Skull and flame elements combine in aesthetically appealing designinline_mediumwraptextright25995161/hotnews/1001clt_blue_rage_arc_armor_welding_helmets1001clt_01_z+blue_rage_arc_armor_welding_helmets+safety_equipment.jpgTrue

Miller introduces the only workbench designed specifically for welders; customizable options make it the ideal welding workbench for both the fab shop and the home shop.inline_mediumwraptextright25995506/hotnews/1001clt_millers_arc_table_workstation_welding_metalworking1001clt_01_z+millers_arc_table_workstation_welding_metalworking+work_bench.jpgTrue

New Spoolmate 200 offers cost-effective aluminum MIG welding solution, remote adjustable wire feed speed settings and multiple barrel options for light fabrication.inline_mediumwraptextright31382946/hotnews/1001clt_spoolmate_200_mig_aluminum_welding_torch1001clt_01_z+spoolmate_200_mig_aluminum_welding_torch+performance_parts.jpgTrue

I own a '46 Chevy panel truck that I'm getting ready to rod/restore. What original colors were available for this year? I have sanded down some sections and it appears to be a forest green color with black fenders. I am planning on a resto-rod type of overhaul using a Chevy 250 straight-six, independent style of suspension with a 10- to 12-bolt in the rear. I am having a bit of trouble finding body parts for this year. The valance is dented but fixable, and the fold-out front window crank is missing, but it does have a beautiful grille. Any help for parts books and color options would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Marty
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Wow, I guess that old saying-the more things change, the more they stay the same-really does hold true. Back in May of 2000 I wrote my first editorial for CLASSIC TRUCKS and 31 issues later (in December of 2002) I penned my farewell editorial on these very pages. At that time I too had been offered the same opportunity as Rob Fortier recently has, the editorship of our sister publication Rod & Custom magazine-pretty coincidental you have to admit. Rob's done a great job during his tenure at the helm of CLASSIC TRUCKS, and I'll now have the chance to once again see if I can come close to filling the shoes of a successful predecessor. So once more, as I did many years ago in my very first CLASSIC TRUCKS editorial (and with deference to those who endured this nearly 10 years ago) I'll take this opportunity to give you the same bit of background on just who I am and what my motivations are as I did back then.inline_mediumwraptextright31149447/hotnews/1001clt_jim_rizzos_return_to_classic_trucks1001clt_01_z+jim_rizzos_return_to_classic_trucks+editor_notes.jpgTrue

You can email your questions to ProfessorHammer at covell@cruzio.com, or mail to Professor Hammer, c/o CLASSIC TRUCKS Magazine, 774 S. Placentia Ave., Placentia, CA 92870. We'll print your name and city unless you request otherwise. Ron Covell has made many DVDs on metalworking processes, and offers an ongoing series of workshops across the nation covering all aspects of metalworking. Check them out online at www.covell.biz, or call for a current schedule of workshops and their free catalog of DVDs and fine-quality metalworking tools. Phone 800-747-4631, or 831-768-0705. You can send a request by mail to Covell Creative Metalworking, 106 Airport Blvd. #105, Freedom, CA 95019.inline_mediumwraptextright31198527/hotnews/1001clt_1949_chevy_hood_welding_question1001clt_01_z+1949_chevy_hood_welding_question+professional_welding_tips.jpgTrue

You can email your questions to Professor Hammer at covell@cruzio.com, or mail to Professor Hammer, c/o CLASSIC TRUCKS Magazine, 774 S. Placentia Ave., Placentia, CA 92870. We'll print your name and city unless you request otherwise. Ron Covell has made many DVDs on metalworking processes, and offers an ongoing series of workshops across the nation covering all aspects of metalworking. Check them out online at www.covell.biz, or call for a current schedule of workshops and their free catalog of DVDs and fine-quality metalworking tools. Phone 800-747-4631, or 831-768-0705. You can send a request by mail to Covell Creative Metalworking, 106 Airport Blvd. #105, Freedom, CA 95019.inline_mediumwraptextright25707974/hotnews/0912clt_tubing_dolly_metalworking_tips0912clt_01_z+tubing_dolly_metalworking_tips+welding_with_profesionals.jpgTrue

I am currently working on a '53 Ford F-100 pickup truck. I am going to use a '79 Ford 302 engine. I am thinking of putting a Mustang II IFS unit onto the truck. Most likely I will use a unit from TCI or Heidt's. My question is, do these IFS units have places to mount my engine on them, or do I have to buy other parts and attach them to the IFS? I never see such an item in the photographs and was just curious.
Brian Strube
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Well, as some of you have probably already heard, read on the Internet, or finally were able to get that magic eight ball to reveal, my time in the Driver's Seat here at CLASSIC TRUCKS has come to an end. For me, the journey was an unforgettable one, to say the least, and in my 15-plus years in the business, the last five with CT alone undeniably taught me more, opened my eyes more, and grounded me more than the entire decade preceding.inline_mediumwraptextright26826421/hotnews/0912clt_classic_trucks_new_editor0912_01_z+classic_trucks_new_editor+drivers_seat.jpgTrue

I have never written because of a magazine article before. I have been following the build of your '39 with great interest. I myself have a rusty '38 project and have been very interested in seeing how I can learn from your project. I too added IFS to my truck and was faced with the same six-bolt pattern dilemma that you mentioned in your article. You never explained what you did about it and I'm dying to know. I would also like to keep the original pattern and use the OE 16-inch wheels. I have not had any luck in finding any rotors that fit a Mustang II spindle and keep the 6x5.5 pattern. What did you end up doing?

