Susan's Place Transgender Resources

AS my reader will know I have been in a Hot Rod club since 78 and we still meet (well the ones still upright) . I have been building my Austin Countryman for ages and have owned it since 79, on its 3 rebuild at the moment. My friend in the club has a Ford T roadster pickup that one of the other members has been building and due to ill health has been unable to finish so my friend bought it. I have been going over to help as there is a lot of stuff unfinished, so far sorted the radiator mount and grill shell and making the wiring loom up.
 I have to collect a car from Scotland so as he has a trailer we will go and fetch it end of Nov, payment in kind sort of thing! So anyone else into hot rods or cars?

I don't have a garage, so I am no longer into the doing part.

My best friend introduced me to custom vans when I was living in Colorado. He and I began customizing on the weekends as a side job. A third member joined us as his father owned an RV parts and service shop. We were allowed to use his service bays and tools (if not already in use). For payment, he only asked us to order all parts and supplies through him.

Now I live vicariously through the work of others. I love seeing before and after pics, or progress photos as a project goes along.

Like classic  cars. My favourite  I owned was a 70 Vauxhall  Cresta with a 68 Ford  Zephyr 6 a close second. Preferred bikes and  rode a Harley  Sportster  til my 60s

As anyone will know that reads my blog I have a new build, 600 mile round trip to collect it and this morning it took 2 hours to get it off the trailer. Its a very rotten Austin Hereford or as I call it Herferod, its a BIG build with new floor, channelled over modified chassis, roof chop and 2 door conversion. Will be later next year before I can start.

Quandary, sold so stuff and now I can afford 2 engines and a gearbox for the new car or do I get bits for the Countryman to get that finished? Thing is the engine and box is at a very good price that might never be repeated.

I think I would take advantage of the opportunity while you have it.

Sent the money today, just need to find a courier .Was hoping to go to my workshop but its cold and damp and I have a sniffle. Sun out tomorrow so hope to build up the shortened drive shafts.

Davina,

Are all hot rods also "muscle cars"?

But not all muscle cars are hot rods? 

Just wondering!


Chrissy

Muscle car is a 70s term for a "standard" car with a large or tuned engine, hot rod covers a lot of stuff but generally is pre 50s and modified.
 Well my 2 to make one Rover engines came for the Heferod (as I have named the Hereford) and an auto box. Now sat on a pallet in my workshop, will be later in the year before that gets started on.

Quote from: davina61 on January 28, 2025, 05:11:17 AMMuscle car is a 70s term for a "standard" car with a large or tuned engine, hot rod covers a lot of stuff but generally is pre 50s and modified.
 Well my 2 to make one Rover engines came for the Heferod (as I have named the Hereford) and an auto box. Now sat on a pallet in my workshop, will be later in the year before that gets started on.

Thank you for the information.

Quote from: davina61 on January 28, 2025, 05:11:17 AMMuscle car is a 70s term for a "standard" car with a large or tuned engine, hot rod covers a lot of stuff but generally is pre 50s and modified.
 Well my 2 to make one Rover engines came for the Heferod (as I have named the Hereford) and an auto box. Now sat on a pallet in my workshop, will be later in the year before that gets started on.

Are these Range Rover engines?

Yes Chrissy it is the old Buick 215ci engine. Well I am close to getting the Austin on the road, finishing the trim as best I can. By no means is it professional, more functional . I will try and post pics.

Back in the early 1970's, my grandmother needed a car. My dad found one for her, a 1961 Buick Special with a 215 V8. It was still running well in the late 1970's.

Love always -- Jess

This makes me want to get my 1972 Camaro dusted off and out to stretch its legs. Sadly it's just sits in the garage 99% of the year.

Done few miles in the Austin now, some snagging stuff to sort as expected. 3 weeks till the big hot rod show, need to sort my camping gear out!

not sure if this will post as they have changed Imgur. Not sure whats gone on but cant get into my photos, was going to post pics of the Austin.

Imgur changed the user interface so it is harder for me upload and find the right links for posting here.  There may be a way of access the old interface.

Tried that 🙁

Sorted the wipers on the Austin, its as ready as it will be to go to the Supernats hot rod show on Thurs. Weather looks good, I have sorted the camping stuff out and just washed the plates and stuff.

https://imgur.com/1EQ2J99
Managed to get a pic link loaded. Still cant get it to post the pic though

A grand time was had by all at The NHRA Supernats, we went down on Thus and back home yesterday evening. Lots of great cars there ,put the Austin in the top 10 voting display. More to thumb my nose at the trailer queens that are built to win trophy's. Everyone I spoke to liked it.

Quote from: davina61 on August 11, 2025, 03:41:13 AMA grand time was had by all at The NHRA Supernats, we went down on Thus and back home yesterday evening. Lots of great cars there ,put the Austin in the top 10 voting display. More to thumb my nose at the trailer queens that are built to win trophy's. Everyone I spoke to liked it.

