History History (and Build) of Just Steve's 1932 Ford Three Window

I just know'd you'd come up with something slick! Did you consider making the headlight switch panel mimic the shape of the aux. panel? Anyhoo, another nifty approach to a common problem!

Dave

 

Actually I did, but I decided I didn't want to get too refined of a look, and wanted to mimic more of an aftermarket part for a Hot Rod if you know what I mean.
It will be set back from the face of the dash about an inch as well.

 

Well.......... Not sure what happened here, but when I fired the car today it had a knock and sounded a little sour. After pulling the drivers valve cover I found a broken aluminum rocker. Clean brake, no shrapnel, pushrod felt good. I got a spare from Karl and had it fixed in 20 minutes.

Any Buick guys ever break aluminum rockers. ?

 

Crap. Not the update I was hoping for. Glad it was an easy fix.

 

Hydraulic or solid lifters? Best case, one bad rocker. Too tight? Springs binding?

 

Hydraulic with adjustable pushrods. The machine shop****embled and did the final set on the pushrod length.
I think I will crank it by hand and check the opening and closing and see if I can see any bind.
I hope its just new springs and old parts.

 

i had a rocker arm snap on a nailhead, but it was because it had a stuck valve. is it a reground cam with higher lift? dunno how close the nailheads are for pistion to valve clearance, hopefully it was just a fluke.

 

Steve had bought the cam from Charlie Price years ago when he sold re-grinds. It's pretty mellow. The heads were opened up to take 364 intake and exhaust valves. No big piston to valve noises!

 

This is getting good!

 

I don't think I will make back to the 50's. The little things are taking forever, and I need some time to inspect the drivetrain, and at least drive it a few miles.

Got the gauge panels welded, ground and polished, got the dash in, windshield in, and I did a little work on the steel pan under the seat and got it in place.

The gauges poking through the insert are temporary while the others are getting restored.

Tomorrow I will set the column in, and try to get the seat covered.

 

Getting close. My daughter came down to help put the seat in. I thought I would recreate the pic from when Steve found the car.

 

Awesome!

 

C@@L Pic!
Super stoked the coupe stayed in your family!!!

 

Thanks guys. The covers on the seats are something quick and cheap. I ran to Mills Fleet Farm this am and picked up to wool blankets for 10.99 each, and some hog rings and hog ring pliers. I used a quilted bedcover, and some other thin padding we had laying around and started stapling, and hog ringing, a "no sew" piece of work

 

No offense intended, but this is the first part that I feel leaves something to be desired. It is not bad for a temporary seat cover. With the amazing work you have done on this, I hope that you plan to get something more worthy of being in this fabulous build.

 

I don't disagree. I really want to get this car on the road under its own power, and then improve it from there. I thought about getting the seat completely covered in black and white tuck and roll, but I thought it would be best to get the interior done in one shot. Next year will be some body work, plating, glass, interior.

 

Gotta remember that cars built on a deadlines usually have some "get buy" things going, if you find an upholsterer that can "do it right away" better wonder why they arent busy, at least in MN a couple weeks before back the fifties! Lol

I drove my 32 coupe around for a few yeras with burlap over the springs!

 

While cleaning the shop today and consolidating some stuff I solved the leaking fuel tank mystery when I found this letter from Tanks to Steve. The tank was an early prototype. Probably for photography only.

 

Roadsir, you haven't updated in a few days, I'm thinking your working on the 32, so the big question--Are you going to make it to Back to the 50's with the 3 window or are you driving the roadster? Either way hope to see you there.

 

I'll bet he is almost out of midnight oil.....

 

....With my work schedule this week I didn't get a chance to touch the car. I am only about a half day of work away, but I think I'll run the Roadster up.
I appreciate the support!

 

New goal, St Peter?

 

Just ship the dang car to me, or any number of other guys on the HAMB, and we'll get it on the road for you... and pay the freight! Of course, shipping it back might take some time.

 

Cool story

 

Got back from BTTF's and had to head out for work to Charlotte and Atlanta for the week. Last night I went down to the shop and wired the headlights, and checked out the valve train. There wasn't any coil bind and everything looked in order, so I*****oned it up.
This am I wired up the taillights, set the brakes, finished up the column install and finally after 18mos, and the car not being on the road for 50 plus years, we took it for a test drive. Here's the first.

 

Here's a second video. I burned a few header gaskets during break in. I need to get them changed out.

 

Man, that looks and sounds so cool that had to feel so awesome to take that spin in it.

 

And a third. Here's Dad going for a spin after a little clutch adjustment. That old Buick******* is music to my ears!

 

And the last. Met a cop on this pass, I better get a plate on the car!. We have a local show tomorrow and I think I'll run down there.


I've got a lot of little things to tidy up, but it's time to get a few miles on the car and enjoy it!

 

Sure did! It goes down the road pretty nice, and stops pretty well too.