Today I removed the previous craftsman's handy work and looked at what was hidden. Ouch that is ugly, and somewhat depressing. I think I am going to load it up and take it to the sandblaster then see what I have left. Pictures of these parts are hard to find so I am not sure how it all fits How many pieces make up the body below the door? I know there is the outer rocker and subrail. Is there an inner rocker or is that part of the subrail?
This 32 five window was un-channeled. Looked every bit as bad as what you have. The entire floor and subrails were rebuilt using components from Brookville Roadster. Lucky for you, they are now producing a 32 three window and parts for your body should be available. This is not an easy job and you really need to build off of the 32 frame that you are going to use. Also, make sure your "sandblaster" uses a media (walnut shells, etc) that will not distort your very valuable Henry stamped sheet metal. Good luck.
you restorers make me sick! buy a new body , and sell that one to a real hot rodder! that will leave it channeled and chop the hell out of it! Casey.
I'm in the middle of doing the same. Brookville (Alliance Sponsor) has all the pieces but they are not cheap, but at least they are available. There is a good wait on some pieces. I'm using the firewall to locate the front, the door post reinforcements to locate door post height and working my way back.
irondoctor, I think you have a real good start, these bodies are not easy to come by. Almost anything can be repaired if you have the ability to get the job done. I took a basket case '41 Ford convertible to a Top 100 in the nation 2001 Rod & Custom magazine. I would dip the body it'll come out cleaner and it reveals every problem that the body may have. I'm glad your undoing the channeling, I dislike channeled rides and section jobs. Good luck with you project.............. Cruiser
I've done the same thing with a 34 3 window. The advice about using a frame as a jig is right - invest in your frame before you start any of the ***embly. Like Cruiser recommends, I had my body dipped - it gets all the rust out. Blasting cannot get between the areas where you have two layers of metal, and a lot of rust will remain in there with that method. Looks like a great project, have fun with it.
"That project would wear out 5 bodymen!"...A saying my father use to say years ago when I thought I found something that could be fixed up.
Oh Man that thing is shot! I think i would trade it off for a 35 five window coupe. I thinkl i might know where one is?
What he said! I cant belive your doing that, surely you could have seen if someone out there wanted to trade for a non-channeled body or something. But what do I know!
My thoughts exactly....there doesn't seem to be much on the web. A big thanks to those who took the time to put up some pics & inspiration so far. My ex 5-window reeks of "a piece of hot rod history" and "some real hotrodder" decided the door openings didn't need to be the same width.... I get the point of blasting VS dipping, but your cowl areas seem to have some swelled up rust between the seams, so I think more metal needs to come out first? Your backing plates with the oval holes looks pretty darn good from the doors to the rear, so that's good. I just picked up a big box & pan brake yesterday. I'll be making most of the sills myself. I agree that you need the frame while you start replacing, and the firewall/feet also.
Due to the quality of work that went into channeling it. I would have to be cut out and redone anyway. It was done by a hack with a torch and no clue. I tried to run down the history of the car. Got it traced back to about 1970 but nothing after that. I am sure (judging by the craftsmanship) it doesn't have a very elaborate past. It would have killed someone long ago had it been used much. When I pulled the rear end out from under it I was able to break the radius rod brackets off the frame by hand. Thanks for the Pictures that helps a bunch!!!!!!! As for the dippin I will have to some checkin around. I am not aware of anyone that does that. Thanks for the advice!!
I've tossed around the idea of unchanneling mine too. I'd also have to replace the wheel wells and area just around it which were cut out to move the fenders up. I was wondering if anyone sells just the wheel wells or would I have to get the whole quarter.
On the jigging...if you can come up with frame, original firewall, and rear fenders (readily available anywhere for less than an average house costs!)' you will have everything well jigged...firewall and rear fenders together provide a lot of mounting points you can build around.
Mine have been cut and move up as well. I cant get Brookville to sell me a pair of quarters. I am going to (after getting the body mounted to the frame) attempt to lower the wheel well and fab the parts to fill in the gap.
I've tried to buy wheel wells, inner door, rear quarter corner patch panels From many places to no avail. Guess they will have to be home made. Ray from Brookville told me at the GNRS that they had a subcontractor stamping the quarters and some other parts. That is why they don't have mis-stamps to cut up and sell for patch panels.
I keep going back and forth on unchanneling it. I think I would trade for something instead of doing it again. But who going to trade for my channeled 32 5W ? I just don't fit good in her?? thanks John contspring@earthlink.net
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