Projects 31 Kustom Roadster (DIY duvall, tudor to roadster conversion)

I do not envy you the sore muscles you will have when you are done. Until then, rest well and dream of flatheads and four speeds.

 

Fantastic work on your dash! Really a step above everyone else.

 

Chevy28, your attention to detail in the "unseen" places is the real testament to your craftsmanship. You would never be comfortable driving your roadster had you not taken the time to detail those areas as carefully as the "seen" areas. Your eye for design is incredible, especially with the three windshield post feet that subtly mimic the spearhead shape of the cowl reveal. You are building at a very rare and high level. Beautiful work.

 

Too kind words ! Thank you !

 

The dash has an slightly round shape to follow the shape of the gauge, so i had made that little step for switches/knobs. It also gives more 3d factory kind-of look

The switches are also DIY. Using different parts to make it work and look good. The scripts are lazer marked to aluminium and pressed to shape.
The horn switch i had to do fully from ground up, becauce i didnt find any pull-opereted horn switch.

 

what exactly did you do to make the horn switch?--wow!

 

The custom made stainless dash end trims are incredible, I would not have believed those weren't a factory stamped part if I hadn't seen it here. Extremely nice work.

 

Somehow I did not catch this thread. Only viewed the pics.
Sorry if you have already told us bui...
One question.
How Did You learn to make Magic?

 

Thats some beautiful work there!

 

Couldn't agree more @Finnrodder!

 

I'll get back to it once i remember to shoot some photos !

In the meanwhile, here's a video of the windshield :

 

I like the parallel sides!

 

That windshield is absolutely gorgeous!

 

You are a Craftsman, amazing work

 

That’s a beautiful windshield!!

 

Heres the diy pull-operated horn-switch

Simplified : the nylon-plastic insulates from the switch frame. And the screws where wires mounts, connects together when pulled and touching the metal circular part.

 

Simple and effective switch! Nice work!

 

Well....this is shaping up into my favorite roadster. You really are a helluva fabricator and hot rodder. Color me impressed! Givin me tons of ideas for my 30

 

Thank you brother ! Inspiration is the key !

 

Here's how i did the u-bolt eliminator.
Because of the notched frame, and 3 inch channeled body, the radiator space is really limited.


Chopped/channeled 32 grille shell:

 

Very interesting approach to the front spring clamp!

 

Has the front spring clamp been done this way before? My concern is instead of a pair of u bolts, now two welds are keeping the spring attached and the crossmember is absorbing the impacts in a different way. Not trying to be a naysayer just never seen that done. If it works its a neat idea!

 

I haven't done it before myself but i have seen cars build with these type "weld-on u bolts".
There are kits for sale in speedway etc or :
https://welderseries.com/store/Front-U-Bolt-Eliminator-Kit-p51247671

I think it will be fine. But i understand your concern, and it does feel kinda stiffer when bolted down because there is nothing to flex like in traditional u-bolts

 

I love this place...great stuff Markus...thanks for sharing your journey in Hotrod with us...

 

Thank you !

Great to back on hotrod build after getting distracked to an 1958 vespa build

Not hamb material but there you go :

Next step on the roadster is drivetrain. First mounting wheels on and getting it back on ground to really get a good view.

 

The radiator "module" i build earlier. I will get back to it more :

 

Been done plenty of times previously.
I can’t see how anything changes in regards to the crossmember absorbing impacts differently, as nothing structural is different, (apart from a little heat from the weld and we tend to weld things now rather than using rivets).
The only difference is that every time you loosen a U bolt, you are ‘technically’ supposed to throw it away and start with a new one.
By using this method ‘technically’ - you only have to replace the 4 bolts, which may be easier to fit and cheaper and easier to source.

 

Windshieldframe process thrown together

 

The roadster was outside of the garage first time since being pushed in as an tudor.
Good thing is it looked bad ass, and proportion looks good.
Bad thing is i have to re-do rear c-notch etc. The stance was too much ass up. This build has chanced so much from the start as an rolling bones styled tudor, to an Helminen style roadster so more work a head.

Heres the problem, at ride hight :

And here's the solution, work in process :

 

Beautiful solution