help myself. I bought it. Off eBay. Paid a hair under $200 with shipping.

 Now maybe that seems like a lot of money. Hell, it is a lot of money. But what a great centerpiece for a Tall T with a 425 Nailhead engine. Here's to keeping it in the family. 

NOTES:

Outer chrome bezel is 6" at widest outer edge

Mesurement of Speedo's interior Face 4&3/4"

Silver center section is 2&3/4"

Arm is sliver over silver section of speedo and bright orange/red over black outer section.

These look like they might be a nice match to the Buick Speedo.

LOWER THAN LOW (RUNNING BAGS?)

Instead of having the double Z’ed MC frame run a traverse spring rear and a traditional drop axle, I’m considering the possibility of running air bags.

I know, I know.  It’s not exactly traditional, so why do it? The appeal is to have a really, really low Tall T.  To me the lower the Tall T is, the better it’ll look. And if I’m going to have a custom frame built, why not take advantage of that by doing something really custom. The set-up I’m looking at is from Mike Waechter, owner of Customs, Castings and Composites in Friendship, Indiana. His number is 812 212-5845. It consists of a custom front and rear cross member. Bags are not included.

After talking to Mike, he mentioned that he built his T with the tanks incorporated into the frame rails, which saves space and really takes advantage of a custom frame nicely. Plus, he was able to downplay the bags to a great extent, by designing a pretty traditional looking untraditional set-up. The lowest Tall T around. I can dig it.

Since I haven’t pulled the trigger on purchasing the parts just yet, now would be the time to decide. To that end, I’m going to discuss this option with Charlie and ask him to discuss it with Mike @ Customs, Castings and Composites.  More on that later.

HAMMERNDOLLIE'S AIR RIDE FOR FENDERLESS RODS

Mike Waechter
Customs, Castings, & Composites
812.212.5845
Location: Friendship, IN   Price: $600   

Enclosed is an ad I just came across on HAMB from "Hammerndollie":

LISTING INFO:

For sale here is an amazing Airride set-up for your straight axle hot rod. This unti directly replaces your existing Front cross member and traverse spring with dual cantilever action air spring. This can be adapted to be used on the rear. 

IF you are running a Ford style axle with traverse spring. It might be time to start thinking about Air Ride. With this set-up mounted in a "suicide" fashion will give you up to 6" of travel! But can also be mounted "spring-over" and gain 4" of travel. Not only will the Acme Air Ride give you that TOO-low look, but also offers a ride quality incomparable to a traditional traverse spring. 

The cross member measures approximately 24" X 6.375" at the widest points (extended cross members available for $25 more)

The Air-spring is set up to directly replace 31" springs using your existing shackles!

Utilizes 2400# series airbags available from any air bar supplier (bags not included)

I have offered these in limited runs before with rave reviews. Now is your chance to see what you've been missing!!!

$600+ shipping!

SPEEDO FOUND!

Just found a speedometer from a 1964 Riviera. 18 miles on it. Perfect speedo for the Tall T.

A THREE-PHASE BUILD PLAN.

I'm breaking the build into three phases:

1. Build frame and make it into a roller with engine, transmission, rear end, driveshaft, suspension wheels and tires installed. Not running, but rolling.
2. Blast body and DP-90 it. Mount body to frame. Install radiator and grill shell. Fabricate floors. Install pedals and master brake cylinder. Install seats. Headlights. Tail lights. Instrument panel. Steering column. Roof. All glass. Temp Wiring. Get running. Install gas tank.
3. Break car down into pieces, prep frame and all components for plating, powder coating, etc,
install sound deadener, vibration dampening, exterior and interior paint. Install all glass.
Paint body, engine and detail all engine accessories. Upholster seats, door panels. Install wiring, stereo,
AC, heat, gauges.

Phase one begins in December. I will be taking all the components from my 29 and tranferring them to my T. The drop axle tube front end, steel wheels and tires, 425 Nailhead, Turbo 400, 12-bolt rear end,
drive shaft, steering column, steering box and headlights will be dropped off at Mercury Charlie's do that Charlie can build the T's frame and complete Phase One. Charlie and I contacted Pete and Jakes and costed out all the components for their Ladder-bar style traverse spring rear suspension.
I'll be ordering the parts this month to arrive at Charlie's by the end of the month. We'll be off and running soon.

WHEEL CHOICE

The era I'm looking to capture with the T build is the early sixties. Mercury Charlie's original T and the Munster's coach are heavy influences.

I've always loved the steelies that Charlie ran on his T, but my instinct is to go with a more ornate design, such as the Radir like the Clark Bates-built blue T below.

 Another interesting option is the ever-popilar Cragar SS, which receives much less play among the Model T and A crowd, which frankly makes it all the more attractive to me. 

The car below is one of the only T's I've ever seen with Cragar SS wheels.

This much I'm sure of. It will definitely use a hodgepodge of carefully blended used parts, have a dark colored paint job, and be almost devoid of chrome dress up items (other than the wheels themselves). 

I'm going for a decidedly goth vibe without it being at all ratty. 

And it will be built from the ground up using quality 60's parts throughout.

Stay tuned.