Full Throttle

MG pick up and delivery

noreply@blogger.com (Full Throttle) — Fri, 15 May 2009 02:24:00 +0000

Thursday 14th as Jon the donater of the MG nervously awaits the arrival of his new Granddaughter, Steve, Dave and Mark, expert car haulers, arrive to take the MG to it's new (Temporary) home. Actually Jon doesn't seem all that nervous !

Shelbo hooks up the front straps, mmm how do these work ??????

Steve Quinn knows what he's doing....

Firmly secured, ready to roll ! Thank you so much Jon !

As the sun sets, the MG arrives at it's new home....

Vojtisek can't help grinning as he skillfully negotiates the trailer ramps, which appear to have been designed for wider cars...it JUUUST fits without falling in-between them...

Two is always better than one..Steve's Camaro gets a new garage buddy, American Muscle, meet British style ! Beautiful Garage space donated by Mr "did I mention this is temporary ?" Quinn. Thanks Steve !

Stop back soon for more updates and progress reports

MG Midget for City Mission

noreply@blogger.com (Full Throttle) — Fri, 15 May 2009 02:10:00 +0000

After a significant pause in any major car projects Full Throttle is back in business. This Beautiful MG has been donated by a very generous local man to our new partner City Mission. We plan to get the car running and cleaned up for a new lucky owner, the car will be raffled in the fall. City Mission hope to raise money for its schooling program for the children of Brightmore, Detroit. Check back to see our progress and news.

AutoRama 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Full Throttle) — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 18:20:00 +0000

Photos by Dave F. and Dan L.

This year's AutoRama was the best ever, and I've been going since I was a kid in the '60s. Back then we'd gawk at the incredible creations, that can only be described as "auto sculpture", by legendary George Barris.

This year people stopped to admire our T-Bucket. Which, as you'll see by the photos, looked great. It was a "sweet spot in time" for Team Full Throttle.

Overall, the raffle brought in $18,837 ($5,720 generated during AutoRama weekend) for the Open Door Rescue Mission! Along the way we studied the Bible, grew together as group of Christian men, and served God.

Palm trees, sand (yes, sand, look closely) ... listen and you can hear the Beach Boys singing "California Girls" from their "Endless Summer" album.

Mac drumming up some last minute ticket sales.

John demonstrates a slightly more easygoing sales technique :)

Between conversations, Rick gets bite to eat.

Mac, Pastor Farris, Toan, Dave S., and Steve L. posing for a photo-op.

Our graphic artist John L., showcasing the "T" and the sign's artwork.

March 7-9 - Come See Us at AutoRama This Weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (Full Throttle) — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 02:00:00 +0000

Our scouts tell us the "T" is looking good at the Detroit AutoRama! Come see us at space #1331, in the middle of the upper level. Look for the aisle with the red '58 Rambler wagon and black '57 Chrysler. Head down that aisle. We're about half way down, right hand side. Look for the lighted palm trees. (Really.)

March 5th - AutoRama, the Final Road Trip

noreply@blogger.com (Full Throttle) — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 10:27:00 +0000

Photos by Greg B., video by Mike N.

Our "Fab Four", Greg, Mac, Mike, and Rick registering the"T" at AutoRama. For those of us that have to wait until the show formally opens, heres how it went down...

A Work of Art

noreply@blogger.com (Full Throttle) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:00:00 +0000

John L, our graphic artist, designs a custom banner for AutoRama!

Read all about it!

noreply@blogger.com (Full Throttle) — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 23:22:00 +0000

Yeah, Open Door & Full Throttle made the news this morning! Our thanks to FOX WJBK Detroit, Channel 2 Morning News. Here's the interview with Pastor Jerome Farris, Open Door and our own Mark Johnson.

"DETROIT -- The Open Door Rescue Mission has recently restored a 1927 T-Bucket Roadster with the help and generous donation from Team Full Throttle, a Christian Men’s group passionate about cars and the love of God." Click here for the full story!

Or click below to watch the video...

P.S. Great job Mark, but where's your Full Throttle shirt ':0)

T-Bucket in the news!

noreply@blogger.com (Full Throttle) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 11:45:00 +0000

Detroit Auto Scene

T-Bucket was Built from Donated Parts

By Irena Granaas, Staff Reporter

March 3rd, 2008

"Based on a cut-down Ford Model T, the T-Bucket was popular with fans of fast cars and customization in the 1950s. Team Full Throttle, a Christian men's group whose member combine their love of God and their passsion for cars to help others, spend 18 months donating their tme and labor to build the Roadster from the ground up."

