Carla Campbell’s ’37 Ford Slantback
While building his’33 back in the early 90’s, Bill Campbell decided that it was so much fun, that he had better find another car to start when he was finished. The Campbells found this Kansas original that had been sitting in a field for over 30 years, but was all original. It sat in their garage in Kye Bay for 15 years or so before coming home for its rebirth. As this car is being built for Carla, she has made all design decisions including the tapered roof chop. All work is being done in their home garage, including all fabrication, prep and paint. The running gear is a GM 430 hp 350 crate motor with modified ‘Competition Cams’ cam, beefed up 700R4 trans, aluminum driveshaft, narrowed Ford 9” rear, with limited slip and Bear axles. The chassis sits on coil overs front and back and has 4 bar suspension in the rear, with 4 wheel Wilwood Disc Brakes. The incredible sheet metal work has been done by Al Hopkins. The car has presently been epoxied and the high build and blocking is under way. Bill will be back on the painting process this winter. They don’t have a completion date in mind as car building has to fit around their family life, but he is hoping to enter it in the Grand Nationals in Pomona California when it is complete and then turn it into another weekend driver. Bill did fabulously well many years ago with his newly finished ’33, by beating out many of the home boys with their expensive trailer queens.
Bill’s next project – their bought new, one owner, 1967 Camaro
Bob Bentham’s Resto-Mod 1967 Buick GS 400 Tribute
With a badly rusted frame, some body panels, and a desire to build a muscle car, the Buick, Bob’s parents had purchased from Empress Motors in Victoria was destined for a frame off restoration. A donor car was found and in Jan 2006 the project was begun. More than 2650 shop hours went into this build, where every part of this car was removed and completely refurbished or replaced. Being a hands on guy, Bob oversaw every phase of the project leaving bodywork to Stu Palfry, paint to Steve Andrejkew, and the big block Buick build to Chris Skaling. He replaced the original drivetrain with a 462 cu. in. Buick, followed by a Tremic 5 speed manual transmission, and a 373 posi differental. A Hotchkis suspension dropped 1 in., front & rear sway bars, front disc’s, 17 in. Intro Wheels , and Sherwin Williams paint completed the rebuild. The sanded and polished single stage stock Black paint is stunning. Lots of family and friends helped pull it together, but the person Bob had the most help from was his father who enjoyed restoring his old Buick. The project was completed in June 2008.
Gary Foster’s Homebrew Roadster:
Since Gary was in his early teens he has been building rides. It started with go karts, graduated to altered rods, then onto dragsters built specifically for the strip. But Gary had always wanted to build a road car from the ground up. Hence his current project, 10 years in the making, and loosely patterned after a Lotus Super 7, this one of a kind build is nearing completion. Built on a hand made steel tube frame, with a custom fabricated aluminum skin, a hot 350 small block, T5 trans, and Ford 9” running gear, this lightweight buggy will fly like a scalded cat. Gary is aiming for completion in 2014 and club members can’t wait to see her as part of the “Toppers” fleet.
Lyall Atkinson Business Coupe Project
This Canadian built 1949 Meteor spent nearly 20 years in a garage of good intentions out near Sandown Park in Sidney. It was purchased by local bodyman Stu Palfrey as a project to complete, however, when a convertible of similar vintage became available, Stu decided to sell this car to Lyall Atkinson who had previously expressed interest in it. It is the rare business coupe model and after some discussion Stu agreed to continue on with the build with Lyall’s input. The roof has been chopped, head and tail lights frenched, door handles skinned, with hood, trunk, and door bottoms all rounded for a smoother refined look. Running gear planned is a strong 350 small block, R400 trans and a Mustang rear end. Rare Meteor trim as been re-chromed and will give this car a resto rod look with a planned colour finish of Copper Pearl. The Meteor is a year or two away from completion but look for it gracing the streets of Victoria, car shows, and rod runs, in the not too distant future.
Don Wilson’s 1956 GMC pickup:
Don‘s high school buddy had a 1957 GMC pickup in those days and Don had many great memories of double dating, camping, and just cruising. In 2002, he started looking specifically for his own ‘55–‘57 GMC unit. He finally found and bought his ‘56, drove it stock for a while until the ignition wiring burned up, and then just parked it until 2007. A chance meeting with an old friend, Rick Sheppard, with his finished 1929 Ford sedan, got Don yearning for a restored ride. His buddy told him of a local builder, Mike Rowbottom from Mike’s Old Style Restorations. Don and his friend Bob Bentham visited the shop and were very impressed with this guy’s work. Soon he negotiated a deal to have Mike rebuild his GMC. The 3 year restoration was seamless with lots of visits to the shop for discussions on details. Don had many decisions to make, the hardest one being the colour choice. Don found a model of a ’41 Willys with a colour he liked, and had it matched. This finished project truck is truly a one of a kind stunner.
