Projects 33 Ford 5 window coupe build - 50's style

That chopped 32 grill looks good! Mine was done by someone in the 60's, and the insert was cut and brazed back together. Not perfect by any means, but I don't plan to change a thing, I like it the way it is.

 

John has been busy working on the wiring - we now have turn signals and brake lights, all working perfectly. Used an old turn signal switch that mounts on the steering column, a piece given to me many years ago by my friend the late Gene Williams, another 34 Ford guy.

 

Taillights work! Repro 37 ford.

 

Old Stewart Warner gauges are being used. Still looking for a SW speedometer, but we will use another brand until a SW is found.

 

John has been getting more done on the coupe - connected the gas line to the tank, installed the throttle pedal and linkage, got the brakes working, done most of the wiring, and on and on it goes. Should be a running hot rod soon!

 

What did the finned brake drum come off of?


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They look like 45 fin Buick drums to me.


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Yes, they are 45 fin Buick drums on Lincoln brakes.

 

Really coming along Steve. Good work John

 

The coupe left me today back to Steve's house. Still lots of work to do.

 

Dang that thing is just bitchin ! What you Have there is a very convincing time capsule,
Built now !

 

yes, John has done some great work on the coupe. He will continue to work on it at my place as we push to get this build finished. More updates soon, today we are experiencing an unusual feature for us in this part of the world - winter!

 

Yo Steve! Keep strokin, brotha...I finally got mine on the road...drove it to the HAMB drags last summer. What fun!!!!
I've been watching your build.

 

Thanks, Rocky. It's time to get my coupe finished - started collecting parts for the build in 2001! Should be soon, thanks to John's help with wiring and other jobs.

 

Did you get the gauge in?

 

Dustin - no, we used another speedo. It was already here before yours arrived. May switch later but for now I just want to get everything working.

 

More progress on the coupe. Wanted to raise the rear a bit to get better clearance for the tires. Hamber Duncan milled a half inch steel plate and it was placed between the 40 Ford rear spring and the stock 33 Ford crossmember. The crossmember had been modified so the 40 spring would fit. Now the stance is right where I want it! Thanks, Ron!

 

The 4 inch chopped 32 grill shell is finally bolted in place. Got it years ago, originally off a Model A hot rod built in the 50's or 60's. Imperfect as it is, some of the work done with brazing, it is perfect to me.

 

Looks like you are getting close to driving!

 

Getting there, too many projects at once is always my problem.

 

Built the toe boards and modified the trans cover. A channeled car changes the proportion of everything it seems and so parts like toe boards have to be built from scratch. There are three pieces in all, the outer two in 18 gauge and the trans cover in 20 gauge. All are easily removable if work needs to be done in that area. The original trans cover is also modified to clear the shifter and emergency brake.

 

Chevbucket (John) got the fan spaced properly, and put in the rad hoses. The rad is an aftermarket one designed for a shortened 32 Ford grill shell and a Chev small block. The lower water pump outlet on the Cadillac 331 motor is on the left side, so John used two angled rad hoses spaced by a tube to reach the outlet.

 

Built the battery box in the stock location. A battery that fits a Honda Civic fits nicely. Still got to build a hold down and the floor cover. These jobs are endless....

 

In the 60's local rodder Len Mckay built a very nice 33 Ford five window coupe, and there was a picture of it in a 1969 issue of Rod & Custom magazine. The coupe has been in this area since, going through several owners. In the early 90's another local rodder named Andy Anderson acquired the coupe. He still owns it, and is going strong in his 80's. Recently Andy decided to upgrade the interior of the car, and took out the bench seat, door panels, headliner and other panels that Len installed so many decades ago. Last year I was fortunate to buy the bench seat , and this spring Andy sold me the rest of the upholstery. While it is worn and a bit tattered in spots, it will be perfect for my 50's style coupe build.

 

Get it in there Steve. Lets have a look. I met Andy today, at Sid’s.


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John and I were working on the coupe today - got the throttle assembly working properly. This is a push set up, not a pull one, and John assembled it from parts I had laying around. Thanks to our friend Syd. M. for an assist on this part of the project.

 

That's a Rube Goldberg moment right there, good work on the inversion.

 

Love the front view!!

 

Got the brakes bled, now working on the interior panels. More pics soon.

 

Did you start it yet? Need to hear it run, post a video.