Projects 32 5W Build - The $4K Swapmeet Body / The Old Chrome Coupe

Circling back on topic...

 

My ignorance is really going to show hard here, but what exactly do you hone in one of those machines? It doesn't seem like there's a vice/fixture for holding things in place while they're being honed, so I don't get how it works. Do you have to hold parts in your hand while the machine is running?

 

@Squablow Yes. Any part that has an internal bore with a tight tolerance. Most obvious here would be a connecting rod big end after it's been resized. Machining can get you close enough in most cases, but for a thousandth (0.001") or less, you hone. It's a very light pressure operation, and holding it provides feel feedback.
EDIT: the honing is removing at under ten thousandths, sneaking up on the measurement or fit. Think sanding with very fine wet sandpaper.

 

Not being able to see if there's a bumper on the car made me smile

Beautiful work on the Hone

 

If you are a careful driver, you don’t need a front bumper. The rear bumper is a different story!

 

Probably not traditional but a (3) tube sort of see through nerf bar bumper that would mimic the exact 32 bumper contours with pirated rolled ends yet keeping underpinnings in at least partial view.

 

With the level of detail this thing has, it would be great to see it side by side with @Cody Walls ardun killer coupe as it is also a highly detailed traditional rig.

 

The hood.

Josh Carrillo @carrillocustoms made up some 19 gauge blank hood sides.

 

The louvers.
I've been kinda obsessed with early style 4 and 5 inch louvers for quite some time. I was on the hunt for them 15-20 years ago when I was building my RPU. There are modern 5" dies, but not the shape and spacing of these. Most had only 1/8"-3/16" spacing between louvers. I describe the look as louver, louver, louver. Not louver, space, louver.

 

The purple hood.
I found these purple hood tops at the Turlock swapmeet 15 years ago. I decided this car needed matching louvers on the hood sides, similar to some of the examples above. With no luck on finding the correct dies, I had my friend Joe Ny digitally scan the louvers on the hood tops and then have pieces laser cut to make dies. After much trial and error, we were able to punch some test panels. Then I approached Kewi Kev to see if he'd be willing to help out with the use of his famous louver press. We built adapters to mount my dies and Josh and I headed down to Ventura for the day. Between Kevin, Josh and I, we made it happen and got the hood sides done

 

The result
I'm sure some don't get it, but it's the quirky 50's look I was after. I think the hood really brings it all together.
The chop. The rear fenders. The hood.


Your thoughts?

 

The next step
We tore the car apart yesterday, in preparation to send off for body and paint work

 

Neal...im obsessed with old louvers too..and how they were laid out. I luckily later scored a louvered hood from the guy who I got my '38 Chevy from...it was intended for my car. They just don't lay them out like they used too..and normally use way too many louvers for my taste. The way your side louvers line up with your hood top louvers is magic. Awesome as always.

 

The hood looks great! I'd really like to see how the hinge is rolled in to match the original top pieces.

 

Beautiful hood! I like the at***ude of can’t find something, just make it!
Can’t wait to see it painted.

 

The story on the hood as well as making it with buddies is the best... and it looks rad, too.

 

The RollPan under frame is interesting,
I wonder just Cosmetic, for exhaust header , To look cleaner ?
If so wonder why builder did not continue to the rear tire.

 

Josh made up dies for his Pullmax for the upper and lower details. He even made dies to stamp the inverted Y-shape behind the latch catches.

 

Looks perfect on the car Neal! It was a pretty stressful day, my press was maxed out, straining to cut those 5” louvers. It took a couple of hours setting it up so the dies would stay in adjustment. I had to add a back brace with a length of tubing and a couple of come alongs to help with the extra flex. It was very nerve racking when Neal started punching the side panels, we sharpened the dies several times during the process. No one could relax until the last louver was punched. It is very rewarding seeing the end result! It was fun spending time with you and Josh, 2 very smart, cool and talented guys! Welcome back any time.

 

The hood is perfect!
That’s an amazing amount of talent in one place, at one time. Excellent work.

 

Absolutely nailed it. That hood all together 100% looks off the cover of a little book. Well worth the effort!

 

Thank you. That was the intention.

Just like the 50's, bro...haha

 

I had one last project to finish up before paint. Since I'm not running a stock front valence panel, I needed to finish up my version. I had made up panels to cover the insides of the frame rails, but never addressed the small triangles at each side of the grille shell. You could see the crossmember and spring, as shown below

I had an original valence from an old showcar that had been modified. The thing I liked about it was that they added some little ears on each side that go up under the corners of the shell, filling in the corners where you could still see the crossmember.

I didn't use much of it, but it was easier to cut one up than start from scratch



A lot of work to cover up two tiny triangles, but I'm happy with the results. The frame cover pieces will be chrome, the valence piece will be painted body color.



Hey @-Brent- I'm trying to copy your look!

 

Man that’s a lot of work for something that is nearly impossible to notice, but looking at the before and after it clearly looks more finished now. Good on ya

 

They look great!

I get the spacing, while it is a thinking man's layout though. The first Louver lines up with the front of the Louvers on the Hood. Then you play the start of the second Louver while taking into account the swoop of the Fender. This line both sets up the end for the top row and start of the bottom. Keeping both in line with the hood dimensions front and back and playing the fender swoop into it all. Then ending the lower row in line with hoods last Louver at the row closest to the firewall. - This is the Engineering Major version I am quite certain


Or in short, just laid them out so it looks *****in' !

Quirky - I think not.

However you slice it, BUENO

 

The detail on this build Neal is above and beyond, the fact you didn't shortcut on the side louvers is exceptional, those details! The sides are perfect collaboration between you, Josh & Kev, all you should be proud! That apron/valance filler perfect touch. When you finish this people will ask when was it featured in the 50s & where did you find it? This build is truly exceptional! The bare metal shots are so inspiring, this car is a future icon if not already!

 

Amazing.

 

Looks great neal. Can't wait to see it in color.

 

It's been said before in this thread, but the attention to detail in this build raises the bar for all traditional builds going forward. Truly an 'all time' 32.