Hot Rods The Lew Thompson Coupe... Final Assembly

In my perspective, that coupe was not a great looker in '54, nor is it now! Ditch the ear-muffs and return it to a five-window.
Ya, I'll get some flack on this comment.

 

And folks get threads deleted for having a 5spd in it...........................................I tried to buy another 5W with the qtr windows blanked 30 years ago from a couple local street rodders. They would not sell and I think they still have the tin sitting.....................

 

As much as I love my roadster, my biggest regret is not going 5 speed, staying pig headed and traditional.
This car is now a driver, and I****ume will be driven hard, awaiting a full feature.

 

I'm an elitist on one of the cars I own ('39 top-loader), am building to an elitist level on my next project (another '39 top-loader), but I sure am open to hiding a 5-speed under another of my projects (currently has a Muncie 4-speed). I've driven thousands of miles with the early Ford drivetrain, and I can appreciate it for what it is. It certainly is a badge of honor to drive/maintain that setup in your hot rod. But I won't say it's the only way I'll ever go.

 

I like your view of a traditional car and I like the idea of restoring it to one of the many forms that it was under Lew's ownership! Then you have to ask yourself which version was best and I guess that is up to the owner! So instead of doing a Concours de Elegance restoration, which was contemplated, instead Eric, after talking to Lew about it decided it should be built in this form! I still don't think that there is anything wrong or disrespectful about what has been done to the Coupe now! Eric went to great lengths to get, not only Lew involved but also Gene! How cool is that? Both of them agreed and said that this is what the car deserved!!! So I would rather see Lew and Gene's stamp of approval over anyone else in the world! Including yourself, Ryan. No disrespect, but those 2 men know bad Arss and this coupe is it! Can't wait to see this thing blasting down the road and trust me it will be!!


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Lol you're still the man, just not when she's around!


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The Tremec wouldn't be my choice, but it's not my car and if that's what it takes to make it a driver for him, I'm all for it.
I think "traditional" is more about building what you have into something cool and usable, less about restoring real cars into trailer queens.

 

Love the color in the top picture-more blue than green. Is that just a result of lighting and computer screen? The engine and firewall are epic. But I am with van***** on the look. People get all squishy about some old custom that gets found and is somehow above being called ugly just because it survived. But if every car or comment n the HAMB was like every other car or comment on the HAMB, it wouldn't be the HAMB. So vive la difference, have fun, and smoke the tires.

 

But whether or not you're digging the car or not, you are doing a good job taking pictures and telling the story! Keep them coming!


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I still can believe that with all the people involved in this car that no one had the fore sight to mock the thing up before doing stuff like painting it and chroming the firewall. Seems ludicrous to me.

 

Did I say that this thing was "Bitchin'" (Head nodding YES). The shot looking down looks like a model and it's an awesome image. I don't think I could hold the camera still, I'd be too excited. Let's see did I measure that right....better check again....what was that......oh heck, nothing....what was that measurement again and on and on. I know it has to be done, but I don't know if I'd have the stones. The HAMB rules!

 

Ryan, There is more to the story in the start of the rebuild and how it all transpired. Hopefully pictures will get posted. I dig the car, and glad it was saved. I hoped I don't get sued by saying this.....

 

Ok just clarify I don't have a problem with being an elitist. So I hope I didn't offend anyone with that statement. Im too poor to be an elitist in the sense though my opinions are very much elitist at times. I have no bite after the bark at this very time. What I meant was as you have stated not holding it against anyone for their actions. Hand shake grab a beer and lets get back to more great builds.

 

It's misleading to say the car was never mocked up, because it was.....many, many, many times along the way. BUT, as anybody who builds these old things knows, things change along the way, issues arise, and modifications often have to be made up until the very end to get to the desired end result----- which is very often different than when the build was started.

 

I'm just watching from the sidelines, keeping my opinions
inside of my fingertips.

Diggin' how you are documenting it though.

 

That's pretty funny.


The coupe looks cool and I'm glad the updates are hidden.

 

BAD****!!!! cant wait to see it at GNRS

 

this CAR is NET ++++++ GOOD +++ JOB ++++++++++++++++++

 

Ryan, How did they mount that linkage block to the bell housing? And where did they get the block from?

 

You can't please everyone in world, Will see it at the G.N.R,S. Just be happy.

 

It's a cool car, that's all that is important to me.

--louis