Hot Rods Nature Abhors a Vacuum, Or, The Hemi A Roadster fills a void.

Since I was waiting for brake parts for the wagon and we don’t have leather for the interior, I worked on the roadster. I put a steel brace from one door post to the other and mocked up a steering column. One U-joint between it and the box will get the job done.
Then I set the front radius rods up, made some little brackets to mount them below the frame and tacked them on.
Since I had the exhaust tubing I made a head pipe for the left side that snakes around the steering box, so both sides are started. When the body comes back off I’ll build the rest. Those are 2 1/4”, the rest will be 2 1/2”, straight pipe, no mufflers.


Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.

 

Gadzooks, Brian! Hemi and frame/body alignment look streamlined! Cozy fit, fan looks 'kiss-me-close' to that China radiator core...
The 'caps' on the split 'bones look phallic, (actually very slick) Are you going to have to lock the threads of tie rod ends with jamb nuts on there???
All in all, delightful "A/Deuce".
Will you 'glass-in more angle from 'A' pillars back thru quarters for sub frame or use formed sheet metal?

 

Thanks man. The valve covers and heads pretty much make hood sides. The radiator shell needs to come down just a bit, it's dead level from the cowl, so it looks from some angles like it's going uphill. Easy to drop it, the chopped radiator has a couple inches or room at the top between it and the shell. The tabs I made for the mounts are 3/8", I drilled and ran a 7 degree reamer have in the holes, so the tie rod ends seat themselves, and a cotter pin will secure the chrome castle nut on the backside.
They are rather "manly", aren't they?

 

LOL, that looks like a state highway department project. One guy working, 6 guys leaning on a fender watching...

 

The rear of the body just ending looks unfinished to me, so I’m making a rolled pan. Making it in steel seemed pointless on a ‘glass car, so I did this.
2” styrene foam, two thicknesses, screwed to the floor with long deck screws and fender washers. Roughed in with a 7” grinder then finished with a long board. I sanded it a little undersized to allow for the thickness of the ‘glass.
Then I covered it with duct tape, as polyester resin eats the foam, and covered with a coupe layers of mat and then cloth.
Because I have a big roll of cloth.
I’ll let it kick, then a skim coat of ‘glass reinforced filler, then finish filler, trim the edges and cut it loose. I’ll leave the top layer of foam for a mold for a mount lip put it back on and finish it.
Continuing the character beads down it might look good, and I plan on running the tailpipes through it.


Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.

 

DeSoto dash or an Auburn style insert with a panel like this? I could still use the DeSoto gauges, which I like. This looks a little more appropriate with the Auburn style windshield.


Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.

 

Nice idea on the roll pan. Either dash will be a win. Myself I kinda like the Desoto, sooo many have used the Auburn panel. And you got the main Desoto part up front to go with the gauges.

Sent from my SM-G973U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

I agree with John boy. The appeal of Desoto dash is it is different and seldom scene.

 

Thinking on it overnight, I agree.

 

People often ask me, "Brian", they say, "How can I make beautiful parts in MY garage using fiberglass resin and cloth?", and I say, "I have no idea, the stuff I make looks like it was made by a blind chimp. On acid. With broken thumbs."

 

That's funny right there, I don't care who you are.

 

You also said your Auburn style insert would match your Auburn style windshield.
True.
But your DeSoto gauges also match your DeSoto Hemi!!

 

The rear pan is clamped to the body, painters tape on the body lip and a fillet of ‘glass filler between the panels and on the rough glass pan. When it’s cured it’ll pop off the body and leave me a nice crisp joint. A skim of final filler will finish it all up and it can be screwed on with welt between. I like it.


Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.

 

How to make doors fit, 101.


Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.

 

More goodies arrived!


Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.

 

You didn't ask – but . . . those outside windshield posts would look a little bitchener if they tapered a little towards the top.

 

The DeStoto dash it is. Going to need a deep notch to tuck the column into, including a little out of the bottom of the gauge pod, but I think I like it.


Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.

 

Duct taped the glove box door on.


Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.

 

Looking good. I usually don't like rolled pans but that one looks good.

 

Which would make it impossible to put glass in them, as they'd be narrower at the top than the bottom, which is parallel now to the center posts. That'd be a fail...

 

I think he meant just shape them some to get rid of the squareness

 

Thanks. I think it'll look really good once it's smoothed up. I may carry the character beads from the quarters down it, I'll just sculpt them with mud. I plan to have the exhaust poke through them, I like them centered, like a Jag XKE.

 

I guess I don't get it. As in, round the corners off the posts? I though he meant angling them in. The frame is almost a direct copy of Auburn speedster windshield, I'm leaving it as is, although I may make a "cap" for the top of the glass so as to be able to make a top for it. I love the shape as is.

 

Like @Tman said... pan looks proportional.
I have one on my 'glass '27 roadster made by Dick Williams, (Polyform) It is similar in shape, slightly smaller in height: but, so is the '27 compared to the '29.
Great strides here, enjoying the whole thing. Did you install an inner subframe to attach body to rails?

 

I had that same thought, we all posed for the picture but Greg was holding up the oil pan and couldn't move! You can see how we all ran over to help him.....

 

I have seen a wood header, or cap as you called it made to work with those windshields and a soft top. I like the idea. I know tall folks have trouble fitting in em that way tho

 

The dash is in, corners filled, glove box door fitted after a little tweaking. I dig it.


Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.

 

Tall I am not. [emoji41]


Sent from my iPhone using H View attachment 4949696 .A.M.B.

 

Perfect