We all have a story to tell as to how we became the hot rodder we are today. I am sure my story is mild, if not boring, compared to many of you guys that have been doing this for longer than I've been alive but without the ups and downs it wouldn't be fun. My good friend always says if building was easy then everyone would do it. The vehicle that hooked me for life was a '76 CJ7. I was 17 and it was a piece of junk. But it had a v8 and side pipes. So my parents reluctantly gave me the difference between his asking price and what I had squirreled away. With new brakes, linkages, and a few afternoons it was ok enough for me to learn to drive a straight shift on. I gradually made improvements here and there and I will never forget the fun of that jeep in high school during the summer. Running out of gas, clutch linkage falling off, exhaust coming loose and countless others were just par for the course. Driving around with a lot full of friends utilizing the PA on the CB to plead our case to the girls was just some of the stories. My first car to be considered ok to discuss on here was a 27 t-coupe. Well to be honest 3 bodies but the definition of car is different to me than say my wife (that's another story). I bought parts, researched, mocked stuff up, searched and found doors but realized that I have no idea what I am doing or where to begin. So a trade happened and I ended up with a '29 A model. More parts were bought, ok lots and lots of parts were bought. I had a 364 nailhead and a manual trans for it. My wife and I even drove to Kansas for parts. So here I was sitting in my shop with a '29 body and a pile of parts with a decision to make. My jeep sitting on the left, the A model on the right and a baby on the way. My jeep had the battle scars of any old jeep, body work falling out, rust and flat tires. Now the usual need to sell for money wasn't the deal. It was holy **** I cant get all this done so I need to pick one and sell the distraction. So the A model and the parts made a exodus. The jeep took 8 months to get its latest makeover. I learned how to install panels, do body work, paint and others but the main thing I learned is how to finish a project. After failing on the T model, A model, A model truck, 3 fox mustangs and a couple others the goal of completing was obtained. Fast forward to a couple weeks ago. A coworker and friend that many of the parts and knowledge came from in the past offered to sell me his 401 nailhead. Over the last couple years I had purged many of remaining parts, only the stuff "cool to hang up" had remained but I most missed my vintage engines, especially my 364 so I picked up the engine. I dropped the engine in the shop and all those feelings of vintage hot rods I had buried below mud tires and mustangs bubbled up. I realized, ****, I have the bug again. I spent the evening looking at old saved pics, viewing the HAMB and looking at Ebay. Talk began to stir and thoughts of rust and white walls danced in the air as my friend priced me his project of many years. His '31 Plymouth. The conversation from better than a decade ago on the jeep went a little easier with Dad this round. This time he wanted it as much as me and asked how much you need? So here we are once again. Project in the shop closer than ever before but its different this time. I could say since its closer and I have more knowledge and tools these will be the reasons this one gets finished but it would be a lie. The true answer is because it's not a fad, it's not a phase, it's part of who I am. I've figured out I'm a hot rodder. Just as important I have true friends to keep me motivated, keep me going and help whenever I need it. And boy will I need it. I have friends who say things like this: "If building was easy then everyone would do it" "I would have thrown that jeep tub in the trash but you fixed it" "I can do crazy **** with a few beers" "You're going to make a career out of this project" "Darn right, I'm crazy" I'll need the HAMB too. Without you guys I wont figure out how to rebuild carbs, find out what fits and how to make that do this. For anyone still reading here is a short list on the car: '31 Plymouth 2-door sedan Boxed '31 frame '40 Ford front '55 Ford rear w/ triangulated 4-bar '55 Studebaker 224 w/ 2x2 edmunds 3 speed manual w/ OD Here is an old thread with more detail: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/my-31-plymouths-progress.7814/ Here are a few pics: I have some things to finish before I get eye ball deep in this but it wont be long. More updates and pics soon. Dempsey
WOW! Very cool. Something different, more "traditional" than most of the traditional cookie cutters. No rules, not trying to imitate something else. A real Hot Rod!
Thanks for the comments. I like the direction the car. Have to decide on seats and dash but I have some options. I love white walls so pondering those for the car. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Sweet. I haven't found many plymouth's in my search for info. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
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