For the complete article contact the Detroit Auto Scene

Before and After

noreply@blogger.com (Full Throttle) — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 03:03:00 +0000

See the details by clicking the images.
BEFORE...

...AFTER

Everything you want to know...

Heck, all you really need to know is that it's got about 326 HP. Oh, and the wheelie bar isn't included :-)

February 25th - It's a Wrap :-D

noreply@blogger.com (Full Throttle) — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 01:41:00 +0000

Photos by Dave F. and Greg B., video by Steve P.

Finito! Somehow we knew, deep down, that we'd finish before the raffle at the upcoming Detroit AutoRama. Heck, they always finish on time building cars in Overhaulin' and bikes in Orange County Chopper.

The T-Bucket didn't get built without a struggle. What you never see on those T.V. shows is all the behind-the-scenes scrambling to get things done, and done on time. Coping with last minute problems, like brake switch fitment. Breaking stuff like the speedo glass, locating and ordering a new one, only to find out the replacement speedo was too big for the dash. Scavenging junkyards trying to find hard-to-find steering assembly parts. Scratching heads to come up ways to coax parts from different manufacturers to work together.

Memories of late nights. A few early mornings. Mike's UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) going down, with the server, when we inadvertently plugged the coffee pot into it. (So much for "uninterruptable", eh.)

The T.V. shows may have Hollywood backing them, but we have God. I figure He chuckled. Then He answered our prayers. Schedules were adjusted, people showed up, parts were found. Looking back, it's all too coincidental to be a coincidence.

The photos offer a glimpse, but not the essence of the project. Celebrate with us...

February 18th - Burning the Midnight Oil

noreply@blogger.com (Full Throttle) — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:47:00 +0000

Photos by Dave F.
Multiple choice:
a. Hi-jack.
b. Tease and blow dry.
c. Heat thermostat, test fan.
d. Best not to ask ;-)

Dave S. routs brake lines.

John R. troubleshooting the pesky wiring harness.

Thanks to Dave S. the speedo now fits!

Notice the oil pressure gauge and horn are hooked up.

Steve L. fabricates a mounting bracket for the water temp gauge.

Showing off Mark V's fabricated brackets for the dual horns!

Showing off Toan's custom fuel pump lines!

Mark V. and Steve L. ponder the electrical schematic while Mac works on the trans.

Showing off the brake pedal / master cylinder assembly -- tight fit, creative mounting.

The mechanical brake light switch had "fitment issues" so we replaced it with a fluid pressure activated switch - nice plumbing!

Bleeding the brake lines - always a thankless task.

February 4th - "It's Alive!"

noreply@blogger.com (Full Throttle) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 22:38:00 +0000

Photos by Dave F.

Tonight's the night. We've been waiting a long time -- it's time to fire up the bucket ...

Got battery? Cables? Check!

Got distributor, coil, plug wires and plugs? Check!

Got that 1-wire alternator hooked up? Check!

Rick's gonna crank it up...

Get your volume off mute. Turn it up.

Turn it up some more. Now click the arrow below.

If it sounds like this, can you imagine how fast it's gonna go:)

Wow, that was sweet!

January 14th - Back from the show...

noreply@blogger.com (Full Throttle) — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:23:00 +0000

Photos by Mark V.
The "T" is back from her showing at the Grand Rapids AutoRama. Yikes, the raffle's in early March. This time we have to be done. "Time Waits for No One" (you know, that song from the Rolling Stones album) plays in my head. Time to get to work...

Say it ain't so: Steve P. and Fernando disassemble the steering column for the n'th time!

Rick, what are you up to now?

Dave S. wires in the chassis ground.

January 7th, 2008 - Surprise Road Trip

noreply@blogger.com (Full Throttle) — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:57:00 +0000

Photos by Mark V.

Surprise! Tonight we learned the "T" is going to be shown at the Grand Rapids Autorama this weekend. Here we are, scrambling to get it off the jack stands and out on time...

Rick J. demonstrates the latest New Balance fashion statement.

Steve Q. ponders electrical fan connections.

Steve L. wires in the electric choke.

Dave M. installs the master cylinder / brake pedal linkage.

Best not to ask.

