Let’s talk visual choices that work together? Normally I don’t change without a solid reason and a plan, but right now I’m in a mind boggling rabbit hole of a dilemma. '39 coupe, my high school hot rod. The design was of my teenage influences: Graffitti, the Scorpion’s Chariot, Hollywood Knights, a few old magazines plus lots of hours staring at the original Shut Down album. In 1988 It was an oddball in the school parking lot and purchasing a set chrome wheels was not going to make you popular but It was nostalgic in most eyes and I was happy. Through the years I tried to make it more traditional and countered that with some youth street racing basically driving the hell out of it. Eventually some punks made it hoodless and lots of miles resumed. Another friend designed and gave a Procharger set up based on the Chevy fuelie box and odd inductions you might find in an a photo an very early ‘60’s drag magazine. Eventually life, other cars and now my big regret happened. Blame it on a broken engine and cracked trans but I doomed it to gather dust in the barn for the last 5 years. The plan was simple, put the coupe on the back burner while I gathered the right parts, yank out the stuff I always accepted for the parts that fit my idea of the right 59-64 era. Sure, I’ll never be 100% correct as the ch***is has remains of my days at Pete & Jake’s (lots of testing ch***is scars, bolt on brackets and ladder/coil over rear). But the foundation is solid, original frame with split bones and 30 year old paint showing wear in the right spots. This week starts the big push to get it back on the road. A few updates happened since the pic: clear gl***, chrome windshield frame, original column B/W interior. Big changes are already in progress: a 301/302 build (Destroked 327) Power Pack heads with a Hydro-motive 4-speed Auto to back it up. Generator, plus a gear change 3:73 or 3:50. and chrome window moldings. I’’ve been shopping Pie Crust charters, Eventually Ill add back the ’40 rear spring. I have a choice here and asking for your thoughts. On a hoodless ‘39/’40 the engine makes a big statement. I feel like the choice might alter other aspects. Keep the Procharger/Supercharger? I was gifted an experimental ProCharger set up back in 04, A dear friend designed it and used my coupe for prototype and testing, I was flattered, I still am. Ran like hell on the dyno, but some executive changes killed production and with maybe less that maybe 6 produced. I have the one from the SEMA show that won the award. I could run it with some visual changes: ditch most the bracketry and serp belt, hang a generator and run multi V-belts or a 2” Gilmer. Shot blast some of the polishing and rough cast the mount bracket. Doing so would need more lower end work ASAP, also possibly O-ring the block to me it could different heads. I feel this choice gives it more of a mid 60’s look, blackwalls being the tire choice with more pronounce big and little. Eventually a 4-71 could be swapped out. Or go for the Multi-carb? That ’59-63 look, 4x2 with Rochester’s, or possibly a 6x2 97set up. Easier to do but means selling the supercharger. Whitewall 820-15’s, and 550’s and Merc caps. Hell I might even throw a ’41 bumper on it.
Ok, I exited the first time without saying anything but I like the car with the hood. The hood seems to complete so many of the lines on that car that it looks undone without it. It is just my opinion and if you gave me 2 cents for it I'd probably have to give you back change.
If you're going hoodless, I'd go with a multi carb setup. If you're keeping the hood, keep the supercharger.
I hadn't thought about running the hood most the time, but has me thinking. thats why other opinions are good. Here's an old shot, maybe its not so bad but need to add white walls.
I ran a hoodless 40 pickup for years with a tripower, and I made a great statement. But, it was tough on wiring and hoses, anything rubber, plug wires and such. The sun just baked the color out of a bunch of it, but did it look cool? You bet.
I like the 50 Merc caps idea, but I'd run the hood on it. Only one or two 39-40's out there that look good without a hood (Rick Schnell).
I'd put the hood back on, They just look better overall with the hood to me. Then pop the hood and have a slick multi-carb setup or a 4-71 on top, that no one is expecting.
Now it would be a shame on any car to cover up art like, say a blown Ardun. You put that in your car and I'll vote hood off in a heart beat!
Fat fender cars need a hood to complete the body. With out a hood they just look unfinished and way less streamlined.
