Kaiser Frazer Owners Club Forum
General Category => Modified Kaiser-Frazer & Willys Cars => Topic started by: Gordie on December 05, 2018, 05:59:25 PM
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If at least six of you indicate here that you would like to participate in a Modified car forum let us know here on this blog and I will see what I can do to promote it. Please continue your discussion of modified cars here in the mean time. The subject does not belong any where else. Thanks
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It would be a welcome and useful addition to this site. Thanks.
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I of course would be happy to participate in a modified thread. I get many call from members asking a multitude of questions which I try to answer to the best of my ability mostly about Darrins. I think it is a growing trend to make old cars safer and more comfortable to drive. I think it will help save old cars.
Lee
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I agree with Lee 100 percent. Modifying any old vehicle to make it safer and more fun to drive is a good choice. My examples are a highly modified V8 powered Darrin and a Frazer Manhattan with only power steering and power brakes added.
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Look back thru the threads in this forum and one question you'll see repeatedly asked is around installing a V8 in a KF. It's time we dedicate a topic to the subject so those that have done modifications can share their experiences with those contemplating it.
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The discussion is still new. Given time more folks will probably come aboard. "Modified" does not have to mean hotrods, streetrods, or restomods. It can cover anything from seat belts to air conditioning to conversion to 12V (often seen) to electric wipers to Petronix ignition to disk brakes to fuel injection or whatver. I've seen plenty of modified Kaisers and even Frazers at car shows, in publications, calendars, ebay, and other auctions or for sale. They may not get the traffic on the forum as the originals but they are very useful. It is better to own a modified for whatever reason than not. Times are changing and many folks want more modern options and there is nothing wrong with that. Some folks don't want to have to deal with vapor lock or overheating or trying to find ethanol free gas.
I belong to a regional Hudson Club with about 30-35 members. There exist 11-12 modified Hudsons/Terraplanes in the group but we promote the Hudsons and people get to see them on the road and at events.
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Modify for...Safety and Function.
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One problem that comes up is the judging of the cars. Our judging system is based on the premise that all cars are to be judged on how they looked the day that they left the factory but not the dealership who could add non factory accessories or parts on the cars. There are very few cars in the club that would qualify as being bone stock and with all parts being exactly as it left the factory but it is a goal that many of our members strive for. It is very hard to find every exact part for our cars and most cars are modified in several ways. Our judges know the cars well and we have developed a fine set of judging guidelines to help make the car like new if that is what you want. Our judges do not know that much about modified cars but they are arriving at our meets in increasing numbers. That is good and it is time that we recognize that it is the thing of the future. Instead of judging them for authenticity and giving automatic gold awards to most. I feel that we should award all modified cars a participation award until and if we want to develop a system of judging modified vehicles. If that works for most of you I will try to get a new "Modified Kaiser-Frazer cars" added to the forum.
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Well, I've seen comments here to the contrary but I think it's a good idea. Those guys can either be welcomed here and hopefully delay the decline of the membership, or go where they'd feel welcomed elsewhere.
Even though my car looks stock there are definitely a few modifications that would detract points from a purist viewpoint. I pretty much have zero interest in having it judged and I've built it the way I want it, so that's never going to be an issue for me.
There's been a few guys post their resto mod work here and I'm always fascinated to see their custom work. Quite a bit I wouldn't do to my car but I'd guess their attitude would be exactly the same I have for my car.
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I agree, the forum shouldn't have anything to do with judging. I, for one, am not interested in the judging aspect. I've seen many discussions on this site about that in the past and it's just not everybody's thing. Point A to Point B and back to Point A. Enjoy the cars, let others enjoy the cars. IF there are folks interested in judging of the modifieds, then one could make use of the AACA groundrules for such.
