Projects LA HOT RODS Get's A 37 Pontiac

Had a good friend share a link for a 37 Pontiac that his nephew had for sale.
Now when I seen the pictures, well let's just say I had to have it no matter how many holes I have in my head.



They cut the front end off and installed a Camaro/Nova front subframe that I will remove.

The car has been chopped some time back but sure who or how long ago i was done.
So I hooked up to the trailer and headed to the Iowa Missouri border with cash in hand.

All the parts that have been removed have been sand blasted.



The car is surprisingly solid for being built in 1937.



Now to figure the direction to take this car. I do need to rearrange my shop and get this in the corner and cover it up so I can finish my other projects.
I just felt that I couldn't let this one get away. I'm stoked to say the least.
Gasser or custom, time and money will tell.

 

Nice chop!

 

why remove the front end if it's done right?

 

Custom.

 

It's not in correct and it really doesn't do anything for me.

 

okie-doki

 

Glad you saved it !
Make it a reliable daily driver and enjoy it is my opinion.
Merry Christmas

 

Can't blame ya.
It is badass,,, coming and going.

 

Let’s see now, you’ll need at least 3 deuces, a four speed, a 389, a proper front end, a proper rear end, a slight adjustment on the chop ( that is unless it looks good after you get the body back from blasting) and as for color just paint it black.

 

70's / 80' put an independent front end that really doesn't fit right on your car for 100 bucks Technology. Most were cobbled together somewhat plus you had to hack up a lot of the inner sheet metal on most rigs to clear it.
There are just too many better ways to do a front end now.

Nifty car that should end up being pretty sweet in the hands it is in now.

 

All that 30’s style and chopped top to boot, that’ll be the reason for some sleepless nights till you get at it. Great raw material.

 

nice lookin chop on that Poncho, good luck with it.

 

I don't know if I'm wired wrong or not, but I tend to look at every car a see a race car.
I do have a 750 HP 409 that could make it's way in this car.

 

Yea, I am the same way. Gasser with the 409 would be very cool and interesting. No mater which way you go, glad you got it. Enjoy.

 

I'm that way, too. Yeah,...A 409, 4 speed, straight front axle, 57 - 64 Pontiac rear axel.... It'd make a cool and unique drag car.

 

That's a good looking chop and a good basically solid car to start with. Given the chop I would lean towards a Westergard style custom; but I am biased and love that style. But like the 37-38 Chevy coupes that are similar, they work great as either taildragger custom or as drag car. Since you intend to cut off the front subframe, it might just lend itself to a straight axle slightly raised front. I agree it needs a 57-64 Pontiac/Olds rearend. The 409 would be an excellent choice for the drag style build. No matter what you have a great starting point, just need to determine which path to go on the eventual build.

 

mild kustom driver and just have fun with it

 

I'm with the mild kustom crowd, great body and nicely chopped from the pics.

A 389, 4 speed and drop it on the ground along with a nice driver paint job and drive the wheels off of it. Oh I'd add a/c too to enjoy those hot summer nights of cruising her.

.

 

Mild custom cruiser race car. My very favorite breed of sleeper.

On the ground cruising with the white walls up front distracting you from the fat tires hidden behind those full skirts. Yeah baby

 

I can see the custom in it, I think budget may have a play in that.
Trying to see different front suspension in my head is a little tough other than a straight axle.

 

how bout a Fat Man front?...or fix what's in it?

 

The deal I made to get the car the front subframe will come out, guess I could try and pay extra for it.
My first thought when I seen the car I wondered if one of the Chevy truck axles I have would work.
Started looking at the speedway kit's. Haven't had a tape measures at it yet to know how wide yet.

 

Cool project James. I built a 39 back in 2002, Used a 76 Trans Am as a doner. Motor, trans, rear end and sub frame. I narrowed sub frame two inches as well as steering center link. Handel just like the Trans Am. Used the 400 with a factor tri power and turbo 350. Yeah, on here it's a street rod. But my friend who I built it for can drive it anywhere any time all day long. I have built all kinds of chassis styles and if you're going to drive it a quarter mile at a time straight axle is fun, but they get a little old after the first 2 or 300 miles on a road trip. Keep us posted. Larry

The Pearl white sedan in the corner. Tradition paint color. Torque thrust originals and it would be a totally different car.

lori 004 by 0NE BAD 51 MERC posted Jan 31, 2011 at 10:44 PM

 

I was just out measuring the 55/59 truck axle and it looks like it could be a good fit.

 

It's too bad the original got cut off, the 36's for the most part were straight axle cars, and a Vega box is a great up grade, and a number of companies offer dis brake kits. I have used the 48 to early 55 axles under a couple tri five's because I liked the similar track width of the original suspension, The 55/59 I think is an inch or two wider. I would Google the track width of the Poncho and the truck and compare. The original wheel tire combination fit close to the outer edge of the fender. Larry

 

I have a 47/55 truck axle also.
This car had independent suspension original.

 

Congrats...the mid to late 30s GMs lend well to Hotrod/Custom...ditching the new...one shouldn't need to question that around here...I totally get it.

You can have a 409 in a Custom...strikes a nice balance to me...power and elegance...double wow power...

 

Yeah, the 39 I did was independent also. Looks like a couple sticks of .125 x 2 x 4 will get you headed in the right direction! lol Finish that comp coupe dragster yet? how about the Saltshaker? Don't be like me, get going!

 

You could get a 409 in a Pontiac in Canada.
Crap now I need to find some Pontiac valve covers for one of my 409s.