Looks like I can only post limited number of pix per post, so I will post in segments...stay with me... Here is what's going on in the shop: Trunk and rear panel I am using a 13 gal Tanks Ink tank. The cross brace made a world of difference in the flimsy model A Body. I had to have something Swedish on the car. The trunk prop is from an early sixties Volvo wagon. It locks in place when you open, then you lift it somewhat, and it releases. I think Ford had something similar in the forties. Since this car was originally a rumble seat car, I moved the lock to the rear... ...and made an adjustable "striker plate" The lower panel from Brookville did not have the same radius as the body, so I had to pie cut the inside flange to make it look decent. I spent a lot of time fiddling with the trunk, to make it fit the body the best I could.
A quick mock-up confirms location of rear hardware. A gutter system was installed on the rear panel. It leans slightly outward. Plumbers and roofers will tell you: Stuff runs downhill ! A drain tube was installed at the lowest point. The side gutters need to drain out as well. Here I can see the angle needed to reach the gutter.
Snip, snip... Like so... Then I extended the gutter... Here it drops right in to the gutter. The indentation in the gutter is necessary because of the shape of the trunk when closed. Once primered, I will put some body caulk in the seams, and give it the final paint.
Grille The '32 grill shell have to be cut down about 2 inches to look right on the Model A on '32 frame. The shell has a nice reveal coming down the hood side, so I decided the extend it along the new cut, for a more finished look. Using 1/4 inch solid rod, I followed the edge and welded it from the back side. That looks better. Plus, it hides the mounting hardware for the radiator. Also, when you cut down the grille shell, the indentation for the mounting screws ends up in the wrong place. First I eliminated the original indentation. Then I made a new indentation. Now it looks like it belongs there. Small details, but I think it makes a difference.
Body After blasting the door needed some small repairs on the bottom, but nothing serious... Naked as can be...can't hide anything now... I tilted the body so I could paint the bottom. I just put the body in a thin coat of DP-primer. Now off to the body shop for some smoothing...I will run the car in primer for now, but I like a straight body. I may even paint it shiny in the future. That's all folks ! for now...
Very impressive work Rolf. That car looks awesome. Keep up the great work. Btw. What method you used to weld the headlamp stand into shock bracket, mig,tig or...? Jaypee
Nice work Rolf, I've been following along as I have a '30 roadster body I want to put on a '32 chassis with a 264 and manual trans. Thanks for the inspiration.
Damn! And his garage is clean afterwards too! Just when I thought I had gotten over that feeling I used to get when I took showers after gym class. My tech post sucks
wow man looking good - I like the exhaust route - you were lucky to have room to get in over the frame up front! You're also lucky to have room to run those pipe all nice and tucked in like that. It looks sweet for sure. is the rear spring tuck up in that cross member - I can't see it??? your shop makes me want a bigger garage bad.
Jaypee: Just a wire feed. Oldbeet: Yes, we are getting close. I will be talking to you soon ! Tudor: The spring is missing in these pix because I wanted to move the rear axle up and down while building the exhaust. I wanted it to come out OVER the axle, so it was a little tight. That's why it look like spagetti.
Excellent. You managed to cover just about everything I need to do to mine other than subrails and floor. And a lot of that can be seen in the pics. I rate this one 5 smileys.
Judging from the welds, it looks like welded u-bends rather than bent pipes. You buy pre-bent pipes (U or J shaped) and cut them down to suit and weld them together with straight sections.
Rolf , looks great, I like the way you followed the pattern in the firewall with your setback, clean.........
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