Well I hope Ralph likes this thing as much as you love yours. I stumbled on this body, tucked away in a storage yard, shortly after I moved here from the prairie region about 15-16 years ago. The owner wasn't interested in selling as it was going to be his dream car. I always wanted to build one. A couple of years ago I bumped into the owner again and I finally just suggested we "put our junk together and build a jalopy". If I quit injuring myself maybe this will reach fruition (I was lowering the ch***is down on the lift while watching the rear suspension closely while it cycled - looking for trouble - and lowered the lift onto my right foot. Man that wakes you up!
I have an OD trans from a later '54 Ford. It's missing some pieces so I didn't install it yet. May just find a more complete one. However, when I made the brackets for the e-brake handle, I mounted them to the frame rather than the transmission. I had a feeling an OD will surface and I'd be swapping it out and didn't want to mess with making new brackets, again. I hope I left enough room.
Well duh. He didn't have a small block Chevy radiator so he had to use the right engine to go with his radiator, anyone knows that.
When I read the first entry, it sounded a little apologetic. This whole build is just a BOSS. Keep goin and more pics.
You should - it's *****in'! Super clean little hot rod. This one will have a tonneau over the rear as well.
Through my stubbornness with the style I had in mind for this car which involved a '32 frame, I was fortunate enough to, through various local contacts, come together with the owner of the fabulous press from which these rails came. It was still a ton of work in the summer heat, and about a 10 month process from ordering material, cutting blanks and compromising on a date that would work for both of us. Cost me a bit too but I am gradually re-couping my investment. I cried at the birth of each if my 2 girls... and when I held the first of these rails in my arms after being freshly stamped! - ha ha.
Pete do you drop your own axles? Was it your '32 in Rodder's Journal on the Jersey shore at the starting line. I like the degree or two of positive camber. Adds old race car flair. I may do that on the axle I will drop for my own roadster. I've been following your hobby/career for a long while now. Again, thanks for the nod.
I'm down for that! I've developed a strong affinity for tubs. I'm digging this one and the other cars it's drawing out. I've got 2 Touring cars myself. The T I'm currently working on and shortening, and the 1917 Dodge that's coming up next on my list. I think tubs are way overlooked.
Tubs are just plain cool. I am a big fan of Mark Morton's T - in its entirety. I'd just use a 32 frame. After I finish my roadster for next summer I will be building a 27 T rpu on 32 rails. If anyone has Hot Rodding in Ventura County there is a beauty on page 29.
The roof was removed and the doors and quarters were capped. A '38 (I think) dash was installed and the door caps kinda sweep up at the front to meet the dash. I did not do the mods. I may work on them a bit. I built the floor structure in the rear and made floor pans. I will attach photos soon.
I like Morty's a lot, he bought the original '27 T tub from Dennis Moomjean, 6 miles from me. I ragged on him a little, then my nephew found mine 1 mile from me! (all there, and cheap!) Mine's going on '32 rails, I have a 271 Desoto hemi for it, (or use my new flathead) Everything fits, and can be changed in a few hours. Tubs rule. 96% cool factor. Wear a Stroker cap!
I love those little hemis. When I was putting together my 354 I bolted the oil pan on and went to flip it over to install the top end. I had a little trouble with that. I almost felt I had made a mistake ha ha. I felt better when I bolted into the car. I have a Red Ram that I might use in the T rpu. Great little engines. Small world hey?
My jig is for model A up to 36. Does a good job on a model A - really good job of a 32-36 (I think). Check out Dumprat's '34 pickup build for a photo of his. That axle was suuuuper mint and I was actually a bit scared to touch it. All mine started out as s****. Matt seems happy with it. I'm always looking for cores. Around here they are either bent and expensive or bent and really rusty. I generally have to add material to the spring perch boss, and close up the king pin bosses a bit and then ream. Too much fun!
No, don't do axles. The '32 big beam in the roadster was stock.... That was the nicest big beam I've ever seen. Your work is stellar! Nice and clean..... Me.... I'm just a small garage hack.... Lol
Cool build on your tub. I have a great time with mine. It was also a sedan at one time. I'll be watching yours.
That's funny Pete. The humble, un***uming type - ha ha. I'd like to see that garage one day. Next time I make it to a Patriots game. Yours and Dave Simard's.
@'29Hiboy, I have a funny story about axles. I lived in Santa Cruz for a number of years, and there was a famous older rodder that had a machine shop on Soquel Blvd., Paul Schultz. Paul had run dry lakes before the war, and after; Serious flathead racer. Half Moon Bay strip, Bonneville... He had a machinist that was sharp, reground cams and cranks, and made a jig to drop axles. I told my cohort in our shop I'd like to send a '37 Ford tube over to him, just to razzle him. Billy said, "God, DONT! Schultz's sense of humor...You might get it back...Dropped like an 'I' beam!" Mentioned it to Schultz... He laughed, but not loud...
U ummm..... Yea....... I'm not even in Daves ballpark...... I'm more in the foul ball zone.....he has a legit shop with real tools, me.... I have duct tape and vise grips..
Hack away Mr. Stevens. It looks like there's more "altered" sedans out there than I would've thought. Cut down Tudors can really look right!
Hell, I've got a couple of projects before I could even consider trying that, I'll just have to be satisfied watching & following along while you build this one. My best friend was building one and started off with a Desoto hemi in it, then replaced it with a 406 with tri-power backed up with B/W T10 and a Vette independent rear end, before Viet Nam got in the way. Sure wish I had pictures of it, that is where my love of tubs came from.
The Jalopy Journal
