Well known Victorian rodder, Gary Pring, originally imported this 1935 Tudor from New Zealand in 1974 as a complete vehicle, and in late 1974 transformed it into a registered hot rod in just 21 days, debuting it at the 1975 Narrandera Street Rod Nationals. Gary sold the vehicle soon after, and it disappeared from the rod scene. After passing through the hands of a series of owners, Phil purchased it from a Ballarat rodder in 1994. Phil says that it is hard to believe that it was the ex-Pring car-all that was left was a bare bodyshell with doors and garnish moulds-everything else was gone! Since purchasing the body, Phil has been busy assembling parts and panels to make the Tudor complete again, in the process collecting three straightback sedans and a phaeton.
Construction began in earnest in October 1996. Phil handled the chassis construction, which is based upon a boxed set of original rails tubbed 2" to accommodate the 15"x29"x12 1/2" Mickey Thompson Sportsman rear tyres, stepped up 2" to ensure a low stance, and fitted with a tubular X-member. Front suspension is a narrowed L300 unit, fitted with CRS stubs, P76 discs and Commodore rack and pinion, whilst rear suspension utilises modified L300 leaf springs. Engine is a big block Chevy, which will run on straight gas, and a Turbo-Hydro 400 trans will transfer power to a narrowed 9" diff, equipped with disc brakes. Stainless headers and 2 1/2" exhaust system have been fabricated by Albury Exhaust Centre. Wheels are rare early American Racing-daisy pattern, measuring 15x10 and 15x15 1/2.
Keith Stamp of Stampy's Classic Bodywork at Wangaratta is responsible for the extensive body repairs and modifications. A new floor and wheel tubs have been fabricated and installed to accommodate the modified chassis and 80 litre gas tank, and the lower 6" of the body has been replaced. the roof has been chopped 2 1/2", and filled using an XP station wagon roof. The firewall has been set back 4 1/2" to make room for the big block, with the original pressings being retained. Doors have been lengthened 5" and the pillars narrowed, angled and radiused for a sportier look. VW burst proof door locks have also been fitted. Up front, an alligator style bonnet top has been fabricated and installed using '38 hinges and Sigma latch, and the leading edge of the front guards and grille re-contoured for a neater appearance, with improved ground clearance. All bodywork has been metal finished, requiring only minimal preparation for paint.
At the time of writing (March 97) Phil's attention has turned to interior fitting out, with progress to date consisting of the installation of late model Mitsubishi buckets, Mazda Capella column, and '68 Parisienne pedal assembly activating a firewall mounted XB Mastervac unit. Shifter and handbrake are both Lokar items, and gauges are Ford Motorsport Classic.
Phil and his family have recently moved to Gosford, where he hopes to complete his unique Tudor project over the next 18 months or so.
