I posted this in my intro thread and for those that don't go over there that much, I've linked it here: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=83243 I've always been curious about the bumpers on the car and where they might have come from. I also did a look over of the intake and didn't see any markings on it right off. I look forward to the day of getting it back on the road - I was the last one to drive it (actually just steer it) when I was about 12. I will keep it looking stock except for the drivetrain and center hump - a gorgeous design that doesn't need anything, IMO. The original color will sprayed on - Palm Beach Tan with a burgundy interior. I'd like to hear your thoughts!
I'm generally an advocate of cutting up stuff, but in this case I think it would almost be a shame to do any customizing. If you did do anything, just lower it, and if you felt up to it, just the basic kustom touches; nose, deck and shave. Nothing irreversible and don't get rid of anything. Leave the flatty in it because of the cool factor and the fact that it's been in there for so long it goes with the story of the car. Way cool ride
cant help you with bumper ID. if you can take better pics of the motor, i bet we can help ya... its a neat setup and you are doing good by keeping it in the car and using it. there is a stigma about flatheads being piles of over heating junk... anything will be an overheating pile if it isnt built correctly. you also shouldnt have a problem finding usable blocks for it... best judgement will keep you from never ending frustration.
welcome! i love Cords and that one has some great stories with it! so this duck and a goose were riding in a Cord, and the duck says...
I cant help you with the bumpers...but that is a Awesome car and story..I think you should drop it on the ground but nothing else major...oh yea and leave the flathead just cuz its cool...Jamie
Neat car! And it has a history and an interesting story. Too often we get cars which we know little of before the guy we bought it from. Keep the mods to a minimum and the cool factor will be "outta sight"!
Sweet ride, bumpers look kinda like a late thrities Chevy truck bumper, but I'm probably wrong on that account. Anyway, super cool, I'd freshen up the flatty and drive the snot out of it, super cool ride and story, post some closeups of the engine and bumper and I'm sure someone here can identify that bumper.
very cool car! wish i had a cord, growing up 10 miles from auburn indiana ive seen a bunch of them but never any for sale! (other than in the big labor day auction)
Come on Larry. Finish the 3 window. We don't want to hear any excuses about why you won't make Bonneville next year.
That would make a kick ass Westergard stlye tail dragger edit: hmm, "cool" emoticon came up as a red "X"
Thanks for the input! My folks saw an ad in the paper in the late 60's, knew what a Cord was, and went to take a look at it. It was in a REALLY BAD neighborhood in Chicago - they actually heard gunshots when they were there. Someone had already made an offer for it, but my Dad offered a little more, took it home, getting out of there quick. The guy was going to dirt track race it and, from what I gather, would have been the end of the car. My Dad did what little it needed to drive it(some hobnob wiring and window glass) and they drove it between Chicago and Hobart IN for several years before finally getting some other trans. I will get some better pics. Can't find the good engine shots I took in the past. From the duck/goose story, you'd think my folks were hippies, but they weren't Any idea of the timeframe for this swap? 40's/50's later? this car was the 232nd built (the first 100 were handbuilt), so I am guessing that in this early example, the motor/trans were kaput and/or trhey didn't know the tricks/mods to get the bugs out that they know today.
I think that's an awesome car, I wouldn't change a thing, just make it a cleaner version of what your dad is posing by in the sixties, flathead and all. However, if you still wanted to take it back to stock, I believe enjenjo on here either has or knows somebody with a stock Cord engine and drivetrain laying in the woods. I say leave it as it is, but as you said, make it look like a stocker that's had a hot rod engine swap, then take it to every ACD show you can find. "Yeah, I was gonna restore it, but nobody would give me a break on parts, so I junked all that stock crap."
don't change anything, it should be fast enough to cruise with and especially since it has some cool original speed parts on it. lower it. but i dont think that there is much to do the body as it is so clean and smooth. but it will look nice lowered.
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