Ok, I have had a couple of threads on here about the chopped 49 Ford coupe I bought a while back. FIrst just when I bought it and then ideas about the front end. Now tomorrow I am finally going to pull it out of the back of the box truck where it has been setting for the last few years and get started on it. Heres the scoop. 49 Ford Coupe chopped 4"-6" as I have been told by Edgar Nethercutt out of Ashland Ky, clipped at firewall and all square tubing from there forward with Fatman Mustang II. Front end treatment will be a mixture of 49 Caddy parts with 55 Caddy Dagmars and 56 Olds headlight rings with peaked fenders running up to the rings. That part is for sure. Now for where I am hung up. Problem 1. It already has the front frame work done, which was also done by Edgar Nethercutt, and is fantastic work. I am very hung up on wether to go ahead and hack the floor up, notch it, build a bridge, traingulated four link and lay in out on bags, or wether I want to put it on one of the other stock frames I have and do a static drop, get it setting right and keep it more traditional which is more my style. Problem 2. Quarters. I am having a hell of a time deciding what to do out back. I know for sure the spears will be gone. Thought of extending the quarters with the tops downward sloped just barely and 56 Packard taillights, thought of a complete quarter swap, I have the 49 and 55 Caddy quarters as well as many others, thought about piecing on other ends like 52 Olds, but I am just hung up. I have looked at picture after picture can can't decide. Problem 3. Engine. My original intention when I bought this thing was a 60's custom with a Caddy 331. I have the 331, but it needs everything. However when I bought it I bought it inside of a box truck and basically seen the outside of the body while squeezing up the sides to look at it. I had no idea the front frame work was done. A nice dressed up Caddy mill is going to look very out of place setting on those square tubing frame rails and Mustang two front end. SO a Small BLock Chevy kinds fits the bill for this frame I hate to waste the good work already done and go backward so far to do a frame swap to a stock frame, completely rebuild the front end, etc. to go the traditional route, but that is what I set out to build when I bought this car. I am looking from input from others. This will be far from the last car I ever build, I got a lot of builds left in me...lol. What would you guys do. Once again, I am just looking for input and opinions, which I know are like a$$holes, we all got one and most stink, but lets see what you all got
By the way, I will put picks up tomorrow evening when I pull it out of the truck. I don't want this to turn into another thread like when I got my Buicks....lol
as far as seeing frame, etc just make new inner fender panels that covers everything that looks too new. post pics of your project and other Fords that you have seen with the front end treatment you are going to run-Caddy Dagmars, etc
There are no pics that I know of of the front end treatment I am speaking of on a shoebox. I found something similiar on a caddy, but never on a shoe. This is not my exact plan, just the most similiar thing I can find. I got a thing for Caddys and always have so even though this is a shoebox there will be a lot of Caddy in it. I'm considered since the newer frame just using a newer caddy motor, like a 472, bagging it, doing custom sheetmetal inner fenders and embossing Caddy emblems in the tops of them as well as in the rear sheetmetal covering the bridge from the trunk side. I could make a real clean looking car I am sure, but the newer style may have me shoot myself by the time its all said and done. It will roll on 57 Caddy caps on the front, more than likely the quarters will be some kinda Caddy quarter or maybe just part of them, the motor will probably be caddy. Caddy back bumper. Just the feel I am going for. I am about to jump in to this thing with both feet and my mind is literally going 90 miles a minute about it.
Amuse yourself. If you need a pic of a chopped shoebox coupe with no front sheetmetal on it to know what one looks like you probably are in worst shape than I am anyhow
So far I like where you are going body wise. Infact, it sounds awfully familiar. Here are some shots of my '53 DeSoto with '56 Olds headlights AND '56 Packard tails. Not that it gives you an idea of what it would look like on a shoebox.
Very similiar tail light style to what I have invisioned except mine quarter will be a little thicker above the light and roll down just a hair to meet the light rather than coming straight to a point like your do. By the way nice custom grille 53 Desoto grill is one of my favorites...lol. What is your plans for a rear bumper. I plan to use a 55 Caddy rear bumper that will form the lines for the bottoms of my quarters. That is tentative at this time. I am not sure how I can get the quarter to transform from the Packard lights to the Caddy bumper. Ofcourse neither the Caddy bumper or the Packard lights are set in stone yet. As of now the 56 Olds Rings, the 49 Caddy and 55 Caddy grill parts combined, and the 57 Caddy caps are all that is set in stone.
I'm keeping the stock '53 Desoto rear bumper. It lines up perfectly with the packard lamps. Aside from the grill, the bumpers are the second most stolen parts off these DeSotos. Tail lights comes in at a strong 3rd. If you are interested I now have my '53 Desoto tail lights up for sale. Includes light sockets.
Thanks, but I am still looking for the right tail lights to make this car what I want it to be. I am waiting for my buddy to call to go unload it now. Where are you located in upstate NY?
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