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That brings us to the question of judging. I still think that our club is a social club and I have talked to many ex members who quit the club over judging. I do not care for judging cars I think we could entice more members into the club without judging. To many people get very upset with not getting a gold or silver or bronze by one or two points that for the most part are subjective. We need members not awards. I think most of us know how good our cars are and many do not have the money, time or expertise to restore them to factory spec. when i go to the convention I am going to have a good time. I think it is time to discuss eliminating judging and just come to the convention for fun. I think most of the regional events have no judging they just have fun. Let’s invite all cars good, bad or ugly I like them all. Maybe we will get more then the couple hundred usual suspects at future conventions.
Lee
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Hi Guys and Gals...(Char you out there?)
Here's the build we've been planning for about 3 years. Design work done. Donor car found and purchased. Resto shop is one we've used before and they are ready. Here's a bit about the custom:
https://www.undiscoveredclassics.com/front-page/portfolio/anticipated-car-builds/1954-tahitian-dragon/
I think this would qualify as a "modified."
Count me in and have some fun.
Geoff Hacker
Tampa, Florida
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That is beautiful! I like everything but the gold wheels which seem out of place with the blue, white and chrome.
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Thanks Gordie - keep in mind I'm working on a turquoise blue "Show Dragon" too I got from Randy Rutherford. It has gold wire wheels.....so it's not a big jump for me to look to use gold on this car too (powdercoated gold). Customs are always fun - especially when we have a team doing it with ideas from each. Thanks for sharing...
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I agree about no more judging at meets, just enjoy the cars!! Just having them there is worthy of notice.
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Obviously there is a large range of meaning to the word ‘modified.’ Modified as in custom(where I envision a gaudy paint job, too much pinstriping and blah blah blah) to modified to keep the car on the road. With mine, it’ll never be original again, but get it a OEM-like as it can be...so it will of course be modified out of necessity.
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Why do you care, just don't look at it if you don't want to use it. I happen to like the tab and I use it, if for nothing else other than the history already there. Leave it alone!!!
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Well, until it is approved...lets not harp on it...just place "modified" in the subject line and it can be moved at a later date :o
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Be aware...persistence and badgering is sometimes difficult to distinguish in posts! Makes sense too? Thank you😂
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To be clear... only offering insight as that was not an opinion. Perception and interpretation is based on the reader...not the writer🤔
Enjoy
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All in good time... no offense taken at all. As I said before, mine will need mods out of necessity.
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What constitutes a modified K-F? The last word I heard was either a major change to the drive train such as a major motor swap but not a 161 six into a 4 cylinder HJ for example, or radical body alterations such as a chopped top or conversion to a pick up for example. Easily bolted on body components do not qualify. Funny paint alone is not an acceptable feature for modified status.
We had a long time member who insisted that her otherwise stock 53 Manhattan with non-original velour upholstery be judged as a modified. This was part of the pressure that led to a stricter ruling on what qualifies as modified.
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I like to tinker with the car and am always interested in how others approach things
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Mine will be modified: up to date frame, AC, power steering, V-6, tilt wheel, 12 volt...but body will be the stylish 54-55. Can't improve on that.
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Hello, first post, I didn't see introduce yourself thread or I would have posted there first.
I recently acquired a 53 H/J, or whats left of it, modifications will be the word for it.
It barley has a lip around the trunk, virtually no floors, and the rockers are well past replacement panels until I put some more support in the body. The doors won't close the body is so tweaked from the middle of the car being gone.
It will be a challenge just to get it to being able to make a rat rod out of it. However that is not where I want to go with it, gasser but no flat black.
The frame is so bad I will be making a new one for it, going to try and get the old frame out/off in one piece so I can duplicate it, with better (thicker) wall tubing. I am fortunate that I have the machinery and welders to do that kind of work.
I did have the original 4 cyl with the trans, without a head, and the block is clearly cracked, however there are some parts that will be usable by someone else.
Pics will come as I go along.
(https://i.imgur.com/p4MeVkI.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/sEkwFGR.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/GEtGdl8.jpg)
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Every car has a story... Look like a great project..