There is an unfortunate underbelly of our beloved Hot Rod community,….... The brutal act of automotive “De-Coupatation,… when guys really, really wanted a roadster, or convertible but only had a car with a roof on it,…. So In secret they planed and plotted their evil act,…. While others in a moment of passion or inebriation swiftly tore into their victim ! Whether it was in haste or an act of premeditation, the deed was done, and all that was left was the aftermath of the heinous attack.…. We’ve all seen them, sometimes answering ads for a “Roadster” or “Convertible” for sale,…some weren’t horrible, But some were,…. Well some were too gruesome for words,… But to even the most untrained hot rodders eye… from a distance as you glance at it you think to yourself…. “Why, that just ain’t right !” Back in the early 70’s there was just such a COUPESTER in my area, I was told it was a Deuce Roadster, and the price seemed really reasonable. So over I go to look at a real 32 Ford Roadster!…. As the garage opens my pulse quickened as I see the sectioned Deuce grill shell, insert and Guide headlights….. then the cowl, and the chrome windshield frame,…. But !…. Something didn’t look right, as I step into the garage I can see the door area was way too wide, and the doors were welded shut… my heart sank like a rock when I realized I was looking at a 1932 COUPESTER !.. It might have not been so bad if it were built from a 5 Window coupe,… But this one started life as a 3 Window !.. (OH THE HUMANITY!)…. As I pointed out the obvious to the owner of the automotive carnage that had befallen this poor ol coupe,.. he tried to play dumb… then he burst out with “ITS NOT MY FAULT !...I DIDN’T DO IT !… I GOT IT THIS WAY !”…. But alas what was done,…. Was done. Looking it over it had a lot of good stuff, so a deal was negotiated, and I brought it home where it sat under a tarp for a while, until it was dismantled for its parts. The body went on to help fix a few 3 Windows, as patch panels and inner structure wouldn’t be available for almost 50 years. So there’s my story of my brush with a 32 Fords “De-Coupeatation”… I’m sure there’s more,…. Let’s hear them and see them.
There’s entirely too much to explain so I’ll summarize it like this. Dad bought a coupe, decided he wanted a convertible instead, whacked the top off with a sawzall ( let me just say that I don’t condone such a thing) , did a bunch of metal work ( don’t ask) mounted the top mechanism top and all and it ended up looking like this.
To each, his own. I remember a 1932 Ford "roadster" for sale in Massachusetts. It was a 5 window coupe with the top cut off. The seller was a a very knowledgeable individual looking to sell the car to someone that didn't know any better. The car was sold, and the owner is proud to call his car a "Coupester". He knows what he bought for reasonable money, and has enjoyed his "Coupester" for many years.
The owner had been a body man for 40 years ,but was still convinced his coupster was a cabriolet. Don’t know who did the deed.
I currently have a thread on the build of this car already on the HAMB. But long story short I love the 33 Plymouth and Dodge styling but prefer the look of a convertible. I came across the remains of a coupe that had spent some time on its roof and it was really rotted so no loss in cutting it off. Got a glass conv top which is being covered and will look like a folding convertible top except it needs to be lifted off. Car was just painted and I’m currently putting it back together
When I was a young lad, Dad went to a local farm auction and brought home a “Pickster”. Not quite the same concept as this thread is all about, the Pickster was a 1928 Ford roadster that some cold farmer grafted a ‘30 pickup cab into. Basically all pickup when you sat behind the steering wheel, but with the roadster bustle welded to the back. And if that doesn’t make you gag, it had steel utility rims welded to the rear wheels. Ugly as you can imagine, but it yielded many good parts. The pickup cab was cut free from its bustle, and actually turned out to be great condition. Since nobody in the family was into “late model” Model A’s, the cab and hood were sold at a swap meet (Atlantic, Iowa - anyone remember that swap?). The fenders were all rather nice condition too, and made their way to my brother’s black ‘29 coupe. Still there today, with a few cat paw prints. The bustle is also in my brother’s hands, as he has collected chunks of quarter panels and other sundry roadster sheetmetal to weld up a true roadster some day. It will be returned to true form again.
I absolutely love TomT's blue '32 5window coupe turned coupster, it just screams hot rod! The car is bad to the bone coming and going. HRP These photos are from the ALL DEUCE RUN -2014
My dad always told this story....When I turned 15 I went to the drugstore and bought my drivers license for fifty cents. Then, I went to the junk yard to buy a car. I really wanted a convertible, but they had none so I bought a Model T coupe for 15 bucks and cut the top off.
The progenitor of my user name. Started with a body that had no sub-rails, firewall, deck lid or inner fender panels and patch panel that was 5/8" short on the right quarter. It had a brazed in piece of galvanized for a roof panel.
It hasnt really been started yet as a project, but i have $100 into everything in this picture. The body, front and rear axles/ suspension, engine, transmission, several milk crates full of motor mounts, headlights, etc i was given to from a friend for helping clear out his cousin's horde who had passed, the only thing ive bought were the front fenders. From my research, it appears that it was a 28/29 Leatherback coupe, so slightly different body than a cut down coupe since the nonexistent roof was made of wood and leather and theres a flange around the rear. I have roadster windshield stanchions, and im planning to have a carson/ rag top so im not super worried about the rear opening looking too off. and honestly, at 6'1, compared to the other A roadster's ive been in, the little larger opening will be a welcome plus. I could find a different body, but for free and being given it by the family since they knew i'd do something with it, i'll go with it. I do have a few other cars to finish, so im holding off getting a frame for it to kind of keep myself from going too far and progress stopping on the other cars. When one of those cars is driving, i'll start putting this together, but never too early to start collecting parts.
I had a good time building this one a few years back. Real roadster cowl, with coupe doors and quarters.
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