Monthly Archives: November 2017

Hot Rod Fuel Hose – The Company

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Recently, I found out that there is this small start up company that was making a product based on real needs of the Hot Rod community. (Actually, I won a free Sticker and that led me to their story.)

These guys had found a need, based on their own issues in building a project and decided that it would be a great idea to make a product that was superior. Below, you can read their story and see why they did it, for yourself.

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This is their story, who they are and why they feel they will succeed.

So, Justin Gorzitza, tell me a bit about yourself, why you started this.

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Check them out at hotrodfuelhose.com

High school was when I first inherited my dad’s 1980 Chevy C10, boy did I ever have big plans for this thing. At 15 when I started working on this puppy I wanted it to have the best of everything and spent way too much money to try and make that happen. I also had no clue what the hell I was doing and a lack of confidence in how to make it happen. I took a lot of stuff apart including the engine, transmission, and the rest of the drive train. Spent too much money at the speed shop and then didn’t know how to get the thing back together again.

It Sat and Sat and Sat, I got married, had a Son, and It followed me as I moved multiple times but never really got the time or the desire to get back onto this project until 2015 when I finally got serious again. My desires changed at this time and I thought it would be really impressive to rebuild this back to a stock look and still be a reliable driver. You can check out my build thread on 67-72chevytrucks.com The idea was to impress my dad with this truck that looks just like when he bought it.

1980 C10 by Hot Rod fuel hose

So, what made you get into fuel hoses and lines? Why would that even be an issue?

I had been reading lot’s on fuel injection over the years and considered installing a Mega Squirt at one time and converting some type of other injection system to my 383 stroker that I had built, but was always turned off by how much work would have needed to go into learning how the mega squirt and fuel injection system worked.

The year I started back seriously on finishing this project a company called FiTech released an affordable fuel injection system and it had great reviews and was gaining a following of automotive enthusiasts. So I gave it a shot and ordered one up.

I went down to the local speed shop and was seeking out ways to install my fuel system –

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A sample of their fuel line and connections

Well, they want almost as much cash for the rubber stainless steel braided line as I paid for my EFI FiTech system. That’s not right! I thought I could do better than that, my gut told me so.

I reached out to a ton of manufacturers and ordered samples, tested the product, and negotiated like crazy.

Once I had a product I believed in, at a price I felt is better suited to people like me, we ordered some. A LOT of hose and A LOT of fittings – probably too much but we believed so strongly that there is an opportunity for a High Quality PTFE braided hose in the market with awesome looking AN fittings that we committed to taking the idea forward.

A side note, so everyone is up on the terms and what the products are.

What is PTFE hose and what is it used for?

PTFE is a specific chemical composition commonly referred to as Teflon. We chose to only offer PTFE lined AN braided hoses due to better chemical resistance with common automotive fluids and specifically the higher ethanol content gasoline that is offered today.

It is most commonly used for fuel lines and transmission cooler lines. Many guys use it for LS swaps, EFI installations, and good old reliable carbs. Typically fitting adapters are needed to convert to an AN style fitting.

What are the fittings made from?

Our PTFE hose end fittings are made from 6061 Aluminum alloy and anodized to give it a sharp look. We also engrave our logo to really make them pop.

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A close up look at a fitting with their logo.

Ok, so, you have your fittings, you have your hoses, what’s next?

Well, we are still a new business selling PTFE hose for Hot Rods so we want to do a great job at getting our name out. Sales so far have been very strong and in fact above expectations. We have had to order new product already thanks to support from our Awesome customers and we look forward to becoming a premier supplier of Hot Rod fuel hose and AN Fittings and continuing to search out new opportunities for finding quality products at great prices so we can all continue to enjoy this hobby we have (and that our wives definitely don’t like) and I hope you will all support us and let your friends and hot rodding buddies know we exist as that has definitely been the biggest challenge in this venture so far.

This is a new company with some great reviews already. (Check out their reviews!)

Want to contact them? Check it out!

Email us at info@hotrodfuelhose.com

Contact us on FACEBOOK

Call US (866) 797-0384.

Let them know you saw them here. We don’t get anything from it, but, it would help them to know that they are out there.

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1965 Cadillac Combo (Hearse/Ambulance) by Superior Coaches

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This combo is just getting started in it’s journey to a new life, but, oh, what a story it has already had. We will follow the journey as they go throughout the year and hopefully, by next Halloween, it will be ready for a new feature article. So, sit back and enjoy learning about this former “Razorbacker” and see where they plan on taking it in the future.
Also, make sure to check out all of the pictures at the end.

