Billetproof Florida

So GRM Super Associate Publisher guy Steve Chryssos and I went to the Billetproof Florida show today. It was a little cold and a whole lot wet, but we had a good time regardless. Forgive the photos; my iPhone is waterproof, my Canon is not.

The wheels are made from paper.

Steve really liked this truck.

Sweet Judson supercharged MG-T

Predictably, this was my favorite. I especially liked that they retained 4-wheel drive, locking hubs and all.

The Billetproof shows are put on by the same folks who run Concours d'LeMons, so I'm really excited to see who shows up for the Concours d'LeMons "Mitty Gritty" event.

Cool photos! That supercharged MG is my favourite. It reminds me of the ratty TC that frequents our local hillclimb.

The dainty looking cream-coloured hot rod 6 photos down is also awesome.

I hart vintage tin, Oak plank floors, welded chain steering wheels and jeep-rods. Thanks for making my working sunday just a little more pleasant!

That supercharged TC is the schnizzit. I like the wrenches welded to the Jeep's exhaust and the connecting rod used to hold the steering column in the one with the oak floor and chain steering wheel.

BTW, when my dad had the speed shops here in SC, we used to sell a bunch of those chain steering wheels to the custom van crowd. I swear I don't think there was a '70's or early '80's van in SC that didn't have one.

What's up with the stealth trip to Gainesville? I would have loved to go to the show with you guys.

Glad you had fun though! Cool cars.

Jensenman wrote: I like the connecting rod used to hold the steering column in the one with the oak floor

I didnt notice that one Jman, nice catch, I hart it too

Althoough, a cast iron connecting rod? heavy, corrodable and flexy...mmm mmm just the way i like my internals

I love the back seat on the Jeep, "no scarf, I don't care how cold it is"

My son, his prospective father-in-law and I went to the Detroit Autorama show yesterday. Lots of really,really nice cars. But, we all agreed the traditional hot rods in the basement of Cobo Hall were a lot more fun. Much more creativity in recycling stuff into the cars.It reminds me of the 20XX mentality seen here all the time and the cars were things I could build at home without having to be a custom painter or exquisite welder. Several of them were being shown with the rain and slush markings on them, because they were driven to the show. Some of it's just junk, but there were several cars that I would absolutely love to have in my garage.

the jeep is kinda cool, but I sure as hell hope its a repro body..

If not, he should be shot.

btw... the shaft to the front axle is a dummy. It's not a 4x4 anymore.

ignorant wrote: the jeep is kinda cool, but I sure as hell hope its a repro body.. If not, he should be shot. btw... the shaft to the front axle is a dummy. It's not a 4x4 anymore.

Doh! I saw the pumpkin and the hubs and got all excited. Didn't even look at the knuckles until I saw your post. Dang...

I'd consider doing this to a postal service jeep. They're still cheap, right?

Tom Heath wrote:

ignorant wrote: the jeep is kinda cool, but I sure as hell hope its a repro body.. If not, he should be shot. btw... the shaft to the front axle is a dummy. It's not a 4x4 anymore.

Doh! I saw the pumpkin and the hubs and got all excited. Didn't even look at the knuckles until I saw your post. Dang... I'd consider doing this to a postal service jeep. They're still cheap, right?

The knuckles are fine. It's the bent axles. Those are the closed knuckles typically used on pre 72-73 4x4's... (rovers and yotas used them much later)

But it's when I looked at the knuckle that I determined that a dropped axle like this- is awfully hard to put a halfshaft through.

Tom Heath wrote: is awfully hard to put a halfshaft through.

Flexible cable drive just like a weed-eater

Lottsa cool with a little WTF?

That 33/34 3W is sweet, but some of the "traditional" hot rods are a little too far out there for me.

Jeep used the closed knuckles from '41 to sometime in the late '70's early '80's.

iceracer wrote: Jeep used the closed knuckles from '41 to sometime in the late '70's early '80's.

Nein..

72 was the first year for open knuckles on cj's.. Closed knuckles were used later on FSJ's but not that much later.

For those of us in Michigan and northern Ohio, there will be a Billetproof meet in Ypsilanti, Mi. on May 15, IIRC. I'm going. I love this kind of stuff.

I love that dropped Ford truck and the MG. So much tasty goodness.

To me, the fundamental allure of this sort of car is how ingenuity and the inherent coolness of the machinery being featured has trumped $20,000 paint jobs.

What’s unfortunate is that the Billetproof crowd has become snobs in their own right. A friend has a ’58 Alfa with Oldsmobile drivetrain and a fair helping of funkiness. It’ would be perfect for Billetproof except that they don’t want any part of the Italian body.

Of course the Alfa crowd wants no part of it because of the Olds drivetrain, so all that’s left are deviates like us.

Ha! Tim and Tommy were there, too... surprised you guys didn't run into them. They came back somewhat popsicle-y.

Margie