That car made a huge impact on me growing up in the area. I distinctively remember seeing that car at a cruise night the first time. If it were mine, I would keep that ProCharger setup on there. Not only does it mostly look the part, but it's a unique piece as well (more unique than a 3x2 arrangement for sure).
I used to drink beer next to that car in the parking lot of the hotel at the HAMB Drags. I like the blow through myself, but if you must change it, how about a nice polished 4-71 with a big pile of carbs? -Abone.
Remembering those days makes me feel a little old. My thoughts are this, no matter what happens with that old car we are going to have a good time. Carbureted, blown, injected, that old heap is as HAMB Cl***ic as a Poncho powered A, a Blac Merc, or a hammered Poncho Sedan, and the guys that run 'em. I personally am a 2x4 guy because I am too lazy to keep up with more carbs than that but I think a brace of 2 bbls and huff it later with the same carbs on a different plate. All real '50/'60s cars morph as time goes on.
yep, needs hood on - run 4x2 carb set up for easier tuning & driving - no to whitewalls with that flame job because it will be over the top gingerbread
Hey KCTA, If you were fortunate enough to be given a rare Procharger set up that has a great history and rarity, there is no contest as to which set up is best. The "1 of 6" rarity makes it so. The history is great and you probably have the only one running on the street. Besides, 40's are pre-designed as streamlined cars and they look so much better with the hood closed. 2ND 40 DELIVERY 327 A/C On our 1960 escapades in drag racing, we built a 40 Willys with a 671 and 6 Strombergs on top. But, we had to modify the hood. It ran great on the street and in B&C/Gas until our accident. similar set up on Bones Balogh's g***er later in 1960 At the time July/August 1960, it was a rare set up and we got plenty of ohhs and ahhs when we lifted the hood in the Lions Dragstrip pits. Your Procharger set up is rare and will be the envy of all those that see it at the car shows, picnics, car/coffee events. Jnaki
Ya know if we paint that Procharger just right we could p*** it off as a one off Paxton or McCulloch. Maybe not this beat up mind you.
That's car kicks *** ! Put the hood back on and keep that one off charger ! Then blow people away with hood closed OR open. Win win either way !
I vote for hoodless just for the impact. That way no one mistakes what they are looking at, a Hotrod. I love forced induction and a whole lotts carbs. I just want to see this one on the road
Keep the charger - too cool that it is such a limited production item. Hood on or off, I like both but I REALLY like your idea of "backdating" the huffer setup. Oh, and I'd run some Halibrands... Steve
If there wasn't the personal connection you have the p/charged unit, then I would have said multi-carb on aGM style blower. That being said, and on that car, and it's connection with the product, then I'll happily eat my words and say that it needs to go on, even if only for a period of time, because it works, and is a part of you and your car. Similarly, leave the blackwalls on, as the whitewalls will clash with the flames. If you loose the flames, then sure, but I tend to think that would be compromising it's iden***y of sorts. Last point, whilst the novelty of no bonnet would be fun for a while, that car looks great with the hood on. Regardless, get the blower on, get it driving, and have fun, as life's to short. Cheers, Drewfus
Jnaki - I'd love to some of your stories, cool stuff. Thanks for the ideas, and vote of confidence, I really do appreciate them, It's easy for me to overthink and feedback helps. First: I wasn't expecting anyone to remember my coupe, so that humbles me. While I didn't set out for hood comments this is great insight, It's easy to take on and off and aside from looks its practical and I agree on the lines so it will stay (most the time). Also the whitewalls, I see both sides and have never run them but worried it might it could look a little "circus wagon". Drewfus is right, I would be easy choice without the personal connection, but hearing some feedback feel it should have another shot with the visual modifications. '****** and I have been talking engine build for a while, hope he's ready to set up a screaming 301. I'll invest a little more in short block set up for boost, machine shop was on hold till I decided. Then if the Procharger lets go I can go for the 4-71 w/carbs.
Good stuff, like to hear that you're moving forward, even if only in a decisive manner, step forward with confidence. As for the the whitewalls, agree with the 'circus wagon' statement, run with your blackwalls, and have fun driving the car.
Going back to the beginning, my opinion is that fat fendered Fords and hoods work together. Their clean lines are incomplete without a hood. Do what you want with the intake, they all look good. But a fat fendered Ford NEEDS a hood.
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