Smokin' Slips
Here's a cool way to keep your tootsies toasty. Motorsport Direct's flamed slippers combine cool looks with warm comfort. The snazzy slippers have a soft polar fleece body with embroidered flames, real leather (soft suede cowhide) insoles, and sturdy indoor/outdoor soles. They're available with red or yellow flames in ladies' and men's sizes small through large. For more information on these and other nifty items, contact Motorsport Direct, 9260 Isaac St., Building C, Dept. R&C, Santee, CA 92071; (800) 480-7302; www.MotorsportDirect.com.
Gimmie a "K"
So-Cal Speed Shop's frames and chassis are respected throughout the industry, and now the company is offering a stand-alone, weld-in K-member that can make your frame more like theirs. At 42.5 inches wide, the K-member is designed for '32 Ford frames but can be used in many applications. It features a brake pedal mount (with enough shaft to allow for a clutch pedal), master cylinder mount, tabs for rear ladder bars, and a versatile transmission mount that accommodates various automatic and manual boxes. It's the latest in an expanding line of chassis components offered for both hobby and professional builders. For further information, contact So-Cal Speed Shop, 1357 E. Grand Ave., Dept. R&C, Pomona, CA 91766; (909)469-6171; www.so-calspeedshop.com.
Time for a Quickie?
Dick Spadaro Early Ford Reproductions and Winter's Performance are offering a new Quick Change rearend for '32-48 Ford axles. The Quick Change kit is an open driveline conversion that comes with a new carrier bearing and a set of axle housing gaskets-you assemble it using your old carrier, axles, and tubes. The kit uses a 4.11:1 ring-and-pinion, while retaining stock differential action, with a final drive of 3.48:1. Additional gear ratios are available through various speed shops. The setup is perfect for '32 highboys and Model As, though it may require chassis modifications for other applications. For details, contact Dick Spadaro Early Ford Reproductions, 6599 Rt. 158, Box 617, Dept. R&C, Altamont, NY 12009; (518) 861-5367.
Big Book of Big Daddy
Get out your model glue and spray paint, kids, because the cool cats at Tornado Design and Last Gasp Publishing are bringing you a mind-bending look at Ed "Big Daddy" Roth's artistic passion. Rat Fink: The Art of Ed "Big Daddy" Roth is a 220-page tome stuffed full of essays, artwork, and photos (more than 600 images!) chronicling Roth's always-original artistic endeavors. Written by Doug Nason and Greg Escalante, it's one of the most comprehensive looks at Roth's artwork ever assembled and is sure to bring out to the monster-lovin' Rat Fink in all of us. It's available via mail or online from Tornado Design, 8800 Venice Blvd., Suite 216, Dept. R&C, Los Angeles, CA 90034; www.tornadodesign.la.
Steer Clear
The smoother travel and reduced effort of rack-and-pinion steering has traditionally been available only for IFS applications. Now, however, Maval Manufacturing's Unisteer division is offering an innovative new cross-steer rack-and-pinion unit for solid-axle applications. The system is a direct replacement for Vega-style steering boxes and is even competitively priced with them. For more information on this or other rack-and-pinion steering systems, contact Maval Manufacturing, 1555 Enterprise Parkway, Dept. R&C, Twinsburg, OH 44087; (800) 338-9080; www.mavalgear.com.
Gonzo Gassers
Do you go wild for wheelstands? Then you'll definitely want to check out Bob McClurg's latest drag racing nostalgia poster, "Those Awesome Austins and Anglias." The cars are little, but the names are large-"Big John" Mazmanian, "Junior" Thompson, Herrera & Sons, Walt Orr, and other greats. The black-and-white poster measures 20x24 inches and is printed on high-quality poster stock. Cost is $19.95, plus $5 U.S. shipping, with price breaks for multiple orders. Sorry, no credit card orders. For more information, contact Bob McClurg's Nostalgia Posters, 4845 Sancola Ave., Dept. R&C, North Hollywood, CA 91601; (818) 769-4944.
Glosser Gift
Since this is the December issue (even though you're probably reading it in September), we'll offer you a dandy gift idea-The Glosser, from CleanTools (the Absorber folks). This is a disposable, three-layer, wax-filled microfiber cloth that carries cleaners and waxes in the middle layer. It removes surface dirt, applies wax, enhances shine, and dries the surface all in one swipe, and does so without scratching the paint. It's great for touch-up detailing at shows, cleaning off bird droppings, or even wiping down the whole car when you don't want to wash it. The Glosser is available at many discount and auto parts stores. For details, call (800) 654-3933; www.theglosser.com.
Up in Arms
Fatman Fabrications has more than 15 years of experience building tubular control arms for GM suspensions, so it should come as no surprise that the parts incorporate features like SAE 1018 steel construction, rubber bushings for optimum ride quality, and offset shafts that allow for maximum alignment adjustment. The arms also feature urethane spring seats and can easily be converted for use with Carrera coilovers and air ride. The arms are available for '55-64 full-size Chevys, '67-81 Camaros, '68-79 Novas, and '64-77 Chevelles, in stock configurations and narrowed widths for extra tire clearance. For details, contact Fatman Fabrications, 8621-C Fairview Rd., Hwy. 218, Dept. R&C, Charlotte, NC 28227; (704) 545-0369.