Wheel Neat AgainIf you're reading R&C, there's a strong chance you like your hot rod to lean toward the traditional style, and if so, this will reflect in the parts you choose for your ride. Juliano's is with you, and already offers numerous classic-style steering wheels, but the new Lake Wheel is a simple three-spoke, competition-style wheel for "those who yearn for hot rods of the early days."
A non-dished, solid-spoke 14-inch design, the Lake Wheel comes leather-wrapped in 10 colors, and with a unique plain or V-8 script horn button. For more information, contact Juliano's Hot Rod Parts at (800) 300-1932.
Cool BoxClimate control doesn't have to mean winding down the windows or cranking the windshield out another notch, as Classic Auto Air has an entirely new A/C and heater unit that has the capability of cooling a fullsize car. The Street Rod Cooler Deluxe is designed for custom applications where a smooth firewall may be desirable, as the A/C and heater tubes face the passenger kick panel rather than the rear of the unit.
With fullsize evaporator and heater coils, the unit will provide the coldest temperatures and quickest cool-down period possible, with total adjustability between modes using just one cable. The evaporator kit is supplied with two remote heater dumps, 2-inch flex hose, and your choice of four standard louvers, a heater water valve, and machined billet control head. For more information, contact Classic Auto Air at (813) 251-2356.
Jacket up!The latest addition to the collection of retro-style clothing and products from the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is this NHRA letterman jacket, based on an original jacket from the 1950s found in the museum's collection. With a unique wool weave, the sleeves are decorated with white leather edged with silver piping. On the back there's an authentic chain-stitched version of the NHRA's original Hollywood-addressed lettering, with a patch sewn on the left breast featuring the 1951 NHRA logo.
In addition to the pair of slack pockets, there's an inside pocket for a wallet or cell phone. Sizes range from small to XXL, including tall sizes in large, XL, and XXL. All proceeds from the sale of the jackets go directly to support the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. For more information, contact the NHRA Museum at (909) 622-2133.
We Have Ignition We all know ignition switches wear out, to the point where many older cars can be started with anything you can jam in the ignition switch and twist, so a new switch could be viewed as a security measure. The fact that this new switch from American Autowire comes with authentic Ford-style keys and a chrome bezel could be an added bonus, just as easily as it could be the reason you buy it in the first place.
The switch is provided with five crimp-style electrical wire ends to match the quintet of terminals on the back of the switch. For more information, contact American Autowire at (866) 729-1327.
Shift It!Column shifters are great for keeping your floorboards uncluttered, especially when space is at a premium, such as in an early body style, but they can be a pain to detect which gear you're in, especially if your column doesn't have a shift indicator.
Well, worry no more. The new Aluminum Shift Indicators from ididit are tailored to your tranny, whether three-speed or overdrive, and come in brushed or polished aluminum, chrome, or black powdercoating. For more information, contact ididit inc. at (517) 424-0577.
Boxing CleverIf you're quite literally tired of hauling your '58-64 Chevy around with that heavy ol' manual steering, you'll be more than a little pleased to learn that Classic Performance Products has added the '58-64 to its 500 Series Power Steering family. The new CP50003 power steering conversion gearbox features a 14:1 ratio and all sorts of technical wizardry inside its casing to provide smooth operation throughout the steering range while retaining excellent road feel. What you really want to know is that it's a bolt-in direct replacement for the stock box, and has mounting bosses integrated into the casing, meaning there's no messing with brackets or shims to line it up with the steering column. Speaking of which, it works with original and aftermarket columns and sway bars.
For more information, contact Classic Performance Products at (714) 522-2000.