31 Coupe, Progress Report

well heres my first post on my 31 coupe build, go easy on me guy this is the first car i have built from the ground up. this car represents alot of firsts for me actually, first chop, first channel, first time replacing sheetmetal, first time using a hammer/dolliy, the list could go on and on but i will stop there. i actually didnt really know how to weld when i first started so it has been a good learning experience. i have built a couple of car before but there was no fabrication necessary, they were halfway completed projects that i bought and finished, mostly just mechanical work.

i found this coupe body and other misc parts for a good deal in kansas, well at least it seemed like a good deal until the body arrived at my house and i realized why some guys paint they're cars flat black. the bottom 6-8 inches of the car was almost completely rotted away, the belt line had lots of cracking, the subfloor was hacked out (possibly in a poor attempt to channel it by someone who must have been intoxicated) and of course holes everywhere. i know that guys bring back much worse stuff but for my first attempt it seemed pretty grim. it took me a month to get the body to where you see it today

well enough of that nonsese background buisness, now for the goods. well after i repaired all of the rot i chopped the top and since the floor and supports were already gone i decided to salvage the channeling job and channeld it the width of the frame. the car did come with a frame that was already kicked up and boxed so that was a plus, it needs alot of tweaking but since i dont have a frame jig it helps lot with the foundation. the motor is a 322 nailhead backed by a saginaw 3 speed, they guy i got the motor from had those ridiculous headers on it, but they will have to do until i get my lake headers. the rearend is a 9 inch, bare with me on those wheels and tires they are just for mock-up and they came with the rearend. split boes front and rear ive got a set of merc wheels 15x5 for the rears, and ive got a set of 16x4 for the front, just waiting to pull some money together so i can buy the right tires. my plan initally for this car was to build it and turn it so i could use the money i made from it to buy a set of duece rails and someothere parts that i needed to complete the coupe i bought from norm aka chopped50ford, well now that i am this far into i am getting very attached to it, i have learned alot and i have this car to thank for it so we'll see what happens when its done

its funny how mocking up a car makes it seem like your farther along than you rally are. im still trying to decide wether or not to drill the visor, and i need to figure out what size tires to run. of course theres alot more to do than just that, but thats whats on my mind now that i have seen what the car looks like on the frame.

this car should a testamite to how much someone can learn from the HAMB. i dont have anyone helping me with this car or anyone i can really go to when i run into a problem or ? other than what i can research and ask on the board. almost every ? or problem i have been able to solve by looking it up on the HAMB. so i have to give you guys a big THANK YOU for providing so much helpful information. and a big THANK YOU to Ryan for creating the jalopy journal and the message board


well enough talk here are some pictures of the progress








ever notice that the deeper you dig, the deeper you have to dig?

 

Looks good! You are doing it your self and learning as you go. Gotta respect that.

aloha,
rustfarmer

 

Great work, especially for your first time out. I'm impressed!

Four inches is a great chop on an A. And I know you're replacing them but I don't hate those headers...

 

Really coming around, looks real good! Keep it up!

PT

 

Looks damn good brother. Cant wait to see her done!!!!

 

I know how you feel and you got a lot further than I did in a lot shorter amount of time. Looks really good, congrats.

Mootz

 

Looks real good! Look forward to seeing it racing around town!


FONZI

 

Nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Nice to see another 30/31 coupe underway with a Nailhead.

Good work. Keep up updated.

Jim

 

WOW.. amazing progress.. neat seeing a body rolling around on dollies turning into an actual car.. and a cool one at that.. nice job..

 

As already stated, good job.

 

How many times did you walk around the body admiring it after you got it primered? And came back out to look at it again that night?
Looks good!

 

Damn son, that sucker just oozes hot rod! Nice chop and the stance looks good too. I don't know what you are planning for the back rims and tires, but those slicks look pretty bad-ass if you can get away with them.

 

'31 coupe with Nailhead, what a concept ! Me like, looks great.

 

Looking good T.S. Can you tell me about what you paid for it? I don't mean to be rude but, I found something similiar and I just wanted to know if the price if right. You can PM me if you like. Thanks and good job, please keep us posted.

 

i MIG welded everything, i have a cheap MIG so it makjes things difficult sometimes but im making do. my next big investment will be in a TIG for sure though, as soon as i can find a good used one for a reasonable price. i really want to learn how to TIG because of the ability to control the heat better and the welds come out looking so nice.

thanks

 

i dont think i can count that high of course when i got it out the next day in the sun i saw some parts that i had to sand back down and re-prime

 

thanks, the slicks are just for mock up, i got a set of merc wheels 15x5 at the last swap and i think im going to run tall and skinnies, trying to decide between blackwalls or whitewalls, i have considered running vintage slicks too

 

thanks for all the compliments guys, im going to try to take more pictures as the car progresses. theres alot more to do and im trying to get it done before paso, so we will see if i can keep up the pace

 

That is one way too cool Model A ! I think you are doing a real good job. Keep up the good work.

41 Dave

 

Hell Yeah! that looks killer dude...that's a great start and the work looks good.

Bill

 

Look great, keep up the great work. I wish my 30/31 coupe was as far along as yours. I am still in the parts search mode, should start body work shortly.

 

Wow.

Who did that channel job and split those bones?

Where did you buy that? Looks familiar.

What's the story with those headers?

 

i have done all of the work on this car except for the frame, it was already z'd when i got it.

and i cannot tell you the story on those headers other than they came with my motor and they are hideous. they dont look soo bad in the pictures but they are made from pre-bent tubing from pep boys or something.

guess i need more proof

 

thanks again guys, i got the body all lined up and mounted today, still need to cut up an old tire to use for mounting pads.

also got my friction shocks in the mail, so those will be the next thing to go on probably, that and i need to cut out part of the front crossmember for axle clearence.

Erik

 

sweet ride, when mine gets that far along i will post pics also once agian sweet!!!!!

 

Tetanus, Looking good man. The first part of your post sounds like exactly something I would have written, except I'm still looking for my 30/31 body. But I'm like you, done lot's of other cars, but never a ground up and no one to rely on except HAMBers. I'll be keeping an eye on your progress.

One comment though, not sure why you would go with a deuce frame if you are channelling it. Seems a waste of money if you can't see them to me. I want deuce rails too, but I'm leaving it on top of the rails. Anyway, it's your ride, just food for thought. Good luck man, I look forward to the progress.

 

wow;
nice. i was thinking about taking the day off, but your pictures won't let me.
thanks
rer_239

 

Really?!!! Are you SURE? I think I may call BULLSHIT on that, because that car was built by another guy here on the HAMB. You ought to be careful about bragging about work that you didn't actually DO.

Here's a pic of that car (posted on 09-03-2005, 07:23 AM) before he sold it last year. He did the channel job and the chop was done when HE bought it. You can see the firewall recess he did is the exact same.






Maybe you should change your story, to the truth? It really pisses me off when Not-Rodders(tm) brag about others peoples hard work as their own.