In this issue, we follow the story of Eddie Jardine and friends in his rodding days.
Hi Guys,
I particularly enjoyed the article “The doyens of local rodding” on the Corbett brothers. In the article, he mentions my brother Peter Jardine (who had a ‘33 Ford coupe with ‘59 Pontiac super chief V8 engine), Clive Brooker (‘28 Ford Roadster with a Buick V8), Dave Herbst (‘34 Ford coupe with Chevy V8) and the gang. Part of the “gang” of that time of Hot Rodders was myself Eddie Jardine, (1933 Chrysler coupe on a ‘34 Ford chassis with a 283 cub Chevy V8 engine). Cedric Pearce (‘34 Ford coupe with an Olds mobile Rocket 88 engine), Eric Brockhoven, now living in Australia and following the hot rod movement there (‘32 Ford Roadster Mercury V8), Hans Primich (‘34 Ford coupe and Chevy V8), Danny Searle (‘34 Ford coupe with reworked flathead Ford V8) and George Capazoria. These nine were all from Bedfordview.
Others Rodders of that time period from surrounding areas that we know of were, Johny Van Schalkwijk (‘34 Chevy coupe with a Studebaker V8 engine), Colin Brocklebank (‘39 Chevy sedan with Chevy V8), Derek Smith who designed and built the Stilletto Chevy V8, Lappies Labushagne (‘33 Chevy coupe with a Studebaker V8), Bobby Baker (‘34 Chevy coupe with Studebaker V8) and Frank Rundel's special.
Our Hot Rods were built for day to day transport and although not show cars as such, where ever we stopped they would draw crowds of inquisitive admirers.
Here are some details of my Hot Rod
I started building my Rod in March 1959 as a second year apprentice diesel mechanic and completed the project 3 years later. I purchased a beautiful 1933 Chrysler coupe that was in daily use, from our next door neighbour in Bedfordview. I removed the body and fitted it onto a 1934 Ford chassis whose frame I had modified to lower the centre of gravity. Later model Mercury hydraulic brakes and rear axle and steering gear were adapted. Tubular shock absorbers and anti-sway bars etc. and all was ready for a modified 283 cu inch Chevy V8 engine with 4 barrel carb, special camshaft a branch exhaust with 2.5 in I.D. Straight through pipes with fibreglass packed silencer boxes. The gearbox was from a Packard, fitted with a home made Hearst speed shift. When I started up the engine, I could hardly believe the beautiful sound that came from the exhaust, “like distant thunder”. Unfortunately, the only photo's I have are those taken before Cecil Jackson painted it red, complete with pin striping and artwork. I do believe Cedric Pearce had taken some photos after it was painted. We had great fun meeting at La Congo Roadhouse in Kempton Park, Bapsfontein, The Doll House in Malvern and other venues. Many a sports car and motorbike smelt the burning rubber as our Rods disappeared ahead of them.
1932 Ford grill section
Those days there were very few Hot Rod parts available in South Africa. We had to make our own gearbox adaptor plates and exhaust banana branch manifolds etc. with very few tools and even less money, but big V8 engines were freely available in the local scrap yards. A friend by the name of Cecil Jackson who worked for the Johannesburg Municpality and painted the municipal buses, painted most of our Rods by brush (believe it or not with quite an amazing finish). He was also quite artistic and did the pin striping and artwork on our cars.
We all had piles of American Hot Rod magazines to drool over, so keep up your great magazine for you never know who the bug will bite.
Under construction. ‘33 Chrysler Coupe, floor cut out
Old Hot Rodders never die; they just fade into the distance. I still have contact with six of the above mentioned persons, two of whom now live in Australia where they attended some Hot Rod shows and sent me some photos of the Australian Rods. If you are interested, I can forward these photos to you.
Before being painted
Before being painted
If any of the people mentioned in this letter that I do not have contact with, are still around, I would like to hear from them.
Regards
Eddie Jardine
Cell 084-5813270
(This article has been researched and compiled by Dave Herbst)
