Featured Projects Fun Project or Nightmare? Fixing a 46 Ford

Check out this thread. There is one in the first post.
It probably wouldn't be too difficult if you used the back of a 1948-52 Ford f-1 thru F5 cab.
Customs - Cars made into Pick-ups | The H.A.M.B.

 

I greatly appreciate the lead, I am probably going to try and buff out the damages, but if I am unable I'll be reaching out!

 

Thank yall so much for all the insights and laughs, so helpful all the same. Excited to take delivery next week and will get out my tools, I do have the hydraulic kit and a few winches and hammers, we will see what happens.

The ute conversion is definitely more appealing after seeing so many examples. Not sure how it'd look if I kept it a 4door with a super short bed.

 

^^^^
That is cool!
But it is a bigger commitment than repairing what you have

 

Excited to see this. Here is a 48 i just picked up

 

1946 Ford Sedan artwork.

Hello,

One of my future Friday Art projects was to do a custom 46 Ford Sedan into a full lowered custom with flames and/or scallops. New wheels, tires, as low to the ground as possible and a new color to contrast with the flames/scallops. It got as far as the completed 46 Ford Two Door Sedan. The stock rims with small hubcaps was the look. Black as night for a base color.

But, I got distracted and moved on to other drag roadsters and custom surf wagons. So, the 46 ford sedan just got pushed to the back of the files and was almost forgotten.

A custom 46 Ford Suburban style wagon got the attention from modifying a 46 Ford Coupe. I just can’t seem to get the 46 Ford Coupe to look right, proportionally. So, I added a set of windows from what a station wagon would have as a two door model. One of the choices was a chopped version. But, in real road trips, long distance vacations on the road does not call for a chopped hot rod.

In any version, car, truck or station wagon. Yes, everything would fit inside, but if we are thinking about two old folks inside going on a 1000 mile camping road trip, well that chopped top would “do us in…” so, the top stayed full size with a great view all around.

Jnaki

Then all of the 1946 Ford Hot Rod Art got shelved as I started into custom station wagons and other more appealing builds. Plus, they were a little easier to get the proportions right.

But, in that list of “shelved 46 Ford hot rod art,” was a truck that I started the station wagon model as a base and drew the rest of the windows and rear lift gate.
I had to extend and alter the roof line to make it more proportional to the overall body style. Parallel lines of the cab and the tail gate make it design worthy.

Then, I recently, read your post about a crushed 46 Ford Sedan made into …what???

An often passed on design, but practical from an El Camino based car stand point. A comfortable coupe/sedan modified into a custom flatbed truck for all purposes. Heavy duty shocks, perhaps "air shocks" or stronger suspension for the loads. Plus an SBC motor for power, as the loads would strain a stock flathead motor. YRMV

 

But keep the 46 nose

 

At first glance my thought was "that's junk" (for most people). However, at a deeper look there's no harm in trying. If you have a porta power, big hammer, grinder, and a welder, remove the rear windows and get to work and see what you can do. It will be a good learning experience either way.

I know you put your location in this thread, but update your profile with your location. You never know if someone nearby might be willing to give you a hand.

 

Looks like a great candidate for a chopped top

 

I think that's a viable candidate for PDR type repair

 

OK, I'll bite, what's a PDR repair?

 

Paintless dent removal. I was being sarcastic.

 

Another option if money is easier than time and expertise.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1956-chevy-carryall-new-wood-body.1332568/

 

looking again, the pickup/Elcamino conversion would be the easiest, probably. The hardest part of that would be getting the rear of the cab conversion to look right.
Looks like you could cut the crunched part off just above the chrome trim piece and use the trunk lid as a tail gate. Then build the inner bed sides and the back of the cab. Could be a standard 2 door cab, or it could be "the first experimental 4 door Ford truck conversion" that Ford ever built...

 

For an inspiration (Or avoidance) you can check out Flower Cars. There's a thread here, but all the pics are gone.
They are like hearses, coachbuilt professional cars.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1264014328646867

 

Cleaned out the tree and glass, started doing 30 minutes of "work" with a hammer and hydraulic ram. I can at least open the rear door now.

Before:


After:


May not look like much, but I am happy with the progress, here at Somethin Ain't Right Auto Body. Lots more to do, lots to learn. Thanks for the advice and ideas.

 

Getter done
That’s how they did it before
And would use less than a half stick of lead

 

You have a good start on straightening!

 

Looks like a good start! Keep at it!

 

That can be brought back into shape. You're on the right path and progress looks good. You can do this!

 

Even if you end up grafting a roof section in there (which I still think will be easier/more realistic), this is still a good idea to do first. Gotta get the door gaps right and things shifted into position before you start cutting, because cutting out the damaged area doesn't necessarily relieve the stresses on the metal and shift everything back into position.

 

I'd push it out some more. Check door gaps on both sides of the car. Get the trunk lid to open, close and latch.

There will likely still be stresses you'll find once the damaged area gets cut loose. It may pay to tack in some braces across the back of the car.

 

Looks like you can start playing with fire heat it up and hammer away it would be nice to have a guide from another car though. As for the paintless comment I get people coming to me all the time with stuff like that on late model cars and tucks no shit can't make it up.

 

Man your update pics look pretty good to me, damn nice improvement. My first thought was the juice isn't worth the squeeze, but you're making me a believer.... Keep Goin!

 

Being a shop owner most of my life I wouldn't be afraid of doing total repair as is. Best part is nobody has been after it with a Ballpeen or block of wood. Second Best is the deck lid looks undamaged at all, good for test fit as things come back in place. My opinion is no torch work needed at this time. Get a good read as to how it folded up. Rule 1 is first in last out. Even the drip rail will come back in line for you. Body graph, not in my book. At least not yet. What I see as a little challenge is the back window opening. Those kinks will test you unless you remove the inside channel at its spot welds and set it aside. That will let the roof skin come back around on its own. Double panels don't work well. Nothing I see needs to be cut or heated, just separate any inside double braces and work the Body skin alone then fit the deck lid. Once you like the gaps refit the inner braces and plug weld the spot welds back in place. This is a good learning experience but for a farm out shop job probably not a good place to spend your $$$$. I'll be watching.

 

Lookin good so far.