Hanging at Frostbite (2)

Sometimes things move at a glacial pace here (damn, it’s complicated) but finally here’s the second instalment in the “Frostbite Hotrods” series. It’s been a long time coming and for this we offer our apologies all around. Better late than never, they say! Right? In this series, we spend a couple days at the shop, watching and observing, as their staff of experts put skills to work crafting some amazing high-horsepower beasts. Be it car, truck or cycle, old school vintage or something more modern, factory stock or full on customized, if it’s got an engine they do it and do it well.

It takes a team to make it happen, engine builders, those who do electrical, bodywork, upholstery, mechanical, welding and so on. It’s the skills of many that in the end make for a successful build. And needed further, it’s a ton a patience, an overpowering passion and a dedication unrivalled. It’s not for the timid, nor the sane – a bit of “crazy” helps. But the results, all that sweat and tears, the dust and the noise, the sparks flying and it the end, a most wondrous creation on wheels. Let’s take you on a tour. We’re kids in a magical metal playground and fun is in the cards.

Into the well lit shop. We’re inside what was once an electrical sub-station going back over a hundred years. Now a hot rod shop is pretty cool but one in am historic structure takes it to new levels. It’s huge, it’s imposing and is made of concrete and near indestructible we dare guess. It ain’t going anywhere anytime soon and when the Apocalypse hits, it’ll be left standing. At some point it was no longer needed and sat empty for a time before becoming Frostbite’s HQ a few years back.

Fresh from the paint shop.

With those huge windows if it’s daylight outside, it’s daylight in. Two high-ceiling floors are devoted to work and the one level underground, to fun and relaxation.

It’s a ’65 Pontiac GTO.

Access to the second floor, for those things on wheels, is via a car elevator. A most amazing high-tech paint booth is seen up there and in the hands of an expert it assures a perfect finish. Fresh from getting splashed, a ’65 Pontiac GTO. The paint is so deep and lustrous, it seems to go on forever. This model of car is highly sought after.

And inside the booth, a cycle frame awaits another coat. It takes many layers, and skill, to get that show car look. The engine for the GTO is being worked on one level down. It’s obscene just how much sheer power they can coax out of these hunks of metal. And with lots of polished metal, the shine off it almost blinds.

All around it’s a hive of activity. Upstairs, it’s where the things like seats and cushions are done. And taking a siesta up there, shop security. Late at night the yard is this dog’s domain and full on Cujo awaits those who try and sneak in after hours. During the day, think pussycat. Still, you know what he’s capable of.

Main level, a ’65 Mustang sits between coats. Many layers of deep green paint, a thorough sanding between each, and several more coats of clear and then and only then will it be done. Then it’s engine work, an interior, and the rest. It takes times in this biz. This vehicle, we understand, is not in the hands of a new owner. It looks crazy out in the sun.

All around it’s details, those shiny/colourful things that make a photographer giddy. There are no bad angles. Over here, it’s all about the horsepower, big cubic inches, “Pro-Comp” and “FirePower” and there, cycle fenders and gas tanks custom painted, the creator of this clearly displaying some serious talent. In a corner, a place for the two-wheelers to be worked on, some V-Twins awaiting installation. Another engine – three carbs are better than one!

A first year Mercury Cougar (so 1967) is on the hoist and getting some front-end chassis attention. Even in it’s current state, only part way into the work, you can see it’s going to be something amazing. This is perhaps Mercury’s most iconic car, is highly desirable and makes for a fine hot rod. Style, speed, ponies and that old school vibe = bliss.

Across and facing is the “Eh Bomb”, a late fifties Fargo done up in military theme for a Vet. That bright green tank seen in the one photo belongs to it. Darn near blinded us. Under the hood it’s a V10 pulled from a Viper. Stomp the pedal, squawk the tires and as the speedometer goes this way, the gas gauges goes the that. But who cares? It’s all about the power and this puts it out in spades.

