Monday, December 28, 2009

Hot Rod Hero, Art Chrisman



Well, a very wise man once told me you should never place a person on a pedestal, however; Art Chrisman is one of the greatest hot rod pioneers, in my opinion.... Blown Ardun flatheads, blown 427 Ford SOHC's and just great all around rods and power plants in his shop currently, he has not even began to slow down. You couldn't even begin to write a bio of the three Chrisman's and their past acomplishments in a short book. 'Art' is a true gentleman and what a blast attending his Bar-B-Que's, you never know who may walk in....

Here is Art explaining to me how his son, Mike, is carrying on the torch.....

Oh yes, the 392 hemi, this was not at Art's shop. A motor I have been chasing for a while....

Hot Rod Art In the Candy Den







Well just a couple of original pieces of hot rod art work by:

Dennin McPhail - pen & ink of "Deuce Prayer". Awsome.

Jeff Norwell - pen and ink of "Mother's Worry" & "Nitro Junkie". Stunning work by my very good friend.

VonFranco - One Shot of Franco himself in his studio overlooked by Roth and Howard up in Hot Rod Heaven (or Hell). This is a large piece which was difficult to capture the quality of Franco's work with my limited photo ability. Where's Juan from Dead End Magazine(on-line magazine) when you need him to take pictures?

"Canadian" Flathead - Aluminum Heads EH !





Only made in Canada Eh ?

Aluminum, high compression heads, with no fins......

These heads were cast at the Alcan Factory in Kingston, Ontario Canada which were manufactured for both the early and late flat heads, both Ford and Mercury. However; the late Ford heads, which are pictured, are very rare compared to the early aluminum heads. The early heads are still floating around out there but as I said, the late heads are becoming extremely sought after.

'Cheater heads', well "Weiand" manufactured heads without the fins, however; these were obviously aftermarket heads as the aluminum heads pictured are a gennie Ford item....

There has been much discussion regarding these original aluminum heads, with a few different opinions, however; some very knowledgable dirt, circle track racers and antique guru's from my area share the same opinion.....

"MADE IN CANADA" is embossed on the heads as you can see above picture.

All Canadian aluminum heads had markings as numerous heads are floating around without markings, which are more often than not, finned heads which had the fins milled off as dicussed below.

Remember, old time circle track racers in Ontario, Canada and upstate N.Y. would machine the fins off of aftermarket heads as the rules for dirt, circle track racing, once stated: "No finned heads". Hence, the racers taking this rule to the letter of the word, would mill the fins off of the heads.

The rules then stated; "No aftermarket heads", however; Canadian heads would still be permitted under this rule.

The third rule change, finally read; "No aluminum or after market heads" as the majority of racers and rule makers were unaware of factory aluminum heads. This is quoted from an old time circle track racer.

These are a very nice casting which my be polished to a mirror like finish. The heads pictured have a slight bead blasting.......

Yes sorry, I have sold these heads to a pal in ------, -----.

Future story on high performance, cast iron, factory heads.....

The Candy Factory






Just a few pic's of our daily driver and our nostalgia drag car resting for the winter months, in the front of the Candy Factory (garage/shop).

The black '33 Ford is a customers car which came to our shop approximately one month ago to be completed, as the owner has decided to switch builders and ideas. The rod is powered by a 331 Chrysler Hemi mated to a four speed with three pedals just to keep him busy and having fun....

We have completed the front end using '33/'34 split wish bones, 4" dropped tube axle with the usual disc brake conversation for '37 to '41 Ford spindles. The steelies and black wall, bias ply tires, are on order which will exemplify the front end, to be plated. Exterior body colour - well I believe the owner has settled on a cool ice blue paint, seems fitting for our winter climate ! No fenders of course.

Yes there are two hemi's along the outside wall of the shop for our next drag car project and a 'W' head, stroked 348 for my bosses roadster (yes - my bride, my wife, my warden, the official boss).

The flat blue Deuce five window is an original Henry Ford body waiting for a build early in 2010 for another, top secret customer... More on that 5 winda' at a later date..... Maybe there's a hemi in the midst of the Deuce build?

The "black whale" sitting at the back of the shop is a P-38 tank with a 20" extension added to the middle of the tank to allow for the straight six motor and 5 speed standard transmission. The P-38 tank is waiting for its tube frame, powered by a 302 GMC Jimmy six which will be running in the XO/GL class at Bonneville in August 2011.... I don't think my better half is too happy with this project, however; she understand my madness, I hope...

Saturday, December 26, 2009

The Candy Factory, Grocery Getter'



Well here is our daily driver, unchopped (just because everyone asks why didn't I chop it) deuce, powered by a stroked 409 (474 CI, 454 crank & rods, .030 over slugs), 871 supercharger and a super T-10 4 speed cog cluster... Yes it has three pedals.... The rod is now 13 years old, strong as ever..... Gotta love those 409's.....

