^ Saab 92H

^ 1961 Karmann Ghia Type 1 Photo by: pichaus

^ Dats 1966 Mercedes Photo by Sid Titus

^ Photographer Unknown

^ By cixpack1

^ Martian Hot Rod Rocket By: Britt Madding

^ Photo Credit: Alex Pouzar

^ Photo by Javier Santiago

^ Photoshop painting by Andy Lang

^ www.neonspecialties.biz

^ 1951 Merc owner and photographer unknown

^ 1968 Plymouth RoadRunner Photographer Unknown

^ Adrian Kiwikiwi’s ’61 Bel Air Photo by Chris ‘George’ Thorogood

^ DP Customs Mele Motorcycle

^ Jeff Lytle – Gearhead Grpahics Photo by Julie Bergonz photographye

Counts Kustoms, Sunday Slacker, and Sin City Jokers The Chop Tops Slackers – Mellisa, Miki, and Nikki Slackers – Marlin, Freddy and Ben

For the full story on this car check Forward Look Speedster

Photos by: Gabe Garcia

What if there was an Imperial two-seater made back then, hand-crafted with flamboyant styling atop state-of-the-art hardware? Murray Pfaff’s Imperial Speedster answers that “what if” with a big “Why not?” Says Murray from his Royal Oak, Michigan shop,“Initially, I wanted to build a rat rod, but I kind of missed the mark. Some people say that I failed miserably.”

The rat rod idea was inspired by a VW Beetle that was radically transformed in just three months, Murray then considered “Forward Look” dream cars. “Virgil Exner, Chrysler’s head of styling then, had worked with Ghia to create one-off show cars, but they never brought one to production,” he says. “So, I said, “What if we built a two-seat sports car out of a four-door sedan?”

Then fate intervened when he found a ’59 Imperial Crown sedan, barn-stored for over four decades, whose acres of sheetmetal were untouched by rust. The rat rod plans went out the window, and Murray devised Plan B – going the dream car route. “A ‘what-if’ to compete against the Corvette or the Thunderbird back in the day, what might it have looked like?” he asks. “I came up with this luxury sports car.”

Even if he didn’t already have a donor car, the flamboyant “Forward Look” flanks had the over-the-top styling he was looking for. “The Chryslers were among the most outrageous,” he says. “I just love the fins, and details like the ‘Saturn rings’ around the taillights.”

That “little” design concept needed large amounts of OEM Imperial sheetmetal, which the donor ’59 had—rust-free, and ready to have a two-seater carved from it.

Carving is probably the best way to describe the transformation. With help from Steve Langdon (who made a “telescoping” jig to hold the body panels), Steve Germond and Tom Gardner, then shortened it in five places a total of 52 inches, narrowed it eight inches, sectioned it three inches and channeled it over the frame another four inches. In all, the body was cut into 46 major pieces, all the while keeping the Imperial’s design cues intact. “Once we scaled it down, it remained 100% Imperial,” Murray recalls.

Once finalized, the body was blasted free of its original paint, primer and sealer by Alternative Media Blasting in Brighton, MI, before final metal work and paint prep. Mike Brimm took up residence at Murray’s house to lead the fit, finish, and bodywork team, ensuring that the Speedster’s lines were better than a new car. Then, it went to PPG’s tech center in Wixom, where the two-stage “Envirobase” paint went on, before it was re-trimmed.

While they were speedsterizing the Imperial’s body, Murray met up with Jeff Schwartz, of Schwartz Performance, in town for the annual Detroit Autorama. Careful measuring revealed that a “G-machine” Pro Touring frame would fit, with minimal tweaking.

Going on that frame was a powertrain and chassis far removed from the 413 Wedge/727 and front torsion bars/rear leafs of the donor ’59. Mopar’s 6.1L Hemi crate engine and a 518 overdrive automatic by Phoenix Transmission Products provided the power, with a Ridetech front suspension, Unisteer Mustang rack and Viper IRS rounding out the handling hardware, while an SSBC master cylinder and Raybestos NASCAR Super Speedway disc brake calipers keep it under control.

