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I’m new with a 1926 Ford Roadster.

Discussion in 'New to the H.A.M.B.? Introduce yourself here!' started by Ray Allen Smith, Nov 14, 2025 at 9:51 PM.

  1. I drug this out of a pile of Model Ts about 25 years ago. It Really is too far gone for a practical build.

    Thought that I could use it for a pattern and hammer one out. I’m not unfamiliar with sheet metal and general fabrication. My skill level is rudimentary at best and I’m too old to invest a decade.

    Well then, I could shape it up enough to use it for a plug and make a fiberglass body. Shaping my body to use as a plug would be challenging and fiberglass bodies are available.

    So I’m basically starting from nothing and I’ll be buying a glass body. My existing firewall is actually a pretty nice piece and has the original VIN stamped in it.

    It’s my understanding that tradition is highly respected and steel is real. But a glass body is in my future.

    vendors? Tips? Advice? Inspiration? Ridicule?
     

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    Apenaut and wicarnut like this.
  2. wicarnut
    Joined: Oct 29, 2009
    Posts: 9,202

    wicarnut
    Member

    Welcome from the Great Woods of Northern Wisconsin. My free advice, worth the price you paid, Do what you can afford and give thought to $$$, garage space, tools, time required, your skills level, etc. IMO consider purchasing a car, true fact you can buy cheaper than build a hot rod, enjoy the hobby, then look at an unfinished project or consider a build, 80% of cars are not finished by the original start up I've read. Check my albums, a few glass cars there I've had and enjoyed. Agree steel is real, money is the difference, nice glass cars are reasonable today compared to a steel car. I've seen nice glass 32's 25-35K, rarely see nice steel 32 under 45/50K. Shop around, educate yourself. A few tips if building whatever you guessetimate time or money, 2X-3X is the reality. Most of us have a lifetime of experience, it takes time, that's why I always suggest for a newbie to consider a purchase. Something that worked for me through the years is to have a driver hot rod and then a project so you can still enjoy the social side of the hobby. Good Luck !
     
    gary macdonald likes this.
  3. pprather
    Joined: Jan 10, 2007
    Posts: 8,910

    pprather
    Member

    Welcome to the HAMB from Illinois.

    Good advice, above.
     
    wicarnut likes this.
  4. gary macdonald
    Joined: Jan 18, 2021
    Posts: 452

    gary macdonald
    Member

    Welcome . Ive done worse . In fact recently, my scrap guy gave me a 26 tudor . Im 69 with 4 back surgeries and need another , so back to the car . I bought patch panels , pop rivet them in , duraglass and steel screening where needed , wire brush on an angle grinder , por 15 , rustoleum , old rebuilt 283 , turbo 350 , open drive banjo rear , 48 ford truck steering , and its running and driving ( around the neighborhood) . I started it in April .
    If I can still do it , you should try . Don’t go for a show car , just a driver . After you get it going , you can always start making it pretty by making the welding the panels and better body work . I built this like I would of as a 1960 ish school student would have done .
    Good luck
     
    wicarnut likes this.

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