Bought a really bad project- so now what?

The rear is definitely borderline criminal... springs held in with muffler clamps, upperlink bolted thru the floorpan and lower links held in place with one thru-bolt.. not much frame damage there.

The front suspension can probably be knocked off with a 1/2# ballpeen once the the bolts are removed. I think I would consider removing the carnage and re-install some decent swapmeet pieces.... probably would be cheaper than taking the hit trying to sell it.

 

Looking a little closer at the pics and the frame appears to be OK, as do the floors, front cross member is still intact, could be changed to a straight axle fairly easy.

Rear shouldn't be a problem either, still lotsa work though.

But as others have pointed out, if the bottom of the car is cobbled, what about the top? and the wiring.

 

It would be fairly simple to fix the BS that the guy bolted to the frame,ect. Like I said before,you own it,why not make lemonade? You might even enjoy it while learning something. 1/2 the fun of owning is building and it would not take much to fix it. Use other guys take off parts which there are plenty of. You are not making a race car or show car. you want a decent driver that is safe. I am thinking for at most a couple of grand and time/hours,you will have a car that will be priceless in terms of memories,ect. Just my opinion but that was my 1st reaction when i saw the pics. there is nothing done to it that is not easily reversible. Not sure about the Aerostar engine and a new wire harness from Glenn here on the HAMB is about $150. Easier than you think,nothing overwhelming here even for one with not alot of experience.

 

Front suspension...

 

My advise would be to get rid of it. If you think the only problem is the chassis you need to look again. How about the wiring, fuel line and many other things they could have F-d up scabbing this together. With the looks of the chassis they had little skill level just enough to be dangerous and I'm betting that is what you'll find with the rest of the car.

 

yeah, be glad that dumbass didnt know how to weld at all...all that stuff can probably knocked off with a hammer, and the rest with a wrench. hellonwheels is right on about that chassis being workable and strong. pull the body get rid of all that crap on the original chassis. put a stock style front axle and an 8'' ford rear in it ,and drive it. it looks bad, but you can do most of this yourself. that is a very good starter project for you and your daughter. even if it take until the next summer it will be worth it. thats is a cool car when done in a traditional style. the builder watched to much monster garage, and had grand illusions that he's a fabricator. what an asshat.

 

To me that looks like a great project for you and your daughter.the body looks real solid as does the frame.If you have a guarge at you house ,you should tackle this yourself.shop rates will kill you.every bit of instruction you need is right here on the hamb.1934 fords will always be worth good money!You will be susprised how easy it is to lift that body of the frame.Do a search on here for help.If you are doing father daughter project,drag that thing home and start getting dirty togather.It makes no sence paying a shop for stuff you can do with your kid and learn as you go.A harbour freight mini grinder and jip cuts (And lots of GOOD safety gear) and you can cut all that junk off the frame in no time.You have a real diamond i the RUFF there ,GO for it.I do not think that you went to far wrong if you end up with a good 34 body and frame for $8000 + YOUR LABOUR(free)

 

Yeah I agree with the idea of a straight across trade for a 50's cruiser...if I had something to trade you with i'd be down even! Not as huge of a money pit as you seem to think. Maybe take a deep breath and a few steps back, it'll clear your head and help a lot I think.

Btw, count your blessings you're alive after that 10 mile drive!!!!!

 

take it back. your in over your head on trying to build it right. take it back, get your money back and find a car that is safe. try the hamb classifieds, lots of good cars and honest people that will help you find what you are looking for.

 

Just sell it ,Its over your head ,It happens ,Shame the other guy flat out lied .Try to recoop your buying price ..

 

I agree with everyone that has said that it will make a great project for you and your daughter. Don't get discouraged! I WISH I had a '34 Ford!

 

I agree with the guys who say pull the body and install an I beam front end and an 8". If you can't do that yourself find someone who can - don't get sucked into Mustang II, airbags etc etc. Rewiring is easy for you to do and cheap and you can certainly run fuel and brake lines. You should be able to do the thing for your budget of $4k if you keep it simple and seek out bargains. See if you can hook up with a HAMB mentor locally. Doesn't have to have a V8 even - buy a wrecked Miata. Great engine and transmission in that for an economical but lively first rod for your daughter. Can be swapped for a V8 later.

The key thing in making a decision on this is - what's the body like?? If it's a heap of bondo under the paint job then maybe you need to go down the legal route - although I have a feeling this guy will tell the courts that this was sold as a mock up only.....

 

Thanks, folks! Oh yeah, my guardian angel was working overtime on that drive home- and when I put it on a 2 wheel car dolly to haul it to the next shop (should've used full car trailer, now that I see that rear- lucky nothing collapsed on me). Good to hear the frame can be used.

I appreciate everyone's advice. I've got several grinders, a 220 stick welder and a 110AC mig welder- I've done some fab work, but nothing that's "life critical" like suspension. I'll have to do some more reading- getting the body off doesn't look too hard, welding up suspension mounts and fittings right will be more of a challenge for me. And y'all are right, the wiring for sure is junk (this guy is a commercial electrician but he used orange extension cord wiring to run back to taillights and maybe the fuel pump)- so I was already looking at doing a Painless wiring kit or similar. I'll check some places for stock axles and suspension. Man, I owe y'all some serious cold beer! now, just have to hope that I can sandblast or similar to the frame and underbody and don't find too many flaws in the body....

