Some Thoughts on Hot Rod Design

All you need to start building a hot rod is a bunch of old car parts. I had this truck full of parts so that's where I began.

Next I went seeking inspiration. I spent some time contemplating the lives of these five guys. It helped me to get focused and decide what was important.

Neil and Jack

James

Johnny

Rat


This led me to decide that the truck should become a 65 Mojo.

Mojo work is always tricky. I thought it best to play it safe, walk the proper paths and to seek spiritual direction. It seemed best in this case to consult the lwa.

So,,, I cleared a spot on my garage floor, gathered some good candy, my best cigars and a bottle of Cock's Spur Rum and was soon enough talking with Papa Legba.

Many libations and a bowl of Atomic Lemon Heads later I had permission from Papa Legba to seek the counsel of Erzulie Dantor.

I added my largest knife to the circle (didn't want her to think I would wimp out), and set the rum aside and poured a big cup of Creme de Cocoa.

It didn't look like this at my place, but that's her in the center of the picture next to the fire. (sorry I don't have a credit for this great painting)

I woke up hours later with a blazing headache. The rum was gone, the creme de cocoa was gone and I could still smell patchouli and bay. As the headach faded I became aware of the fading remnant of a burning kiss on my forehead and remembered; I had received the blessing I had come for; or rather, the truck had.
I had agreed to print the words of the blessing just as she had spoken them, in green paint somewhere on the truck.

"This truck has my blessing. Fuck with it at your peril Sweetheart!"
Maitresse Erzulie Dantor

I had further agreed to keep a large machete in the truck (she had not been impressed with my little knife after all) and to not hesitate to use it in defense of any of her girls.

She had also given me help. She referred me to a certain Jake Jivaro, whom she said had certain skills that could prove helpful. She explained that Jake and his brother had been spending time with their shrink and were well versed in the psychology and philosophy of building yet were no longer able to work much with their hands. The project would do them good she explained.

Following her suggestions I was able to track down Jake.

And also his brother Elwood.

Both were eager to join the project and together we decided that the first thing to do was design some graphics and make a shop shirt.

That's how it's done you know. Business people make themselves new cards, hot rodders make themselves a new shirt.

This was our first design. It's OK, but we think we can do better look for something new in the spring.

The brothers agreed to open a shop and I agreed to do most of the labor, turns out that Erzulie was right, they have great ideas, but really aren't much use with their hands.

Next we went after the pre-production art work.

Here's what we are planning at the moment, but of course it will probably change as we go.

Here it is with some color.

Now to work. This thing is a real mess.

Heaps of wasp's nests.

That's real lichen, like grows on rocks. You can't get that over night.

Big score! We find a Muncie SM 4:20 in there!

Which brings us to today. That's me kicking around in the Jivaro Brothers air conditioned shop in Medford Oregon.

Update from October 08.
We have a new shirt. Available here:
http://www.zazzle.com/jivaro_truck_ps_rnr_01_4w_copy_shirt-235466607676498506
We have the cab repaired with new rocker panels welded in, and we have it painted. Now it's going to be too cold to do any more painting. Seems we are unable to turn off the air conditioning in the shop : )
Next we will rebuild the doors and start on the front suspension.