To compliment the modern-tech chassis and Exner-inspired body, Murray designed a cabin that combined the best of both worlds. Filling the Imperial’s original dash are gauges by New Vintage Instruments, while Murray fabricated a custom console and “waterfall,” and Pat Russell of PJ’s Trim Shop stitched the seats and door panels.

To call the finished Speedster “stunning” is an understatement. Per Murray, it even impressed the House of Exner. “Virgil Exner Jr. saw photos of this car, and he said that he was really excited about it,” says Murray. “He thought that his Dad would be very proud of it, especially the large orange wheels.”

He’d likely be proud of the Speedster’s performance, which says is “a blast.” “The car is so nice to drive, so pleasurable to drive,” he continues. “You don’t have to make any concessions for it. It rides and handles very well. It doesn’t have any bumps, squeaks, or rattles.”

Murray adds, “For all the dissimilar parts that we took and put together, creating something that never was, it’s really surprising how wonderful it came out.”

For their help with the Speedster, Murray has special thanks to pass along. “Building a car of this scale and caliber is a team effort. I’m fortunate to have a team of volunteers who contributed their expertise, their willingness to venture into uncharted territories, and who sacrificed their nights and weekends over three and a half years. Together, we created a car that none of us alone could have ever built.

“I’m happy and proud to call each and every team member a friend, and they took the Imperial Speedster from a mere thought rolling around in my mind to the reality you see before you. I thank them for their knowledge, passion, conviction, and hard work: Steve Langdon – welding and fabrication; Steve Germond – welding, fabrication, and body work; Tom Gardner -engineering, fabrication, wiring, and assembly; Mike Brimm – fitment, surfacing and final paint; Chuck Yee and Ed Pashukewich – body work and surfacing; Kevin Howell–3D CAD design; Phil Krantz – build assistance; Brian Liening – machining; and Jeff Matauch of PPG – painting, paint training and consultation.

“Also, these very instrumental companies contributed: Summit Racing Equipment, Librandi’s Plating, PJ’s Trim Shop, New Vintage Instruments and Pilot Transport Thanks for everything!”

Owned and Customized by: Murray Pfaff, Royal Oak, Michigan

Engine: A 6.1L Hemi crate engine, with an Aeromotive-equipped EFI system, high-amp alternator from Ohio Generator, a Milodon oil pan, owner-modified intake with engraved ribs and fabbed “intake blades,” K&N air filter, and ceramic-coated Mopar headers and Flowmaster “Hushpower” mufflers in a custom polished exhaust system built by Steve Langdon. Langdon also fabricated the custom valve covers from original 392 Hemi covers and the ‘59s front fender letters.

Transmission: A-518 overdrive automatic (modified by Phoenix Transmission Products), with a 2500 stall converter and ’60 Imperial pushbutton shifter, with cable from Imperial Services, Frankenmuth, MI.

Rearend: ’09 Viper ACR-S rear end with a 3.07-geared, GKN Visco-Lok limited-slip-equipped Dana 44.

Suspension: (Front) Ridetech adjustable coilovers with Schwartz Performance sway bar (Rear) ’09 Viper independent.

Brakes: Raybestos NASCAR Super Speedway discs, with 4-piston monoblock calipers and a SSBC master cylinder/proportioning valve.

Wheels and Tires; Orange-painted Dayton “Triple Cross” knock-off wire wheels (17 x 8 inches front, 18 x 10 inches rear) wear Goodyear F1 GS-D3 tires (225/45R17 front, 275/40R18 rear)

Body: Original’59 Imperial Crown 4-door sedan converted into a roadster by Murray, with much help from Steve Langdon (who made a telescoping body jig for it), Steve Germond (metal shaping and fabricating), Tom Gardner (mechanical and electrical engineering), Mike Brimm (panel fit and paint prep), Chuck Yee (bodywork), and Kevin Howell (Computer-aided design of emblems, engine bullet, and other items). Chrome plating by Librandi’s Plating, Middletown, PA, and custom “Crown” emblems by Con2r, Beaverton, OR. Taillight lenses were hand-made by George Laurie, and the custom polycarbonate windscreen was made by Pro Glass, Bristol, IL.

