Projects 32 5W Build - The $4K Swapmeet Body / The Old Chrome Coupe

I believe while the coupe is out for paint he’s been re doing the front cross member on his 4 door.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/tech-dropping-a-deuce.733180/

the last page or two should get
You caught up

 

steering box and louvers look great

 

You see how the tips of the fenders where they come down to the frame horns are slightly different side to side? Fixed now.

You see how the ends of the headlight bar where they bolt to the fenders are slightly different side to side? Fixed now.

You see how the bottom of the grill shell where it drops over the inner fender flange is slightly different side to side? Fixed now.

You see how the tips of the hood latches contact the hood sides? Fixed now.

You see how the cowl vent gap is slightly off? Fixed now.

You see how the rows of louvers in the hood tops slightly bow down in the middle? Fixed now.

You see how the hood gaps are slightly off front and rear? Fixed now.

You see gap above the spreader bar ends on the frame horn covers? Fixed now.

You see the dimples on the under sides of the running boards? Fixed now.









I think you get the idea. My buddy who is doing the paint work is going above and beyond...but it's gonna take a while.

 

Good to know when you hand a car off that he’s just as crazy as you are lol.

 

And @31chevymike gets the award for most consecutive likes in one thread. I think he has liked all 320 of my posts in this thread in the past couple of days!



Did you get through all 40 pages yet, Mike? I'm glad you are enjoying the build thread! Makes it seem worthwhile posting all the updates over the last few years.

 

But the thing is, when I started this project it was going to be a rough and dirty hot rod. The chop, bobbed rear fenders, hood louvers, and chrome chassis were all in the plan, but paint was going to be aged lacquer or single stage enamel. I wanted a worn looking 50's hot rod. Now it's gonna be a crisp, shiny (might I say "over-restored") 50's show car. Not a bad thing, just not what I had originally envisioned with this build. I'm not quite sure what happened along the way...but I know projects sometimes do spin out of control. And I've never been a car show kinda guy...I'm a rusty parts swap meet kinda guy. The painter tells me I just need to put it in my living room when it's done...

 

@31chevymike is a hero! And... he's addicted to the HAMB!

 

I have always said that 32 5 windows look the best fenderless. This car makes me realize that I dont know anything! This is a beautiful car!

 

I think this build had already 'spun out of control' long before it went to body and paint. Very nice!
Let's see how long it takes 31chevymike to like my latest post.

 

I've got three!

 

I know a Great Carpenter who likes making giant glass filled doors........

 

How long will the car be in paint prison?

 

You're describing my car, kinda, but 60s.

I'm glad you are going all out. You and your people are creating a legendary 32.

 

Until it's done...

 

I sure did Neal! You cracked me up for at least a half minute and certainly kept my smile, figuring it was all worth it to witness such an incredible build... Since I saved some of the great photos of your '32 body in bare steel, now I need to ask some local hot rodders in my neighborhood what types of sanding discs and techniques I need to get my '31 body with the same, clean look... Could not thank you enough for the inspiration, sir! Like everyone else here, cannot wait till see some color on your five window!!

 

I can tell you what I used.

I started with 80 grit on 6" and 2" DA sanders to get the paint off and down to mostly bare metal. I then used 2" Roloc 3M surface conditioning discs to get in the tight spots and clean paint out of any old grinder marks or rust pits.

I then went back with 320 grit on a DA to even things up, then followed by 320 Sandnet discs on a Makita orbital, then finished with red Scotchbrite on the same Makita 18v orbital.

Be patient, as you aren't going to get that finish in an afternoon. It took days/weeks/months to get the finish my 5W had when I took it to GNRS.

 

How do you maintain that finish?

 

Keep wiping down with Gibbs like products (I use Aervoe All-4) and touch up with scotch-brite on an orbital sander as needed. The car stayed pretty good from the time I took it to the Roc last October up to when it went to GNRS in Jan. It still looks good in bare metal at the paint shop, but will hopefully get in primer before winter.

 

Thanks.

It is definitely one of the most gorgeous hot rods out there.

 

Does your paint guy have any reservations about primer reacting to the gibbs like product that you used? It seems difficult to insure removal from every little crack and crevice.

 

Everything is getting completely disassembled, washed with wax and grease remover, then all body lines, seams, etc are being spot blasted to ensure they are clean.

 

The sole reason that the body on my '31 looks so crappy is that when I towed my bare steel hot rod on an open trailer from Boynton Beach, Fl to Mesa here in AZ, unfortunately running into heavy rain from Louisiana thru Texas, resulting in 100% surface rust to major disappointment. 2025 is my 30th anniversary of ownership and would be extremely happy to present her in 2026 (target for street duty after 19 years being off the road) with a super clean body surface similar to your '32 - appreciate your technique info greatly Neal!

 

Neal, I think your coupe will be the definition of “mission creep”.