Hopefully this is in the right spot. I like to track the progress of my projects so here we go. I had a wanted ad up on Craigslist looking for a 37-39’coupe. I’ve been into cars a long time since I was 15 and my first cars were chevelles. I then got into vw buses randomly in college and then owned 30-40 of those and moved them along. I’ve always liked the old coupes but I really liked some and didn’t care for others and could never really pin point why I liked some but not others. Then one day I saw some tear drop headlights and it all clicked. So, I sought out to find one. I have been looking for a long time. Last week, someone emailed me and said “hey I know you are looking for a 37 but there’s an auction on Saturday with a 40.” I said thanks for the heads up but it’s not what I’m looking for. Well, the more I thought about it, it was exactly what I was looking for (minus the year). Compete car, looked original and the patina was beautiful. I have a thing for original cars no matter how rough they look. The auction was last Saturday and it was my sons birthday so there was no way I could attend in person. I figured I’d give it a go and try to bid online but figured it was a long shot and figured I’d never win it and my search for a 37 (ideally) would continue. At auction time we were headed to my sons soccer game and stopped to get birthday donuts. Sitting in the car in the Krispy Kreme drive through it was time to bid. 30 second later I couldn’t believe I was the high bidder, less than I was willing to pay (and still too much probably). Wow, i won, now what? the next day after scrambling to get cash with banks closed, I set off to have my first look. The timing of the auction was terrible. Not only was it my sons bday weekend but my truck was also in the shop. So I set off in my 71 vw bus full of tools to borrow my business partners truck then to pick up a trailer I found on Craigslist. On the way to his house he texted me that his truck had a big oil spot under it. At that point I was like f it, I’ll just drive the bus to the car (90 miles away) and have it towed my house. 5 hours later it was in my garage. I was happy when I first pulled up. No rust, mostly complete, flat head, original paint and it was MINE! I had only seen 4-5 really bad photos up to this point and knew I was taking a huge risk. Instantly I knew it was exactly what I wanted and I got lucky! Anyway, I got it home and here we are. The plan is to try and get the Flathead running (it’s been soaking in marvel mystery oil) and then i might drive it around the block to check transmission then it’s tear down time. Plans are up in the air but I do know I will keep the patina and exterior for now. Anyway, here’s how I found it.
I’ve been anxious to see what the floors looked like so today I dawned the hazmat suit and started cleaning. Three 50 gallon trash bags later I was very surprised with what I found. Very little (almost none) rust in the floors. Very surprising given the amount of dirt (2-3 inches thick in some areas) that I found. There is rust in the passenger rear rocker but that should be easy enough to fix. The seat appears to have the original cover under 3 other seat covers. The rear side seats are there. I found most of the missing parts. The best part though, I found a license plate from Nebraska with a date of 1960 on it. Maybe the last time it was on the road? I am originally from Nebraska so it just cements the fact that I bought the right car. Also found a cool pin. Half of my joy with old cars is the old stuff you find in them. I love the story it all tells. Anyway, the inside is now ready for a power wash. That’s where I’m at. I am one who is not afraid to ask questions so be ready! Thanks for reading.
It will be in my garage. I owned a vw bus with similar patina for 10 years that I kept garaged. It looked the same the day I sold it as the day I bought it. I live in Colorado where it is very dry. It won’t rust further sitting in my garage.
yeah, I know I got crazy lucky since I never actually saw it in person. I did however zoom into every part of the body via the photos I had and my suspicion was the only rust was in the passenger rocker. I got lucky and was right.
you must be crazy. Haha. Jk, like I said I like them original and I like a challenge and don’t need to go too fast so I’m hoping to keep the Flathead.
That’s not patina, it’s rust. It is a pretty clean car though. With a little bit of extra work it can be even nicer. Good bones.
Great looking project!! You are very lucky if it’s a solid as you Describe without viewing it personally. How’s the trunk area look? Usually the first place for rust through. that patina looks to be needing some real paint. A man after my own heart. A flathead and 37 lover. My 37 came from Nebraska setting in waist high weeds. Was as solid as a rock. Same car.
That's a great car. Let us know the plan. If you don't want to do full paint / build now, metal finish the dents, weld patches in for rust, cut in the repair areas with black primer. Start driving Paint it now or in 5 years, it won't be much different, keep it clean and protected in the meantime.
Love your coupe. If it was mine I'd clean it really well (no paint work needed), replace the seat upholstery, freshen the brakes, get a dropped axle and reversed eye springs, some big and little rubber, and make the flathead sing.
pretty much how I envision it. Bob, I moved so call before coming over and I’ll give you my new address. I hear you all on the paint but it will be my lowest priority and if I do paint it it will be the last thing I do. It’s just not a priority for me. Here’s the rust. The passenger lower quarter is the worst but one patch panel should be easy enough. It looks like it may have to come off the frame to do it correctly. The rear apron rust is very minimal. Someone asked about the trunk. Its pretty beat up but not rusted.
Love your story! I bid online more years ago than I care to admit, bought a California '62 Nova convert. Life got tough, sold it and wish I'd kept it. However '40 Fords have always been my favorite! Build it your way and enjoy!
Small potatoes!!!! Let the loose end drag. I "get" the whole paint it mentality but.... Are these guys willing to send you the 15-20K to paint it right? I don't think so.... I don't know your skill level or ambition but personally, I would not blow that car apart. Hoods fenders...maybe.... I stress maybe but frame off?...I would repair what I could or save it for later. Structure... now, that needs to be fixed but none of that appears structural. Get it roll. Get it to stop. Get it to run. Get it to light. Get in it and enjoy it.
I got new tires for the back today so that I can drag the car around the neighborhood to try and get the motor moving. Can I put the car on a two wheel tow dolly and drag it around that way?
The Jalopy Journal
