Hot Rods My 1935 Ford , sedan to 5 window conversion

New project thread . Last fall I purchased a 35 2 door humpback . And also the back half of a 35 four door sedan . This humpback will be transformed into a five window coupe this winter . Because the car is not in the shop yet I am fixing up some other issues that were in repair . The dash was butchered for its glove box door . They cut it out when they stole it . There were no gauges either but I did manage to find what I believe to be 46,47,48 gauges . I grafted them in as well . I had to make a glovebox door as well . Parts for this era car on eBay are ridiculous so it requires good old fashioned hot rod ingenuity. Use what ya got , it’s a hot rod . In the next two weeks I will be bringing home a donor 57 Meteor . It has a 302 , c4 and the correct width differential 9” and I will be running 4:10 ratio .
I’ll get some pictures of the car and parts , in the meantime have a look at some of my progress .

 

Also the drive door was in serious need of help . I changed the hinge post completely as it had two good hinges . Bottom of door completely gone . And after all tacked together it will get six inches sectioned out as the sedan doors are to large for 5 window coupe conversion .

 

So here’s some pictures and parts of my 35 conversion project .

 

So , the A pillar is somewhat pretty bad , we’ll , no it’s really bad LOL . Had to remove it from body along with outer skin . Lots of cutting , replacing, and fitment of new metal . Drill new hinge mount holes . This took off and on the last week approximately 30 hours . This stuff is not for the faint of heart for sure .

 

So moving on I have got the A pillar spread figured out . Buttoned back up , and fixing more rust at same time . Run out of welding wire so couldn’t get much else done . Made some more patches tonight so they’ll be ready when I get the wire .

 

So Since my last post well over a year ago, there’s been a lot happening with this car. Here are some pictures picking up from where the thread stopped.

 

A little mock up for visualization, grille is in need of some repair but not to bad

 

Cutting with drastic changes evident . Quite a difference in the door dimensions

 

More progress

 

Are you confused yet LOL

 

Starting to look like something now . You see it coming together?

 

More dissecting

 

A few more mock ups

 

Starting to build the rear frame section as the original was Swiss cheese . Front is still very solid

 

Had to ditch running leaf springs and opted for triangulated 4link . The new frame is tacked in at this point and is square to body . 112” wheelbase marked out on the floor as is dead on

 

Tying in the pass side roof . Lots of fabrication and figuring to do to get this stuff correct

 

Building my version of trying in the b pillar . So long as it holds secure and is solid who cares if it’s not how Ford built it .1/8” plate tied into the new floor framework . Overkill?

 

Using a 1951 Chevrolet roof panel to fill in the opening in the roof of the coupe . Also starting to mock up the wheel openings of the coupe . This is as of Sept 26/24 . Lots of pictures to see , enjoy And I will endeavour to keep this file more up-to-date. Stay tuned.

 

Not to criticize your work, your doing one heck of a build, just a question about the rear quarter length and wheel well placement. Here is my 36 to compare, just wondering if your going to shorten the quarter? Man what a job, Id never have the balls to try that for sure. Great job so far.

 

Thanks for the positive feedback . My wheel arch is just clecoed on just for inspiration . I have no reference info at this point . Maybe you could give me some measurements . Door opening to the front of the bead that surrounds the fender once it’s mounted . I have to order a EMS tail pan section and start making sheet metal pieces from the new pan forward . With your dimension you could provide me will be a big help !!

 

Man that’s one heck of a project! Keep going!

 

I just had back surgery last week, but Id be happy to get you what ever measurements I can when I can. Your doing great man, not many would tackle this. What kind of a welder mig? I had trouble even fixing my rusty crap so I know its not easy, but this is wow!!! Inspirational to me for sure. Theres a guy on youtube that is building a 36 and making almost everything patch panel wise. Really amazes me how you guys can do that, and hope to learn more on my rust bucket. I have a $500 mig and bought a $200 tig just to play with when I heal. Buying the gas bottle for it was $450, so much for a cheap tig.

 

Hey there my welder is a Lincoln , just a 110 and I have an old arc welder to do the frame welding with . Hoping for a speedy recovery for you friend . Stay tuned there will be more .your patches look fine to me and the door opening area shouldn’t be too bad. Just do it in three pieces and you’ll be fine

 

What would you say the chop is 3”? That in itself is an amazing feat. This can’t be your first car to dissect . Really is cool, you’ll be super proud when you get this accomplished.

 

Thanks it’s been one heck of a week for sure. Sorry seen you had a Lincoln after looking at pics again, too many pain pills. Mine is a Lincoln s p -135 t and it’s 110 as well. Heck yeah can’t wait to see more and maybe learn something while I’m recovering.

 

Yeah I’ve done lots of fabrication over the years LOL it’s a 3” wedged chop . Meaning that the cut in the front is the full 3 “ tapering off to 1” at the belt line in the back . Gives the roofline that wedge look side profile

 

I couldn’t see this being someone’s first project, unless you had some great mentors hanging in the garage with you like Gene Winfield or Ian Russel lol. All this in only a year? That’s saying a lot right there. Thanks again for the inspiration maybe I can make that door jamb patch panel when I can move again. Put some slices down this window piece to get some curve maybe I can use it. Maybe not.

 

Nice work and great vision to be able to stitch this together. Will be watching

 

I approve