I'm planning the built of an RPU and am having a heck of a time finding a body that I can afford!!! Either they cost to much, rusted to death or they are located 1,000,000 miles away!!! I was thinking about going with a fiberglass body, but it just doesn't sit right with me. I'm a pretty good TIN MAN and have been "CONSIDERING" building my own RPU from scratch. I have a good assortment of shop tools (will need to buy a few more..oh well (LOL) ). I'm not making a RIDDLER AWARD type car, something just the opposite..more of a "RAT-ROD" type of car. So...jst wondering if anyone has made their own cowl, body, bed....so on! Thanks!!!
Yep! Here's mine. Search out sawzalls posts for a more traditional looking one. There are a couple of others on here too but I can't remember who. They were using model a cowls and fabbing the rest I believe.
there are so many phantom bodies around now u could get away with any thing. how about ,any cowl, rear fenders from 50s car with fins, and odd make grill shell. for me i dont care if its rusty or slick or flat paint , i dig on original metalworking. hope this is helpful, too many people are worried about doing a correct car and not having any fun instead. my 2 cents RoadKat ican dream cant i ?
I built this from 1 door, gas tank and a cowl band. So I guess I built the drivers side, rear, firewall, and cowl sides.
I guess that answers my question!!!! For all that have done extensive sheet metal work..have a few questions: What gauge sheet did you use? For your inner frame structor of the body, what size and thickness tubing did you use? Can't wait to get the welder sparkin'! Thanks for the images!!!
As a suggestion ....or alternative, you may want to take a look at these 2 body styles offered by Speedway Motors...they are designed for Race-Car use...but that never stopped a real Hot Rod Guy from using it......yes, they are 'glass, but big fuck'n deal... you can cut, slice, chop it into a really cool ride.... here's the link http://www.speedwaymotors.com/xq/asp/strBase_List./hilt./source.2191/base_no.9009116/str_base_no.000%2DCATALOG+RACE%2C5501016%2C5501017%2C9009116%2C91004%2C91004001%2C91004003%2C91004004%2C91004007%2C91004010%2C91004011%2C91004012%2C91004061%2C910041%2C910045%2C91004600%2C910047%2C910048%2C91007%2C91007101%2C/header_title.NEW%21+Race+Products%2DBody%2C+Sheet+Metal%2C+Noses/page_name.prod%5Flist%5Fdisplay%2Easp/search_type.L1%7E221/search_option./deptsearch./deptSearch_id.2/dept_id.L1%7E221/dept_id_p.2/dept_name./dept_name_p.NEW%21+Race+Products/ShowImages.yes/sq.0/cont.1/intPgNo.1/redirect./qx/product.htm
LOTS OF COOL IDEAS SO FAR! You said you are lacking some tools, and I would guess that would include the big stuff like english wheels ect. I always thought it would be a good idea to use junk yard metal (like roof tops & van corners) to come up with compound curves without the equipment to make them yourself. They could be used to make the sides & rear panel, and if you are well connected, cheap too! Also if you build it low enough, you could avoid making doors, which would make it a lot easier. GOOD LUCK...GIVE IT A TRY...THERE IS LOTS OF HELP AVAILABLE ON THE H.A.M.B.!!!
Great thread. I love this. I am thinking of building a rod this way. I already have a grill I found at an old mine outside of Moab, Now I just need a cowl! Lets see some more pics! THANKS
35(?) truck cab. Haaaaa.....That truck body has been sitting at my house for about 3 years...you sold it to my buddy Bobby and he stored it at my house..it just left a few days ago...wierd .. Small world.. evel
Here's mine that I did a couple of winters ago. Started with the gas tank and door pillars and made the rest from scratch. 18 and 20 ga. steel is what I used. Was alot of fun but I am ready to ditch it and try doing some other type of body. (when I find some time) Smokey
My '28 started with pretty much a cowl and hood, then I got two doors (from two differnt cars) two different rear quarter panels, fabricated deck lid and new upper/lower rear panels and '32 grille shell. Good luck!, Dean
heres mine prob seen on another post made out of 4 model A's and built bed from scratch and frame from scratch.Most A prts were from fordor Later Shoe
I am currently building a top secret project called the Fubar Frankenstien. But I can say it is a completely built from scratch rpu with a removable hardtop. Just another peek under covers would tell you it is Ed Roth 60s era show car inspired. I will be posting pics soon.
Well, all this talk that I started really got my adrenaline pumping!!!! This is the feeling I was hoping for!!!! To bad I have to go away for two weeks (new job, company training in Minnesota). I want to get started on this NOW!!!! Not sure what I'd call the car...I'm sure it will be modeled after a production car to some degree......who knows?.....who cares!!! Thanks again!!!
Take it easy on me, this is my first reply: My ex-old man built a RPU back in the sixties when he was in High School. He used sheet metal from old refrigerators in the town dump (remember those?). He bent the curved cowl over some well pipes, Used the Rounded tops of the old fridges for the back of the body. Mounted on a narrowed model"A" frame with a 322 Buick motor and Ford trans. He and my dad painted it Marina Blue and the upholstery and bed cover in White. It looked good for it's time. He managed to get expelled from school over the car. Finally had to sell it before I could even get to ride in it ( I was only six). Sorry I had pics but they were lost in a fire years ago.. Old Bastrd still builds cars tho..
cool post, but how about an intro. I will have pics up soon of my rpu being built as soon as we start on the body. Its based on a 28 ford cowl. Gonna have to scratch build a bed too.
Here ya go!! Hot off the press! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=560881#post560881
Wow, that's awesome ! Is that a Ford or Oliver grill ? I'd like to see some more pics if & when you get them.....I'm sure everyone would. great job, keep hammerin' away Brian
I've been thinking about biulding a rat project like this.I think you could biuld the whole thing pretty easy.only thing I didn't like was the smooth fire wall.what I come up with is cutting the firewall out of a 40 -48 chevy sedan and using it.that way it at least has the inserts and not smooth .the cowl would be the hardest to shape I think but if you use 16 gauge sheet metal instead of 18 you could get by with using smaller tubing for the frame work which then you'd be able to use more tubing to be able get all the contours you would want.I'd like to keep this post running I think alot of us are sick of trying to find what we are lookin' for to only come up short .every once in a while you will find an oldie here in Ky only to find out that the tree that is growing through it is the only thing hold it together
The grill is from a Lasalle fire truck with trim from a 30's pontiac coupe and 30's dodge ram emblem.Like the ram cause it's gonna be mopar powered.Got to get back to work on it next week I have taken the last couple of weeks to finish my bike.I'll post up some more pics soon.Thanks for the comments. later Shoe
Here's my tub for a phantom rpu. 29 4 door cowl with heavy modifications, 26-27 touring back half with filled wheel wells and modified to hang 25 touring back doors. Doors modified to blend into cowl by using pieces of old window garnish moldings. Sratch built door sills. Kind of a home body made using mostly Ford parts including most of a 77 T-bird hood, a pair of unknown fender skirts and an unknow 30s trunklid for donor metal.
i have said it as many before have said it,,, there is a fukin AMAZING amount of tallent on this board!!!
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