Dave Schaub of Los Gatos, CA, recently took on the challenge of covering 49 States in nine days in a '32 Ford Roadster, a feat that most said couldn't be done, to raise money for kids in need. Dave's goal is to raise $100,000 in total for the Ronald McDonald House of Stanford, CA, and he is encouraging followers to get involved by donating as little as a penny per mile through his website, www.49in9.com.

You know, one of the last things that I need is extra time to "think", 'cause that's just what I'm going to do, and then some. Given the opportunity, my mind goes into overdrive imagining all sorts of stuff, mostly what I could or should be doing rather than just dreaming about it. During my recent hiatus, I'd remodeled my entire house in just the first couple days alone-the remainder of that two-week period wreaked some serious havoc on my brain (that's far from normal operating capacity as it is, which you've probably noticed by now)

Q. I read your articles every month in CLASSIC TRUCKS, and enjoy them! I hope you can help me with my plan of attack for fixing a rear fender on my Suburban. I've attached an "on-truck" photo of the fender.

I received my last issue of CLASSIC TRUCKS today. While I enjoyed the magazine for the most part, a good deal of the content was beyond the size of my garage and tool budget. In addition, I think the magazine suffered when you allowed a vocal few to dictate what advertising should be in the magazine. I've grown weary of those who insist on their way or the highway. I'll continue to check out the articles on the newsstand but do not feel that I want to support a magazine that has succumbed to the views of the intolerant.

Terry Sullivan

John Buck Enterprises, producers of the Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS), announced this morning that Pirelli Tire has signed up as the Trophy Sponsor for the 2010 Grand National Roadster Show, which will take place at the historic Fairplex in Pomona next January. "We're thrilled to have Pirelli Tire on board to sponsor the trophy," says John Buck.

Edelbrock is excited to announce the launch of its all-new foundries services website: http://www.edelbrockfoundry.com. Edelbrock has created this website to showcase their foundry capabilities, specializing in sand-cast and permanent mold aluminum castings for automotive and industrial markets.

Q. I attended your workshop at Honolulu Community College a few years ago. I really enjoyed it, and hope I can attend one of your more advanced classes someday. I want to try building a metal dash and matching door panels, along with some other body modifications. I'm on a tight budget for tools (as many garage builders are) so I don't want to buy something I don't need, or something that's not going to do the job correctly.

Nation's automotive buffs encouraged to flaunt their favorite Motors Master projects and win a trip to Las Vegas

Among all the things that have been going "down" in the world around us lately, there's one more you can add to the list-me! But, hold on just a second, there. For all of you who've just been waiting for the day, don't go running outside and start doing the chicken dance quite yet. I'm not going down for good ... just a little time away for a quick chassis overhaul. Matter of fact, I could have gone and not even mentioned it, and nobody would've been the wiser-but I felt there was an underlying message, so as usual, you all get the fortune of me sharing it with you ... like it, or not!

The House version of model legislation (S.B. 820) to create a vehicle registration classification for street rods, replicas and custom vehicles will be considered by the North Carolina Senate as soon as Monday, July 27, 2009. The House version of S.B. 820 is the product of negotiations between SEMA and the hobbyist network in North Carolina. S.B. 820 retains the key components of the SEMA-model bill while relieving vehicle owners of unfair title branding and inspection concerns. If approved by the Senate, it will go to the Governor to be signed into law.

When West Coast Customs needed help with the buildup of three trucks for an upcoming Sylvester Stallone film, they called on WyoTech. With a WyoTech graduate already on staff, they knew the school could deliver the skilled technicians needed to get the job done. Set to work and learn alongside the talented West Coast Customs crew while on camera for TLC's "Street Customs", these students would receive the opportunity of a lifetime. The task at hand was the ground-up restoration of a '55 Ford F-100 pickup for Stallone himself, as well as the build-up of two duplicate trucks. All three vehicles had to be completed in just three weeks.

It's been quite a year for hot rodder Doug Cooper of Oyster Bay Cove, New York. Cooper's prized '32 Ford B-400 sedan "Deucenberg" has taken home hot rodding's two signature awards this season beginning with the Don Ridler Memorial at the Detroit Autorama before being named the Goodguys/Classic Instruments 2009 Street Rod of the Year at the Goodguys 12th PPG Nationals in Columbus, OH.

In the world of custom automobiles a car comes along every five to ten years that represents a sea change, raising the bar to seemingly unreachable new heights. It happened again in Columbus, Ohio at the Goodguys 12th PPG Nationals when Phil and Jeremy Gerber and the Roadster Shop team debuted their "C1RS" '62 Corvette for customer Barry Blomquist. From the moment the car was uncovered gasps and gawks came over the masses. The performance automotive scene hasn't seen a car quite like this. Both Blomquist and the Gerber's beamed proudly as the car was unanimously named 2009 Goodguys/Air Ride Technologies "Street Machine of the Year."

Summit Racing Equipment has become the primary sponsor of America's premier custom car show series: the Summit Racing Equipment Show Car Series (formerly the GM Performance Parts Show Car Series). The series features 35 Autorama and World of Wheels shows scheduled for 2009-2010, including the Detroit Autorama and Chicago World of Wheels.

Ron Jones Oct.12, 1943-June 19, 2009