I don't think anyone could do a full on, in depth, restoration of any level, without being invested mentally in the project. The difference between "it had a red stripe", and "it had a vermillion accent with a hint of pearl"... No amount of talent can give the motivation needed, and motivation can be useless or even damaging without skills.I’ve always said that with every project, a little bit of me goes with each one.
I kinda feel like I have a small percentage of ownership if that makes sense. There’s a lot of guys on here that have way more talent than I have and I’m sure they feel the same way.
If you are just doing it for the money, then I think you are missing the point.
I had a guy once tell me, that he should be doing the restoration instead of me and he asked me, “what does this restoration mean to you?”. I replied that it was an honor to be involved with a true piece of history and I feel it’s important for our combined heritage that these pieces be brought back for future generations to see and learn.
He answered back, “you know what this restoration means to me? A new Truck!”
I felt bad for him.
Because I don’t do it for the money, I’ve been able to pick the owners I’ve worked with as well, which is just as important.
I can only think of maybe 2 or so that I didn’t pick and did work for and they turned out to be not so great.
I’m a lucky guy to be able work with good people who have a passion for our sport.
Finished seat bracket over the weekend.
Seat is off to paint and upholstery today.
And I did sit in it and imagined running 200mph!
And at the same time I couldn’t imagine running 200 mph in it!
View attachment 1251015 View attachment 1251016
I’ve always said that with every project, a little bit of me goes with each one.
I kinda feel like I have a small percentage of ownership if that makes sense. There’s a lot of guys on here that have way more talent than I have and I’m sure they feel the same way.
If you are just doing it for the money, then I think you are missing the point.
I had a guy once tell me, that he should be doing the restoration instead of me and he asked me, “what does this restoration mean to you?”. I replied that it was an honor to be involved with a true piece of history and I feel it’s important for our combined heritage that these pieces be brought back for future generations to see and learn.
He answered back, “you know what this restoration means to me? A new Truck!”
I felt bad for him.
Because I don’t do it for the money, I’ve been able to pick the owners I’ve worked with as well, which is just as important.
I can only think of maybe 2 or so that I didn’t pick and did work for and they turned out to be not so great.
I’m a lucky guy to be able work with good people who have a passion for our sport.
Appreciate that.Laundry and a Lathe. It's amazing what come out of your little shop!
Looking good Dave!
How did you bend that piece of aluminum for the foot rest ? Nice work !
Like xstream said…it started out as a 5x5 piece of 60/61 aluminum angle and I whittled it down to what you see.
There was a guy named Dick, that worked for Schroeder. In the old Schroeder Steering building in Burbank, he restored (mostly) old Indy cars.
Thank you. I didn't know. I was wanting to see what type of Brake you were using to bend that with !!!
Good eye!
I would love to spend a couple of hours in person examining the multitude of details your work has preserved for history. The exceptional effort and attention to the smallest bits are fascinating to examine in photos, the real thing is going to be a treasure.Good eye!
I don’t think I’ve ever seen one either.
Like other manufacturers of the day, Hondo casted shaft logs and pedals among other things and obviously this steering post, made specifically for their Hydros.
I know from research that both Shockwaves and the boat after this, Aftershock all had these steering posts.
One would think that other Hondo Shovelnoses from this era would have had one as well. Not many left, so hard to say.
When I restore a boat to period correct I always try to use as many of the original parts as I can.
I’ve been very fortunate on this one because there were a fair number of pieces that were OG( I cleaned up/polished the original clamps for the hose on the prop shaft among other things)
The post was one of those items, but it was trashed. But it’s a signature piece!
The end that mounts to the dash had been ground on an angle, all three bolt holes were stripped(one was drilled three sizes over) and all the bushings were gone.
I repaired the post and made new bushings but I probably have 5 or so hours in it getting it right.
The original version of the boat didn’t have a bezel, but I had to make one to cover all the sins. While not proper, it still think it looks good and “could” have been there originally.
Make ya wonder how many of them are left…probably not a lot!
PS…the steering assembly is really smooth when actuated!
View attachment 1268730
View attachment 1268731
Thank you Sir for the kind words.
Thank you very much for the reply, and the close up pictures of the column. I didn't know that piece was cast like that. I thought it was solid with emblems somehow fastened to the outside. That's just a nice little extra detail there that Hondo did. Really stands out to me !Good eye!
