You know something we don't.
One hundred rods, customs, and classic trucks were chosen by the editors of this magazine in the Turtle Wax/STREET RODDER Top 100 program. Photos of all of them were posted on our website, and five of those vehicles were picked by STREET RODDER readers as semi-finalists for Street Rod of the Year. One of those five semi-finalists was ultimately selected as Street Rod of the Year. If you've been visiting our website, you know which one that is. Unfortunately, we don't, because at press time, we're a few weeks behind you and are still counting votes. But whichever car or truck wins the title, its owner will be the recipient of the pretty impressive grand prize: a limited edition, 35th anniversary Model A Signature chassis from Total Cost Involved Engineering.
The giveaway chassis comes complete with 2x4-inch fully boxed 'rails, complete suspension, brakes and line, and engine and tranny mounts. In addition, the grand prize TCI Engineering 35th anniversary chassis will be distinguished by a commemorative brass plaque bearing the signature of Ed Moss, who founded the company.
As we found out last month, a chassis is built at TCI Engineering at various assembly stations where builders can concentrate on one specific area of the buildup. Here, a two-man team is getting ready to weld on a Model A chassis in the fixture.
When Moss first opened his new business in 1974, the street rod hobby was undergoing something of a revival, after almost a decade in the shadow of the muscle car era. TCI Engineering played a significant part in that revival with the introduction of its initial product: a '28-31 Ford Model A frame. In fact, TCI Engineering was one of the first aftermarket manufacturers to offer repro Model A rails. The company was 3 years old when it introduced its '32 Ford frames and chassis in 1977. Five years after that, in 1982, '34 Ford 'rails and chassis were added to the TCI Engineering product lineup.
Since then, TCI Engineering has maintained its dedication to street rods, while moving into the classic truck and '60s performance car markets. Today the company offers hundreds of parts for dozens of car and truck applications, from Model As to mini-trucks. If they don't have parts for your particular vehicle, you can buy one of their denim varsity jackets to keep you warm until they do.
Here at another station, a rearend is being assembled. Notice the circular billet aluminum ends used at the axle housing; the centersection contains additional aluminum pieces.
Last month, in "Grand Prize Chassis: Part I," we went to TCI Engineering's Ontario, California, facility to cover the builds of a couple different 35th anniversary Model A chassis. We ran out of room before we could show you the rearend suspension parts going together, so we're back this month with the rest of the story.