That is great to hear Davina.

Chrissy

Side mission, making a teardrop caravan. After the faff of putting up the drive away awning/tent I decided to make a small caravan so bought a trailer ,it was made on an old caravan chassis! so it turned back into a caravan. Quick build as need to get the Hereford in my shop soon. 2 1/2 days work and its all framed up ready for the ply sides to go on, waiting for thin ply to  make the curved roof. 6x4 sleeping area for my air bed on floor then a 4x4 area to sit, put in worktop at front. Cooking station to fit to outside with tarp roof ,enough for a few days away at a hot rod run.

Roof done, need another length of alloy angle to trim roof to side join. It curved okay in my shrinker/stretcher, just one section of side to clad and when trim is done I can start  painting. Not bad for so far 5 days graft.

Nearly finished the teardrop, just one more tube of clear sealant to go along the edge of the vinyl roof cover. Garage at home squared up so it will fit in and hope to move it in on Sat. Fri the 12th off to NSRA Hot Rod Drags at Santa Pod raceway for the weekend with my friends from hot rod club. I have "50s" style clothes to wear, straight cut jeans with turn ups, check blouse, dungarees, deck shoes and a canvas look jacket with leather look collar. Have been unable to find a denim jump suit to match the other girls in my size as out of stock even online.

Quote from: davina61 on September 03, 2025, 02:47:04 AMHave been unable to find a denim jump suit to match the other girls in my size as out of stock even online.

You will look like the gang leader, and they are your posse.  ;D
Or Pit Crew.

Got the jumpsuit so we will be the Roadster's crew !! Sorting out the workshop ready to get the Hereford in ,that will be a few weeks time before my mate can trailer it for me. Moving stuff around, throwing scrap away, filling bin bags and need to clean the shelf off .Oh its not a shelf its a bench with stuff piled on it!! Also need to make a charging  bay for the battery powered tools, make a swappable mount for the shrinker/stretcher and guillotine. Dusty old job as filler dust/cobwebs get everywhere. 

Quote from: davina61 on August 03, 2025, 05:41:17 AMhttps://imgur.com/1EQ2J99
Managed to get a pic link loaded. Still cant get it to post the pic though

Fantastic!  Good to see out in public!  Wonderful rod mods!

Quote from: davina61 on September 08, 2025, 03:10:45 AMGot the jumpsuit so we will be the Roadster's crew !!

Would love to see a pic of the Roaster Crew!
That is, if the rest of the crew doesn't mind.

Next up: Davina's Roadster Crew Pin-Up Calendar!
Get yours today and support the Crew.
No tariffs on pre-order digital copies.
Guaranteed organic, sugar and cholesterol-free!

 :laugh:

You never know what might appear here!!!!

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After my wife died on of the decisions, I had to make was what to do with her 1967 Ford Mustang. It was a prized item of hers since her father gave it to her when she first got her divers license back in1969. She was the second owner of the car.  After much thought I decided to give it to my nephew so he and his young son to work on it as a father-son project. I am happy to say that they have gotten it up and running with rebuilt suspension and updated solid state ignition. He brought it out from Arizona to participate in the Big Bear Lake fun run around the lake, where I got to see all the hard work they have done over the last couple of years.

(https://i.imgur.com/dRGNgXt.jpeg)

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had a lovely time at Hot Rod drags at Santa Pod raceway, bit of drama with the Austin as exhaust flange bolts came undone on l/h down pipe but managed to get at it and do a fix. Wipers packed up in pouring rain but could see okay enough to get home. Austin tows the teardrop trailer no problem, you would not know it was on the back apart from extra weight. Some good drag racing over the weekend including a Euro record run by a fuel altered, good chat with friends as we all camped together and had communal barbeque. If they load its pic from Supernats and my camping pitch from this weekend.
(https://i.imgur.com/D8p8n9A.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/u2FjL1d.jpg)

Great pictures, Davina! Thanks for sharing.
I love how the caravan color matches the Austin.

Well I fixed the wipers so Countryman is good to use. Yesterday with help from my friends in the hot rod club we moved my next build to my workshop. Started to strip it down ready to hit it with the grinder! 1953 Austin Hereford , the Herferod. After looking at it yesterday once it was on my scissor lift I think it should be called the Herferot, needs a complete new floor and sills and rear boot floor and valance. Just fabrication work so no bother and its getting channelled over the chassis by 2ins. Will put up some pics when I get around to it. 

From a couple of years ago.  We own it yet.  My youngest son claims her 🙂

I love the Silver Cloud. It sort of reminds me of a 1933 Duesenberg SJ.

Well I have been cracking on with the Herferod , most of the rot cut out, engine and gearbox mounts made. New floor made and bulkhead framed with thin wall inch box and plated. Started on the rear seat base so the BMW red leather seat fits. Slowed down by my back as had a muscle spasm from bending at a slight angle welding, old injury that comes back to haunt me. Managing okay when the meds kick in.