Frame: A Schwartz Performance “G-Machine” steel tube frame replaced the way-long OEM one.

Paint: Mike Brimm and PPG’s Jeff Matauch sprayed on the Envirobase paint (in Jaguar Topaz, Lamborghini Atlas Orange and Volvo Java shades) at PPG’s Technical Training Center, Wixom, MI.

Interior: Pat Russell at PJ’s Trim Shop in Hemlock, Michigan stitched the Rolls-Royce hides while Murray made the door panels, custom console/”waterfall and steering wheel center section. Seats are Celica GTS buckets, New Vintage Instruments in Ferndale, MI made the Murray-designed gauges, Alpine supplied the sound system, Vintage Air supplied the HVAC, and the steering wheel rim is from a’60 Imperial.

BY: By: Scott Ross
A special thanks to Scott Ross and Murray Pfaff, Pfaff Designs, and for the featured story of the week. Photography by Mike Yoksich. For more infomation on Pfaff Designs visit www.pfaffdesigns.com

Story courtesy of www.motorcities.org

A perfect day for a BBQ with fellow club members, family and friends. The Taildraggers Car Club hosted a BBQ and kick back at a local park on the westside of Vegas. The playground near by was perfect for the kids, the horseshoe pit offered entertainment, Larry grilled up the carne asada and the boom box played rockabilly tunes.
Corey, aka Corndog got some burnout runs with his Model A Coupe. Check the video on his FB page.

Thanks for the Taildragger crew for the invite. We had a great time.

~ Sunday Slacker Magazine

^ Perfect day in Vegas, I rolled out the 48. It was still dirty from the cruise last week. It rained most of that day.

^ Delow and Miki rolled up in the Black Widow

Corey and his Model A Coupe.

This 1958 Apache Fleetside is as fine as wine. The cool flat worry-free paint job just says western and rugged. The pickup is lowered and sports just the right aggressive but not over the top stance. Plus a set of air bags in the rear help to support a heavy load when needed.

The engine is a healthy 355 c.i. with Edelbrock intake, headers and a nice cam done by Keeton’s Speed Shop. A Turbo 350 transmission and 3:55 rear gear put the power to the pavement. Inside we have a clean and simple interior with plenty of room. Comfortable to say the least.

No wonder pickups are making such a comeback and are a huge part of any local or national car show scene, fitting in just fine with their muscle car and hot rod counterparts.

Words by David Trent
Photos by Hot Rod Dirty’s Photography

Issue Four Model

Photos by: FelixPhotography Hair by: Megan Sims / Kelly Cardenas Salon Makeup: Rae Siblink

Bill Reeves
1950 Ford Woody

For the 20 years before Bill got a hold of this rare nine passenger woody, it was the centerpiece of a salad bar at a Wendy’s restaurant in Ventura, California. Featuring original wood-grain panels, roof rack, surfboard, Mustang 5.0 litre engine, automatic transmission, disc brakes, and the, 50s-style interior.

Designer Crahay who was very knowledgeable of the American woman and her preference for ease and excellence created a different kind of photo shoot for the American woman. The photographs were taken at Chrysler’s Imperial factory in Dearborn, Michigan during actual working hours. The goal of course, was that you will note a pleasant analogy between the clean, un-fussy lines of Mr. Crahay’s work and the understated elegance of the 1960 Imperial model designs.

