Custom Roadster Debut Kicks Off Miller's Dream Weldshop Sweepstakes


-Lucky Winner to Receive a Miller Welding Package Worth More than $12,000

Louisville, Ky., August 4, 2005As much art as machine, Miller Electric Mfg. Co.'s custom high-powered '29 Roadster premiered here today at the 36th Annual Street Rod Nationals. The Miller Roadster's debut coincides with the announcement of Miller's Dream Weldshop sweepstakes, a celebration of the do-it-yourself welder.
The sweepstakes winner receives a welding and cutting package that includes the same models of Miller equipment used to create the hot rod, plus two hours of individual instruction from a Miller expert, a heavy duty welding table, auto darkening helmet and numerous other prizes. The Dream Weldshop package is valued at more than $12,000.
The Dream Weldshop sweepstakes runs from September 1 to November 30. Entry and contest information can be found on Miller's Website at www.MillerWelds.com. TLC's popular RIDES program will dedicate an entire episode to the building of the Miller Roadster. The show airs September 6.
"We wanted to show that the tools and techniques we used are within easy reach of the average home hobbyist," said Wayne Reece, one of the car's primary designers and builders. "The welding and plasma cutting equipment we chose wasn't exotic or expensive, just operator friendly. In fact, almost anyone can learn to use a Miller MIG welder or plasma cutter with just a few hours of practice."

DESIGNER DREAM TEAM
Reece, a district manager with Miller and a street rod enthusiast, designed the custom Miller Roadster based on a 1929 Ford Roadster in honor of the year Miller was founded. Reece coordinated a team of nationally renowned experts to help with the fabrication and design, including Pat Keating and Glen Miller, his friends and fellow Louisville residents. Others providing design input, support and components include Ron Covell, Chip Foose, Brookville Roadster, Total Cost Involved Engineering, Inc., Metra Electronics, Taylor's House of Color, Scotts Jr. Interiors, Roush Performance and others.
"The double Roush 302 engines put the design over the top for me," said Ron Covell, one of the country's leading metalworkers and award-winner car builder. Covell, who helped with the car's hardtop, was referring to the two powerful engines, one in the Roadster and one powering a Miller Trailblazer welding generator in the matching trailer. The Trailblazer is an engine-driven welding generator normally powered by a 20- or 22-HP engine.
"The Roadster features top-rated suspension components and chassis, plus some real interesting body modifications from Pat [Keating]," Covell said.
Pat Keating, owner of Keating's Customs, Inc., said, "This Model A Roadster is a little bit unusual because we flush mounted the doors and installed electric windows." The original Model A doors overlapped and had side curtains instead of windows.
The Roadster sports the original Miller logo on its side, and features a unique removable aluminum hardtop covered in Mercedes cloth with hand-stitched seams, suede and ostrich-hide headliner. The bed features a motorized hardtop cover that raises to display a state-of-the-art stereo and DVD system from Metra Electronics.
"Blending modern convenience with classic style is one of the unique aspects of this design," said Reece. "We even designed our Roadster to have heat and air conditioning."
The Miller Roadster also features independent front suspension, a Ford C-6 transmission with 2,200-rpm stall converter, a 700-watt JBL stereo with a flip-out 7" television below the dash, classic 5-spoke spindle wheels designed by Chip Foose, South African ostrich hide interior, Ferio bucket seats, a perfectly reproduced '29 Ford frame fabricated by TCI (Total Cost Involved) and body components from Brookville Roadster.

THE ULTIMATE HOME WELDSHOP

The Dream Weldshop sweepstakes package includes:

-A Miller Dynasty 200 TIG welder featuring advanced inverter technology with Auto-Line(TM) technology that can automatically connect to 120-460 VAC, offering the most flexible AC/DC TIG/Stick power supply in the welding industry.

-A Millermatic 251 MIG welder, an easy-to-use, all-in-one MIG welder that can weld material from 22 gauge to _" thick in a single pass.

-A Miller Spectrum 625 Plasma Cutter that cuts any metal that conducts electricity.

-A Miller Big Window Elite Auto-Darkening Helmet that lets you view and prep your work through the lens, and then darkens in 1/20,000 of a second when you start welding.

-A 4' x 6' welding table with plasma cutting chute.

-Training CDs, manuals and two hours of individual instruction.

-Welding accessories, gloves and jacket.

-A shop coat, stool and clock.

-And much more, bringing the value of the package to more than $12,000.

Ten runners-up will receive Miller Roadster T-shirts.
Niels Miller, the founder of Miller Electric Mfg. Co., was one of the ultimate do-it-yourselfers. In 1929, working in his basement, he used scrap metal, core and coil materials to create the first non-rotating AC welder. From that first welder, he went on to create one of the world's largest arc welding and cutting equipment companies. The Dream Weldshop sweepstakes was created to support that do-it-yourself attitude and to show how easy it is to turn one's dreams into reality.
With headquarters in Appleton, Wis., Miller Electric Mfg. Co. is a leading worldwide manufacturer of Miller and Hobart brand arc welding equipment and related systems for metalworking, construction, maintenance and other applications. Miller Electric is a wholly owned subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW), Glenview, Ill. ITW is a diversified multinational manufacturer of highly engineered components, assemblies and systems.
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