I’m new with a 1926 Ford Roadster.

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?

 

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 !

 

Welcome to the HAMB from Illinois.

Good advice, above.

 

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