Customs 1942 buick as early nascar type modified?

Thinking about using my 42 buick coupe to do a traditional early nascar type build. Would the 42 buick sedanette/coupe been a decent pick for a early modified racer?

 

if its a '42, that should make it on the rare side. not many cars were made because of the war. check with the folks at the buick club of america or aaca. you may find some rare info and change your mind.
john

 

The beauty and attraction to Hot Rods are there are No Rules.
If you have the vision, creativity, p***ion and insight, you can make it your own.

So are you planning something along the style of this?

 

I was thinking about it, it is rare I still have the original motor and transmission. I would love to put her back original but she has been sub framed up front.

 

Post a picture of what idea "Trips-your-trigger"

 

If it's been subframed (Nova/Camaro?) you'd need to find another frame to build a reasonably authentic oval track racer since there were no subframes on the race track back in the day. I like to see vintage bodies that are too far gone to do anything else with built into replica vintage race cars, but I wouldn't want to cut up a nice body for that.

 

What would you do with it? Is it possible to put the original motor and trans back? Its a crown vic subframe.

 

Why don't you put up some pictures of your car, underhood pictures, etc. so we can see what your working with?
Most anything can be "de-street-rodded" with in reason for a more traditional look.

Help us help you .... if that's what you really want.

 

Thanks,

 

First, it's possible to do anything including putting the original motor and trans back but you'd be putting them into an off topic subframe. Seems like a lot of wasted effort for nothing and would be out of place here.
Second, look for a '40-'41 or '46 frame and check the specs for them. Are they going to match up to the body?
Third, if the body is good and you can't find an original frame, build your own. I don't know what your skill set is but it's something that's done every day by people on this forum. @38fordpickup and @AHotRod have given you some very reasonable suggestions to work with.

 

...that looks to be a decent car and the front susp. looks like it fits very nicely,..I'd put it together as a driver, new mechanicals, leave the body as is,...

 

I agree. That looks too nice to cut up, and I am an ardent vintage racer.

 

What would be your suggestions for keeping her looking as period as possible? Motor and trans combo wheels etc?

 

Pictures would help. You probably would not see a lot of Buicks being used that way in that era as they were a more expensive car and less of them. I remember as a teenager going to a local track during the middle sixties, and most of the cars built as pictured were Fords or Mopar products as they were cheaper and more plentiful. The 42 is a rare car indeed, and if the body is decent it would be a shame to cut it up IMHO. I think the 40 and 41 frame, while not exact, would be usable to restore or build a more traditional car, and they are out there. A fellow Hamber (Delta Bravo) has the body off of his 40 right now, and has sent me ch***is pictures. He would probably do the same for you. I am getting ready to pull the body off of my 40 soon, and could do the same. He is restoring his car and has the straight 8, I am building a more traditional rat rod, with a Nailhead motor. You would want to keep the original motor, as the serial number for ***ling is on the motor.

 

Thanks for the input. I'm a guy that likes them original and would like to keep this one original if possible after seeing that they are kinda rare.

 

Depending on the source, Buick produced between 92,000 and 94,000 cars in 1942, ceasing production in mid February. Most of those were series 40 and 50. Series 70 and 90 are extremely rare.

 

Cut the centers out of the stock Crown Vic wheels and have them inserted into the stock buick wheels. Finish the body work, interior, and paint. Leave the hood closed when showing the vehicle and drive the wheels off of it.

 

What would you run as power train?

 

Power train choices are pretty open as the engine compartment is fairly large. Keep in mind that any later model motor and transmission will require converting from the torque tube axle to an open rear, presenting itself with another set of challenges. There are numerous threads on this subject.

 

So it would not be wise to keep the straight 8 and fab it back to the subframe? How difficult would that be?

 

That is a viable option, and the straight 8 mounted to the ch***is in the front and at the bell housing. Making cross member saddles should not be too hard. Straight 8 motors are expensive to rebuild if yours needs it.

 

Yes it needs it.

 

It's your car, build it however you like. Personally, it'd be tough for me to move in that direction with a car that has as decent and complete a body as that looks in photos. I guess if the floor is roached and quarters rusted where all GM cars do where the fenders bolt on, it may be worse in person than it looks.

 

Since it has the Crown Vic front clip already do you have the engine and trans for that clip? They are cheap, readily available, and more than enough power stock to propel it down the road. Get the engine, trans, and rear end from the Vic along with the ***ociated electronics. It is already half way there just the closed driveline that is not too difficult to get around with the front half already done and the remainder of a Vic driveline. Get it done, paint, interior and drive it.

 

I'd stick a 350-455 buick and a turbo 400 in it and go. Lippy

 

X2 what these guys said ^

A few more thoughts:
-The nature of your questions imply you don't have a lot of experience with old cars or fabrication experience. Not a criticism, just an observation.
-That's a big, heavy car so it lends itself to being a fun driver or cruiser.
-The body looks fairly complete- good gl*** & not too much rust.
-I'd keep it simple- drop in a mild but modern V8 & automatic trans (I bet you could find a running Buick 350/T-350 trans combo for well under $1k), then fix whatever ch***is, electrical & safety work is required, throw some seat covers in it, and drive the wheels off it.

Hope this helps

 

Black with limo tint windows. Lowered till evil.

Sent from my SM-G965U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

ADVICE TIME.

I sort of get the impression that this Buick isn't exactly the car of your dreams. You need to ask yourself...

A) Is this a car you acquired because you absolutely love it? OR
B) Is this a car you acquired, and are now trying to figure out what to do with it?

It takes almost a "love affair" with a car to take it from project, to usable. I see you are a younger guy, and you need to ask yourself:
Is THIS the car I want to spend un-godly amounts of time (years) and money (thousands) on?

If the situation is (A)...go for it!
If the situation is (B)...maybe sell it and find something you REALLY want.

JMO

 

I like the old 70's rusted caddy 500/trans. Doner, Vic. Or same front bolt pattern rear end as mentioned earlier....
Hell any drivetrain reliable would be Kool, Freak'n 250 Chev an a glide, close the hood an never open again, skirt's, lowered!$

 

I think this says it all. Don't be surprised at all when you are done to see $20K spent and 5 years of your time gone.