What type of vehicle?
1965 Cadillac Combo (Hearse/Ambulance) by Superior Coaches
Who is the first owner of the project and is it still their project?
It was bought from service in Tennessee by  Joe & Edith Reed of Conway, AR in the 1970’s to be used to travel to every Arkansas Razorback game. They no longer own it, they sold it in 1998.
When was it purchased?
I purchased it in October of 2017.
How much was it purchased for?
$3500.00
Was this a father/son, Daughter project?
No
Why this vehicle?
It is one of 3 hearses/coaches I own – the others being a 1998 Cadillac and a 1987 Cadillac both by Superior Coaches.
I’ve always wanted a hearse. They’re beautiful, unique, and versatile vehicles. They’re made to order, so no two are alike.
My favorite thing about the mid 60’s Superior made coaches, is the roof line. It gives them such a sexy silhouette.
Give me some backstory, are you a mechanic, do you like to fabricate, are you really good at body work, etc. Some info about you.
I’m no mechanic, but cars are in my DNA.
I was raised in a junkyard and spent summers and weekends at racetracks. My grandpa and step-dad were tow truck drivers, and I was babysat at the junkyard. I learned to read by reading license plates and badges on cars.
Info about the vehicle prior to starting it. (i.e., condition, missing parts, just needed paint, no engine, etc.)
I’ve only had the car for about 2 weeks. So far we know it needs some carburetor work, and some wiring (the headlights work when they feel like it).
She runs, but she is not exactly street ready. It once had a spare tire mounted on the rear door, which the door isn’t set up to support, so the hinges are sprung and the latch is broke.
It needs paint, a windshield, and quarter window.
What have you done to it so far?
Nothing yet, still in the planning stages. Still mapping things out, figuring out what all we need to do to get her back on the road.
Any help you have gotten? 
My boyfriend, Paul, and our friend Ian at Oak Valley Customs has been helpful with advice and is going to help here soon with getting her going.
Also the myriad of hearse clubs & Facebook groups that have been helpful in sourcing parts.
The car has quite a history. Like I said it was purchased from service in Tennessee, and brought to AR to be used to travel to Razorback games. It was originally black (according to the handwritten TN title included in the paperwork I was given when I bought it), and was painted red & white and lettered in the 70’s.  It was then called “The Razorbacker,” and was featured in a 1979 issue of Southern Living magazine, as well as other local publications. (I’m told, although I only have the copy of SL, not the other publications.)
The rear compartment was customized to seat 6 with a bench seat and fold down seats. The rollers and casket/gurney bed was removed and red shag carpet was installed.
The car has sliding glass dividers that separate the cab from the rear – between this divider and the bench seat, beer coolers were installed.
Mrs Reed hand sewed the curtains that are still in the rear. They installed a PA system, and several novelty horns as well.
The documentation I have with it says that a man named Richard Nicholson bought the car in 1998 and was trying to get it registered/recognized as a state historical object. What I gathered from the paperwork, it wasn’t old enough at the time. I’m not sure why he sold it, he seemed pretty determined to do something with it as late as 2013. The guy I bought it from didn’t seem to know much about the car aside from the paperwork, and had just bought it on a whim, then discovered they aren’t cheap vehicles to restore.
I don’t plan to restore it back to The Razorbacker, but I think I am going to keep it red (maybe red & white), get the upholstery redone, get her running again – hopefully next year in time for Hearsefest in Hell, MI.

Check out our other Hearse stories

1956 Hearse

1990 Hearse

1991 Hearse

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1969 Chevy Camaro – Chris Judge

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As many may know, I attend the Ridgely, MD Car show, Richard Petty Days, each year. (This is my 3rd year) While there, I try to get car owners to share with me, their story, so I can share it with you.

Below is just such a story, of a man, a car and a dream, which has come into reality and is being laid out, just for you, the reader.

Please enjoy Chris Judge’s 1969 Camaro Pro Street Twin Turbo Ls.

0609172200_HDRWhat type of vehicle?

1969 Pro Street Twin Turbo Ls Camaro.

When was it purchased and for how much?

Purchased in 1997 by myself a senior in high school for $2700.

Was this a father/son, Daughter project?

1997 original

Shortly after being purchased in 1997

No, it wasn’t, but, all work was done at my home with many hours and a ton of help from great friends.

Give me some backstory, are you a mechanic, do you like to fabricate, are you really good at body work, etc. Some info about you.

I have owned many year Camaro’s over the years but have always favored a 69.

I have been a full time mechanic and professional metal fabricator since 2001. But have always wrenched on cars since I was very young.

2005 dragracingInfo about the vehicle prior to starting it.

My car was in driving condition with a basic small block Chevy . I drove it for a few years while gathering parts to make it a big tire ProStreet. In 2003 it was sent off to Kens Kustom Chassis in Reading Pa to get its big tire transformation.

As for the first setup back in 2003. It was a 406 small block chevy, brodix heads and the best of everything, built by Jensen Engine Tech.It was backed by a turbo 350 transmission.

The same year my wife and I bought a house and only had a single garage. The bodywork was never to what I wanted till 2007, after we adopted our daughter. I build a 3 car garage and tore the car apart.

FB_IMG_1507936729093What have you done to it so far and what parts you have used?

Since 2007 I replaced all the sheet metal from local vendor Dennys Camaro parts.

The motor setup is an 2005, 5.3l Ls1, out of a truck with twin Precision 6265 turbos.

48mm Wastegates and Tial 50mm bovs.

Edlebrock Pro Flo intake with Holley 160lb injectors, fuel management is Holley Efi with an automotive A1000 pump.

All that power is run through a fully built Trans Specialties turbo 400 and a Chevy 12 bolt rear.

Wheels and tires are 15×4 Weld Pro fronts with 15×14 weld rts rears with deadlocks, all wrapped in Mickey Thompson sportsman tires.

Where is it now, in the rebuild stage?18278997_10210347663142099_5619210385187123057_o

Paint work Will be finished this winter and will be a beautiful 04 Gto Impluse Blue with flat black accents.

Estimated horsepower is around 800rwhp and will be final tuned as well over the winter months.

 

Check out these photos to see the original car, where it has been and where is is now.

Check out some of our other Camaro articles here.

Article about the 1969 Chevy Camaro

Bruce’s 1969 Camaro

Jimmie Johnson’s 1968 Camaro

Customs N Classics store – Amazon Store showcasing some tools, some models, some “vintage” metal signs and some automotive books

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