I really don't think what you describe is traditional hot rodding and it doesn't fit the discussion at hand. I'd hop that car up in a heartbeat. There's nothing wrong with juice brakes, longer gears, warming up the flatty, etc... there's certainly nothing wrong with era correct speed parts. Nor would any of those changes make the driving experience less authentic. In no way would I consider putting anything modern in that car, it'd be silly and expensive.
It definately does fit the conversation. Bottom line is should he change the car for something that some people perceive as "better". My point is that sometimes driving an old car built the way it was originally built IS the fun part of owning certain cars. That OP's Ford would certainly be fun to drive as-is.
Gotta chime in too. Leave it alone. Drive it. Someday in the future, someone else will get that car, either your kids or grandkids or someone you sell it to. While chopped and lowered is the current "fad" who's to say it will be down the road. Styles change, fads come and go, original beautiful cars never go out of style and are always valuable. I don't even support the modifications mentioned because who's to say that your inheritor or buyer will be able to make the change back to original. And, there are plenty of other previously modified cars of the same make and model that can be "updated". (My opinion and what I'd do with it if I'd bought it) However, as all have said, it is yours, do with it as you will.
Have you seen any of the OP's previous cars? Never SBCs or big disks. I guess it fits if the question was, "too nice to street rod?" C'mon man, for sure this car in its present state would be fun to drive but that wasn't the question either, was it?
I am in the almost the same position with a deuce Vicky. It has no history though. My plans; Dropped axle, juice brakes, 12 volt, dropped headlight bar, 16" wires, big and little whitwalls, and I am even going to leave the side mounts. It has taken me a long time to get used to them. I have done my share of cutting up cars over the years and I am not going to do it to this one. I hate it when a relative newcomer to the hobby gets a car then says, I am going to chop the top, IFS, billet wheels, remove the door hinges/ suiside doors. In other words five years from now it will be out of style and look butchered. Very few can pull that off with a car that will always look good. On the other hand sometimes it is the best thing that was ever done to a car. Who would have ever thought we would like channeled roadsters again? Or wire wheels again? Or tall skinny bias plys? Bubble tops? Just think long and hard about changing anything that you cannot undo.
Wow, and I thought a '40 Ford was the only car I wouldn't alter.... That thing is beautiful. That said, no harm done in lowering the thing a little, and juice brakes is an improvement that makes sense. I dunno, it would be tough to do, but I think I'd go ahead and make a few slight mods like you mentioned. Chop? No way.
If it were mine here is what I would do. SBC IFS suspension 20" billet wheels hot pink and yellow body tan tweed interior big sound system and as many billet do dads you can find Seriously though, that thing is ***s just the way it is. If any mods are made make sure they can go the other way. As mentioned before, a warmed up flatty and a slight rake would make that thing even better...if that's possible! Nice score buddy!
12volt conversion, Dropped axle, reverse eye the springs, flatten the rear x-member or buy a mono leaf, juice brakes, 2x2 manifold, dual exhaust and drive the wheels off of it. I have a nice '35 Phaeton that I'm mildly hot rodding. I can put it back to stock really if I wanted too. It wasn't a hard decision at all really. I'm a hot rodder, not a purist -Shiny
OK---------let's solve this deal---------so you don't have to worry about what to do, just give it ME !!!!!!!!! LOL
i have a 36 cabriolet like this and we left it all stock on the outside but put it on a different frame, all updated, but we can allways return it back to stock in the future if we wanted.
Holy ****!!! That is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!! I remember talking to Irish Mike about his '36 coupe one time. He had mentioned that he hopped his up a bit, but didn't do anything that couldn't be undone. I like this theory. If it were me (and I know it's not, however I WISH it were) I would do just that. Maybe add a dropped axle, minor engine stuff, juice brakes, and that's about it. I would save all the parts. Again, that's just me. The car is just awesome and there really aren't that many unmolested '35's out there. Lucky you! I'm definitely envious! I wish I wouldn't have gone the direction I did with my '35 coupe. Can't go back now...
I agree with the majority of comments on here. if it were mine, I'd drop it, put juice brakes on it, and put a warm flattie in it. Maybe a Columbia. On the other hand, if you decide to keep it virginal, more power to you.
I know exactly where you are with this Bonsey....I searched high and low for a 36 3 window first one was a real basket case and I moved it on..next an absolute peach and I was hesitant to lay into it...it was in similar condition to your 35..I lowered it via dearched reversed eye springs, put it on 12 volts, adjusted up the brakes and drove it..I could not bring myself to disturb it too much, so I sold it..next wanted a stock 32 roadster but got impatient and started in on a brooky body on asc rails with stock cross/k member, a whole load of speed parts etc..but it was`nt a real Ford..so broke it up and got all my money together and scored a stock 1932 Henry Ford V8 roadster...having the same dilemma as you are now...but have decided to pull and store everything that i change..have cut a pair of repro posts,bought a `40 flathead,full set of juicers,got a 39 rear end awaiting collection from WeeMark(35 roadster)already put `40 steels and firestone rubber on it..and my concience is clear....needs a whole lot of lowering but it`ll get done....I just hate high riding stockers..as nice as the car is, I could not be content with it as is.....btw, stunning looking car. here is a shot of my deuce as it is today.....waaaaay too high..but not for long!!! and here is the 36 with just a bit of lowering.....hope you don`t mind me posting pictures on your post..don`t want to seem to be hijacking your thread, just trying to show that it does`nt need much to make `em look better.Good luck with the car Bonsey..
Great looking cars! I think I'm going to follow your path (and most folks on here's direction) and keep it going with bolt on parts. I might try to sell it first and let one of the stocker guys have a chance at it first. But it sure would be fun to run this car down the road with a nice hot rod rake. I bought it with the intentions of running dark brown '40 wheels while leaving the rest of the body and interior as-is. I just might have to make it happen like that. Thanks!
Chat with Irish Mike above if you need info on brake stuff. He found a really great M/C and pedal setup that allowed him to have juice brakes and not make any modifications to the frame. His coupe sits real nice too, so maybe you could see what else he has done. Sorry I don't have a picture for you. Maybe someone else can throw one up.
i didnt look to see if its already been said but........... the nicer the car the nicer the hot rod!!
Hmm...some 23" inch wheels with rubber bands for tires, pink splash graphics, a spoiler, third brake light, high back racing seats and a SBC with some billet pulleys. Don't forget a cowl induction hood and a Mustang II suspension. Pretty much unless you do any of the above, you cannot ruin the car. But I also think that sometimes stock appearing is much more interesting than all out Hot Rod/Custom.
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