Projects RHD 1932 5 Window build from Australia

Hey guys,

Been poking around on here for quite some time now, and I decided to bite the bullet and start a project. While I have been around cars pretty much all my life working with drag cars etc, this is my first dive into hot rodding.

While I would love an all-steel original body, here in Australia they are rare as hen's teeth, and the only other option would be to spend a mint on a new steel body.

Picked up a fibreglass 5 window body from Deuce Customs here in Australia. 3" chop, and I had the 53 litre tank relocated in the boot with a pop-up fuel filler.

The chassis was built with a leaf spring front, 4" drop I beam, and Ford disc brakes front with GM calipers. The rear is set up for disc brakes with a 9", coil overs, with a c-notch chassis. With the tank being relocated, I had the rear rails shortened and lifted. The main reason I opted for discs all around and coil over rear is that I plan to drive this thing hard, I want reliability, parts for this setup are easy to find, and with the rules and regulations of NSW Australia registration, they are very strict in what we can and can't have

The car is ready to be shipped up to my garage in Sydney, where the real work begins.

I have a 350 Chev with a TH350. Planning to run a 4 barrel, again for reliability and ease of parts in Australia. a 4/71 may come at a later date, but the single-carb setup will be perfect for me for a while.

The plan for wheels and stance is to run Wheel Smith Vintage all round, 4.5" front with 5.00 Firestone Bias Ply, 6" rear with 7.50 Firestone Bias Ply.

I'll keep providing updates as I go - any input would be appreciated.

Thank you!

 

Crikey, that's a sweet start!

 

Thanks, mate! I've been dreaming of a 5 window for as long as I can remember, so it's awesome I have the opportunity to build something up for myself.

 

I'll be watching! Bring it!

 

What you have looks like a good start to me.

 

Lookin good !

 

Great start. I'm doing a similar rear horn setup on a deuce roadster I'm building, Yours is especially nicely done.

 

Welcome to the HAMB. I'll be watching your progress.

 

What are the front calipers off of? I like the way they look with those fins. I second the very nice work on the rear frame horns and spreader bar. Going to watch this thread!

 

Enjoy the journey and look forward to your updates.
If you haven’t already gone through the 32 5W build by LM14 (Steve, I believe), it is definitely worth the time. Worked his arse off and was kind enough to document it and share it here on the HAMB.
Cheers.

 

Here is a link to a number of threads that LM14 wrote while building his five window.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/search/445572086/

Unfortunately, Steve was under treatment during most of the build. The project kept him going, when he could have given up. He died shortly after he completed the build.

 

Holden Commodore (GM)

 

The front calipers have a resemblance to the ones offered by Roadster Supply and So-Cal on their premium disc brake kits.

 

Phil: Link has disappeared.

 

I should add, those calipers and late Ford Falcon rotors are the standard aftermarket combo. Here.

 

Look like PBR calipers.

 

PBR was a major supplier.

 

Late 80s Corvette?

 

Thank you! X38 is correct - Front calipers are off a VR/VS Commodore, which are super common here in Australia

 

Thanks for the caliper info!

 

So the car is now in transit to my house. Here is a couple of the last shots from the chassis builder. The wheels are only being used to move the car around and for transport, so be kind

I’m really excited to start my first hot rod build, and can’t wait to share it with you all!

 

The car has arrived! Looks even better in person than it does in the photos.

The welds are phenomenal. The tube chassis work is outstanding. A quick INOX will keep it all looking fresh and not rusty. I am really excited to get this on the road.

Currently have the 350 block at the machine shop being honed. Internals will be ordered to suit, and hoping to have running gear finished in the next couple of weeks.

The rear coilovers seem to already be too long as the ride height is all the way down, but seems I still have about 4” from the top of the axle tube to the bottom of the c notch. Depending on how it sits after the wheels and tires arrive, a full tank of fuel, plus a 95kg driver, I may look at shorter coilovers to have it sit a bit lower in the rear.

