Hot Rods 1951 Ford Coupe - New Driver

This was brought up in another thread yesterday, so I figured I'd start a thread to share it.

For the past year+, I've been looking off-and-on for the right old vehicle for my wife and I to enjoy. My roadster isn't the most comfortable or 'weather friendly'... And it's showing it's age. On the road for 10 years and 60k miles already! It's going to need a tear-down for some rebuilding and repairs.

We both thought we wanted an old Ford pickup, so I test drove a nice '66 F100 shortbox with a 352/4-speed. That drive was just what I needed to realize I should be looking at cars instead.

I would scour the HAMB Cl***ifieds and elsewhere daily.
Mostly due to my unfamiliarity with them, I really hadn't considered a shoebox Ford. Then @Ryan shared a Featured Cl***ified at the very end of last year. I took a closer look at the ad and the accompanying build thread here on the HAMB. I really liked what I saw and contacted the owner @maccustom .

We struck a deal early in January. Brian was nice enough to meet us half-way between Omaha and Indianapolis to get the car the following weekend. He unloaded it from his trailer, we talked through the details of it and we were on our way. Our 5-hour drive back home was trouble free and a great way to get to know the car.

@Eagletucky (Tim) owned the car before @maccustom (Brian) and he had done the initial round of work on it with a rebuilt ch***is, front end w/ disc brakes, 265 Chevy/T5 and 8.8 Ford rear. He also did some rust repair, had body work/primer done, interior, etc.
When Brian acquired the car, he and friends took it to the next level with very nice final body work, paint, wheels, etc. This is by far the nicest car I've ever had and I can't praise these guys enough. Top notch work.

It's a great little car and I've enjoyed putting some miles on it.









Later,
Nick

 

@Dan Hay --- here ya go!

 

That's a really nice looking car!

 

I like the ('56 only) red 265.

 

Nice 'box!! I always liked the 51s.

 

Looking good.
I find it odd that they shaved the door handles, trunk lid and gas door
but not the hood.
I see the dash has been filled in also.

 

That's pretty nice.

Enjoy!

 

Cool looking coupe. Enjoy!

 

Sweet '51. You did good.

 

Nice car!

 

I have had two 1951 Fords. One victoria 2dr HT and a 2dr coupe. Both mild customs. They were both very great cruisers. And I am looking for another 1949-1951.

 

*****in car Nick!

 

Sweet little 'Box, Congratulations!

 

Nice ride! That will be a fun little booger!

 

Congrats! I was surprised that one didn't sell sooner. Such a killer car! Do you have any plans for it?

 

... *****in" ... congrats ! ...

 

Thanks, guys!

Thanks, Wesley! It really doesn't need much... A little exhaust adjustment and/or extra hangers, replace the road draft tube with a PCV system and upgrade the heater are top of the list. The heater appears to be the factory unit with the fan motor removed from the engine bay and one was retrofitted to the heater 'box' under the dash. It doesn't work very well. There are plenty of aftermarket options to just replace it, or I may need to see if the previous owner(s) can educate me on it.

 

I wonder how the factory stamped the Vin# on/in the firewall/cowl? Big guy with a really BIG hammer? I had a parts car with about 3/4" numbers stamped same same plce but very light, over years they rusted out. Nice car.

 

Thats how i like em...chevy powered

 

May the fleas of a thousand camels infest your nether regions

 

I LOVE these club coupe Shoeboxes! Good for you!

 

I've also wondered the very same thing. Kind of an odd location and method of stamping the VIN.

 

Very cool looking shoe box.

Chris

 

Congratulations on the new arrival! That has always been one of my favorite roof lines, thanks to @B*** and others. Love these in hot rod form.

 

Quite the work of Art...Congrats @Malcolm...

 

Fantastic!
That’s gonna be a great all weather ride for you!

 

Sweet! Love the color and the overall look of the car. Kinda sporty!

 

Now I know why the other thread popped back up... Congrats Nick! I look forward to checking it out in person soon! Very cool car!

 

I'm a club coupe fan also. I know Nick is plenty capable of making decisions but because he said wife and him, I would expect Vintage Air to be the next purchase. Very nice car, Nick.