 

As King of the Bonehead Project Purchase Club, I feel your frustration. Took a 1200 mile trip to purchase a 55 chevy for $8500. Once I got it back home and pulled apart I could see nothing but rust and bondo... Its fixable, but not within my budget...So its sits in my driveway...

If you can afford to just let it sit, and do one thing at a time as the $ permits, then it may not be a total disaster. I have seen bigger clusterfs....And you will have a finished car that you know is right....

If you need the cash now then go with the camp that says cut your losses and sell it. But since few people are willing to part with their money these days, you may have to wait to get a decent price for it if the economy ever turns around...

And While I am ranting, the sorry-a$$ed people who sell cars that are not what the say they are are no better than the thieves who steal outright....

 

If you can tack critical parts together you can then take them to a certified welder to get them done properly - or better yet book him to come to you for a day and do it all.

Just looking at a replacement front axle for you - over in The HAMB classifieds there's a complete 37 Ford axle for $250 - all ready to have F1 juice brakes or discs fitted.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=500622&highlight=complete+axle

 

WOW!!! its been a while since I have seen work that bad! Glad no one was injured behind the wheel of that. Its all fixable for sure, hopefully there is more people near you that can help mentor this project!

 

Problem is going to be most who look at it will either run, or go so low you might have to keep it or loose BIG

 

You can do this. The frame looksgood. put the car up on jack stands,remove all junk this guy installed wihtout hurting the 34 frame. Look at what Pete&Jakes has for this car.They give you instruction on how to install everything.You have a lot experience people on the hamb that will walk you though this. Joe

 

What a mess. I'd like to see who built that car to see if they are as f-ed up looking as there work. That frame could be rebuilt if you find some one with the right pieces or can fab them for you. Get a blueprint of the frame and start from there after ripping all that crap out. Or sell if you don't feel up to it. 34's bring good money if the body isn't hacked also.

 

I have never seen anything like that in 30+ years of car building. Can't believe the rear end didn't rip right out.

 

As a newby who has never built a car I probably shouldn't be chiming in but I will anyway. This is essentially a combination of the suggestions above. I suggest:
1. Try to to return the car and get your money back using the various ideas presented already. The chances of this being successful are probably close to zero but you might get lucky.
2. Keep the engine/trans in the car and advertise them for sale. This way you can demonstrate that it runs to maximize your selling price before removing.
3. Build a simple rolling cart to support the car then remove all of the crappy stuff.
4. Once it's back to being a body on a frame, evaluate what you have. At this point you can A) offer it for sale/trade and be able to sleep knowing that nobody's going to die from the PO's mods, or B) keep it and have a nice starting point for a well-built rod.
There's a old saying among purchasers of collectibles in your situation: I didn't pay too much, I just bought it too soon.
Good luck!

 

I am with hellonwheels rip the front end off take the rear end off . I mean really what is holding that thing on boltS it i had that in my garage I would have it down in a hour then get a correct rear end and straight axle up front and away i go!!!!! Knuck from indiana.

 

OR...go back to the guy(or an Attorney)...with the pictures and comments from reputable builders..and demand your money back...d32

 

pull it apart and fix it. dont sell it or its your ass when somebody dies driving it!

 

It's all fixable. I don't know what your skills are, so you'll have to decide what you can do vs what needs to be farmed out. The best picture by far is this one, with the "warning" sign.....

 

First off, the guy who "put this car together", and I use that term LOOSELY, outta be held accountable for this shit! Pardon my language, but that's fucking bullshit and it's gonna get someone killed. If he thinks he can get away with this kind of crap, sooner or later, he's gonna off some other pile of dangerous on someone who won't be as lucky as you have or have the curiosity to even check.

As far as fixing it, I'm with Hellonwheels here. Early fords are pretty simple machines and relatively easy to build. And don't fall into the common lie that you need to clip the frame to have a nice riding, well handling car. With some elbow-grease, good planning, patience, and a little luck you'll have a nice, safe chassis for WELL under 10k. This site is chock full of great info, parts resources, and talented folks who are more than willing to help when you need it. Good luck!

 

Take all the crap off the frame looks like it may still be usable..the front and rear cross members are still there so you should be able to throw an original styled front end on that crossmember and fix that rear end...ie correct brackets and what not.I just dont see you getting back the dough in that shape.

 

The part I can't believe is that this thing actually drove anywhere!!!!



Those welds are hideous. I wouldn't use a wheelbarrow if it had welds like that on it.


All that aside ... if the frame is still good then I'd remove all that crap that has been bolted, welded, taped, or glued to it and install a parallel leaf kit in the rear and go with a Mustang II front crossmember kit (made for a 33-34) and install factory Mustang II parts (spindles, arms, brakes to keep the cost down) and get that thing back on the road. I have never EVER seen welds that bad PERIOD.


Live and learn I guess. Anywho, parallel leafs are an easy install and so is the Mustang front crossmember. From the pics, the frame "looks" OK still.


Best of luck. I can't see how selling it could be an option, there is just way too much wrong with this thing.

 

Is the rear cross member still in it?

 

Yep, I'd be looking to go back to a straight front axle with a quickness. Do a rear as well and if you still feel that you want another car you can probably come out even at that point. You can do it. I'd rather see someone apprehensive about it tackle that job than someone who thinks they know it all. You'll do ok and there are plenty here to point you in the right direction. Get it in the garage and put her up on jackstands, pull off the front sheetmetal and start there...