VPS Hot Rod Build Blog

The VPS Hot Rod build progress started in 2018 and the majority of the work was completed by the end of 2020. 2021 through the first quarter of 2023 had its challenges but the work progressed sufficiently to get the hot rod street legal by April 2023.

In summary, the BPE 400 c.i. Chevy Short Block is delivered in July 2018 and Factory Five kit arrived on August 9, 2018. The assembly immediately started and by late August 2018 the Independent Rear Suspension and Third Member were installed as well as most of the front suspension. Work progressed through 2018 as the chassis was outfitted sufficiently by the end of 2018 so that the engine could be installed.

The engine was installed onto the chassis on January 23, 2019. The build project proceeded at a good pace as the chassis outfitting was completed by July 2019. This included installing the individual front and rear braking system, engine and transmission, driveshaft, engine cooling system, HVAC system, steering system including electric assist steering, fuel system, and exhaust system. The electrical system was somewhat straight forward but it took a couple of months to complete the installation.  Next was the temporary installation of the cockpit floor, seats, transmission cover and driveshaft cover. The accelerator pedal and throttle cable were installed. The hydraulic clutch was filled and bled out. Lastly, the wheels and driver’s safety harness were installed. For the first time, the chassis jackstands were removed and the Hot Rod had “Wheels on the Ground” on July 7, 2019.

Engine Start occurred on July 21, 2019. Time for brake testing and Go-Cart. Go-Cart is where I drive the Hot Rod around the block with no body parts installed, way too much fun. This occurred on July 22, 2019. 

August saw the start of the body installation. This work continued through 2019 including the installation of the trunk aluminum. The waterfall fitment, door fitment, trunk lid installation, engine side panels, initial hood installation, and nose cone. It is beginning to really look like a Hot Rod.

COVID hits us during the first half of 2020. This provided time to progress the build which included more body fitment work, truck lid latch assembly installation, major hood modifications for the air cleaner clearance issues, fender Installations, headlight, and roll bar installations. In July the first attempt at the center console configuration was fabricated and resulted in a disaster. Back to the drawing board and the design of the second center console commenced and fabrication completed. The remainder of 2020 was primarily focused on preparation of the body for painting.

2021 was a tough year as it started off with the Great Texas Freeze, also known as “freezemageddon”. But in June all the body parts went to the paint shop so that the PPG Vibrance Radiance II Candy Color Number 908330 Hellfire Tri-Coat could be applied. All the paint work was completed and back in the shop on August 26, 2021. The remainder of 2021 included letting the paint cure, completing a big list of to-do’s, and preparing the chassis for final body install.

In 2022 we were hit with the Omicron Outbreak. Work on the Hot Rod included the center console installation, final installation of the body, trunk outfitting, forward body parts installation, final cockpit outfitting, door installation, interior custom door panels, and rear cockpit trim installation. All this work was completed by the end of August 2022. All that remains to do is to apply for the title, pay the sales tax required, and obtain the registration and license plates.

The Texas TTL process for an “Assembled Vehicle” is straightforward but, for me, very time consuming. Please refer to the Build Blog below for details of this process. All this work was completed successfully and the license plate was mounted on the Hot Rod on April 7, 2023.  The Hot Rod is now Street Legal. 

The details of the build are captured in Build Blog four volumes (PDF format) which are available below. Enjoy.