Projects Rickybop's 1931 Plymouth 3W Business Coupe build

Thanks, Steve. Too late, just ordered 'em.

Just kidding. But it certainly is tempting. I could even justify it.
"I need the real wheel/tire combo to mock up the car and the suspension."
"I can cover the tires."
"I can rotate the tires."
"Paint can be cleaned off."
"I don't want to pay twice for mounting and balancing."
Oh... here's a good one...
"The project isn't going to take that long."
When the real reason is that I just really really really wanna see the blackwall Firestones on my shiny black wheels... and on the car. With chrome lug nuts of course.
And I could possibly give in to all that excitement. But a couple years ago, I bought two pair of barely used bias ply wide white wall tires for just this purpose. And they're about the right size. I didn't get them for free, but they cost a lot less than a new set of Firestones.

I gotta say. I think maybe there's one particularly wise reason for not buying a bunch of brand new expensive Firestones too long before we're ready to use them. What if you mount them but don't go down the road until years later... and we suddenly realize there's a defect and one or more need to be returned for good ones?
Oops. Too late.

 

Oh, it's tempting alright. No argument there....

 

So tempting that I might've gone ahead and gotten them anyway, and wise decisions be damned... if I didn't have these other tires.
But I can wait. I guess.

 

Brings to mind an old Jerry Reed hit.
"When Yer Hot Yer Hot"

 

Just scout modern tires vs what you want. Then buy worn out modern ones, have them mount them. Save money. No reason to balance at all. Just to get an idea of stance.

 

6.50" Firestones
7.00" Denmans

 

Ooh ooh ooh.

Talking to a guy not too far from me about a beautiful front seat from a low mileage 1937 Chevy 2dr.
Original mohair. No rips.

Trying to avoid incorporating any obviously new stuff into this build. I'm not crazy about the hot rod seats being offered. I think I'd rather build my own. My favorite would be a nice original bench seat. I love the looks and feel and smell and just the idea of a big, old, puffy-looking original mohair bench seat.

Both style and size-wise, this seat will fit the Plymouth perfectly.

 

I like the way you think, the bench seat looks like what should be there also. HRP

 

Thanks, Danny.

I want to retain that vintage feel. Like this old Plymouth didn't get much more than a drivetrain swap.

Like Grandpa started taking some really good medicine. LOL

 

Sure looks like your having fun collecting stuff for the build. That is cool, but it kind of looks like your collecting stuff for the wrong end of the build.
If its ever going to be a real car, maybe you should collect stuff that will make it move under its own power first. That way, the stuff your collecting now will still be usable when its time to use it.

Just the way I would do my car (which it is not), but at least you ARE having fun with your car. Carry on!

 

Everyones approach to building a car is different. Some do things one way, others take varying paths. Some breeze through it, some need a little help to work things out. Some finish, others never seem to quite get there. However, there is one common denominator that exists....... everyone is smiling, and that is the most important part of the process.
I can see Rick's smile from here, and I am on the other side of the world. Go man, go.

 

Haha yeah. 7 pages and nary a wrench has turned. But you gotta HAVE parts before you can build anything, right?
What we think doesn't really matter. As long as you are having fun!
I'll still follow along...... Carry on!

 

This is why artists prefer upper level studios, no shade.

 

No shit you gotta have parts before you can build something. And it's not always in sequential order. You gotta get the parts when they're available cuz they might not come up again for a long time if ever. How many times do you see an original 1937 Chevy bench seat in near perfect condition come up for sale. Almost never.

Gene, I don't know what you're talking about that I don't have parts to make it go under its own power. Maybe you're not aware that I have a 440 engine and A833 4-speed? And a Jones magnesium quick change rear axle being built as we speak? I need wheels and tires just to get it on its own four feet so I can judge stance and other stuff.
But if I'm missing your point about something particular, please clarify for me. I'm always open to help from you guys if there's a real issue. And even opinions. I might disagree, of course. But I don't wanna be just stupid wrong LOL.

If you guys don't like the way I'm doing things now, you really won't like when I sand blast and prime and paint this whole body and chassis before I do a lot of the other work. But almost the whole body was sandblasted and left bare and now it needs it again. And then to be protected. But this paint job is not going to be sophisticated, and I won't have any qualms at all about having to remove some paint in order to weld. And then to spot the paint back in.

I'm definitely having fun. But I also definitely don't trust life not to fuck with me again before I get this hot rod built and on the road. So I'm on a mission, and making my moves when the opportunities arise and just as quickly as I can make it happen. And it ain't going to be no pampered shiny pussy footing street rod. It can get dirty. It can get chips and dents. And I'll just maintain it and improve it as I go. Until I can't anymore.

 

From an upper level studio.

 

"... nary a wrench turned... "
cuz I was sick and injured for years and now I'm catching up on the things I didn't do around here when I was sick and injured.

And we had a house fire last spring and we're still dealing with the aftermath of that.

Because I've collected a lot of parts, when the wrenching does start... I won't be scrambling for parts.

 

I like having parts in wait, not out hunting for them when needed. Better deals come with patience vs “rush to buy”.

 

.... and 'coz Rome wasn't built in a day.

 

@Rickybop I was just needling you a bit.....sorry if it came across wrong. I'm enjoying your thread, always great to see another old MOPAR come back to life! My last project took 7 years to complete, so who am I to say?