The first Imperial was produced at the corporation’s East Jefferson plant in Detroit with other Chrysler automobiles in 1926. In 1955, the Imperial was given a distinctively different styling treatment setting it further apart from its sister Chrysler automobiles. In 1957, Imperial parts were no longer interchangeable with Chrysler parts.

In the fall of 1958 the new Imperial facility in Dearborn, Michigan, enabled engineering, manufacturing and production teams to concentrate on the Imperial exclusively, creating the finest quality Imperial ever built.

The second year that the Imperial models were built in Dearborn, Michigan, was in 1960, where more than 700 different hand craftsman operations were employed. The 1960 Imperial designs offered a new silhouette wedge-shaped design and an elongated hood line reminiscent of classic Imperial automobiles of the 1930’s. The tail-fins were adorned with Imperial’s familiar gun-sight tail lights and were a big hit among many customers. Custom designed interior fabrics were offered in 8 colors, rich woolen broad-cloths, genuine leather, and new doeskin vinyls, which gave the Imperial an impeccable look of richness. The Imperial Collection intrigued many women customers and therefore Imperial automobiles became a popular model of the sixties.

Many presidents and Kings throughout the world purchased the Imperial Le Baron model which offered a more distinctive styling design for the richness of ones taste. The 1960 Imperial automobile was “America’s Most Carefully Built Car”.

Story courtesy of www.motorcities.org

Please do not use any photographs without the permission of MotorCities. For further information contact Robert Tate at btate@motorcities.org

Heidi Van Horne

Actress ~ Producer ~ Author ~ Director ~ Top Pin Up Model

She went to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City, then returned to Houston to do 2 Equity roles at the Tony-award winning Alley Theatre, and finally moved to LA.  While living out of her car for 3 ½ months, she did still photos with Tom Cruise for Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia, and other various extra and featured work, just to get back on the set (and be fed!)  She’s since been an integral part in front of and behind the camera in numerous films, shorts, commercials, and printwork, as well as regularly appearing in roles on network TV alongside some of today’s top comedians, shooting with some of today’s top photographers (including renowned fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh and pin up pioneer Bunny Yeager) and being featured in countless popular counter-culture publications and websites. More and full credits on http://www.heidivanhorne.com

^ Photos by: http://www.notstockphotography.com/

1947 Chevy Fleetline
Sean and Larry Ornduff
House of Kolor Gold Metallic paint, shaved, frenched and molded body, custom bumpers, airbagged, pleated leather interior, 57 Cadillac hub caps with wide whites, and a 383ci Chevy small block.

Plowboy’s World Famous Atomic Punk

Here are my personal favs from the show, lets call these the Slacker Seven. It was hard to narrow it down to seven. I had at least another six that could have made this list.

My personal choice for the AMBR award would have been Sylvester III. Owned by Paul Shaughnessy from New Metal Kustomz in Cotati, CA. Some highlights were the filled doors, custom red paint and the cream highlights on the headers, frame and carb stacks. I loved the gloss black undercarriage and all the chrome on the engine. It won Best Paint, Best Engine and Best Undercarriage. All the reasons why I loved this roadster.

The rod in the Hot Rods by Deans booth was another one of my favs. If I were to build a rod, it would maybe look like this. Black on black with the only color and chrome on the engine.

Kustom or lowrider, we’ve seen this car on the net many times. The Starlite paint job, wire wheels and the clean interior made this one of my favs outside. Custom chopped Merc, clean lines, perfect color and love that custom grill. The woody convertible, unfinished but still too kool to overlook. Maybe the best color choice at the GNRS was the Ford truck. Brown, coldish, copper color. Would love to see this in natural light. Last but not least, baby blue and white panel. Fat whites, low and OG. I can imagine this with a Sunday Slacker logo on the side.

What were some of your favs from the show?

Enjoy.

Paul Shaughnessy’s “Sylvester III” 1932 Ford. Best Paint, Best Engine and Best Undercarriage
^ Hot Rods by Dean
^ Starlite Rod & Kustom

~ Sunday Slacker