More things seen…all that chrome, tools for the trade, there’s so much to see. Bright flashes of light, that electrical buzz, the smell of ozone and metal is fused. The “Eh Bomb” has one heavy duty suspension needed to handle all the ponies underhood. Cut, fit, grind and weld…one more piece of a huge puzzle is fitted.

By this point everyone is so used to use snapping pics that we pass as though ghosts. Sometimes we’re lost in the moment, watching all the work going on, that we forget we even have cameras.

It’s gotten colder since our first visit a couple weeks back, so we keep inside mostly. Still can’t resist the urge to wander the parts boneyard out back of the property by the current substation (of which this building was once part). On our earlier visit, the warm weather allowed some body work to take place out of doors. Not today. More wandering, more things seen. And the guys make it looks easy. Once it’s in your blood. We chat with the guys, when they’re not occupied, but about nothing in particular. How they got into the biz, what they’re most passionate doing, their favourite vehicles to work on.

A look outside…that colour! Overcast skies cast a glow coming in from nearby scrap yards and warehouses and some such places here in Highfield Industrial. This building, by the way, was the very first in the neighbourhood and old photos show it standing alone. The city has since grown around it.

It’s all about the ponies.

Late in the day a peek outside and it’s crazy shades of purple and red. Run and snap, run and snap! These types of conditions rarely last long. Out front, some lawn art, a ’35 Plymouth, if I’ve done my IDing right and what I think is a ’38 Dodge (still not 100% on that one – experts?). With the building all lit up like a pinball, that crazy bounce light off the low clouds, this incredible building, and all this vintage metal scattered about, well, it’s some kind of wonderful. We have the best gig ever!

Someone has some serious talent.

And before you know, it’s the end of day and work is done. An invite comes, chicken wings and beer in the clubhouse, an offer that can’t be refused. Yes please! And now it’s chatting it up with owner Preston and some of the guys, playing a few video games (Cruisin’ USA!) and enjoying the company of grease jockeys. How’s that not the perfect ending? Later, it’s good byes. Little did we know that a battle with a publisher (still got a bad taste in our mouths) would means it would be well over a year before this here piece saw the light of day. That’s how it goes I guess.

Had a blast at Frostbite, all the great people there, and for that we thank them. I honestly could spend more time there, that’s the level of awesomeness of the place. Thanks for joining us in taking in.

Frostbite Hotrods: “BUILDING DREAMS, RESTORING MEMORIES”. Amen! You can visit them here: Fostbite Hotrods on the Web.

First instalment…
Hanging at Frostbite (1) – welcome to heaven!

Old and forgotten metal of all kinds…
Gas Plant Collection – vintage train equipment!
Crowsnest Collection – Round 1 – so much to see!
Industrial Works Dragline – it’s huge!

If you wish more information on what you’ve seen here, by all means contact us!

Date: October and November 2018!
Location: Calgary, AB.
Article references and thanks: Preston and the crew at the Frostbite Hotrod Shop for allowing us in.

Do you have one in XL?

Tri-Power.

And it’s all about the chrome.

In the upholstery shop.

Smile!

V-Twins for the two-wheeled fraternity.

Off the “Eh Bomb”.

Every angle offers new photographic possibilities.

A first year Cougar.

Polished metal everywhere…

Boneyard wandering.

More paint since we last saw it.

The sparks fly…

Rat Fink has been part of car culture since like forever.

The place is buzzing with activity.

Heart of a Viper.

Under it all.

Little details…

From the car elevator.

Security on break.

More work going on in back.

If it’s got an engine…

We could wander about all day – and we did!

This red-eyed demon gargoyle.

Down there on the shop floor.

One of Mercury’s most iconic cars.

Look this way…

…and that.

The truck is for a veteran.

A tool of the trade.

It’s an ultra-clean room.

And as day ends, the amazing shop building.

On display.

A former sub-station from a century ago.

A ’30s era Plymouth.

After work, a place to unwind.

Is that chicken wings I smell?