Metal of Honor
“Metal of Honor” and “Dress Blues”
Unique vehicles designed and built to honor
our heroes and benefit their children
our heroes and benefit their children
Metal of Honor logo
by Robert Horn
Original Design
by John Caswell
by John Caswell
Our first fund-raising project was dubbed, “Metal of Honor”.
The 1932 Ford Roadster gained lots of attention and notoriety once it was complete.
“Metal of Honor” was featured on Jay Leno’s Garage
You can see this chance of a lifetime interview by clicking on the link below, or logging on to jaylenosgarage.com and seaching for Metal of Honor
And, eventually, that notoriety paid off at the
prestigious Barrett-Jackson/Scottsdale auction.
Images captured during the building of the “Metal of Honor” hot rod
Oct. 2009
The IronMen were all over it.
The TCI rolling chassis arrived at Custom Classics.
The frame was immediately prepared for paint.
Nov. 2009
Ford engine meets Bowler trans meets TCI chassis meets Brookville body All is right with the world.
Design summit … Minds on Metal.
Brookville Roadster body meets TCI frame Marriage made in heaven.
Dec. 2009
Here’s a new idea … let’s use a pizza tray or the steering wheel.
How to make a Bowler trans better. Grind off all those little casting marks.
Measure twice, cut once … either that or live with one ugly firewall.
Jan. 2010
All’s weld that ends weld.
Jed, clamp it.
We’ve got your back! Yes butt …
Feb. 2010
Best February ever! Valentine’s Day fell on the same day as the Daytona 500. What could be better? Love was in bloom … the smell of a dozen roses mingled with the aroma of 110 octane racing gasoline … and Metal of Honor was starting to put on its game face. The month saw significant gains in fabrication. It was an outstanding month for another reason, too. A young man named Clifford Houser from Kimball, SD found out about the project through Vic Edelbrock’s Facebook page and asked if he could come to Illinois to work on this “great project”. We welcomed his enthusiasm to Custom Classics Restorations Feb 22 – 26. What’s a 12-hour drive among new friends.
Best February ever! Valentine’s Day fell on the same day as the Daytona 500. What could be better? Love was in bloom … the smell of a dozen roses mingled with the aroma of 110 octane racing gasoline … and Metal of Honor was starting to put on its game face. The month saw significant gains in fabrication. It was an outstanding month for another reason, too. A young man named Clifford Houser from Kimball, SD found out about the project through Vic Edelbrock’s Facebook page and asked if he could come to Illinois to work on this “great project”. We welcomed his enthusiasm to Custom Classics Restorations Feb 22 – 26. What’s a 12-hour drive among new friends.
FYI, the Classic Instruments Bomber Gauges look AOK.
We asked Clifford to pose for a picture with the guys … here’s what we got.
What’s wrong with this picture Someone left the trunk open!
March 2010
4 MHT Foose wheels and Pirelli tread
TCI teamed up with Wilwood, Currie, Mullin and Super Bell to make one classy chassis.
The month started out on a solid note … the frame found its way to the paint booth Olive drab never looked so non-drab.
April 2010
Spring is sprung, the grass is rizz … do you know where your chassis is?
Spring is sprung, the grass is rizz … do you know where your chassis is?
A preview of the Pirelli’s foretold what’s to come and go … as in go-real-fast.
The Ford horses and Bowler gears were hitched to the wagon before it made its trip to come and go …
We created a false floor just before we transported the chassis to Stainless Works for the custom exhaust system.
May 2010
And a turn for the better from Juliano’s
Nearer my tour to thee.
She’s got a high class chassis
June 2010
Come together, right now … over me
July 2010
Freedom – courtesy of our American heroes.
Power to the People … right on!
The bombs bursting in air
August 2010
Green, Green,…
it’s Green they say …
September 2010
All’s quiet on the western front.
And, we keep grinding away.
Wait until you see it in the buff!
October 2010
First show. We did it at Ididit.
Our Steering Committee … Rob and Fred.
They also serve who supervise Rob & Fred
November 2010
Come together, right now … over me. The shape of things to come.
The wheels took a powder … coat
December 2010
It is taking too long to finish the car. Volunteer workers can only work so many hours a week on the car. An anonymous donor senses our struggle and offers up a Matching Gift Challenge. The Challenge affords us the opportunity to finance the professionals at Custom Classics Restorations to finish the car
It is taking too long to finish the car. Volunteer workers can only work so many hours a week on the car. An anonymous donor senses our struggle and offers up a Matching Gift Challenge. The Challenge affords us the opportunity to finance the professionals at Custom Classics Restorations to finish the car
Color me Beautiful
Custom Classics’ man Eric had the re-volting job of electrifying MoH
