Unchopping a chopped 57 Ford Ranchero windshield

That back restyle looks well worth the effort.

 

Effort I agree with... factory trim is the problem... send side view photos of a donor... or if someone pruduces a drip molding that could be formed to fit... I like the idea... I wouldn't have cut the roof off if I didn't have a way to put it back together and I'm not about to cut the rear without a viable solution

 

Back to the build... sometime you question decisions after the fact... this is one of them... I told Scott not to deal with straightening the end cap since it would save time to buy a repro...



when I went to pick up the repro I was disappointed... the lines weren't tight... the stamped radius didn't match the 100% since they molded an extention that replaced the overlapping joint and I know no one can see it when it done... but, I'll know... so we ended up with a modified repro that didn't save us anything... learned a lesson and the drivers side wasn't cut off

 

Another idea...

 

Yikes! Glad you like the idea, but I guess it does open up a can o' worms doesn't it. The only possible donor I can think of for that drip rail, etc., area might be the '58-'59 T-bird, which, I think, is more angular than the '59 Galaxie in that area, but may still not have a tight enough radius.

The drip rail on the '58-'59 'Birds (aqua car's a '59) meets the sail panel trim (shown in separate pic) where it effectively continues along the top of the trim, then down off the back edge of the trim piece. The '60's (white car) a little more normal, with a drip rail that continues all the way down to the belt line.

Wish I had the metal-working skills/knowledge to match the idea, but hope that helps, anyway.

 

58 - 60 Bird drip rail molding looks like it will do the trick!

 

where's the helper?

 

Leave it to you to remember THE HELPER, Thanks for reminding me Nads.

YEAH !!!! WHERE'S THE HELPER?????


BB

 

I think black would be an excellent choice for color. If you look at my profile, you'll note that I'm partial to black though. As long as your body panels are laser straight, go for it.

Your planning on this project is exceptional and the bodywork is outstanding........................Mike

 

not to many square birds in the junk yards around here... anyone know of one that might be a donor?

 

No more help for you until we get a helper/pointer-outer photo!

 

I might know somebody, how much of it do you want ?

 

Thanks Ian... I'll take some measurements today... we still need to work on converting this to a flying eyeball latch too... hopefully before Detroit Autorama

 

What we should have done on the other side... oh well

 

Barter time... get me the pieces and I'll have a twin on each side holding it up for a profile check

 

Flat Top Bob has a squarebird in his yard(I robbed the door inside stainless ) The rear body has been cut off, but the roof's still there.

 

yes not far from me i'll check it when the heat stops

how much of the edsel driprail will ya need too

 

Need some dimensions.
Is that chromed ?

 

Before you start cutting into parts cars...

Here's a couple quick P'shops with a Tbird roof section and, God forbid, a '64 El Camino. ROUGHLY to scale based on door handle size, but at least you can see the angle.

Hope this helps.

 

I'll counter offer.
I tell you where to get the part, and you hold up one twin for a profile check!

 

NOS Edsel (actual factory take off for a Amblewagon conversion)... cast a new "eyeball" center insert & attach "wings" off the raised center... I think pewter and chrome would make a nice contrast

 

Look at 64 - 65 T Bird drip rails, the corner is square on them. That would match the square (angled vs rounded rear corner) to the front of the door.....

 

What is the OD on the colored circle,
and overall length of the part ?

How do you want to attach it ?

Pewter gets heavy quickly.

 

a actual fake eyeball should be right size add wings to the surface of the latch

 

Yes, I jumped to fast... I need a matching contour drip rail... I have the 4 dr Wagon rear doors that would have the same angle just round the corner... worst case pight be a pick-up that has a radius at the end and add another straight section... still think new drip rail stock could be bent and made in one piece if a source is available... open to suggestions

 

Back to the rockers... I left out a step... we uses a spray undercoat on the inside of the rockers and the facing inner rocker prior to welding the assembly... knowing that some will be burnt away... but every little bit helps... we also drilled and placed a removable plug on the back of the rocker so it could be spray by an undercoating shop when done... yes, it is accessable from the bed floor

 

Thought I would include a couple back side shots... when everything is cleaned up the repairs will be hardly noticable

 

Thom, You are sure doing a fabulous job on this Kustom Ranchero ! It is going to be bad to the BONE !
What kind of mill/trans will you be using ? I was thinking Edsel 430 V-8 with some kind of O/D Auto Trans . . . . .

Dave

 

You would never guess that I have spare 312's too... but, a friend has a 390 with cross-bolt bosses that originally had multiple carbs... we agreed on value and one of these days I'm going to pick it up... did some checking and it could be a 406 but I won't know til I get it and run the numbers... easy machine work to make a cross-bolt out of it... big time overkill but with an AOD and 3-2's it would be a good cruiser... bottom line, I'm so burnt on this project someone else might get to make that decision - I could have been driving the wagon by now with 25% of the work... it was the near perfect ride and I tore it down for paint and it has sat since 91 needing an updated interior and side glass work... no one said I was smart

 

I'll take over ownership of the Ranchero, heck I'll even do it for free!

You need time for your wagon after all!