WD-40

by Autobody News Staff

Every time WD-40® Brand partners with one of the world’s finest car rebuilders as part of the annual SEMA Cares program, you can hear the accolades all the way from NYC to LA, with a little stop along the way in Las Vegas.

The SEMA Show is a perfect platform for amazing vehicles and this year it will undoubtedly delight car aficionados in a big way, with WD-40 Brand sharing the spotlight with a 1951 Chevrolet 3100 truck.

This year, WD-40 Brand partnered with off-road crew chief Trad Ronfeldt, seeking an “authentic time-capsule aesthetic without sacrificing performance on the road.” By fabricating new parts to match the year and model of the 1951 Chevrolet 3100, this classic truck is now born again in all of its former glory—and ready to work and perform as a modern-day automobile once it’s auctioned to its new owner.

Throughout the build, Ronfeldt called upon his amazing skillset and experience as the crew chief for seven-time off-road racing champion Kyle LeDuc and Chip Ganassi Racing’s Extreme E all electric rally car, to bring the cutting-edge of fabrication and racing development to this build.

Ronfeldt has high expectations for the 1951 Chevrolet 3100 and can’t wait for its appearance at SEMA.

“Before I started the build, I told myself that I want this to look like it rolled off the factory line,” he said. “Early on I got excited, not only to build a SEMA vehicle but also about the opportunity to partner with a brand like WD-40 Brand. When I learned about the company’s long history with SEMA and supporting SEMA Cares, the project became even more compelling. "After finding the truck on Craigslist, the rebuild took what seems like countless hours; I didn’t keep track. My shop has only one part-time employee in addition to myself, so the rebuild was very hands-on.”

Ronfeldt used several WD-40 Brand products during the restoration and building process of the 1951 Chevrolet 3100, including the classic multi-use formula now housed in the WD-40® EZ-REACH® delivery system—a favorite among car mechanics for its 8-inch flexible straw. Several formulas from the WD-40 Specialist® line—which provides specialized, heavy-duty solutions for industry professionals worldwide—also proved invaluable, since the build called for a completely new drivetrain and transmission system.

“I also constantly use the WD40 Specialist Carb/Throttle Body Cleaner on any metal parts, to remove grease and dirt. I use WD-40 Specialist Silicone as a must for anything with a hinge—and there are a lot of hinges on this truck. And you can’t go wrong with WD-40 EZREACH. I use it every day for everything from reaming and drilling holes for the utility bed to lubricating bolts that have galled threads when removing nuts.”

One of the truck’s most notable features is its eye-catching bed.

“The truck bed was fabricated and designed to match the truck’s year and model so that it could handle on the road like a modern vehicle and maintain its classic look,” Ronfeldt said. “I was able to stamp, bend and cut the bed to mimic the truck’s body lines to make it look like a Chevrolet production piece from 1951. Other than the truck bed, the rebuild has a custom four-link low pinion 60 Currie rear axle that we custom ordered the width so we can make it a dually and a custom one-off patina paint job.”

Ronfeldt knows the importance of any WD-40 Brand/SEMA Cares build and this one is surely no exception.

“It’s great to partner with WD40 Brand and SEMA Cares,” he said. “WD-40 Brand has built and auctioned off more than 10 vehicles for the charity raising more than $1 million for ChildHelp, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child abuse, through restoration and auctions. It’s awesome to have the 1951 Chevrolet 3100 be one of the rebuilds in long line of vehicles used to support a great cause.”

The master builder and an iconic brand like WD-40 Brand have a history that spans many years.

“I always remember seeing the blue and yellow cans on the shelf at my grandpa’s garage,” he said. “Growing up, we used WD-40® Multi-Use Product on everything from lubricating bike chains to removing stickers. I later learned that the company offers so much more. Its WD-40 Specialist line provides specialized, heavy-duty formulas for lubricants, penetrants, greases, cleaners and degreasers and rust management solutions. The ones that stand out to me are the ones that make my job easier.”

If you’re going to attend the SEMA Show this year, visit WD-40 Brand’s booth and check out this incredible truck, built by one of the best rebuilders in the country today, Trad Ronfeldt. He used a wide range of WD-40 Brand products to achieve these amazing results, so why can’t you do it too? WD40 Brand sets up body shops and vehicle restoration companies for success every time they put one of those blue and yellow cans in their hands.

This 1951 Chevrolet 3100 will be appearing at SEMA this year as part of WD-40 Brand’s participation in the SEMA Cares Program. T.R.A.D.—Team Racing

and Development

Location: McCloud, CA

(715) 610-5028

Company At A Glance...

Type: Fabrication and Off-Road Race Mechanic Facility Employees: One In Business Since: 2017 Number of Locations: One

Trad Ronfeldt, crew chief for seven-time off-road racing champion Kyle LeDuc and Chip Ganassi Racing’s Extreme E all electric rally car, is building the vehicle for WD-40 Brand.

WD-40 Brand never cuts corners when it builds iconic vehicles at SEMA supporting SEMA Cares and raising money through auctions.

WD-40 Brand

(888) 324-7569

www.wd40.com

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