Needed this like a hole in the head-my new old car

Well my brother called me at work, because he knows that I am looking for a flathead for my model a tudor. He said that there is a 49' ford moredoor that just showed up on craigslist for cheap, complete with flathead. He went & looked at it, called me and said it was real solid & pretty much all there, so I bought it. In my area you NEVER see any old cars around at all. I figured even if the flathead is frozen, I can hang on to it for a mock up block to build the frame with for the sedan til I found a good block, and then use the dash to narrow for the model a.

Well, I got off of work, and the guy could even tow it to my shop for me-cool! So I rushed over there, paid him his $500, and started checking it out. Hmmm, it looked really solid....too nice to part out.....
Minor rust in the lower fenders & rockers, very complete car. No rust in weird places(around windows, drip rails, seams, etc.)

Then I start thinking that this is maybe a cool future project after I finish the rpu. So me & my brother & dad spent a few hours cleaning it up & it starting growing on me-I like it! And it is in really decent shape. So I am excited. Yeah, it's a four door, but I could maybe change that with a little work and put tudor doors on it and do a little 4-to-2 door switcheroo, chop it, and build a relatively cheap mild custom to drive & have fun with. It would be a great learning experience, as I have never built a custom. And it can sit there while I finish my rpu and I can think about what I want to do with it-no harm done. I have lots to learn about this, it's a totally different ballgame than hot rods, but I am excited to learn.

Here's a pic of it sitting in its new happy home, any advice/input is welcome!
Dan

 

Hell it's already a custom, trim rings on the wheels and no hood.

 

If it were mine, I'd start on something like this, in a MINUTE!
http://public.fotki.com/Rikster/11_car_photos/beautiful_custom_cars/joe_bailon/sectioned_50_ford/
http://www.carnut.com/cgi-bin/05/mopar.pl?/show/05/skat/kat297.jpg

 

i would too if i had talent and tools

 

sweet, keep usw informed on the build as it progresses

 

I think you're right on the money converting it to a 2dr., that sounds like a neat project and the body looks real clean.

Are you keeping it flathead powered?

 

HAHAHA!! ****er.


It's a disease, and you've got it.

 

"what's another hole anyway."

 

Looks real good, especially for the price. Stainless trim appears decent. Ought to be
fun to work on later.

 

Man awesome deal. I would keep that flatty in there. have fun with it since ya got it so cheap.

 

Nice ride man! Not sure about the purple frame on the A though.

 

WHY convert it to a two door...??? JThat just ends up being a lot more work than you realize...Just take the door handles off and no one can tell...body looks too solid to cut it up...take off the emblems/handles, slam it, primer it, start it, toss on some ww's and you've got a cruiser...

R-

 

So, is the motor frozen ??

 

except for people with eyes. If you buy a 4dr why try and hide it. If you want a 2dr save a little longer and buy a 2 dr. But its still a great score for the money.

 

KOOL
clean the tank, check the brakes, get it runnin, get 4 people in there & go tour around. -----

 

I dont think shaving 4 doors is denial. Ya shave 2 doors also. The case is just that four happen to stand to gain a lot more from it. Both cases motivated by the concept of flow and bull****, Not "hiding" the doors.

 

Looks like you got a deal for $500 delivered wtf. Get it road worthy and use it as your parts gatherer. LOL

 

did you get it turning over does it run . Id drive that if i had it good luck

 

Thats freaking crazy-thanks for the link

I have some tools, it's that talent thing I gotta work on. Actually common sense is what I really need

Good question. I really don't want this project to be a major investment. I really just want to make it cool & dependable. A 2-door conversion could be done-not that it HAS to be a 2-door to be cool.....but it would help a ton

I have a sickness that forces me to convert 4-doors into 2-doors.
BEFORE:


SOMEWHAT AFTER:


At least this would keep me consistent.......

Yep I'm pretty much screwed

Yeah, it is all there, the trim that was off of the car was in the trunk

Haha. The purple photographs funny. It is darker than it looks

Yeah, it would be a little work. It could be done pretty well if you were careful, especially if you were gonna chop it. Heres a cool 4-door I found on the hamb:


But, I REALLY like some of these I found hardtopped too:






Lots of options.....

I haven't had time to mess with it, but I think it is..

I definitely could not p*** it up for the $$





Feel free to post up any picture for inspiration. I have been saving a ton here for future insiration

 

You would be better off hardtopping it if you were to go nuts with it, but I did also see someone make a roadster out of a 4 dr. I guess later if you wanted you could carson top it. The thing about the Fords is the difference is not as severe between 2 dr and 4 dr as with the Mercury. The Merc bodyline is a dead giveaway of if it was a 4 or 2 dr, not so much with these.

 

LOL i couldnt get past the purple to even see the 4 door

 

good job!id build it thats sweet-four doors!2 sets of vent windows!
gotta love it,man.
Troy

 

Dodgerodder by the looks of that organized shop & that nice roadster pickup i believe you can do anything you want!!

 

suicide the rear doors, make a limo out of it.

 

Yeah, that's kind of why I was thinking of hardtopping it, it might be a little easier than forming a nice rear quarter window. But really forming a quarter window wouldn't be so bad either.

I have seen a couple that looked nice with carson tops too. I just don't really want to deal with stiffening up everything from cutting the roof of though. I think that a fairly convincing 2 door conversion could be done though, especially being chopped. I wonder how hard it will be to find a pair of 2-door doors

Here's a couple hardtop pics I found too

 

Thanks man, now if I can just convince myself of that...............

 

good deal! Just get it running and go mild custom, and just cruise it or let your wife/girlfriend drive it..

 

I have an old '50's magazine (no scanner) with a nicely sectioned,
unchopped Shoebox Fordor. It would seem easier than the chop on this model, with great results.