Howdy everyone... Well, I think I'm finally going to start on the project that's been sitting in my garage for the last year and a half. I acquired a 1930 Chevy AD from a friend of the family. He has had this stored in his back yard for the previous decade, and finally decided to let it go. I'm still trying to figure out where this will go, and the only things that I'm certain of will be to replace the wood structure with metal, and shore up the frame. I'm toying around with ideas on how to approach this in three different areas... Body: I've always liked the idea of keeping the fenders and running boards, so those will stay. I'm not sure about the rumble seat yet, but I think that will stay so I can drive with the kids in the back where I won't hear them. I'm thinking about a mild chop, just to play with the proportions, but I think that the cab as it sits is just a bit too tall for my liking. Probably not much more than 2-3 inches, as I don't want to get too radical. Suspension: Definitely need to do something with this. The parallel leaf springs up front don't leave much room to lower it, but I'm not sure I want to go with the hot-rodder's instinct of dropping a mustang II IFS in the front. I'd like it to sit lower, and will be building this to be a daily driver. In short, I'm looking for something that's lower and smoother, while able to throw into a corner and clear speed bumps. Drivetrain: Well, the initial idea was to grab the 350hp Chevy 350 sitting in my truck and run with that, but the more I think about this, I'm intrigued with building up a Chevy L6-250, and running a turbo system on it. I think there's something to be said about thinking outside of the box on this one. And since it's going to be a driver, I'll probably look at a built th350 to provide a bit of comfort in traffic. There's probably a hundred other things that I can put here, but this is, after all, just an introduction....
Welcome from Arkansas. I came here from Tolleson. Still have kids in Phoenix and Glendale. You have a great start there for a sweet ride. Enjoy....
Seems like I am in the same boat as you. I've got a 35 Chevy Standard and I am gunshy about riping out the old wood and replacing it with steel. My welding skills are mostly just making stuff stick together. I'll be looking at what you do! Good luck to you.
You may want to talk to Elpolacko here on the HAMB if you're looking for IFS that isn't Mustang II. I like the idea of a turbo 250. Good luck on the project.
Welcome to the Hamb, nice chevy! The wood is a tough fix, and expensive as well. I've done the steel replacement on a 31 tudor without too much trouble. The doors can cause you fits if not done right, I found that the easiest way to do doors is to do them in the openings, shim them for the gaps and tack in the tubing, go slow and measure twice! Good luck with you coupe.
Welcome and Good Luck with that project! Looks like a great solid foundation for something really cool... keep us posted!! RRM
Thanks everyone.... I'm still pulling the plan together, and trying to nail down as much as I can before I start... I'll keep this posted as I move along.
Welcome from Minnesota! Nice car and I love the plan for the Turbo'ed 250! I friend of mine converted a 35 Chevy 4 door from wood to metal framing, big job but it was worth it for him! I'm sure there are a number of members here who have done it and are wiling to share what you need to do. Tim
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