| Swollen, bloodshot
eyes, a pounding headache, lower back pain and a thousand tiny nicks
and cuts. |
| The garage
clock says its 2:38 am. and from over the cowl, a silent glance
confirms your pride and confidence. |
| You pump the
throttle, tap that key and the open header blast sets every can
in the place into violent dance. |
| An instant
smile and inner peace overwhelms you for a few jubilant seconds
and justifies the out of control expenses and mental obsession that
has possessed you. |
| Then suddenly,
reality slaps you back to earth, as you realize your day job starts
in 4 hours and you now have some really pissed off neighbors. |
| You turn for
one last look as you kill the garage lights and head into the house.
You hurry the 3:00am shower that rinses away most of the grease,
sweat and gasoline aroma you have produced these last laborious
hours. |
| You quietly
slip into bed, as not to disturb your sleeping bride. The excitement
that races through your mind, you can't wait to share with her.
But wait. She's awake!!! Snuggling closer, preparing to share the
joy, your first word is sliced to ribbons by a pissed off response
that offers little assurance that she married Mr. Right. |
| We're a sick
bunch. To most, the sacrifices, effort and expense can't justify
the reward. The family and friends that tolerate us are special
people. A tight fellowship that offers personal inconvenience and
unselfish labor to any brother rodder in need. |
| You can walk
away, maybe for even a few years, but it's in the veins, you'll
be back. Exposed carbs, fenderless coupes, polished stainless or
maybe its a set of six foot lakers. You suffer from withdrawal without
it, or you totally immerse yourself in the addiction of it, but
either way, you'll take it to the grave. |
| I for one,
have surrendered to it's sins. Come on in, the flames aren't that
hot. |
| blksheep......blissfull
in Charlotte |
|
Cliff Lasater's HIBOY VW
California, USA |
Check this out..... Cliff
Lasater calls me and explains that he's doing a VW Roadster with
a stretched wheelbase and a Super Bell front axle with coil overs!
I could tell he'd done a ton of research and was ready to dive into
the project. With no fenders, cool headlights, chopped windshield,
disc brakes, tube axle with hairpins, and a host of other mods,
it should have some pretty wild curb appeal! Cliff says he's even
got the plate HIBOY VW registered!
After talking to Cliff and seeing the shots he sent, it's easy to
tell that he's a craftsman. I'm sure we'll see more on this project
as he makes progress. It's gonna be very unique to say the least!
Thanks Cliff, for the business, and the pictures. - RJay |
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 |
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|
| 10/25/02 - Cliff sent
some updates of his project. If you look at the new photos you'll
see smooth fiberglass wheel pans, along with the hood and rolled
top for the rear of the body. Cliff put sand bags in the rear for
engine and tranny weight. When's the last time you saw such a unique
approach to hot rodding? RJay |
 |
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|
 |
 |
11/15/02 - We just received
a couple new shots of Cliff's project. The following information
is in his own words, and it pretty much says it all! Cliff says
"The front end is just about done. The biggest job was the
steering arms. I made 3 complete sets before I got it to work. (I
didn't say I was smart!) They are extra long to clear the
|
| steering box and the hump
in the VW
pan. I made my own hairpins, tie rods and panhard bar. I sure hope
this works, I hope to putt around the block to test it out in another
month or two. The engine shot shows a brand new (not rebuilt) 2275cc
that has been bored, stroked, ported and polished. Dual Webers,
Engle cam, etc. It should produce around 150 hp. It should be fun
in a 1500 lb car. I Don't know if it will lift the front wheels,
but I'll sure try to!"......I bet he will! RJay |
|
| 11/25/02 - Cliff
keeps pluggin' (pun intended) away at his project! Here is a shot
of what he's working on now that the front end is done...a deuce
dash. Cliff said "It's turned into a much larger project than
it started out (what isn't??) I was surprised to see that the '32
is about the same width as the VW." He's thinking about making
a plug from the finished dash to produce a fiberglass kit to sell.
I think there will be definite interest in this product. Cliff says
he'll keep us posted......RJay |
 |
|
| 12/09/02 - Cliff has had so
much interest in his car that he has set up an email address for anyone
wanting to contact him. You can reach him at vwstreetrod@hotmail.com.
He is also part of a forum discussion group for VW owners. Cliff says
to email him if you want to discuss vee-rods! |
 |
08/05/03
- We were really excited when we finally heard from Cliff - it had
been awhile, so we figured he had slowed down on his project like
everyone else I know (me included!), but not Cliff! After the new
picture was downloaded, we kept on the screen all day and showed
it to everyone that came in the door! I personally am AMAZED at
what the V-Dub has turned into. It looks fantastic with the extra
detail that has gone into the body work. I noticed the blended areas
around the front 4-bar, and around the rear wheel wells. The overall
appearance is slick and graceful - it looks like it stick handles!
In Cliff's description, you hear his pride and excitement - WAY
TO GO, CLIFF!...............RJay |
 |
 |
 |
| Just
got the car running for the first time. No lights, no gauges, no
turn signals, but I got ignition! Engine roared to life on the first
crank. I think 150 hp in a bug is going to be a hand full. So far
only about 20 mph to see if the wheels are going to stay on etc.
Only 7 weeks to finish it before first outing, Route 66 Rendevous,
San Bernardino, CA Wish me luck.......Cliff |
|
21SEP03
Hi Randy
I finally got the car finished! (well, finished if you don't consider
brake lights, turn signals and assorted gauges essential) Anyway,
it was a big hit at the Route 66 Rendevous this week-end. Here are
some pics I took. Thanks again for the great parts and the encouragement.....remember,
it all started with RJAYS.com............ Cliff |
 |
 |
Well
Kids,
Cliff's project has come to fruition, and the end result is simply
amazing! This is the first time one of our customers has been kind
enough to document their work from start to finish, and the trip
has been real!
It just goes to show what can be accomplished when you mix an |
idea with the
right amount desire, determination, and of course money! I think
that Cliff has put together one of the more unique and thought provoking
projects I've seen lately, and the efffort has to be worth it when
it draws a crowd and people wonder where the ideas and inspiration
come from!
Although Cliff was nice enough to give us a little praise in his
email, he is the one that deserves the praise - way to go Cliff,
for the chance to sell you some parts, and for the opportunity to
watch your Vee-Dub Roadster go from an idea and a $165 body to the
fine looking machine in the photos!...RJay |
|
| 31DEC03
- Update from Cliff -
|
Hi
Randy
Hope you had a great Christmas and a safe New Year tonite. Just
thought I would drop you a line and let you know the latest. I was
invited to show my car at the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona
this year! Pretty cool huh? It's by invitation only, 300 cars and
the very best of the best. I can't believe it. I guarantee you I
won't win anything but it's an honor just being invited to attend.
Anyway, I better get back to cleaning this pig up.... just thought
I'd tell ya the latest. Cliff |
|
| 01JAN04 |
 |
Well
Folks -
It just doesn't get better than this! |
| Hi
Randy
Guess what? I actually won my class at the Grand National Roadster
Show last week-end. I couldn't believe it! what a thrill.
Cliff
|
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