Page 11 - Issue 30

tough as nails 225 slant inline 6 cylinder knows
that it’s no slouch. Throw it into a lightweight
rat rod and you have a recipe for a simple and
quick truck. Backing up the slant 6 is chrysler’s
bullet proof Torque flight transmission along
with a reversed manual valve body to avoid the
kick down linkage. Breaking the Mopar theme
and to perhaps make henry Ford a little happier
is the ever popular Ford 9 inch diff along with the
40 Ford juice brakes and spindles that sit on the 4
inched dropped front end. The gas tank is interesting
as it’s a converted 1963 tow motor propane tank that
was sourced from a former paper mill that shane
worked at. As far as the minimal creature comforts go,
you would have to cast your memories back to riding
the bus to school. A 1952 Blue Bird school bus was
relieved of a bench seat that now calls the T home,
providing comfort while looking the part.
As the T build gained momentum shane
realized that it was starting to look like something
from the pre-war era. something that a young kid
would have thrown together in the 30’s or 40’s.
After a few beers one night it was said that the
T looked like Mr Magoo’s car. Well, that thought
stuck as Mr Magoo found a permanent home after
being painted on the car.
since completion shane has been enjoying the
T and has used it at a couple of local nostalgia drag
race events. While not built for speed the slant 6 can
hold its own down the track. A few shows have also
been entered where it attracts a crowd, including
Amelia Jane who has been setting peoples computer
screens on fire with her Pinup modeling work.
Like any build it takes dedication and good
friends to help you along, this build is no exception.
shane said that it would never have happened
without his club the Partless Bastards and the
countless hours of help and ideas from his friends
scotty Fuller, gerald Lucier, rich Tidland and
Wayne carey. Builds like this are what friendships
and clubs are all about and keep the love for the
car scene alive.

10 Rat Rod magazine Issue ThIrTy rATrodMAgAzIne.coM Rat Rod magazine 11