Ah, ready to roll (perhaps not under her own power yet, but roll she will). Off to Grand Rapids, affectionately known as Michigan's "West Coast". See ya there :)

December 27th - Electricity in the Air

noreply@blogger.com (Full Throttle) — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 15:56:00 +0000

Photos by Mark V.

George V., Tom, Dave S. and Steve L. route the pesky wiring harness.

George V. flies in from England to lend a hand and fabricate turn signal brackets.

Steve L. routes the rear harness

Tom H. and Steve L. search the Net to match wire colors up with the steering column wiring harness.

December 17th - Counting the Days

noreply@blogger.com (Full Throttle) — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:48:00 +0000

Photos by Mark V.

There are 8 shopping days until Christmas, but all we're thinking about is getting the T-Bucket operational by the Detroit AutoRama, March 7-9th.

Tom H. and Steve L. begin work on the electrical system ... to be continued

November 26th - Sweating the Details

noreply@blogger.com (Full Throttle) — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 02:42:00 +0000

Photos by Steve L.

Steve Q. bends brake line.

Steve P. straightens bent fins with the radiator comb.

Mark V. and Dave S. take a fantasy cruise.

Occasionally, we need to clean up. Knox V. demonstrates how to correctly coil an extension cord.

November 19th - Shiny Stuff

noreply@blogger.com (Full Throttle) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 02:58:00 +0000

Photos by Steve L.

Man, those gas tank welds are smooooooth!

Nothing beats stainless steel braided brake lines. Connecting it to the master cylinder will definately improve stopping distances!

At last the steering column is installed, now sporting a jaunty rake that won't prematurely wear holes in the driver's jeans :-D

When we're not working on cars we're studying God's word. Dave S. (second from left) leads this week's bible study - Phillipians C4.

October 29th - More progress

noreply@blogger.com (Full Throttle) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 04:26:00 +0000

The shop was a hive of activity tonight, with Toan making a shroud for the radiator (and lots of noise to boot !), Dave and Steve mounting the brake master cylinder and pedal assembly. Knox, Dave and Greg worked hard to plug any open passageways in the block and fit the fuel pump and Mark and Mark worked on setting up the steering shaft.....

Measure twice, cut once......

Mounting holes going in....

Brake master cylinder positioning.....About here O.K. ??

Nah, Back a bit.....

Steve combs the radiator veins while Dave muses the fuel pump installation

Mark J is very happy with the new steering column - Look ! It tilts ! Woah !

Sparks fly as Mark V trims down the bar stock to make the steering shaft....

October 15th - Update

noreply@blogger.com (Full Throttle) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 03:58:00 +0000

Photos by Steve L.

We returned the short column and replaced it with a very nice new longer column with Tilt . This will allow us a much better driving position...

Then comes the scary part - drilling the hole through the firewall.....No Problem

October 1st - Update

noreply@blogger.com (Full Throttle) — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 01:48:00 +0000

Photos by Dave F.

Mark, Dave and Toan test drive the new steering wheel... ... seems the wheel sits a tad low, scuffing Mark's knees :)

The bungee cord mod keeps it upright and centered,

while we ponder how to increase the wheel's elevation.

To be continued...

September 17th - Update

noreply@blogger.com (Full Throttle) — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 06:59:00 +0000

Photos by Dave F. & Don L.

Dave F makes the Wood Brothers look like amateurs.

Our youngest member, Cale J, handling quality control!

August 27th - Update

noreply@blogger.com (Full Throttle) — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 06:59:00 +0000

Photos by Dave F.

August 18th Update

noreply@blogger.com (Full Throttle) — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 22:58:00 +0000

Photos by Greg B.
Every hot rod needs some flame treatment, and this one is no exception. Very tasteful flames appeared over the weekend, Beautiful ! Prior to that the team worked more on engine ancillaries, mounting the radiator and lamps, steering rack, Windshield and rear view mirrors...

Check out the flame job...

Radiator, Lights and hoses all done !

August 20th - Update

noreply@blogger.com (Full Throttle) — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 06:59:00 +0000

The team assembled for another Monday night of Bucket work. There seemed to be a lot of head scratching this evening as Dave S and Steve L tried to figure out the brake pedal mounting, Mark V worked on the steering shaft routing, Toan worked on the hinges for the decklid, Mark J and Nate worked on the front drive belts and Knox sorted through the wiring....

Toan, Dave S and Steve L position the fuel tank to clear the hinges...

Knox ponders the wiring.....

Dave S searches the Speedway catalogue...Now where does it show how the brake pedal mounts....