I always wanted a model A roadster bodied hot rod, but after looking at the prices for even a rusted out pile of junk I decided to go a different route. I found a half smashed rusted out 35 Ford pickup cab and used the door skins, rear panel, and part of the firewall. I made a frame out of half inch tubing and planed to run it like a modified. Then I decided it would look way better with the rear deck and a trunk. So after making a template from a front fender, I proceded to make the frame work. Here is the fender I used for mock up and as a template. The first piece of the frame. I used a cinder block and a hammer to do the small radius bends and I cut slits in the tubing for the large radius. I figured two pieces for each side should work well. These are the outers. Copied the other outer for the passenger side. Two inners. Finally set the inner pieces on the body. Then I tacked on the outers. Then I started adding bracing and forming the trunk opening. Once I got to this point I ran out of tubing. Top view. I clamped some sheet metal on there just to see what it looked like. Seems right. Thanks for looking I'll be sure to update you on the progress.
Lord hates a coward. I think the original de-roofed RPU looked pretty good. You've got miles and miles of welding to do with your cut and paste method, surely you can find an inventive way of putting shape into the filler panels before installation. Even a sandbag would help. But keep up the progress. If you interpret my comments as negative, that's not how they were intended.
as I see it, a shitload of vision, alot of planning and preparation coupled with alot of work and dedication. In other words, using what you have to build what you want. That's hot rodding. I like it, good luck with the rest of the build
Right-on Alf! I like seeing the initative of the "doit yourselfer" (Doc Frank, plowboy, Hammerdebone), just to name a few. Looks cool to me. Can't wait to see the finished product. Press on!
Man you do have a shnitload of welding ahead of you.. You might want to take up hammer welding in order to keep distortion to a minimum. Good luck with your project and keep on posting... .
I'm not seeing it...yet anyway. I think your outer tubes should mount to the body lower...in the area of the cab reveal, and I also think the outer tubes need to be moved forward an inch or two, so that the rear of the body will have a roll to it. Right now the "quarters" and the "under trunklid panel" are almost straight across the back...pretty much a straight line. My 2 penny OPINION...and thats all its worth...is that you have the potential for a deadly little RPU and a cool bed would be a bit easier to fabricate with the tools you have available. With the good looks of that cab you put together, a RPU version would be AWESOME.
Wow. Alf, you got guts. I agree with the others. You have a lot of welding ahead of you and a lot of desire. A nice rpu could be made quite easily and sold for a decent body to work with if you didn't want to keep it. Have you considered building an English wheel to help make some curved pieces to cut down on the welding? You don't need to spend hundreds to make a simple one. You certainly are doing it the old way.. with whatever you can find. Good luck and keep us posted.
Here is another work in progress. FOR SALE!! But the problem is ,it´s in Sweden. With todays dollar rating aprox 900$ http://www.blocket.se/vi/14460393.htm?ca=5_s
There are probably a hundred ways to do what you're doing, but I'm sure you know that and are proceeding. I commend you. I know what it's like to have a vision and not the finances to make it happen. Thinking I had to do it the way others did or that I needed a crap load of cash kept me from building a hot rod for 30 plus years. So I say, go for it, man. Do the best you can with what you got. Stay focused and see it through. In the end, the feeling of self worth will be worth it.
how about using sheetmetal off a doner cars roof or something that already has the curves you need...... good start though....
I once read an article about where a guy wanted a certain model of car, he didnt have any metal so he made it out of wood. It was real cool and had more hours than I would want to spend, but thats what he had. He sealed it instead of painting it, so you do with what you have. Its great to see someone doing something instead of wishing.
I say if you enjoy it - keep on doing what you are doing. Beats paying big bucks for an original body. Keep us updated on your progress. 41 Dave
Go for it. The worst that can happen is that you gain experience. You are doing what i hope to be able to do in a year or two. Best wishes. PS I dream too.
Have you thought about using hammerforms, PM FC Ute, he did something very similar with a car called "Miss Stickshift."
i admire the fact that your not afraid to do what you see fit.alot of guys get a hundred opinions and still dont have the backbone to get out the saw and welder!
if doing from scratch, you should do some real cool custom tweeks to the classic design, make it known that every inch is kustom.
here is a link to a guy who biult the entire body from scratch...lots of useful ideas and pointers... http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/journal.php?action=view&journalid=17166&page=2&perpage=5&reverse=
Keep up the good work, I am also building my own body but am using a bead roller and english wheel, but Im not a genius either!
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