'35 5 Window Custom: After a long delay,I'm back on it

Here are a few sheet metal tasks I’ve been fiddling with: Things usually look better grouped in odd numbers, and ‘35s have four hood side trim strips. So, I filled in the two center mount hole sets with weld. Then, I knocked down the guide bumps for the center strips. Finally, I carefully measured and drilled a new set of mounting holes. Much better (I should’ve just bought a ‘36, right?).

 

I wanted to do something with the headlights that was a little different than the usual ‘40 chevy route. Something a little shorter and not QUITE as low mounted as the chevy lights usually end up. So, I added an inch and a half of length to the stock Ford buckets. Then, I cut a hole in the bottom of the bucket that allows them to sit flush on the fender. This was a tricky task because that’s a nasty compound curve going on where the lights belong. I welded a bottom on with two mounting studs, drilled mounting holes in the fenders at carefully measured spots that keep the lights straight, put the trim rings some ‘36 glass in ‘em, and……………………………they looked ridiculous. I committed the cardinal sin of fabrication: I didn’t do a complete mock up. The buckets looked great sitting there empty, but with all the fixin's added, it looked like the front of the car was wearing one of those torpedo bras. SOOO, I hacked ‘em all apart again, sunk the bucket further into the fender, fabbed new bottoms and mounts, and I think it looks much better. I might just use the ‘35 glass, though. Oh yeah, and obviously, I filled in all the original mounting holes. I’m also going to have to cut a thin custom gasket to fit between the lights and the fenders.

 

Love it! keep em coming!

 

While I wait for clear coat to dry, I’ll add a few more ‘35 build updates: The floor had some rust issues, including a pretty funky riveted panel fix on the drivers side. I cut out the malignancies, made some replacement patch panels and filled the holes.

 

Because I kicked the frame up so high in the trunk area, the floor needed to be raised pretty radically from the transmission back. I used a few pieces of the original floor, some hot rolled angle iron, and a few panels that I made myself. The result: Frankenfloor, the sixty five piece car floor.

 

And, here's a quick before and after of the shortened tail light brackets.

 

Wow, I love this thread, and this car.. I can't wait to see the finished product.. I love this car, damn another one to add to the list of Kustoms I'd like to own..

 

Nice metal work but I kind of prefer the 'before' picture.

 

Don't let that first picture fool you. It was a fairly rough car hidden under a paint job that looks good in small internet pictures. When I got all of the filler and lead out of it, it revealed a car that had been rolled over onto the drivers side, and had plenty of New England rust. But, if you simply prefer straight restorations, then yes, the first pic would be more to your liking.

 

quote: (I should’ve just bought a ‘36, right?).

35's are cool enough....and when you think about it, their a fresh year model that hasn't been tapped into very much.
I like having the only one that shows up at a big event.

They had a 75th anniversary corral at LARS for 35's and 36's ...(they did 33's and 34's together also)... guess what the corral was filled with...36's...I think I counted four 35's.

Nice build...

 

Turkey Rollup- thanks- I'm diggin this. Interesting rear set up, T5 = good- the car looks sweet too.

 

Hey TR, what did you do about your gas cap? I wanted to do something trick with my tail lights like you did but I did not want to shave the cap. Also, your work looks great and I like the idea of using '35 Lens' on the headlights. I just like the flat glass a bit better since it does not create something that sticks out visually.

 

Because of my frame mods, there was no room for the stock gas tank. I had to procure a long thin aftermarket unit (huh, huh...long thin unit) and mount it in the little pocket between the rear of the frame "C" and the body. I ended the trunk floor before that point, and closed off the trunk with a panel that seals up inside the trunk lid. I don't think I'm explaining it that well, and I can't take a picture because I've got that whole area masked off right now. You can kind of see it in the completed floor pic that I posted. So, the end result is that you've got to open the trunk to fill the fuel tank........................And, I'm really digging your '35 build.

 

Why thank you TR. I guess it's not necessary to get a pick because as you are describing it, it's far more then I'm going to get into for my own coupe. If it was a quick alteration I might have went ahead but since it's pretty extensive I'll leave that to you and your glory!!!

Pretty awesome stuff going on in NH as far as I'm concerned!!! Viva La Model 48!

 

I'm in between the various stages of the filler, sand, filler, sand, filler, sand, filler, sand, prime, sand, prime, sand, paint, sand, clear, sand, buff process, and I figured I would give a look at my makeshift spray booth. I was hoping the overspray blowing out of my exhaust vents would lay a nice even coat on my neighor's crappy, peeling garage, but no such luck.

 

Damn that's pretty cool....I mean the garage looks pretty cool even though it's rather close to the neighbor hahaha!!!! Let's cut the shit and see some pics of the progress....and the garage.

 

I'll post more progress pics soon. It's a MESS in there right now. And, to be honest, I do actually put filters over the inside of exhaust vents when I'm shooting anything toxic.

 

Nice work! Any pictures of the chop in progress???

 

I'm really liking what I've seen so far.
Hope you're still going with it!

Looks like you've already experienced some of the dilemnas I'm about to face. (Floor, gas tank fill etc.)

Never quite got the LaSalle grille and '40 Chev headlight thing myself... I know yours is a '35 while my personal preference is '36, but I think they're both beautiful as is, even better with a little bit of a clean-up.

Love the way you got the lights setting down on the fender- pretty much how I plan on doing mine, but without wishing to offend, I think that extending the buckets to emulate the '40 Chev look has ruined one of the best Art Deco design features of the '36 light - the way the curved lens flows into an assymetrical ellipse with no definable change of direction - looks like a football haulin' ass!

I reckon if you do the same lowering mod with a stock length '36 bucket you'll have a winner!

But, to be quite honest, what the hell would I know


By the way, love to see some more frame pics if you've got any!

 

TR would you mind posting some progress pics of the chop? i just picked up a 35 5 window and im looking for info towards the chop. your chop is spot on glad your back on this build!

thanks.
Yaril

 

Great looking car. A well executed 5 window is as cool as any 3 window. Love it


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