1960's style white tuck & roll bench seat, tuck & roll head liner, tuck & roll trunk interior...... Gas milage: well not all that great.... Comfort: who cares because you are having fun..... Radio: Yes the mill up front.... Billet: Say what, I don't think so..... Air conditioning: Yes sir, the cowl vent....

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Candy Store - New Art For 2010





Well new art commissioned by art guru Jeff Norwell for Candy's Hot Rod Supply. Look for these adds in 2010 for all your hot rod and drag car parts sold to you for the American price with NO increase in prices. The American price, is your price just add your shipping, exchange, $35 brokerage and your tax(es).

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Hot Rod Art, Rod Powell


Some many know, recall or have purchased a book on how to flame hot rods, etc...
The book and person I am referring to is no other than the famous, Rod Powell from California.
While attending the Lonestar Round-Up 2009 with Bob Owens of Owens Salvage Parts in Wellington Texas, we picked up our Western Exterminators, or 'Little Men' as the statues are so often referred to as, from Rod in Austin, Texas. Mr Owens, the 'gentleman' whom you should all buy your vintage tin from, is pictured on the left, Rod is middle and little old me is on the right.
Von Dutch (Mr. Howard) painted a few of these, one is pictured in the bio of Von Dutch. Rod did an awsome job, and NO, it is NOT for sale at any price.....

Rod is creating very, very few of these 'Little Men', maybe TWO more. If you want one, you better get together your resume' and beg.... The picture does 'no' justice showing Rod's attention to detail.

The base which the 'Little Man' is fixed to, consists of a great lace paint scheme with excellent pin stripping... Yes, that is a Flyin' Eye Ball (made by Rod) getting ready to be smacked by the Exterminator.

Our Past Project, the 'Diamond Deuce'






Well here are a few secret shots of the build of the "Diamond Deuce" last summer by the crew at Candy's Hot Rod Supply. This hot rod was commissioned by hot rod artist 'guru', Jeff Norwell. Well to say the least, he drew it and we had to build it. Have you ever attempted to build something a hot rod artist drew, well it was a enjoyable challange. Jeff has become a very good friend of ours. If you want to view more build pic's, jump over to the HAMB and search two posts named: the "Diamond Deuce" or "Glitter Glitter".

Enjoy and watch for this hot rod in mag's in the near future.....

Years Gone By, The Great "Bob Beezer"


Some may recall the Canadian Indian, rain dancer at the NHRA events from years gone by. Well Bob Beezer, or the "Beez" as many of his friends refer to him as is alive and well. Bob is picture in my driveway in front of my shop this past summer with his newest project, he is recreating his 41 Willy's, supercharged, hemi powered drag car. The Beez always has a great story to share which you never heard before, a real pleasure and a experience you will never forget. Many of his experiences at various NHRA events which will never be in print..... I'll leave it at that for now, more to follow at a later date.....

PLEASE READ MORE, CLICK ON THE COMMENT JUST BELOW !!!!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

James Boys - Canadian Gasser


One of our hero's in the Canadian drag racing world and still running strong at many Nothern American and Southern Canadian tracks. Art work commissioned by hot rod art guru, Jeff Norwell, depicts the all steel '33 Willys gasser running a 427 Chev Rat Motor, with a traditional mechancial Hilborn injection. By the way folks this car may be for sale as the friendly owners, Sandra & Paul Dunbar, are planning their next build. Paul being the great fella' will even through in the art work....

This car ran the best pass of its existance this past summer at Grand Bend, Ontario with a 9.64.

Truly a rolling piece of art built by Paul Dunbar..... Interested persons, contact us and we will put you in touch with Paul....

Mothers Worry, Our Nostalgic Drag Car


"Mothers Worry", is not a tribute to Ed Roth, however it is a tribute to my Mom who lost a great battle with cancer. One of my last conversations with my Mom who was very ill at the time, as I obviously placed the drag car build on the back burner, was; how she was going to worry about me driving "that thing". Hence; the naming of "Mothers Worry" for the nostalgic drag car powered by an 871 blown, Chrysler 392 hemi running on 116 octane race fuel. Three years later the bugs are finally worked out of our car, having a blast. Many thanks for the great memories Mom, you will always be remembered !

Parts, Parts and More Parts

Why not have one small brokerage fee of $35 for ANY hot rod parts imported into Canada?

Why not have the parts shipped directly to your door for a small fee directly from the warehouse in the United States?

Why not speak to a hot rodder who understands traditional hot rods and "nostaglic" drag cars? By the way, we just happend to have both, not bragging just making a statement as we understand !

The American price is your price, add your excange, $35 brokerage, taxes and shipping...

We distribute for Speedway Motors, Streamline Hot Rod Parts, AFCO Radiators, Walker Radiators, Strange, Bears, and the list goes on.... We can get anything for you, even if I do not presently carry the line....

Give us a call at Candy's Hot Rod Supply @ (613) 353-7572 or email @ neilcandy@xplornet.ca