Hot Rods Thunderbirdesq Builds a Roadster!

Thanks Dooley, your kind words mean a lot to me! I put a ton of energy, thought, and heart into it. Really good to finally meet you in person too!

 

I can't wait til you move to Charlotte and I can see it on a regular basis......wink wink.

 

Haha, maybe so... Then again, there were a LOT of guys asking if it was for sale at the swap!

 

I'll kill you. You bring that thing down here you son of bitch!!!!! I have a Mercury that I'll trade you hahahahahah!!!

 

Hahaha, fortunately (or is it unfortunately... I don't know...) no one was coughing up the asking price, which was directly proportional to my level of reluctance to even think about selling it anytime soon. Hell, there's not even a seat in it yet!

I did score a set of old chrome Fenton aftermarket accessory dash trim pieces for it at the swap. Art hooked me up! After I just paid stupid money for the plastic set and had to CUT them to fit the dash... jeez!

 

I wish I would have had gotten my camera out when you were over for the "garage tour". It was cool to see the cars lined up in front of the garage, that thing is right on.

 

Sweet build, I love your roadster. The ride is really tops! Good luck and can't wait to see it finished. What else are you gonna do to it? What is your inspiration?

 

I'm sure it won't be the last you'll see of it...

Thanks man, I'm going to chop the top a couple inches, add a nice aged leather seat, interior panels, and a bunch of other small stuff needs done yet. Needs a horn, a mirror, a license plate light/frame, finish the paintwork, etc... Inspiration? Late '40s early '50s dual purpose race/street roadsters, concise and to the point, nothing that doesn't need to be there but still classy and comfortable.

 

you've gotcha one sweet roadster.

 

Dude that thing came out killer! I can't wait until I get to drive mine!

 

Finally got around to painting my dash... Still needs a bit of wetsanding and rubbing, but it's supposed to be nice tomorrow and I think I'm gonna trek down to PA in it for the weekend so I put it together anyhow.



Now I have heard of people putting together shortened torque tube drivelines with late solid shafts and 35/36 torque tubes without the center bearing with no problems. That was NOT my experience. I meant to use a '39 TT but when I was mocking up the chassis I must have grabbed a '36 instead. Since I had heard of guys doing this, I went ahead and used it. Well the car developed a slight driveline vibration under light load and during coast. I shortened a '39 tube with the bearing, viola! Calm, cool, and collected! I just changed the oil for the first time. She's now got about 1200 miles on her, will have another 500 or so after this weekend. I'm having a blast.

Up next, smoothing and painting the decklid and getting a real interior!

 

Dash looks great Andy! Why don't you bypass PA and swing down to Charlotte so you can help me with my body work on my 35 firewall. I have an upholstery grade Consew machine we can whip up an interior if you know how to use it haha!!

Looking grea though for sure

 

You just keep improving that car! Great Job!!!

 

Dude...this is what I want to build. I saw your separate post on the frame and suspension...slick. Some good inspiration.

 

I going to Charlotte GG in October and the way it looks I won't be taking a car. Maybe if you talk real nice to Andy he'll let me bring down there so you can drool (and other things)all over it.

 

nice thread, nice challenge, nice year.. your a lucky and talented guy. keep it up, your way......

 

This car is everything a roadster should be. If (when) I get myself a roadster body, this car is one I will keep in mind so I don't half-ass mine. If I can finish a car with half as much taste and detail as this, I'll be happy.

 

Thanks fellas! Jeff, I may just come up for Waterdown this fall, not too far off now!

Here's a few shots from the driveway behind work...

 

That fuel block, is it a repop?

The car looks fabulous. I really like it.

 

Thanks Brent, nope, it's OG... The only new parts on the car are the tires, shocks, the fuel tank, the radiator, and some wires/hardware/misc.

 

wow... I like the close ups. really makes you see how sweet all the details are.

 

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Thunderbirdesq,

Some nice photos and nice roadster!

 

clean that fuel block you pig....

 

Hahaha, Mike you crack me up!

 

this car blew me away. outstanding.

 

Gotta agree with that. it is exactly what a hot rod should be, and is.
Very nice Job Andy.

 

That is bitchin'

 

Thanks fellas! I should have taken a few pics as Riverside Joe and I blasted down the thruway this morning in the POURING down rain on the way home from the hardcore happening! We were getting some real strange looks for sure!

 

Interior work is well underway!