Opinions Wanted: Should 32 Rear Frame Horns Always Point Slightly Down?

When I fit my Model A body onto my deuce frame I bobbed the rear rails mainly because I wasn't going to run a 32 tank.

Now I'm going to shorten the pieces I cut off so I can run a rear spreader bar as a makeshift bumper. The floor of the body angles up right where the frame is bobbed. I know 32 rear frame rails angle down and that's what I am and everyone else is accustomed to seeing.

If I mount the rear horns so they match the angle of the rear of the body, then they're angled up. Does this look OK, or should I figure out a way to mount them at a downward angle?

EDIT: the horns in the pic are cardboard for easy modification so I can figure this out.

 

Looks right to me. I like it.

 

Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers...
Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers...
Rugger babbe bruther humpers...

Sorry, looks like a cheap quickie to me wherever you set it. Make a good track bar, Nerf bars or something. But then, it ain't mine so do it your way. Stick a club plaque on it or move the licence plate bracket to the bar and it might not look too bad. I'd cut a hole for that body bolt head and mount the rail so it was even with the body angle to look like the body was bolted to it if it was me and I had to have that cross bar. Everything should always look like it was designed to be there, not just stuck on. You can fudge on the front end where the rail bends up into the trunk behind the wheel and most will never know what you did. Made one that way back in the 70's.

 

Dave, I think they look better with the lower edge angling down and the upper fall as it may....

 

I'd suggest you do at least two mock ups; one the way you've got it here, then one with the front portions tucked up as original or similar to it. Then do your photo from at least 10-20 feet back. Whenever mocking detail features, looking at them close up won't give you proper perspective.

 

V3 for me. Gary

 

only my opinion, but I really like the last 2 pics. The only thing I would change is to bring the spreader bar closer to the body.

 

Don't think it looks right pointing up....visually it makes the rear end lift...just doesn't look correct to me.......would have liked to have seen the other two from further back to get correct aesthetic.......my 2 cents

 

What Larry said. Timely thread, I am adding horns to my 32 framed A Tudor, looking at the same issues right now!

 

Same......2nd last pic with the bar closer in.

 

If you're not going stock then maybe a push bar would look better. A big round tube like what you'd see on a Willys. Here's a pic of the Vicky on evilbay for the stock version.

 

Here's what I think would look good.

 

I'm with Larry too. Mock it closer to the body, and then do a walk around to make sure it works from all angles.

 

I agree with Jack. Angle the rear frame horns down. A little closer to the body also.

 

I think a curved spreader bar tucked tightly to the body would look much better.

 

I kinda like the last two pics of your mock up also, without moving it in closer to the body; keeps the overall stance from looking too stubby and keeps your spreader bar 'bumper' far enough away from your body in case (God forbid) you do get 'bumped!'

 

x4

Matching the angle of the body looks good close up, but move further away and i agree with Larry.

 

.....Look right now////

 

It all comes down to how you want it to look..
each build, and or car body style and how you have it set up will dictate the right look.

once the covers are put on, it takes that slanted look away

 

She looks Bitchin'
been watching you build her

 

Here are a couple pics of my coupe, Dave, just to give you an idea as to what the stock angle is. Mine is a stock frame.

 

I thought v2 had something going on, maybe a little tighter to the body.
Remember, a camel is a horse designed by a committee.

 

I think on version 3, the rails should be a little wider.

Or maybe angled. When you compare the frame rails on each side of the tire, the right is really wide, and on the left too narrow for my taste.
Like almost every body said, move the bar closer to the body and you should be ready to go!

 

Here's a thought for something a little different.

Box the horns, angled upwards to follow the body,

curve the spreader bar to match the rear body line (when viewed from above).

Extend the bar past the horns on each end and make them look like

bullits (similar to your tail lights).

The bullits would be perpendicular to the frame.

Just a thought

 

I think the problem is that your body angles upwards in the back, so if you make them fit the body, they're pointing upwards. . . if you angle the downwards, you have too much of a gap (cause the body goes up). Maybe try them perfectly straight and level, you'll have a little bit of a gap, but it wont be too drastic.

I'd also go closer to the body like everyone been saying. On my car, the horns are level, and the rear of the spreader bar is about a 1/4 inch from the back of the body. . . and it looks great.

 

Have been looking at Sorchiks B400 and his rear horns are almost level with teh spreader in so tight it almost touches, changed my thoughts. His looks good.

 

At the moment just some color copies out of an old Street Rod Builder. No good scanner to get them to you, he has posted pics on here tho. Search under Jersy Suede.

 

For what its worth,these pieces look a little tacky to me. they appear to be formed from thinner guage material and the fold radius is way to sharp which gives the apperance of a 3 piece welded and fabricated "street rod" belly button! I have built 32 frames with the rear horns and bobbed and found that the frame needs completion in that area when a "mock up" is performed so that all is revealled!

 

They're cardboard mock-ups . . .

 

Gidday Dave . I agree With 3WLarry . the last two pics are right . i have a mate who has a 30 coupe on duece rails but has altered the frame over the rear As it's not seen . What does matter however is , what is seen . & his car has the rails pointing down and the spreader up close to the body for a neat finish . people don't know what they can't see under the body . Car looks great by the way .