Hello, I wanted to communicate with any of the group members who have done extensive body work on '52-'53 Fords, specifically the 2 door ht type. I have a '52 Crestline, an eastern car, with some rust issues, not insurmountable but challenging. I have the most serious issues at the lower left and right toe board corners, near the lower cowl side bottom where the fender bolts on. The front of the rocker box is effectively gone. Either I get donor pieces, nos stock cowl side panels (I have seen these rarely), or just fabricate the pieces myself. Anyway here are my questions: Does anyone out there know of, have, or could source any NOS 'Cowl Side' panels. I think I can provide a part number if that would help. Alternately and optimally I would have a good donor car on hand but I do not. I have a good contact in CO who has probably everthing I need on his lot (has a good number of 50's fords) but I would have to travel there to then cut the proper stuff out. I have the option of buying a better shell, which is not really what I want to do, since one of the reasons I am doing this car is because it's a relatively harder to find model originally built one town over from me. I am learning alot by doing and need to develop these skills out here anyway where the cars rust. 2nd question: Who currently makes the best most original type floor pan patch panels, or are there any old NRS makes anyone knows of that are better than others to look for? I see wildly varying quality in the marketplace. I have an ***ortment of inner and outer rockers now probably enough to do the car but would be open to hearing about any other good quality ones people might have available. The best pieces I ever saw for these were from a VT outfit but I do not believe they are fabricating anymore. I am sure people noticed that EMS says they have '52-'54 stuff coming and to inquire about it, in their recent catalog. When I called them and asked they told me not to expect anything this year-bummer! I would suggest any other HAMB members to lobby them with '52-'54 panel requests as well, maybe it would be a motivating factor. Thanks in advance for any leads! Nate
Hey Linkin, Thanks for your input. No doubt DC has lots of things I need but did I miss something? I looked at their online catalog, no patch panels? Nate
Hey, These do not look like very complex panels to construct. Are you adverse to building your own from sheet stock? This Korean War era produced Ford model is not reknowned for being "dry or mint" in any climate. Best of luck finding good doner panels! S****ey Devils C.C. " It's time for another Tea Party ! "
Check out Surplus Supply Co. http://www.surplussupplyco.com/catalog.htm I can't speak to their quality but I have a 52 customline that's waiting for allot of lower body work. This is one of the only places I've found with most of the lower body sheetmetal. They list a front fender, it may be what you're looking for.
Yes, thanks Pinewood. I looked into these. There is one eBay seller with pictures of this product. Don't seem too bad. Panels are for l & r toe board and front pan only goes most of the way behind the seat (seat mounting areas) either side of tunnel, but doesen't go the other 1/3 to the back. They suggest flipping the panels now to do the rears, sorta kind of could work but wouldn't be exactly have to take some material out. The stuff is expensive too. I saw $65 for one body mount end. May just bend my own, or travel. cheers, Nate
a update we should have rocker panels for the 2door 52-54 in a few weeks, although they will not fix the lower door post area as shown in "fitty2's" photo. cust serv folks dont have on there list so if you need one ask the tech guy's and they should help you out . there are only a few pilot run rocker available now then prodcution should start in the late summer
Hey hey, a positive response from EMS! The HAMB's got some pull! Anyone out there have a donor car that they could chop a couple 14" chunks out of? See 1st post. cheers, Nate
Hello EMS! I am interested in a set of those pilot rockers. Who should I ask for in tech? I am sure you have what you need at your disposal, however I am taking apart an original Crestline and have some good observations on how these panels suffer! I have been taking lots of good pictures during the project and will make these avialable soon. I noticed that the inner rocker is actually two pieces from the factory lapped a little over halfway down the shell. There is a the front lower cowl box & support as well as one under the rear door corner that the rocker attaches to. It would be great if your patch panels went the actual length of the originals (under the door edge curves) etc.. A separate question I had was is the tail pan panel on a '55 that you produce the same contour as the '52- '54?
surplus supply makes rockers that run full length of the rocker... part #'s RP-26CE-L and RP-26CE-R no one makes a-pillar lowers below the bottom door hinge like you are asking about. thats something you're going to need to get from a donor car. as for body mounts? no way you're going to find those on a donor car that are not eaten away as well. and last, no compound panel from a 55 is going to work on a 52-54. . . . well, not without some heat, beat, repeat and e-wheel
52-54 Fords have been overlooked for many years but some companys are starting to take notice,,,patch panels in my wagon were made in the shop,,,all trial and error. HRP
nice work man! you do the A post bottoms yourself too? i lucked out with mine... floors were GONE from toeboards to rear seat riser, outer rocker to outer rocker, but the post bottoms were solid
Nice work! It's a great feeling knowing other members are facing similar challenges. I will be posting some pics soon too. It's hopefully going to look a lot like what you did HRP. My rust is challenging but I'm gonna save this puppy.
glad to see someone else working a 52 welcome to the fab your parts club, i made my full floor pan from scratch
there is a whole bunch of companies that make patch panels....but all the ones ive seen arnt that great. ems is going to be your best bet. if you need to patch the rear wheel wells be carefull, alot of the patch panels do not fit real well with inside flush mount skirts. your best bet is to call a junk yard named desert valley auto parts, they are online, they cut up cars all the time for panels. those guys will be the best bet for that lower cowl patch unless you can make it. hope this helps ..............john
Great links and info guys. My '52 Customline has been sitting for WAY too long. My dad's first car was a '52 Ford so he bought one for me when I was 14. Sadly it's been sitting for most of the last 12 years or so but these threads give me hope I'll be able to finish it out the right way one day.
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