Got myself a 47 Ford and started chopping it! Also have boxed 90% of my frame because of the blown big block 396! But I'm looking at making my Tudor into a hardtop "before I start with the body work!" You guys have any ideas how to reinforce everything? Or is it necessary? Just half worried it will screw up the cab!
I don't know for sure what X38 is concerned about. Most likely the big block and blower part of your project. Send him a PM and ask him.
I've seen multiple coupes hardtopped, but not sedans... I would think some bracing would be in order. Maybe a rollbar, tied to the roof and quarterpanels.
Nice example! As Crazy Steve said, hardtopped sedans are fairly uncommon, but I caught this one at the Custom Car Revival. It's an earlier model, but I thought it worked.. Dave
Guess the pic doesn't answer your question, but it appears as though it can be done without too much concern. A chopped roof may be more sturdy in hardtop form than one that's stock height? From the rear.. Dave
I would think the main concern would be keeping the B pillar/door jamb stiff enough. Perhaps a u bend or upside down roll bar of some sort would stiffen up the B pillar. That's a cool looking 38/39 sedan.
Yeah hopefully in my case! I'll need to brace it close enough to the body so when it's upholstered you can't tell! I was thinking the b-pillar is gonna be the weakest link!
A good chop on this body style is pretty hard to pull off...choice of wheels and or wheel covers can make or brake it. Yes...the flow is nice on the car you posted but with the right color and wheels would be a huge improvement. I like the padded hard top therefore no need for the standard body/door b pillar but definitely alot of bracing. Sorry I didn't answer your question but just an idea... Here are 2 examples one flows better than the other. The way the deck lid sits is hard to flow without it looking like it is chopped.
Brace everything before you start cutting. Once the top is complete then work on the doors. They are long and heavy, you need to add bracing under the "C" pillar so when you shut the doors the long body does not flex and crack at the corner like a 56 Victoria. The door jam may need some bracing also, 57 Ford converts had that problem when closing the doors.... And yeah I'd do it....
So are you building a traditional looking car? Because a blown 396 and the picture you posted of the 47 hardtop sedan is really street roddy.
I guess u would say more of the street rod style! I'm starting to realize that this forum may not be a good fit for my build! I apologize for the mishap but sure do appreciate the input! Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Early hardtops often had a convertible frame underneath. These usually had extra steel welded to the bottom of the frame, as well as a heavy X member, that sedans did not have. Some also had extra body mounts. The bodies also had extra reinforcements. I rebuilt a 56 Ford ragtop a few years ago, that was in real bad shape. To help stiffen up the body, even more than factory, I welded in a 2 x 2 ( 16 ga) square tubing inside the rocker panel, spot welding it to the inner rocker, and under the sill plate. It ran from the firewall, and connected to the rear wheel well. I also added 1 x 2 tubing across the floor, under the rear seat. More 1 x 2's up the door jamb ( welded to the 2 x 2), tied in with more tubing, back to the 2 x 2 close to the rear wheel opening. reinforced the front door jam, too. Before, the car could not be parked on uneven surfaces, as the doors wouldn't open/close. After, even when on a lift, the door gaps remained consistent. Lots of work, but it really helps.
A 47 Ford with a blown motor is now unacceptable on this forum? Someone tell Fat Jack. Come on guys he is just starting out how can you tell if it's going to be too street roddy? The guy is just looking for help.
The Hamb better recognize that folks/attendance are dropping off. It my be due to those p***ing away or just getting pissed off by the constant trad-Nazi's. There are so many "traditional" items on here that would have never been done back in the day according to my father and his friends. And... a lot of the time, those trad-Nazi's have not ever built anything or even attempted to, but feel it's their right to call out the police. These are also the guys who are the first to degrade a projects. Those guys are pushing good folks out here when they can offer a lot of good ideas that we can all benefit from. I personally do not enjoy the current atmosphere and find myself getting on the Hamb less and less.
The H.A.M.B. has rules. For the most part very traditional but I do think it’s odd that t-5s are not looked down on. I consider myself a traditional builder the last car I built the only con section I made was a 68 mustang master cylinder. My current projects con-section will be a t-5.
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