A couple of photos below. I’ll take some more over the weekend.

 

Come on man, the car is an empty shell! Have patience and wait until the car is basically finished with its full weight, then assess the coilover factor. And you will appreciate 3" of travel on a finished car. That, and the fact that you don't even have bump stops yet.

 

Yeah, you're right. I think I am so excited about it that I am analyzing every tiny detail. I need to chill out a bit! Patience is not one of my virtues. Is 250lbs spring rate ok for a coupe, or should it be lighter? I have read mixed reviews - some say 150 , some say 250

 

On rear spring rate, my steel, fendered '31 Victoria had 225 coil overs and road quite well.

 

On a all steel 5 & full fenders using 125,
Top mount on vertical shock mount true 4 link.
2 door all steel sedan full fenders 150,
Bottom mount , angle shock with triangular 4 bar.
200 where to stiff on both
I feel depends on manufacture/ brand
( spring rate)

 

If you haven't already accessed the full document, take a look at this section from it. It's the government approved construction guidelines. A lot of good construction information.
https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/s...tion/bulletin/files/Street_COP_Rev2_Sec_6.pdf

 

Can’t believe it’s been a year since I posted last! Time flies when you’re building a hot rod, I guess. Be kind - I am doing the best I can with what I have.

Pulled a 350 block out from under the shelf that’s been there for years. Stripped it, machined, clearanced for a 383, and cleaned.

Currently, it's been fitted out with a Scat crank and Scat H beam rods, JE Pistons, Crower roller lifters, Comp Cams roller cam, Moroso sump (to be polished/poweder coated), and a polished Edelbrock timing cover. Mellings high volume oil pump and pick up. ARP hardware will be the only hardware used where possible.

As for the heads, a set of AFR 195s will be used. I had a set of Motown heads, but these have unfortunately been used on another project.

Next to be done is paint the block (should have done this earlier) and button the engine all up. The chassis will be sent to the brake shop shortly to sort out the brake and fuel lines, as well as the rear brakes.

Also ordered the shell/grill and radiator from a local shop here in Australia. I am trying to find a set of stainless 2 1/2" Tru-Ram rams horn headers from Speedway - they have been on backorder for ages. Does anyone have/know of a set?

 

Hey everyone.

A year has passed, and a fair bit has happened behind the scenes. I have welcomed another son to the clan in January this year, which has absorbed a lot of my time.

In saying that, progress has been slow but steady.

In Australia, parts are hard to come by. Looking for a TH350 lead me down many Marketplace fails, and the cost of a secondhand transmission and a rebuild is as much, if not more, than a brand new one. Bit the bullet and bought a brand new TH350.

15x5 and 16x6 Wheelsmith wheels are mounted with Firestone Bias Ply tires. While I would have loved 4" wheels the wheel sizes are very strict due to my states regulations for registration. Johnsons Radiator and UP shell mocked in, however I do have a question around the radiator support springs - is there a set tension/gap between coils that is ideal?

Wildwood master cylinder installed, brake/fuel lines ran. HQ steering box in, however the shaft needs shortening - bit too long for my liking. Engine and transmission is in. Engine is all but finished - carb is to be replaced, and the valve covers are simply dust covers for the moment and won't be kept on this build. They were a fun find - brand new in box in the shed from many moons ago. Still waiting for some little bits and pieces and will be started up. The sump required for the 383 is finally painted also - was driving me nuts seeing it like that. Brand new 9" centre was needed as the one I had sent off to be redone was trash.

Speedway headers really make the difference to the engine, in my opinion.

Chassis, diff, I-beam, brakes all painted, with paint correction and ceramic coating/PPF coming to keep it looking as good as possible, even with my plan to drive this into the ground.

While I have had some downtime waiting for parts/paint, I got to polishing nuts, bolts, and washers. Call me crazy, but it's quite therapeutic.

This is my first hot rod build, so my progress and even my methodology may not be up to standard, but it sure is fun! Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.