So I’ve been daydreaming about an early style drag coupe for a while now and finally pulled the trigger on a 30 coupe to get the ball rolling First order of business was to chop it before removing it from the stock chassis. It came out to about 4.5”s Because the engine will be set back to the A pillar, I decided to put louvers in the cowl top to help get rid of some heat. I built a really simple 4x2 frame tapered and swept up 2”s in the front and pinched to fit a 32 shell. With the 283 set back as far as I could go and still fit in the car. Trans is a Dearborn toploader 3spd with a Ram slipper clutch. 9” rear solid mounted with spool and 5.29 gears. Steering box is a mid 50’s f100 with a mix of original ford and aftermarket parts to complete the suspension. After sectioning the shell a couple inches I Made up an aluminum insert for it that will have the cars name painted on it. The steering wheel is out of a 57 corvette This is basically where I’m at on the project, will try to keep things up to date as progress happens.
Thanks guys, it’s been a fun project so far. I hope to have it finished for next season and will definitely run it at the NEVD events
Whenever I’d see a photo of the top hat coupe or the loaded toad it would just feed the fire on wanting to build a coupe in that style. I’m not building a replica of either of these, just sharing the inspiration.
Im not really sure what it would be considered, haven’t looked into it yet. The S is my last initial, something I add one way or another on the cars I’ve built.
Really like the chop. For some reason it looks like you made the cuts in different locations than others. Nice that you started with a solid body. Bob
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