[Hallicrafters] Look at this beauty!

[lardiere at ix.netcom.com]

Julian,

Chris may be on the right track with the rat rod approach.  I have several rigs which could fall into that category, extra holes and all.  What is it about teenagers and power drills?  But the classic lines of this thing deserve something better, perhaps.  Others have applied custom paint to Hammarlunds, etc.  But why stop there?

Candy apple red paint, with perhaps several coats with sanding to achieve that "smooth" look.  Flames on the side to match what happens when you apply power might be appropriate.  Chroming the chassis would elicit that "wow" factor when you lift the hood.

Also - neon lights to replace those dim incandescent bulbs would really help the nighttime appearance.  Or you might consider fluorescent paint on the meter face with an ultraviolet lamp to get the "glow."   Heck - light up the bottom of the cabinet with purple lights - you could buy one of the kits at Pep Boys - to achieve that real Southern California cruising look.   

Go for it.  This is a topic worthy of discussion at Continental Burger, if that place is still in business.     

Rocco N6KN 

-----Original Message-----
>From: Chris Kepus <ckepus at comcast.net>
>Sent: Feb 14, 2007 11:19 PM
>To: hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net, 'Julian Bunn' <Julian.Bunn at caltech.edu>
>Subject: RE: [Hallicrafters] Look at this beauty!
>
>Car guys have a group that loves "rat-rods"; We could have a parallel group
>that loves "rat-rigs"!  Julian, keep in mind "patina" is everything....so
>when painting, do it swede... and keep the bullethole!!
>73,
>Chris
>W7JPG
>