Projects 1932 Ford Roadster Rocker Overlap

So my car was “restored” - or better know and hacked and thrown together - and one area I’m trying to get right is the rocker panels and cowl / quarter panels after some patch work.

From what I understand there was an overlap seam from the cowl and the quarter panel over the rocker panel.

What I’m looking for is:

1. A picture of this overlap
2. An approximate measurement of this overlap from the door opening corners
3. Is it sealed with seam sealer or just left open

Cheers
Aaron

 

On my '32 sedan, there is an "over-lap" seam where the cowl meets the rocker. I believe this was done so that the large bolts at the fire wall could be used to adjust the rear door gap at the latch. At least thats what I used to adjust the doors and after all the gaps were acceptable I welded the seam shut. Right or wrong, it worked for me.

 

I've done several original roadsters and I always leave the front cowl overlap seam open so moisture can get out and it can flex with cowl adjustment. I also leave the seam at the back of the door. Some guys and Brookville fill the back seam but I like mine open.

 

Ok great, pictures and measurements would be much appreciated.

 

Interesting, so these look like the seams are almost dead even with the edge of the door opening / edge.

 

Yes, and there is a "step" in the rocker that they kind of lay into

 

Ya I have to fabricate some of this back in, the previous resto - sometime in likely the 70s - the welded it all shut.

 

This is a photo of my roadster cowl attached to the rocker with an open seam.

 

This is my roadster rear quarter attachment to the rocker showing original ( I believe) welded to the rocker., you can see where I cut it off with a narrow abrasive wheel grinder ( the shinny line)
and see the old lump of weld forward of it. I have also seen other old original cars that were welded there ( the rear quarter to rocker). And leaded over the seam. Evidence by the old corrosion created by the tinning flux lead job. I have also seen a roadster that was not welded there. So maybe some were, and others were not. But as far as I've been able to tell none of the cowl seams were were originally welded shut. They should all have an open seam.

 

Here is a photo of a `32 roadster with the rear quarter attached to the rocker with an open seam.
Although most I have seen have been welded shut there. so maybe some were, and others were not ??

 

Here's a photo of my `32 roadster cowl / rocker open seam. Here you can see the indent in the rocker for the cowl to set in, so it's aligned better with the rocker.

 

Here is an original paint 5 window rear quarter / rocker attachment. You can see the lead fill job to blend in the quarter to the rocker.

 

Amazing, thank you!