Not trying to hijack your thread, but as @guthriesmith mentioned, really reminiscent of the sedan I built about 10 years ago.. it's shiny now as the new owner painted it. It's changed hands several times and the price has gone up each time so I'll never get it back. Anyway, love your coupe!
Post away! I love that car. And hijack away, you helped me a ton when I first started on this journey! tires are 7.00 x 16 and 5.5 x 16
I have considered that and am still considering it but for now it will be black as I work to just get the car moving. I’ve also considered painting just the sides of the left/right insert and leaving the front black. That way it’s a less subtle red and you wouldn’t really see it unless looking from an angle. But again, for now my priority is getting g it on the road and then I’ll start doing some cool upgrades (like maybe an 4 speed) and extra personal touches.
A lot has happened since I updated this. One page back I was just putting the body on the frame. Now I just finished the first drive around the block! I replaced all of the wiring with Rhode Island wiring. I called them about a year ago and told them what I want and I’ve been sitting on the stuff ever since. I finally got to install it. What a treat. I have never done wiring before but they made it pretty easy. Everything works as it should and I asked for (turn signals, one wire alternator etc). I got the sheet metal all lined up too. Today I took it for its first drive in 60+ years (from what I can tell). I only went around the block and it was interesting to say the least but I didn’t have to call my wife to tow me home so it’s a start! It runs pretty good. Next up a real alignment, glass and taking a real test drive. Pics from sunshine today.
a 3/8” spacer on the front spring did the trick. I still have smaller tires on the way which I may try without the spacer but it seems to rub just ever so slightly at full turn which is perfect for me.
Awesome! That’s a good feeling. My sedan looked very similar to yours on the first drive. Even the patina was very similar.
Got phase one of the project done last night! My goal has been to get her on the road reliable and safe (as safe as it can be) and then work on upgrades, personal touches and the fine details. Last night I finished the rear end sheet metal and apron. I cut the apron out months ago and regretted it ever since. I hit some road blocks and got discouraged but I didn’t want to be welding on it with gas in the tank so before I put the rear fenders on and gas in the tank, I knew it was time to tackle it. It’s not perfect and I still need to do some tweaking and final grinding and patina blend but I got it far enough to put it all back together. Anyway, today my truck was in the shop so this was my main mode of transportation for the day. I probably drove about 25 miles and it did great. The peak was picking my kids up from school and my son trying to hide under the dash because he was embarrassed. Haha. Got some ice cream after dinner and decided to get some sunshine pics not on my sloped driveway. Now it’s onto all the minor details to really make it a nice car! To me it’s the details that matter on a patina car that make it nice.
Looks great! I can't believe your son tried to hide since he was embarrassed. He will learn when other kids tell him that dad's car is cool.
Stance is right on, sitting just rite! The car looks good. All your work is coming together to make a nice Hot Rod. Great work Busmania!!
Looks great, but that seat is going need a cover before hot weather gets here!! Got a good chuckle when I read about your son's response. My daughters and wife had similar ideas about my '42, but the night that I brought them and a bunch of team mates home from a game were priceless to me. They all wanted to ride in the cool, old car!! Enjoy the 40, your son will learn to appreciate it.
Thanks for the kind words yall! The seat is a temporary seat out of a 39. I found it on facebook marketplace and figured it would be a good temporary seat until I get mine recovered. That reminds me, I need to find an interior shop and get my seat to them! Anyone know any good shops around Denver?
Awesome! Hey I’ve got some brand new 40 standard hubcaps, PM me if you’re interested. I’ve been hoarding them but have been thinning out my stash lately.
Love the clean interior and especially love the 39 deluxe headlights. I never understood why dudes with 39s always put 40 headlights on, and love that yours is the opposite. Cool car
About 700 miles of good times cruising so far. Working to get the engine dialed in. All glass has been installed. Windows work which is cool. I haven’t really done much other than drive since my last update as I’ve been a little burned out of garage time. I’ve been getting interior quotes and having a hard time pulling the trigger. I just want to drive it. Still need to get to a lot of the small details no one will ever notice. best part….90% of people either ask me one of two questions. Either “what color are you going to paint it” or “when are you going to paint it?” My response is always “NEVER.” lol. Anyway, kinda tired of that question and maybe it’s cause I can’t understand it. To me it’s a beautiful car! Got some photos today while trying to get it to overheat at idle in a parking lot.
Some folks will never understand just using old cars for what they are meant for. One of the funnest old vehicles I ever owned was an old primered short wide C10 with some cheesy flames on it. It also had a decent 327 and an 4 speed and was lowered. I got the same questions. But, it was too much fun to drive it to ever blow it apart just to make it too nice to drive. I love your coupe just like it is! You are doing it right!
Excellent build so far sir! Keep up the good work. Car stance is looking excellent and the engine looks fantastic. Glad you kept the flat head.
Glad you putting some miles on the car. It’s amazing how much stuff you can put off wanting to fix when it means pulling the car off the road. How’s the Flathead and original 3sp for driving around? Noticed the SMV sign on the back. I just got my 40 sedan on the road(400 miles) and find seems happy around 50-55MPH. Around my town it dose fine little slow in traffic but that’s also due to my transmission and lack of working synchros . Of course I have an old worn out flathead just wondering if a fresh one makes these things a bit more peppy?
The Jalopy Journal
