Projects Building My First Roadster in San Francisco

Lots of stuff like starters and carburetors were made by third party vendors. Though ford did make some carbs I think it was purely out of strategy. I’ve read that Henry while mostly vertically integrated would have up. To three seperate suppliers/ manufacturers to insulate against problems keeping him from hitting his goals.

Though there is something to be said for not reinventing the wheel as well - pun intended

 

A lot of Henry's motivation was cutting costs often by getting around other people's patents the reason Fords had mechanical (cable) brakes until '39. But yes many many components were supplied by venders that is why they are called assembly plants. It makes sense that there are often just cosmetic differences. Ot is up to us to find them. Good work Joey! Even if someone else knew this you guys made a discovery.

 

Since Gemmer Manufacturing made the steering boxes for Ford, Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouth, Desoto, Nash, Hudson, etc, many parts do interchange between brands. So it is no surprise that the Hudson wheel fit the Ford shaft...which in reality was a Gemmer shaft.

 

@NealinCA you would know

 

Exciting moment in this cars metamorphosis! I'm looking forward to the next build updates.
Thanks for taking us along for the ride...

 

Hey @J.Ukrop
Hey Joey, first of all, super cool about the kick ass Hudson Steering wheel, it really is a very cool piece.

There used to be a time in this country, when various car brands such as Nash and Hudson, etc, would commission the Unity corporation, famous for high quality lights and beautiful chrome housings and bezels, to make custom badges and escutcheons, to replace the UNITY escutcheon on the top of the light housing.

How cool it would be, if you were able to find either a light with the Hudson escutcheon, or just the escutcheon itself, to compliment the very cool Hudson steering wheel!

I am very impressed with all of your great progress so far!
Thanks from Dennis.

 

The holy grail of Ford steering boxes are the ones from pre-war Chris-Craft boats. Seems Henry supplied Chris-Craft with Model A steering boxes along with a few other builders.

 

What's different between a regular Model A steering box and one supplied to Chris Craft?

 

Gemmer supplied Henry with steering boxes, as well as Chris Craft and others.

 

None..I had a 1942 Chris-Craft run about and the steering box was the same as the one that came in my A.

 

The starter armature in my 1940 International D40 Trick and my John Deere 420C (crawler) were the same Delco part. The old interchange books that wrecking yards hard were amazing!

 

What a tease haha.

 

Is that so!

Great photos too by the way!

 

Need we ask?

 

Frosted Pink Metallic

 

I've managed to destroy 2 DA sanding pads this week on a 40 chevy, so I'm pretty much an expert now.

Ill be over next weekend

 

You should remove the trim before you start on the DA!

 

Age gets them also especially the foam ones

 

One was old, one was new. Trim removed. Both separated from the metal portion

 

Pad may have been new to you but may have had a lot of shelf life on it. They are concidered consumable’s also the heat generated by extended use degrades them. Did body work for over 60 years had a lot fail.

 

Good update, your photos always have such a great tone to them. Looking forward to future progress updates

 

Hey @J.Ukrop
The very cool vintage NIKON F1 metal bodied, 35 MM film camera, indicates that you are still linked to the past and the high quality tools of the trade!
Most impressive indeed!

 

'87 was a good year.

 

Joey, every time I see the King Bee headlights on your car it makes me smile. I am proud and happy to be part of your roadster.