Picked up a new 28-29 roadster body a few months back and have since moved and lots of other things and I'm just now getting to really look it over. Not sure if the Brookville dies are getting old or what but the tops of the quarter panels where they roll over to the deck lid will need a lot of work. They are really wavy, like a wash board. I quess new metal will be nice to work with but I can see there is actually a LOT of body work required to end up with a straight body. Curious if others have found this to be the case or perhaps I just got a body they threw together with a bunch of the old junk parts lying around. Any input appreciated.
i've used two Brookville bodies....a `30 roadster in 1986 , it need a fair amount of work...and a `32 about 4 years ago, it needed some work too
Thanks for the info 36 3window. I know the quarter panels are probably a pretty deep draw to stamp especially where they roll over at the top but was just curious what others had found to be the case. Thanks
If they use a single stage die set up that would cause wrinkles in a draw like that. But I don't know the process they use. A worn die would probably just gall the edges not wrinkle them.
ive had 2 28's and a 32... i think its pretty obvious that they put more concern into the 32...the doors open and shut nicely and the body lines all seem to be pretty nice i noticed alot of flaws in the 28's....but i guess.. what other choice do you have???? both of my original 28's could use ALOT of work also
Appreciate the replies. I certainly don't mean to bash Brookville in any way, I actually will be buying two more roadsters from them but it is good to hear about others experiences. I know the original Ford sheetmetal was not perfect as I have a 31 coupe that I chopped the top 5 inches and I'm in the process of trying to get all the panels straight with nice gaps. No easy task. Definitley makes me appreciate the amount of work the guys that have nice straight panels with good fit have put into their car. Thanks
I was down at Gaslight a couple weeks ago inquiring about another 28 Roadster cab (they provide Brookville with a LOT of fenders and Brookville provides them with bodies) and Tony said that the bodies are what they are. He told me the dies were 40+ years old and no one was going to spend the $$$$$$ to make new or take them offline for long periods of time to do long-term repairs to them. Brookville is telling folks bodies are 6-8 months out from time of order (was there the same day, just earlier), but it's taking 10-12. And that was from their mouth. The 32 dies are years newer. Unless the price of metal drops through the floor and price of cars goes through the ceiling and a LOT of folks yell about quailty, I don't think they are going to get better any time soon. But it's still better than rust. Bruce
I have been around several Model A and 32 Brookville bodies, and alot more real H. Ford bodies. There is no comparison. Most people that have been around this stuff can spot a Brookville body from across the parking lot. Still, dollar for dollar they are a great buy if you can't find a real one.
I'm $12,000 into This 30/1 Brookville Roadster.... The story so far is pretty well laid out (with explanatory text), about 200 pics so far.. Lots of little problems like Tig welds that were ready to fall apart or break when you hit the first bump. Pay particular attention to all the folded corners around the tail pan as well as the windshield stantions etc. Most of my problems are laid out with text in the link above... FWIW, there's about 45 square feet of new steel on the fenderless roadster, I'm into it by about $275 Per Square Foot (shop time) for body smoothing and repairs (not including 50 hours of my time).. This on brand new steel and it isn't painted yet. moe .
I have a 28 Brookville and have no complaints, damn good actually. Did need some work to get it as good as it is (I didn't do it just bought it as it is). wouldn't have any hesitation in buying another..
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