tuba trucks

[Grizz1963]

I do continue to be amazed by the work you guys turn out.

That truck (Maude) looks just lovely.

[clemdaddy]

Originally Posted by Modges'66

Clem, the '54 is a total work of art!
The '65 is lookin' great also!
I am always keepin' an eye on ya!!!
Always lookin' forward to the day that I can start working for you, and doin' this stuff!!!

Me too, I am looking for a mechanic right now and when you're ready, I'll be looking for you. And thanks man...

Originally Posted by tune_1

Clem the 54 looked great and in only 2 months during the winter!! The 65 may be slower but it is looking good also. Good work
Dwight

Appreciate it Dwight...

Originally Posted by Bomp

Maude, ahhh,,, I remember the owner. Nice lady. Glad Maude will have a loving owner.
Cab and frame looking top notch.

She's been coming by pretty regular and is thrilled with the progress.

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

I do continue to be amazed by the work you guys turn out.
That truck (Maude) looks just lovely.

Thanks Rian… damn we miss you buddy.


The shop has been working on a few 50's models for a while now and we have one of our own in the works. It' been redubbed 'B-52'. A 6' flat bed cut down from 10' with all the running lights, spot light, giant stop light, 3:55 rear gear, dual brake cylinder and whatever else we can find out back. It should be a fun shop truck though driving one is like steering a boat while sitting on a park bench…

Here's the second episode of 'B-52'

[Bomp]

'B-52' Looks killer!
Don't tell me your 'Hot Rod' is suffering the same as Steiner, owner too busy with other builds to give some lovin'.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Bomp

'B-52' Looks killer!
Don't tell me your 'Hot Rod' is suffering the same as Steiner, owner too busy with other builds to give some lovin'.

Bomp in place. Happy.




Great memories.

[clemdaddy]

Bomp… Rian, you guys are crazy. Kindred stuff right there.

Aprils report.
Nothing big happened this month, just a bunch of seemingly slow production on some cool new shop projects. First off, we've been working on a 63 roadster for a nice ol' guy who just wants it brought sorta back and drivable for his grandkids. We overhauled the 327 added a new clutch pack plus a few other requested safety features, like a major brake upgrade and fresh interior. More on this as it continues…
We also undertook a much later model Chev., a 79 Scottsdale, which is in for paint and interior but after sitting for 20 years, it doesn't seem to be running right. Hopefully we can figure out the mechanics while the bodywork happens.

[clemdaddy]

April report part 2.
A guy came to us about a year ago with a 66 Ford custom that he wanted a complete frame-up restoration. He requested a motor and the under hood to be restored plus a complete interior like original but he wanted a patina exterior. OK, we can do it. He has come over almost every Sunday since and worked on his truck and he is the main reason that this build had become so enjoyable, an involved customer, gotta love it.
Also this month… Maude got her fenders and the hood is next… And Mark's 50 got blown apart for a resto.

[clemdaddy]

April report part 3
This month we added to the herd a 60 stepper with a great grill and hood and a perfect windshield. Also we got a big window and high hump cab from our favorite salvage guy, thanks Eddie, and no, we didn't even ask about Ford stuff.

[Ta2Don]

Great stuff Clem! LOL on the Ford stuff... he definitely won't part with it, right Martin!!!

[Bomp]

WOW, you can see Maude and the F@rd in the back ground. (Pic of me behind the wheel of the Hot Rod).
Don't even look like the same trucks. Amazing work.

[clemdaddy]

Thanks Don & Bomp… appreciate it guys.

The month of May in Arkansas is the most beautiful time of the year. Trees, flowers, rivers, cruises, car shows, they all seem to bloom at the same time. That said, work at Tuba slows down a bit, distractions you know. Halter tops, short shorts, college girls. It's tough to keep the guys in line. Not that that stuff bothers me any at all but at least a little progress was made this month.

First is B-52.
A normal flat bed from the period had rounded channel on the front corners and squared ones in the back. But if you used 2 beds you could have rounded corners all the way around. So a little fabbing and there it is…

Then the front fenders and inners were mounted plus we kinda placed the 3 cab lights in where they looked right...

[Grizz1963]

Good work.

You know I like cab lights.

So it's always good in my book.

[Palf70Step]

Beautiful!

[clemdaddy]

Appreciate it Rian and Bill… your comments are always motivational and Lord knows we need it…

Second post for the month starts with a setback. Maude who's doors were just hung was involved in a windy storm and the door checks had not been installed. Stupid move. And yes, both doors blew open multiple times during the storm and put very deep creases in both doors as well as chipping the paint on the fender edges. Major setback… but all has been fixed now and it feels like a bad dream thats over.

This last month Maude got her hood painted and installed, also windshield and back glass were put in as well as the radiator to core support sails. Not much else got done except the disaster redo, which was major.

[Bomp]

Professional with a touch of love.
No matter the set back you pull it off.
I remember seeing Maude in person way back when, amazing transformation.
Thanks for the pics and motivation.

[Palf70Step]

[clemdaddy]

Thanks Greg and Bill… always appreciate it.

A new project just came to Tuba. Short-wide, big window, custom cab with 230 six and 3 speed. It's another family heirloom that was purchased new and handed down. The nephew wants it to be dealer fresh only saving the window stickers and gun rack that his uncle added. This is a very straight and original truck with only a little decay in the kick panels. I love working on restorations with my customers helping out through the process, and this one will be a pleasure to do.

[ibrown50]

I missed the Maude update, awsome job repairing the doors , I've just done one door and it took me 6 months

The new project is a great looking truck, can't wait to see the updates

[Chevy Apache]

Good job on the doors Clem got that to do myself after my hood repairs.

[Ta2Don]

Beautiful truck and love the family heirloom side of the story!

[RANDY COX]

Clemdaddy I absolutely love all the trucks you work on and Love your shop....

[Grizz1963]

That new truck looks like you already did all the magic.


Lovely looking thing too.

[clemdaddy]

Thanks fellas, definitely appreciate it…

Well, after 25 years and 2 restos, the time has come to let Cory go. She has been a fun ride. Kim and I both love her and have strived to keep her in top flight condition but sometimes, you just have to say 'goodbye girl' and let 'em go.
Besides a 66 year old guy trying to gracefully get out of a sportscar this low, is not a good sight and shouldn't be witnessed by children.

So… here's Cory…

[oem4me]

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

Thanks fellas, definitely appreciate it…

Well, after 25 years and 2 restos, the time has come to let Cory go. She has been a fun ride. Kim and I both love her and have strived to keep her in top flight condition but sometimes, you just have to say 'goodbye girl' and let 'em go.
Besides a 66 year old guy trying to gracefully get out of a sportscar this low, is not a good sight and shouldn't be witnessed by children.

So… here's Cory…

A roadster with air. Nice! Love the color combo too. I had a '63 coupe with the same combination and always loved how the red interior glowed within the sexy white envelope. The first gen Stingray: A style icon, no doubt about it!

[Bomp]

Sure was a honor siting in the drivers seat last Oct. Will miss it greatly.

[mjh1965]

Clem if that was mine I would still be driving it till the day they took my driving license off me . Old guys driving sports cars just makes youngsters look and think one day I will own one of those. Mind you that might be because I also own a sports car as well as the truck .