Projects 23 Dodge Brothers turtle deck roadster project

So I bought a project about a month ago. Definitely needs some attention to bring it back to what it was in the late 60’s. I started by going through the motor and brakes. New Holley, billet distributor, charging system, and fixed a bunch of electrical. Really woke up that 425 Olds. Found some cool Mickey valve covers with Olds on them but I think I have to go back to a stamped valve cover that is baffled and vented because the ventilation from the oil fill tube is not enough. I knew better but I was hoping. That’s what I get for thinking.

 

Cool car!

 

Very nice, quite a few early Dodge roadsters show up over the years on the hamb but somehow they vanish again.

 

Outstanding. A stand out in any roadster crowd.
That BB Olds Will SATISFY.

 

Neat project. I think the headlights look a bit odd. You could try to find pictures of an original car to see what Dodge did there.

 

I agree on both counts, It is a really neet project but the Ford headlight bar needs to go and it needs something looking a lot closer to stock 23 Dodge headlight placement.
I sure like the stance on that car though, you nailed it.

 

I do agree about the headlights. Issue is that with a big block the radiator is so far forward the mounts are behind the radiator. I could do a dropped bar and smaller cans. Or if I can find a pair of headlight mounts try it out to see how weird it would look so far forward.

 

I feel that the radiator being in front of the axle is the source of the proportional issues. Maybe you could push the fenders and front axle forward and stretch the running board/splash guards to match. That would be a big project but it sure would help.

 

Or I could delete the mechanical fan and go with a couple of electric fans which would free up at least a few inches to move the rad back.

 

But then again that’s not near traditional though

 

I know it's not what you wanna do, but I couldn't help but play with it in Photoshop...

 

I think that is a damned good looking car! I wouldn’t change a thing except to put shiny paint on it and an interior and drive the wheels off of it. Yes! I’d drive it!

 

Oops there aren’t any interior pics. Interior is black carpet with a grey tuck and roll. Dark grey buckets and a wood dash with full auto meter short sweep cl***ics.

 

Sure would be nice to see it. You are keeping the fenders on right? If you take them off I will loose all respect for you. If you add a pvc valve to one of the covers or better yet the valley area if possible it will solve your oil misting problems.

 

Good to see more Mopar's on here. Mines going a different direction as i started with just part of a body

 

What does it have for brakes?
Joe

 

@trevorsworth can you shorten the windshield and lean it back?

 

Doing that cleanly is beyond my abilities but that would make it look really sleek.

 

Maybe @Stogy or @themoose ? Them guys got some skills.

 

Like your dodge roadster. The headlights need to be lower but otherwise looks great!

 

That's a Rad lil' Roadster!
I'd drive hell outta that..

 

Enjoy your new hot rod.
Mopar Roadster good.

 

I like it! Nobody else is going to have one exactly like it, that's for sure.

 

Cool car but is older than a '23. It has to be an early '22 or earlier. The one @Mr48chev showed IS a '23. Different cowl and w/s and hood and radiator are taller. '23 also got outside door handles.
Your deck lid and rear panel appear hand made.
Your rear fenders are earlier too as they are much shorter in the rear than '22-'23.

I'm not running your car down as I really appreciate old Dodges. I have 15!

Dave

 

They leaned the w/s back in 1920 so that would make yours between '20 and early '22.

The rear cross spring setup is a fairly rare after market setup. I had one on a '22 roadster I sold and knew where one was in West Sacramento on a roadster.

Dave

 

Thanks for the mention and compliment @Budget36...

...Neat acquisition...first it would be nice to see some shots of its 60s look proper...did you ask the former owner?

...I did several mods, most based on the suggestions...

Bias plys (Firestone champions), size adjustments to tires, slight reposition to the rear end and front end to align stance, moved rad ***embly/headlights back, raised rad as it looked low to cowl, dropped the headlights and bar, canted shield back, added 2x4 carbs with period scoops and lastly puffed the back seat out as they tended to look puffy in the 20s...oh and did some landscaping both foliage and new stuff...

Forgot the mod to the running board apron at cowl...reshaped it a little...

One other suggestion is the headlights could use an upgrade to a more period correct one with a 7" sealed beam...as the large lights were pretty rare on Hotrods by then trend wise...I too had large headlights and swapped them out as I period my ride as around 1963...

If you clic the Thumbnail you can clic an cycle the image to get a feel of those changes...

Truly a fair bit of work in reality...

Credit to All That Inspired This
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HUGE improvement!

 

Beat me to it.
Well done to @Stogy !

 

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...-the-1950s-n-60s.1257447/page-4#post-14402110

I resisted the change for years and post Hamb era improvements have been made to upgrade the larger lights but again its obvious when looking at the mags of the late 50s early 60s that the big lights were largely gone...

...it's your call of course how Traditional you want to be but since your Thread is in the Traditional Forum it's truly worth considering...

My night vision has also hugely improved with the sealed beams...



https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Chrome-Dietz-Type-Headlights-Standard-Bulb,2948.html

No affiliation just for reference... mine were the top Dietz style the lower image is a King Bee style...the Guides although cl***ic Hotrod were an earlier style Bucket more suited to Postwar to mid 50s...This is just my opinion of course...One of my cheapest upgrades to date...

Look forward to your turning the dial back @Jvine



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I might, dwollam may as well