I don’t think I’ve ever seen one either.
Like other manufacturers of the day, Hondo casted shaft logs and pedals among other things and obviously this steering post, made specifically for their Hydros.
I know from research that both Shockwaves and the boat after this, Aftershock all had these steering posts.
One would think that other Hondo Shovelnoses from this era would have had one as well. Not many left, so hard to say.
When I restore a boat to period correct I always try to use as many of the original parts as I can.
I’ve been very fortunate on this one because there were a fair number of pieces that were OG( I cleaned up/polished the original clamps for the hose on the prop shaft among other things)
The post was one of those items, but it was trashed. But it’s a signature piece!
The end that mounts to the dash had been ground on an angle, all three bolt holes were stripped(one was drilled three sizes over) and all the bushings were gone.
I repaired the post and made new bushings but I probably have 5 or so hours in it getting it right.
The original version of the boat didn’t have a bezel, but I had to make one to cover all the sins. While not proper, it still think it looks good and “could” have been there originally.
Make ya wonder how many of them are left…probably not a lot!
PS…the steering assembly is really smooth when actuated!
View attachment 1268730
View attachment 1268731
Thanks for asking!
Thank you.
You know, I never thought about that before. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best...Thank you again !Thanks for asking!
Dig the signature and the Texas Star above the I in Hill.
Until you need to pull it apart and can machine a bezel for it, take a case of beer to your local pin striper and have him ring the post with a black line.
Black hides a lot of sins and with the other stripes, it’ll look like it belongs there.
Just a thought
What’s up my friend!Dave,
The boat is looking awesome.
How much longer will it be in Carlsbad?
I’d love to come down & see it before it leaves town.
Hows Dick doing? Please tell him I said hi.
‘Hope you guys are doing well & staying healthy.
All he best,
Brian
So proud of Dave and his work on this project I found and bought shockwave he is on the lions board for boat racing they have built a new wing at the museum for Long Beach boat racing we all need to get together for the history of racing in so calWhat’s up my friend!
All is well.
Boat will be here through the end of October.
Be around every Saturday(except this one…River!)
Call before you come.
Saturday’s still pretty typical…boat rigging in the morning, out to lunch, bench racing in the afternoon!
Sadly, Dick passed a number of years back.
I miss him everyday.
He was always there for me through it all.
A guy could never ask for a better mentor, partner and most importantly friend.
View attachment 1271972
View attachment 1271973
Ooh no!What’s up my friend!
All is well.
Boat will be here through the end of October.
Be around every Saturday(except this one…River!)
Call before you come.
Saturday’s still pretty typical…boat rigging in the morning, out to lunch, bench racing in the afternoon!
Sadly, Dick passed a number of years back.
I miss him everyday.
He was always there for me through it all.
A guy could never ask for a better mentor, partner and most importantly friend.
View attachment 1271972
View attachment 1271973
You definitely found the right man for the project
Thanks he’s amazing the boat is now owned by the lions museumYou definitely found the right man for the project
Im honestly not sure who’s more fortunate ~ You getting Dave to do the restoration, or Dave getting the opportunity to be a part of this incredible restoration.
Godspeed too you both !!
Looks good. Did you cut that with a bandsaw ?
Looking at the bump for the starter nose. Does it work by inertia engagement, or a standard solenoid deal?
Yes.
You did a nice job. It gives me an idea about removing damaged water ports on a timing cover. You know how they get eaten up by corrosion. By the way, I enjoy these types of threads. Keep up the good work !
Stock Chrysler was the Inertia Engagement starter.
I’ve converted a number of the timing covers.
Another Hondo shift handle would look perfect there.
Interesting that the prop isn't a cleaver like I'm use to seeing
Killer work as always
I’m not his favorite guy after I did the Panic Mouse.I know he’s a tad bit controversial but James Brendel might remember some detail from the original rigging. I think I know what your reaction to this will be…
Oh it’s the one that was on there.Another Hondo shift handle would look perfect there.
Interesting that the prop isn't a cleaver like I'm use to seeing
Killer work as always
Appreciate it, but I’m guessing it was something simple and functional.Ive got a Hondo shift handle I’d certainly donate for this project
