Featured Projects Fun Project or Nightmare? Fixing a 46 Ford

Hi all, hoping to get some advice on a 46 Ford Deluxe I purchased at auction. Appears to have had a heavy object crunch the rear end, wondering if it's worth fixing or swap parts over to a shell sitting somewhere in a field? Also if you have a body sitting in a field somewhere let me know. Or if you've ever repaired something like this let me know ow how you'd go about doing it. Best wishes, prayers, advice much appreciated.

 

I usually find they start out as a fun project and slowly turn into a nightmare much like some of the women I used to date... but ahhh that's another story...

...

 

Good call, I am in Central Texas

 

Y’all gonna need a body hammer bro.

 

Car was probably inexpensive enough that you can play and make mistakes on it while you get it back in to shape, and hone your skills.
You'll be surprised what bottle jacks, wooden posts and some hammer work will accomplish.

 

As Algoma said, what does it hurt to try moving that metal back? It looks like the trunk lid is good and it's amazing that the rear side window survived. Deconstruct enough to see all the inner structure damage, that should tell you, fix or replace. Fat fenders are still relatively cheap, so keep that in mind.

 

maybe make into a pick up truck

 

Looks like a candidate for a tudor/coupe conversion, or Carson type top. In the mean time nothing ventured nothing gained, if you have a farmer friend, ag tractors are a good source of hydraulic power to pull out body panels.

 

That could be saved. It's beyond my skill level, but it could be saved.

 

Id either make it into a Ranchero / El Camino type of pickup, or cut it at the windshield posts and replace the back with a coupe or 2 dr body section. Why waste your time on trying to fix a 4 dr, unless you like a challenge, or want to learn how to do bodywork.

 

I have a fair idea of what @John Lee Williamson would say

 

A couple of questions that will help with the advice on this car-

Are you a welder/fabricator or have experience in these fields?

Can you do body work?

Many have suggested a Tudor/coupe conversion which is a good idea but still requires some major welding, fabricating, metal working skills.

Like the Carson Top convertible, but this does require fabrication or wood working skills depending on how the roof frame in build, as will also require upholstery.


Photo from Custom Car Chronicle-


Photo from Google-


Photo from the H.A.M.B.

 

If you could find a sedan delivery body shell ( single back door) and the back door, and graft it on, they use the same front doors and front sheet metal

later kb

 

as Jalopy Joker said, thats a 'cars made into pick up trucks' project right there

 

Looks like a perfect project to convert into a Ute .

 

Unfortunately, the main part needed for the pickup/ute transformation is the part that needs the most work. There is no Easy way out, but if it were Easy....................! How about a fat fendered phaeton? Giant Carson type top, rear area tonneau, you know more Easy stuff!

 

There are a few here on the hamb that could straighten that out...probably for those that graduated from the advance class but I think it can be done.

 

I like to do sheetmetal work and have done quite a few major rebuilding projects. I personally would not even bother trying to straighten that, it's too far gone. It's stretched, cracked, it'll take hundreds of hours to work it back into shape.

If you like it as a 4 door, find a donor section, I suggest everything from the rear door back. You can reuse your fenders, trunk lid and floor. Won't be expensive and could be completed in a week.

Or, if you'd rather have a Tudor or coupe anyway, find a donor shell, you can still reuse your floor and fenders. Honestly, it won't take any longer, since if you find a good donor you could splice at the windshield pillars instead of the roof skin.

If this was a Ferrari or a Tucker or something, I might suggest trying to straighten it. It's not impossible, but it's way more work than it's worth.

 

Agree with pretty much all the comments...if it was a '32-34 coupe (either 3 or 5 window) or roadster, I'd say it would be worth the time and effort to repair the damage. But, as a 46-48 mordoor, it seems to be a good candidate for a body swap...like how about this $3500 convertible...

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1947-ford-super-deluxe-convertible-project.1330338/

 

Here's a coupe body in TX and they also have a 2 door sedan and woody listed
later kb

(20+) Marketplace - 1947 Ford coupe car | Facebook

(20+) Marketplace - 1946 Ford sedan car | Facebook

 

I don't have a clue as to the location of Central Texas but a Hamber by the name of Flat Top Bob has a 100 acre salvage yard in Wellington,Texas may be able to help with parts or another body.

Give him a call, he has helped me out with parts many times. HRP

800-798-2581 -- flattopbob32@gmail.com
806-447-2581
3725 us hwy 83 s
wellington texas 79095

 

I think you can repair the body, I am not a bodyman but I pushed the windshield/drivers door area and drivers side top back in shape after my daughters explorer was rolled, I did a pretty good job for having zero experience with this type of work.

All it takes is a porta power kit and some trial and error, I was able to get the car to the point of body work in a weekend. HRP

 

I'm considering it, having a wooden bed with period bed sides does sound pretty interesting. Wonder if it's been done before.

 

I agree with HRP. Great place to learn metal working skills. What do you have to lose?

 

I stripped this 48 Mercury back in the spring. You can see just above the rear fender where I sliced the roof off. I gave it to a buddy of mine, and I'm certain he would sell it or trade it off. It is complete with rear glass and quarter glass. We are in southwest Arkansas. I also know where a couple of other 46-48 Ford and Merc sedan parts cars are.

 

I’d fix that top. At least make an honest attempt

it’s just metal.

people fixed crap like that back in the day

 

I’d be looking for a convertible body.

 

I'm thinking station wagon.

 

I'm with the crowd that says "Give it a shot, you have nothing to loose except the time spent, and you will gain a bunch of real life experience."
Then, if all else fails, the body swap is still an option. Going that route, unless you really like the 4 door version, I would exchange the old body shell for a coupe or 2 door version. You have a lot of options!