Meet the Author

Meet the Author

www.Streetrod101.com was designed and developed by Anthony Schwaller.
You can contact Anthony at the following e-mail: Schwaller82@gmail.com.


Employment

I've been involved with automotive technology for over 40 years, beginning as an automotive service technician, troubleshooting and repairing engines, brakes, transmissions, and differentials while in high school.  After graduating from college, I worked as an instructor for General Motors, teaching service technicians about diesel engines.  After leaving Detroit, I spent the next 38 years teaching automotive technology at Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois, and St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota, retiring from St. Cloud State University in 2006.

Education and Profession

I received my B.S. and M.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and my Ph.D. from Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana.  During my teaching career, I authored eight textbooks, published over 40 articles, and presented more than 45 papers at various conferences in the field of technology and automotive engineering.  I am currently a member of the National Street Rod Association, the Minnesota Street Rod Association, the Goodguys Rod and Custom Association, and the River City Street Rods car club.

Car Projects

1968 Alpha Romeo

While teaching at both universities, I had several car projects. The first project was a 1968 Alpha Romeo convertible, pictured on the left. I found this car in a salvage yard, brought it home and completely rebuilt it to its original condition. The engine was completely disassembled and in a cardboard box. The reconditioning of this vehicle included rebuilding the engine, transmission, differential, brake systems, the body, and electrical systems.

1962 TR3A Triumph (How I found it)

The second project was the rebuilding of a 1962 TR3A Triumph convertible. I found this car in a salvage yard in Minnesota and purchased it for $400.00. The vehicle was in terrible shape and had to be rebuilt from the frame up. I disassembled the vehicle completely and had the frame sandblasted and primed. One of the more complex parts of this rebuild was to keep all parts original. Many of the car parts had to be purchased from the original manufacturer in England. All components such as the engine, transmission, differential, brakes, steering, upholstery, electrical systems, and body had to be completely reconditioned.

The Finished Product

The photo on the left shows the completed vehicle. Keeping the vehicle original meant that there was a significant amount of research to determine the exact year and number of the vehicle. This was needed so that I could buy the correct grill, spoke wheels, convertible top, and body accessories.

1937 Ford Roadster

The most recent project I completed was a 1937 Ford Roadster. I had the frame designed and built in Madison, Wisconsin. The body parts were purchased from Canada, and I rebuilt a 1978, 350 small block engine for its power. Many of the electrical parts and accessories were purchased from various street rod vendors throughout the country. This project required a great deal of research to find the right components and products from the right company. Because of the complete building of this vehicle, I highlighted it throughout this web site as an example of the
components, accessories, and systems used in
a typical street rod.
Textbook Publishing

The Latest Publication

Over the years, I have been involved with writing textbooks. My most recent textbook, Total Automotive Technology, 4th Edition, was published by Thomson, Delmar Learning, (2005). This textbook has been used by students in automotive technology programs in high schools and vocational schools. It has over 1000 pages, and includes both a student and teacher's manual. The 53 chapters deal with all aspects of the automobile including appendices, and an extensive glossary of terms.

If you are interested in more detail on some of the topics above, get this textbook from Delmar, then search by author, Schwaller.

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