 

Oh... you were being an a-hole on purpose then?!?
Cuz you think it's "funny".
LOL
Well put a damn laughy face up there next time so I know you're kidding.
Don't be sorry.
We're men. Men talk.
Thanks, buddy.

 

Rickybob, don't ever let anything I type bother you too much. We come from vastly different backgrounds. My first 15 years was in dirt track racing. We had about 4-5 months between one season and the next, and I mostly worked out of a 1 car garage with a small storage space or maybe 2 car garage if times were good. We had those 4-5 months to collect parts and build the car, always over the winter (much like your winters). The racing season started in April if the weather permitted, and ended towards the end of Oct, if we could keep a car together. In the class we ran, rubbing was racing, one season I built 4 cars to make to the season championship race at the end of the year! We still finished 11th or 12th in points among 40 competitors.
When I went to hot rods that early "training" remained in effect. That 1st sedan was halted because I needed to build a frame from scratch and didn't have the space, the time, nor the equipment, the dirt track car had a higher priority.
When I had a chance and the equipment, the frame was built, made into a roller chassis, and the body had the roof attached and was attached to the rolling frame in 2 weeks! Then it sat outside until I started my welding shop. It came in the shop door on the 5th of July, 1994. I worked on it nights and weekends while I was building my business (I still had a 50 hour a week job then). In Jan the next year I quit my job and worked in my now busy welding shop full time and I had to take the sedan home (because I needed the work space). In March the sedan came back to the shop. We drove the car to Back to the 50s in Minnesota, in June (a 400 mile one way trip).

In my mind, the day I turn the first wrench for the actual build starts the clock. If its not drive able in a year, I'm sloughing off. I hate doing body work, I know how to do it. I just don't have the patience to do it, but I'm too cheap to hire it done. If I'm doing the body work, it better be painted in 3 months! Race cars only had to look good from 30' away.

I do collect some parts before a build starts, but since I don't have a lot of storage space, the stuff I collect is usually things I'm going to need first. The seat is cool, but I don't have a place to store it for more then 2-3 months where it wouldn't get damaged before I could get it into the car.

Don't let the pressure I place on myself become a burden to you.

 

Thanks, Gene.
I appreciate that.
Sounds like you've been in it up to your elbows for a long time. I have a great appreciation for that too.
I won't let you burden me.
When I'm finally in it up to my elbows, your work ethic will be an inspiration to me.

 

By the way.
This remains true, though.
It's not really a build thread until some stuff actually gets freakin' built.

 

I want to see it as a finished rolling chassis with that 440 and the drivetrain in place, all fresh and done.
That's when it's porn to me. When the body goes on it's a bit like she's getting dressed again....

 

Scrambling as in bleeding cash

Bust'em up Fix'em up I played that game in my thirties and forties. My opponent was the clock.
Serving same day deliveries in a very crowded area.
My bones and white cell blood count became the losers.

Still the best place on the net

 

It is the pre build thread...love seeing this stuff...old Mopars rock it for sure...
thanks for sharing on here.
MikeC

 

Love that back window

 

I like doing body work and painting is my favorite it's wire chasing that drives me freaking nuts!! I'm glad it's getting a Mopar engine too!

 

A few years back I came this close to buying a '33 Plymouth 2 door sedan it was maroon and black fenders gray tweed gut had a 350 cragars deep dish 8s on back deep 7s on front with wide whites very gangsta looking 16k but it kept stalling and my wife said it was bad juju so we past. It was a sweet looker though. I love the '33-'34 dodge trucks they are sharp.

 

I've got good news.

More medical shit. And Ryan is right, "This isn't a fitness forum". But it's absolutely pertinent cuz it's what's gonna allow me to build a hot rod...
or not. And it might help some of you.

Of course, the whole idea with me lately was to get my procedures done and recuperate. Get to feeling better and kick ass. Time's a-wasting!

You've heard me say, "Hey guys, I'm starting to feel better!" And at times, I was. And when I am feeling good, I'm a spry MF'er. But the truth is, sometimes I wasn't doing so good. I'm all for pushing through. Fuck the pain, do it anyway. Keep that good attitude! But man... I'd feel okay and I'd do a bunch of work. But it would totally kick my ass and I'd be down for a couple days moaning and groaning. The physical pain was tough. The mental stress made it worse, thinking I might not be able to take care of Judy and the animals like I need to and might not be able to build a hot rod after all.

Mentioned it to my VA doctor a couple times. She kinda laughed it off. "Well, you're getting older you know LOL."
Told my cardiologist. Nothing.
Finally mentioned it to my cardiologist's young female associate, Crystal. Told her, "I'm trying to be tough, but this is getting ridiculous." She said, Hmmm... it could be the Atorvastatin you're taking. Stop taking it for a week. See how you feel and get back with me. If you feel better, we'll prescribe a different medicine for you.

You guys! What a difference!!!
I still have aches and pains, but nothing like I did. Much much better. I brought in a bunch of firewood last night. Normally I'd be moaning and groaning this morning. But I'm fine.

Judy went to church this morning and I let her out the gate. I was showing her how much better I feel. She was laughing cuz I was skipping to the gate. Aggressively skipping.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!