02/08/2024
WARNING: This goes LONG!
Make no mistake, there’s no delusions of grandeur, I never built a SHOW CAR. The “Junk Yard Dawg” is a “driver” – if there aren’t any bugs in the grille, the whole four-year project was wasted time n’ money. However, when Sam Roybal invites you to show at a fund-raiser bike ‘n hot rod show for Warrior Built and Mission K9 Rescue – YOU SHOW.
Got’a thank grandsons Vincent Holguin and Dominick Leatherman for yeoman’s duty in the pre-launch pitt – endless hours and effort. Havin’ these two in the pitt is like havin’ a BULL and a GORILLA on your side when the fist fight starts! Also have to thank Sam Roybal and Doug Vincent for constant prods to “get’er done!” And, guys, never forget to thank you wife for puttin’ up with your insanity! Jennie H**p ROCKS! And, I have to thank “Scope Dope” for being the tireless friend and crew member. He even watched the ass end of the Dawg on MoVal to Elsinore highways and roads and back while I was havin’ way too much fun on her maiden voyage. Mike, you’re sterling.
Here's what we ended up with – alphabetic:
Hats off to Kent Spillman and the crew at Big Boy Toys [Yucaipa] – a Richmond 373 posi rear end, right stuff disc brake conversion, dyno results – 323/488, and a myriad of first-fire gremlins handled.
Not the least of all, grats to Jesse at Best Price Auto Glass – honored a two-year-old windshield price quote!
To my very good friend, Colonel Bud Lupino [Bud’s Tires] for all the R&D put into wheels, tires, and the suspension tune-up.
Grats to the entire gang at C&S Powder Coating stepped up big time throughout the build – Pablo, Joseph, Adam, Kat, and Josh.
Hats off to Randy and the barn staff at Cal Mesa Steel Supply – we “engineered” 80% of this build on their counter!
A big “thank you” to Jan and Bryan Brinkman at Yucaipa Custom Metal Fab for “fine tuning” some of my insane fit-up needs.
Grats to William Dumar and the gang at Eaton-Detroit Spring [Detroit] for the custom MC1912s on the front and ML687-2s arears – 2” drop all the way around – absolutely impressive cornering. Of course, if you’ve got a lot of fillings before you ride in this beast, you won’t have any when we get back!
Cameron, Jesse, and Rachel at San Berdo’s Harbor Freight did incredible stuff in makin’ sure I had the right tools.
Got’a salute Jon Johnson of Johnson’s Automotive Machine in Yucaipa for a 468 BBC that has an incredible top end.
Got’a thank Wendy and the entire gang at K&L Hardware in San Berdo for maintaining the best “bolt bin” anywhere!
A MAJOR SHOUT OUT to Jeff Collins of Midwest Muncie for havin’ the audacity to build an open-ratio 22 Rock Crusher tr**ny without a single Chinese part in it – guaranteed.
Art Moore at Yucaipa NAPA and Scott Peterson at the Redlands store busted hump on build supplies and some “unique” part applications.
And, a “Rah!” to Junior, Fran, and Don at the Redlands O’Reilly’s who had the patience of Jobe – one-of-a-kind applications of gages, belts, hoses, et al.
“Creative” is an understatement for Johnny Ready at Sherwin-Williams Automotive in Ontario – prep materials, bondo magic, and “garbage truck” paint – paint it ONCE!
And, maybe last but not least, a big “Ooooraahhh!” to Charlie O’Brian at Yucaipa Tractor Supply – seven different belts before the alternator and power steering pump were 100%.
With a wide-open stretch of I-215 south on the first day out – I didn’t even grab 3rd – from 55 to the “century mark” in under 3 seconds. For the past 5 years this project has succeeded at keeping me out of trouble. Now? Hold my beer!
![I went up to northern California [Berkeley] for my 60th high school reunion this past weekend. Early Saturday morning, ...](https://img3.autos1000.com/313/496/398341133134960.jpg)
