So I was able to get the front Cowell and the two doors to a 1931 Cadillac lasalle from a guy I helped do some work for on his farm. He said it was his grandfather's car and that him and his brother hid what they could of the car during wwII. It had no wood left in it and he had sanded off most of the paint but it still looked great to me and I was happy to have it. Now it has been with me for about a year and I decided to make it into a truck of sorts. I have completed a wood buck and wrapped it in paper to get an idea of what it will look like and I have started the metal work . I will post pics of that soon. Now I had to decide on what engine to put in this car that I have dreamed up was thinking of a 383 stroker but soon found a pic of a 346 flathead and decided that was it I needed one. I had just joined the hamb and by chance was looking for a 346 flathead and came across a member by the name of oldwood he had a complete engine and transmission that came out of a 1948 and it was running so I bought it. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Sorry I didn't finish my post about the 346 flathead. I have been in contact with fiftyv8 about this engine and he has been giving my so much information and I want to thank him for all that he has done for me thus far. I am going to run this engine stock for a year or so to save the money for a rebuild. But I do plan on making lake headers for it redo all the seals look at the ideal gear and replace it better to be safe than sorry when it comes to that. Fiftyv8 was able to help me get new valley plates for it also . Have decided to go with a t700r4 automatic transmission because this will be a daily driver for me. So just going to clean it up a bit and then run it Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Looks like a cool mock up. In just MY opinion, an automatic has no business behind a Flathead, in a Hot Rod. Again, MY opinion.
Do you think going with a manual will give it more of the old school look I'm going for Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I was thinking of the fun factor. Here's a sad story about the search for, 'The Look". I was at a small, no name car show, about 5 or 6 years ago. There was a guy with a sweet model A roadster. Everyone was patting him on the back. It was REALLY sweet. Another guy, who was building an A at the time, asked about his pedal set up. To which the car owner replied, "It's an automatic. I installed a fake pedal to make it look like a 4 speed." We all got on our hands and knees and identified the shape of a 350TH pan. Yea, so much for the "look". If you can swing a 4 or 5 speed, you'll have WAY more fun with that Flathead. Just a thought. As for your original question? I'd call it a Hot Rod and drive the fu*k out of it.
Very true lots more fun . But wife was wanting an automatic she might loss this fight lol Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Lol come on now why not. But really I'm going to have to see what I can do see if I can get a t700r4 manual or if I have to go with a different transmission. I know it's going to be a lot more work to do it Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I'm being a bit pedantic, but it is not a Cadillac LaSalle. It is a LaSalle. It was a stand alone make. There are, also, no Ford Edsels
Ok I'm new to this didn't know that but thank you. This is my first build ever and only having a few parts of the lasalle I didn't do to much research my bad Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Your quarter window should be the same height as the door window at the top and bottom. If you look at most any body from that era, the window height is consistent along the side on any car with multiple side windows. Its an aesthetic thing, but as soon as you deviate from it the added window will look like an afterthought and stand out like a sore thumb. Lots easier to work on that now while its tape and paper.
I went and took a look I'm one inch shy of being level with the bottom of the window. I haven't started on the sides yet so I'm going to cut a new window for the side and see how it looks thank you for your insight and like I said before this is my first built and I'm looking for any and all opinions so please keep them coming Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
so far I think you've gotten some really good advice here, steer clear of the rat look and you can have a really nice and different hot rod out of this. Also I agree a hot rod needs 3 pedals, I'm sure the missus will learn to drive a stick (probably shouldn't get involved in that fight either).
Yes it will be a lot more work but in the end it will be more of what I'm wanting the old school look Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
For the safety of all that give me advice names are being withheld from the wife so everyone is safe. Lol. But I am now thinking you guys are right will have to go with a manual now I just need to find one that will work. Any ideas?. Love the pics of those trucks and that's what I'm going for. Any ideas on a color ? Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
The Jalopy Journal
