OK, I just read the thread on turning a Dodge P/U cab into a 3 Window and It made me think maybe my crazy idea isn't so crazy, or it could be the beer, but here goes; I saw a guy convert a 34 fordor into a nice looking 5W coupe( I can't seem to find the website now). So it got me to thinking about a very solid 36 Fordor for sale locally. You weld the rear doors shut, cut out the top of the rear doors and roof section, and move the rear small window forward(with roof section) then cut out trunk area with the right lines for a 5W trunk lid. Fab the tops of the rear quarters, etc, etc. The only reason I would attempt this would be a very low initial investment. So does this sound possible or do I need to file the plans away with my human powered helicopter that I designed 30 years ago. I made a few rough drafts and will post them if you want to see.
If I was going to go to the trouble, I'd make it into a 3wd at least. That damn Swede killed it on one. JH
Why don't you do some more sketches and try to come up with a "phantom" body style that "could've " been made. Years ago I saw a sketch that THOM TAYLOR did of a '33 ford 5 window, if memory serves me correctly, he just lengthened the top to create a club coupe vickey thingy. It was bad*** !!
yeah im with harrison on this one id go ahead and make a 3 window if i was going through all the trouble already... and yeah lets see the helicopter sketches they sound interesting
That a "damn Norwegian" not a damn Swede. 4 doors have the same front doors,short, as a 5w and a 2 door or Tudor has the same long doors as a 3w. Cole Foster did it the hard way- 5w into a 3w but changed the doors.
Interesting, is that the front of a right side door on the rear? Some day there will be a 35-36 3Window project in my garage.
Therer was an Aussy guy that did this not too long ago, Id scan the article from Australian Street Rodder but no scanner sorry. Looks factory, I hope your metal working skills are ****** good! Doc.
Check this: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=222004&highlight=blacksmith Its a friend of mine who made a 36 Tudor into a 3W Coupe, and also a 32 Tudor into a 3W Coupe!
That's exactly what I'm talking about! I have always been partial to 5 windows though. From the pics posted, now I know that it is possible, the trick is to do it without a 55 gallon drum of Bondo. I'd say my metalworking skills are above average, but in no way am I an expert. I would definitely seek out the help of others.
I'm not to sure I would turn it into a 5window...Maybe cut the top off, put a DuVall type windsheild on it, paint it black, lots of chrome, black interior, black artilleries, or wide 5's, hopped up Flatty (with lots of shiny stuff, and a blower) make it sit nice and low, and then you could make a toneau cover for when the rear seat isn't in use...Would be cool to haul the fam or friends around in.
a bloke, that's it! Thats the 34 I'm talking about, what an awsome job! That's what I'd like the 36 to look like. Here are some pics, albeit rough, of what I'm looking at. This is the car for sale, before and after. I'm no artist, but you get the idea.
Would you leave the front door short like that?, or lengthen it? I like 5-windows too, for what its worth. Edit: I just reread Eric B's post regarding the doors. Sorry, I'm a schlomo.
Wow! And I thought I was in for alot of sheetmetal work. That just makes me want to start it tomorrow.
Yea, there's one for sale here for $30 grand. It's not really the cost so much as the availability. There's not a whole lot of supply in a State with only 460,000 people.
I think there was another thread/threads where a guy (possibly french called chris?) did a lot of nice work on a custom 35/36 coupe for someone, he used a lot of sedan sheetmetal, from memory. I did a quick search, but maybe someone else can bump it. I think it had a 30's packard style grille. Looks like a lot of work, but if you have the skills, go for it. You've got nice long winters up there, I suppose you have to fill them somehow. Keep us posted. PS, Any chance you could get the sedan on the road for not a lot of money? It might be cool running a stocker around for a while so you can figure out what you want to do. I say this with 20 years of hindsight and regret from butchering a nice old car.
The Baja Phantom was a '35 Four Door, if memory serves. I fell in love with it, and still think early more doors are a lot more *****in' than most folks think. Instead of hacking and welding, why not build a sleeper version of a bootlegger car? Not many of these old babies are left anyway. If you screw it up, one more bites the dust. If not and you go with the flow, there's gotta be somebody who'll buy it off you at a profit and you can buy yourself a Henry Ford made coupe.
I've got enough spare parts here to get it on the road by next spring, although it's missing the grille. It wouldn't be pretty, but it would be functional.
I have done it! I used the front doors from the fourdoor and the rear half of the roof to make it a 5w coupe. I also lovered the roof 3 inches. The rear half of the roof needs to be widened about 4inches to fit right. When you are done with the roof you still need to make the rear half of the body. Loads of work but possible to do.
I will take some pics of the body to morrow. I am done with the body, have it in primer ready for paint.
Great cant wait to see them! I am gonna piece together a 3 window shell from a $100.00 tudor body I dragged out of the woods.
with enough money and talent just about anything can be built... what is your'e skill level and and how much would would be farmed out? AND THE BIG ONE what is the budget on this project? done screwed up some nice cars by not having the skills to finish after l got in over my head..... after l got hurt and disabled l find l have to farm out a lot more work than in the past and that kills the budget QUICK..................later..hope this helps
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