Started the demo on my 52 vicky today. Got a few thoughts on direction but would like to hear which way would be the best way to go. I'm wanting to build a restomod that I could drive every day. I would like to build a 52 with a 51 front (fenders, hood, nose...etc). Here are my thoughts on options. 1. Since they don't make a full frame replacement for my 52 I could box my frame and add aftermarket front clip with all the goodies. I would then fit the 51 front to the 52 front clip. 2. Buy a full 51 frame with all the goodies and fit my 52 body on the frame. 3. Buy a 51 add a front clip with all the goodies and try and fit my 52 body on the frame. Any other thoughts or options I'm missing? my goal is to get a 52 body (front window back) with a 51 front. If a Merc would fit better or another early 50's model id be happy to look at those options.
Just my 2 cents, and I may be all wet here, but.......first, I know zero about the earlier 50's, but if the front sheet metal is attached anything like the '57's, the front clip/fenders is attached at the firewall, then only one bolt supporting the front end/core support on the front crossmember, so with that in mind it seems like the sheetmetal would be less work to adapt than perhaps the engine of your choice.. So, with that in mind, have you decided on a drivetrain yet? The reason I ask is if you have any thoughts about something like a 4.6/4R70W combo (which makes a great cruiser), you may want to think about the drivetrain and what frame clip works best for that. One guy I talked to in Phoenix with a '54 Merc used a Dodge Dakota frame clip on his 4.6 conversion. It also gave him disc brakes and rack and pinion if I remember correctly.
Im buying an aftermarket front clip with rack and pinion, power everything, arms....etc. basically cut off old and weld on new. I currently have a 351w with C6 ****** and ford 9". Not sure if im going back with that setup or not.
The Jalopy Journal
