I posted a while back about my new project, a '37 Buick. I know I should concentrate on one of my trucks, especially the F-4, but this is kind of a change of pace.

Anyways, I wanted to build a rotisserie to mount the Buick to so I could get to it at all angles. At first I was going to build one using what scrap I could find. One day while leaving a customer's shop I spotted a barrel full of steel shot about the size of marbles. I asked what they were for and was told it was steel shot for a shot machine, the type of machine raw metal parts are tumbled in to remove slag and rough edges. My customer told me I could have them if I wanted them, along with the shot machine, he pointed toward the shot machine. The shot machine consisted of a big metal barrel held up with two A frames. I looked at the machine and realized the two A frames were perfect for rotisserie ends:



After I tore apart the shot machine to get the A frames I found a rotisserie on eBay that was close by. I ended up winning it.



Along with the rotisserie I got a bunch of extra metal and was able to fab up end pieces that were more generic and will fit my car better than the ones the seller made for his '56 De Soto:





I was used the chain gear that came with the A frames to make an indexing wheel so I can lock the car at 15° increments:



I have been told the rotisserie should be able to hold a bus, I like to build them strong.

 

Good for you, Bob!!

 

I think it's going to be interesting to see that big old Buick spinning around on that thing.

 

Wow Bob, I'm envious. Not so much for the Buick Roaster but for the room. I'd kill to have enough room to have something like that. (I'm pretty envious of the Buick also)

Bobby

 

Yeah, I'm fortunate to have the room in my shop. I'd prefer to have less room and more work though. It is nice when it's 10° and blowing snow outside to have some place warm and dry to play in.

 

Hey Bob, that's a nice rotisserie. When you're done with it, can we do one of two things? Either I'll bring the Airflow over or I'l come and get the rotisserie from you. The Airflow should be about the same wheelbase as your Buick.

 

Great job Bob. I really like the indexed sprocket and locking pin. Design should be versatile enough for a truck cab also.

 

Ilya,

I want you to drive the Airflow over here to Wisconsin, I would really like to see you make that trip.

Frank,

It could be used for that but fortunately, whenever I had to deal with a truck cab I could just rolled it on it's back or firewall and work on it without a problem, doing myself. The Buick is a big girl, I know it's going to be interesting getting it on the rotisserie. I have a few friends and my forklift truck lined up to help.

I plan to sell it as soon as I get the Buick done. I hope I can break even, if not, I still think I'll be ahead. I'll post some pictures when I get the Buick mounted.

 

I never said that I'll drive it over there.

 

Ilya,

Doesn't the Airflow have aluminum body parts? I know the design was ahead of it's time, that's one reason it didn't make it. I think they're cool cars just for the technology used.

 

No aluminum that I know of. Don't remember reading anything about aluminum in the body. It is, however, the first unibody structured vehicle on a full (seprate) frame. It's also the first vehicle that positioned the rear passenger seat ahead of the REAR axle for a smoother ride, unlike other vehicles that had the rear seat over the rear axle.

There were many other "firsts" that were copied later by other manufacturers. I don't remember all of the "firsts" to list.

In one famous ad, to prove the vehicle's strength and reliability, the car was driven off a hill, tumbled, and then driven off when it landed.

 

Man, that's got to be an innovation, I don't think anyone has done that again although when sitting in the back seat my wife seems to be able to drive quite well

 

Nice fab job Bob. Having a rotisserie would be nice. Having a nice large shop with heat would be better yet at the moment. You'll need to do a follow-up with the Buick mounted. There's a '37 Chevy Coupe under a tarp against the barn - used to be an ex-gasser, straight axle, ladder bars to the rear front spring mounts. My brother has had it for 30 years and hasn't done a thing with it, it moves with me when I do. I've been contemplating taking it over once the 48's done. Make a nice period drag team set-up.

 

I keep telling my wife that if she's going to be a back seat driver then she needs to get her butt back to the back! Oh no, she says she has a much better view of everything I'm doing wrong from up in front......LOL

It will be interesting getting that old Buick mounted up and getting the balance right so it rotates easy. I'm looking forward to seeing your progress, its a very cool car

Bobby

 

now all you need is a pig and a fire!!!
yummy!!!!!