I had a '26 roadster in parts with a good title, but didn't care for its size, so I let the body and frame go a couple years ago, but kept the title. I have been gathering a few 47-53 Chevy GMC trucks, mostly in the heavier persuasion, but have always had a eye out for a '26 Tudor. For some unknown (to me) reason, one popped up on the marketplace I jumped on it, and am glad I did. The body is almost perfect. Finally I get a win. LOL.. I just want to buy or build a chassis for the parts I have been saving and get something on the road. More to come, again, hopefully...
A couple more pictures. The roof wood is damaged. Not sure how I am going to go with that. Would like a steel replacement, but I see that they (T's) are a bit different than by brothers '30. The rockers (?) are the best I have ever seen in the wild. Again, I'm really happy.
Even a body this good has some surface crusties in places hard to get to unless you go all the way. The good news is almost all the bolts thread by hand once loosened. A bit more progress. Enjoy..
Reunited the firewall with the chassis. The neighbor wants this in the worst way, but he never sells any of his treasures, it's always a trade. He will have to step up this time. Just sayin..
Did a bit more work on the T tonight. I measured the firewall opening for future reference and those that are of interest. 24 inches between the firewall braces, and 30 inches between the sheetmetal cowl sides. I also dug out a piece of wood on each side that had no appearent reason for being there. And the wood screw holding it there was behind a riveted brace. I think it probably shrunk over the last 98 years, and was there for support the distance between the braces during construction. I see there is two in the back corners as well, but haven't got there yet. And, the inside of the cowl at the bottem is nice, just had some dust and sand, etc. Enjoy.
Found two bolt holes that lined up perfectly with a 27-1/2" firewall to end of front frame measurement. Enjoy!
Have you done any research about the T sedan built by Little John Buttera? It set the bar really high for T sedans.
Need some examples of lowered T front suspension. I am using a TT frame (will use a different rear axle setup) and the cars and one-tons share a bunch of parts with the 26-27 having the biggest differences from what I read. So, what I would like to do is keep as much as possible, i.e., the front crossmember. So, a different spring mounted behind the axle with a 6" axle drop, etc. This is my first rodeo regards early hot rods, so bear with me and correct when needed. Currently the TT sits at 24-3/4". I will put around 750-800 pounds on where the engine will be going after a different dropped front end and the get the ride height where I want it and work on the rear-end. How much can I loose in height with what I have planned. I would be buying a hairpin style, behind axle, spring front from a supplier. Recomendations there are welcome as well. Also, the 6.50x16 ag tires will not be used, LOL. So, I should loose some height with correct wheels and tires. Thanks. Enjoy
Little John's, a tribute car, and Revells models as a panel. I will be going panel and be filling in the rear side windows, and no fenders of course. Thanks for the reply.
The TT frame looks to be 5 gauge steel. Measures .213, and when factoring some paint, .209 works out to be gauge 5, so that is good. A bit thicker than 3/16ths the frame makers use. And its real 100 year old steel. Oh, and since I'm a Chevy kind of guy, looks like they needed some GM parts for the last build, LOL. Enjoy
Been looking for a grill shell for this project and happened upon this 1921 Graham Brothers "stationary" engine. It has a little 4 cyl Dodge flathead in it dated 1920, and GB trucks started in '21, so that is how I came up with that. Looks like they made a small power plant out of it. Had to buy to whole works and got some other neat parts in the bundle. And, there is a nice rear crossmember that measures 38"s that will also work with my chassis. I got a new Model A front crossmember in the mail the other day, so things are moving along... Enjoy.
A little down time today. I bought a new tool and had to try it out. The cats meow. Anyway cut off and de-riveted the cross-member off of the '21 Graham Brothers stationary engine I purchased a couple months ago. Enjoy
More work today. Need to buy a frontend and then set it down and then I can vision the rearend. Not sure how much farther I will go for this spin..
Another day. Worked a bit on the frame while waiting on the compressor to keep up with the needle scaler on the safe I am restoring.
The one I built in 1968.Have better pics but they are all photos from back then.Rectangular tube chassis(J&J Chassis),real Bell tube axle(Mustang Disc brakes) and Jag XKE rear. Silver gray mohair interior. Had to take a loan from my Credit Union to have the $600 uph done. Jake of the orig Pete & Jake painted the body in his driveway in Compton,CA ,I did the fenders.
The Jalopy Journal
