NERVOUS SURGEONS

                                    

The back bone of British rodding has a well deserved place in most Hot Rodders hearts, as so many of us have cut our teeth on either attempting to build or building one through to completion. It seems that there is still no limit to how many different ways the Pop can be rodded and this page is dedicated to Pops old and not so old. Unfortunately a lot of the images do not have a lot of background detail but I have managed to pin point reasonably accurately the years of the images.

This page like so many on this website will be adapted and updated as and when further images become available or when members find them in their attics, garages or under the bed. 

  

   

   

 

       Bracknell 1978

 

  Robyn Slater’s 1938 Fordson

 

This Fordson was put together over a period of three and a half years, with the intention of rivalling the legendry “Hot n Bothered”. Discovered in an East Anglian car park, the car was soon dragged to Robyn’s garage, where he tore into it, building first a new chassis to which he mounted a Viva front end and a Jag rear, ( now where have I heard that before).

Slotted between the main rails of the chassis sat the motivating force, a baby hemi, in the form of a Daimler V8 with Robyn crafted headers and exhaust system.

To each of the afore mentioned axles, he hung a set of shiny wheels, which had a striking resemblance to Superior 4 & 5 spokes.

 

Turning his attention to the body he made up new rear arches from Prefect parts and once everything was nice and straight set about punching it. Or to give it, it’s correct title, louvres. These were strategically placed on the rear doors and bonnet, then not satisfied with making holes in the steel; he decided to get rid of some of it as well. This was achieved by slicing the roof off, removing 3” from what was left, then sticking the two sections back together. (Easy when you say it fast).

The Fordson was then treated to a new white paint job (which in the photo is only part way done) Robyn also clearly liked our neighbours across the channel as he frenched the aerial and all the lights on the Fordson except for the headlights.

I remember seeing it at the Supernationals at Olympia in 82 but it to may be a victim of the “UK triangle” as it disappeared and I do not recall seeing it again.

 

 

  

 

John Hockley’s “Wild Ride” Pop

 

This was a traditional Pop of it’s time with the usual suspects lurking under the front and rear. Where it differed was in the engine department as it had a 306 cube inch Ford V8, which at that time had powered it to high 13’s on the quarter mile.

 

It was the sort of car you could have a nose bleed in and no-one would know as it was door to door, crushed button backed red velour, this not only covered the doors, floor, centre console, and  seats but also the dash. This Pop really was Red, White and Black with it’s heavily tinted glass. It was, in it’s time a rapid car, and I it would not look out of place at a rod run, or Nostalgia event today, who knows it may well be out there now? 

 

 

 

 Simon Wells aka "Holy Joe" going for the camouflage finish?

 

 

                

 

        

                         Sounds like something to do with Wolfie Smith                                                 

 

 

    Street Oddesey, the Pop that is and not his flares! 

 

Is it a Pop? Answers to the emails address please.

An unusual varaiation on a theme done here by one of the Sunny Valley Rod fraternity.

"Just Jim" has an extensive collection of images spanning the years, and the photo's below capture not only the 70's but also the flourishing Hot Rod scene.

It's cruise night for members of the Sunny Valley Roadsters and 2 of the Hottest Pop's are out on the prowl, illuminated Jag IRS's and blacked out windows, these Hot Rods would be riding on the crest of a revival wave is they were out and about, now.

 

 

RLA 426 appears to have changed colour from Red above to Orange (right), but its just a trick of the light, still looks good whatever colour and this was in the late 70's.

 

 

 

 

Snorkel Scoop on this Pop appears to be slightly to far forward, not sure about the paint, but the side pipes and Wolfies clearly identify the era and in case you still need convincing check out the checkered flares!

 

 

 

 

 

Now resplendent in paint WPD still cuts an eye catching early custom stance.

 

General Grabbers, slots on the mags painted red, side pipes, velvet interior, this Pop was at the top of its game during the era that brought us the Space Hopper and Slinky!

 

 

Midnight Rambler in the 70's, spot the ultra modern Tents and is that a beach hut in the background?

Unusual boot treatment and Jag lights laid horizontal

 

 

Just Jim building yet another Pop during the late 70's early 80's

The same Pop fighting back the years @ Billing in 2004

and still wearing the chromed drop tube axle that Jim fitted.

Dennis the Menace

 

Pop pulled up by the long gone Ed Turners

 

 

 

Bruntingthorpe Pop

 

Love this shot, the Pop looks wicked

 

 

Caravan Cruiser

Unusual Wheel and rear lght treatment

 

 

Well proportioned and well put together Pop

 

Barn Find ?

Knebworth in the late 70's 

 

 

Over the years of Rodding and Customising, the Ford Pop has been subject to many variations on a theme, this section is dedicated to some of those moments of inspiration or madness, depending on your out look on life!

This Willys/Pop was definately a labour of love, a love of shaping metal.

 

Kevin Pittman's Pink Pop 3 window with a serious attitude and 'export' grill

The successful shape of the doors was achieved by releiving a second set of doors of their front A pillar angles.

This Pop was at some point in its life exported (so its grill was quite apt) as it appeared on US ebay during last year.

 

Unusual front end treatment on Terry McArthurs Pop, and it looks it ran a V6

 

Above are some 3 window Pops well here is their bgger cousin the 5 window

This was one clean Pop with early VW beetle lights, before it was turned into a Coup

'Before'

Compare the 'After' above with the poor quality 'Before' image