Car Crash: Putting the Super in Supercharged

A feature here at the Daily Driver is the Car Crash.  Breathe easy – no actual cars were harmed in the making of this crash.  That would be a crime, and a cryin’ shame.  Our Car Crash is much more fun – in a “crash a party” kind of a way.  If you’ve ever seen a vintage car and wanted to see the interior or wondered about its restoration process, then the Car Crash is just the post for you.  Join us as we explore the details of a gorgeous vehicle…

Del Mar gave us the opportunity to see hundreds of hot rods, and while many of them were show stoppers, one literally stopped us in our tracks...

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No, you don't need to adjust your monitor... or your glasses.  There really are FOUR superchargers on this hot rod.

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This 1927 Model T Roadster is truly one of a kind. Built by Gordon Thomas of Las Vegas, NV, a native Kiwi who imagined this ultimate hot rod... and then built it - no drawings, no blueprints, no models - just an idea and many, many hours in the garage.

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When I first saw this hot rod at Del Mar, I was lucky enough to see it in motion.  Once it stopped and I was able to get a closer look, I had one burning question for Gordon.  There are four superchargers, the two in the center are B & M, the outer superchargers are Weiands.  Why two different brands?

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The answer was simple.  Originally, this hot rod - otherwise known as "Double Trouble" - was originally built with just two superchargers.  He partnered with the folks at Holley to add the outer two superchargers.  Gordon does a great job of outlining the original build on his site, www.doubletroublehotrod.com.  Yet, while two superchargers were impressive, imagine how incredible four would be!  So, Gordon headed back to the garage and figured out how to add two more supercharges to his hot rod, yielding double the double trouble.

Thankfully, Gordon kept copious notes while crafting this amazing automobile, answering all of the questions we had about this build.  The chassis is a custom-build 1.5 inch tube; all of the tube bending was done by Gordon.  It features an independent front suspension with unequal A-arms, and coil-over shocks, all custom fabricated by Gordon.  The steering box is an off-road sand rail type rack and pinion.

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The front disc brakes and spincles are from a 90s Corvette, while the rear end is from a Jaguar, with inboard disc brakes.  It features an under floor brake and booster with a 2 lb residual valve, front and back.

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The 15 x 14 rear and 15 x 7 front wheels from Billet Specialties each sport Mickey Thompson tires.  The steering wheel is from CON2R.  Gordon custom built the gas tank, which rides in the rear, and the fuel pump is from Pro Comp.

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The engines are all aluminum Ford 4.6L modular V8s, DOHC, with 32 valves.  Gordon custom made the supercharger manifolds.  With B&M Teflon superchargers and Holley blower 4150 double pumper carburetors, it's not surprising that this rod yields approximately 1,000 HP.

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The ignition is a Pro Com CD system; the distributors are new magnetic pickup type 1939 Ford flathead V8s replicas.  The custom made adaptors on the back of the blocks driving through the valve cover connect to the overhead cam shaft on each motor via slotted end.  The radiator is custom made by Griffin Thermal Products, and was built with two lower outlets and two upper inlets around 7gls with one 16-inch electric fan.

To get the power from the motors to the C5 automatic Gordon engineered chain drive that his inside a custom made bellhousing. It is pretty simple, just think of a triangle.

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This is easily the most hands-on build we've seen from an owner.  In addition to the custom work mentioned above, Gordon also fabricated a handmade windshield frame, exhaust system, headlight posts, dashboard, plumbing pipes, seat frame, and door panels for this hot rod.  From welding to engineering to wiring, Gordon has done it all, and we're delighted to have caught an in-depth look at this one of a kind work of automotive art.

His next project is double the double trouble as well, but this time, in a motorcyle version:

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We look forward to seeing the final project!  Hopefully, Gordon will keep us posted through his site, and maybe we'll be lucky enough to see this project in person at a show someday!  We certainly wouldn't mind seeing his hot rod and motorcyle together at the same show... now that would be the ultimate show stopper!

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