Hot Rods *Mr.Model T's New Project: A T-V8..

Yeah, you could. I may have to noodle that around too..

 

I do like this idea a lot. Maybe more lower then section....

 

What about splitting the difference between A and B (do half the chop)?

 

Thanks for putting in all this work for this! It really helps to visualize where this needs to go.

 

I think so too. More lower, less chop...but do both.

 

It seems like it's hard to get a 32 shell to look right on a T sitting on A bones, it almost needs to be on 32 rails to look right, or as mentioned above with a belly pan to get the propprtions right. But it still needs to be chopped IMO for the right proportions. Here's some examples where they got it right IMO:

 

those all look great !

 

I think the trick that the chop/channel pulls off is reproportioning the grill so that it suits the body size.

It still reads as an un modified 32 shell because it just looks right. Until you put a stock one next to it and it looks huge.

it’s that subtle sneaking up on it that doesn’t make it look “chopped” it just looks right.

you’ll have guys saying “man I never thought an in chopped one could look good on a T but shit look at that!”

anyhow, if you get straight shots with even blue tape marking measurements I can chop and drop it a few different ways and you’ll be able to know how much of each was done

 

I'm not a '32 shell on everything fan but they can work. I think Tim's last one works. I think the top needs to be slightly lower than the cowl. To me the first red roadster & the old magazine roadster look slightly high. They may be just right but the upward line of the radiator braces or hoses on the flathead may be doing something visual. I don't like the last red roadster at all. Just me.

 

@Six Ball yeah a ton of cars, T’s especially, with grills levels with the cowl can look too tall I agree. Even if you’d never actually run a hood I’d suggest a cardboard hood to really see what it looks like.

that being said the stance of said car really does come into play as well. A grill level with the cowl on a very nose down car looks horrible where a car that sits closer to level reads just fine.

it’s all this little sit and stare, move it a half inch, sit and stare stuff that makes all the difference between “right” and “it’s pretty alright”

 

I don't like 32 shells on T's, but this ain't bad.

 

I'm not a huge fan of a downward angle on the radiator support rods. To me, it just looks too stark, like the American Graffiti coupe (I know, its sacrilege to criticize that car, but i have always had an issue with that, lol). I will agree that too level with the cowl does make it look too tall. There is "Just the right amount of level".. lol

I was digging a bit last night through my archives of Hot Rod stuff looking for this, the Keith Tardel built '27 Roadster:







This car excellently employs a '32 shell with a '27 body. Yes, its on a '32 Chassis, but I think that is a tad irrelevant for this exercise.

The other option would be to go with a '28-'29 Shell instead, like Dennis Lacy's old T:


The Third is a '26-'27 T shell, but i just don't think it fits the build at all...


What say ye?

 

The Tardel Roadster is also a major influance on the current '27 build..

 

FWIW. My two cents is this, The "chopped & dropped" photoshop was the most proportionate out of the 32 grille shell ideas. I also like the 28/29 shell like the Denis Lacy example...

 

The Tardel build looks good but once again from some angles it looks a tiny bit tall. From other angles it's fine. That may just be the way it is and you just have to for the best you can. You can't see it from more than one angle at a time. I like all the A shells on As. I usually like T shells on Ts if they are not brass. The painted ones are best on minimal rods. Do it with the same eye you had on the other build and it will be fine.

 

So you are lobbying for something like this?



I'm not against it at all to be honest, but is that something that would have been done 1949-'52ish?

 

I've always been a fan of a T shell on a T, but I'm nobody.

 

I love a 28-9 shell on a T. Probably my favorite. For what it’s worth I think Dennis cut his A shell. I recall him talking about it a few years ago?

 

So it may be sacreligious around here to say so, but to my eye that shell is too big, too tall, hangs too low. It doesn't flow with the body lines. JMO.

Again, JMO but I don't think it'sd irrelevant at all. The height of the 32 rails provides a visual offest to the larger size of the 32 grill shell. Replace the 32 rails with A rails and the grill shell sticks out like a sore thumb. It needs that bulk below the body line to work.


Yes, this works! That looks great, but maybe more early to mid 40's rather than late 40's early 50's, eh? But that looks bitchin.[/quote]

 

If youre going for traditional, loads of old pics of t roadsters with deuce grills.... just my 2 cents but we are building trad rods not styling the newest sports car. Its your baby though. Our opinions mean little compared to the guy who is gonna be jamming its gears

 

Not lobbying for anything. After looking this discussion over again I think I like this one best inspite of myself.

 

I think the headlight size and placement will also play factor in how it reads

 

Not at all. This is an honest study and discussion. '32 Shells are not the "end-all, be-all" of hot rod radiator shells. They don't work on everything. For example, I hate the way it was done on the Milner Coupe from American Graffiti. It's WAY too short and looks terrible with that u channeled, chopped 5w body. If it was full-length, or the body channeled to fit it...it would have way better lines.

I guess you do make a valid point here.

This is the crux of it and I agree. I do love this look (especially with some tweaking) but I don't feel it fits the Era.

Well said. The '32 shell can work great on a T, it just has to fit it right.

I guess lobbying wasn't the right wording. Suggesting more like it. I think Iagree.

Good point. I have two choices really that I have in front of me for this.

First selection are these:




Late 1940s, early 1950s chrome sealed beam. These are not marked (if someone recognizes them, I'm curious to know) and are very similar to the Guide/BLC lights. They are identical to the ones on my Grandfather's Av8 built in 1946 that he bought in 1951.

The other choice is '33-'34 Deluxe lamps.

I don't think such an antiquated lamp would be on a car in '49-'52..but they do look good.

 

Basic bottom line...Build what puts a smile on your face.

Yes. I like the big headlights.

 

You are very much correct and that sentiment is ultimately what will guide this the most. That said, proportions are important and this car is not mine. The design is all mine, I want the owner to be happy ans I want it to look great from any angle.

 

I vote B I don’t care for the dropped look it’s kinda hangin low for no reason.

 

As for the headlights I would say it depends on the era your shooting for. Every single photo and first hand reference I’ve heard/ read about head lights say as soon as the war was over it was to 7” lights. Even pre existing cars seem to have been upgraded

 

What are the oblong light ( headlights? ) hanging on wall? They look great

 

I agree. If I go that route, it will be the best option.

That is the historical consensus ive gotten elsewhere. 7" sealed beam was the ticket after the war.

Those are 1912 Cadillac. Made by Grey & Davis...12" Dia lenses