Does anyone have some thoughts of doing a '36 3 window using a JB Donaldson fiberglass body? It seems so hard to find an original and these glass bodies really look good to me!
I didn't even realize they were being made. I'm not a fan of fiberglass myself, especially when there really are a lot of good steel ones out there rotting away that deserve to be saved. I couldn't really imagine driving around in a glass car, seems like it wouldn't have any soul.
If the price is right (whatever that is), and YOU actually want a '36 and YOU are not worried about resale....DO IT! Can YOU live with 'glass. That's the only question. I could.
Roseville Rod and Custom did a tan 36 3 window a few years back and it was top notch and I think it was a glass body--beautiful car
I have been thinking the same about a '36 or '40. The original (and in the case of a '40 repro steel) steel bodies are just so expensive. But what is the total cost of 'glass body with a chasis, drivetrain, and simple interior, has to be well over $25K if you do it yourself and keep things simple (ie no 800 HP engine). A truly rust free garage fresh last on the road in 1977 '40 was on the auction site and went for $22K and still needed a full re-do or at least a $4-5,000 minimum to get it road worthy. A $5-10,000 rusty one could take years to fix in your spare time. Glass looks good if done right and is rust free to start with, all new no surprises. I cant make my mind up either. But I still want a original one. Im gonna keeep saving my pennies for Henry steel.
I would have no problems using a J B donaldson body . A lot of guys don't like fiberglass bodies , but at least it makes access to rodding more affordable, most rodders don't have $25 to $30k to spend on a steel body. I'm based in Australia 95 % of all new street rods being built over here are glass , resale on these cars has been good if the car is a quality build. Cheers
While fiberglass is not my first choice for a car I couldn't find a steel 36 so glass had to do, my 36 is a Fairlane body and after 20 or more years it still looks good[
Street Rodder used a J B Donaldson body for the road tour car about 3 or 4 years ago. They put out a book too, featuring the Donaldson body on a TCI chassis. ("How to build a 1935-40 Ford Street Rod.") Turned out nice. Big budget and pro builders. You would still have a lot of parts to source out but you would end up with a nice car. '36's are just cool!
Im into real Henry steel, but you go with what you can afford, im betting a glass body almost ready to paint is going to be a hell of a lot cheaper in the long run than an old body thats going to take a heap of work. Go with what you feel is right, after all its not us guys on here that are building this car.
I would think that buying a stock Henry would end be the cheaper option.Buying the fi-glass body is just the initial outlay, it's all the other parts that add up....buying a complete car gives you almost everything in one go and you know they fit.The JB car bodies are nice but I see quite a few 36/5 3 window coupes coming up for sale over there at not bad money....Id save up and deal on a real one if Iwere you.
This from an earlier HAMB post / thread: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=183098 Maybe going to Mexico would be the place to find your '36 3 window... Better yet, make the illegals drag a good one with them as an "entry fee".
As others have said you would still need quite a few small and not so small parts to complete a fiberglass car, like a grille for instance. Everything adds up, time and money. Market demand and resale value would absolutely be lower on a glass car. Make yourself happy the first time.
I would much rather spend the money and time on a steel car than a fiberglass car. Look in the classifieds for yourself and see if a glass car brings the same $$ as a steel car when you need to sell it.
http://www.jbdonaldsonco.com/jb3windowcoupe.html JB is a friend of mine. Also Jim, the sales lead is a very good friend of mine. These guys are incredibly decent fellows. Donaldson is a bit of a nut for fiberglass, so all prejudice aside for the materials used, the quality is very high and well done. I was considering buying one of his 36 roadsters until I found my coupe body. Both of those guys are hot rodders, they get it. They also understand that the original stuff is getting harder to find and also a better investment than Gold.
If resale of glass cars are that much less get a finished one that suits your tastes. On the other hand patience can bring a worthwhile project your way. Just believe!!!! As if that makes it easier. If you build with the glass body, you will never have to worry about rust or dents. Besides, when in motion 100% of the public will think it is steel. 2% will judge you when they find out it's not. Forget them. But, when you do find a steel one to work with. Think of the joy it will bring. Worth the wait for me. Good luck.
As has been said buying a complete steel car is the way to go if you can. It will cost more upfront but you wont have to try to source every last doo-dad for the build. I bought a body only and it took me many years to get it on the road as I had to build it piece by piece. You will save time and money if you have most everything you need in one package.
MAD 034 X2. I did a glass Downs 32 Ford Vicky once with a TCI chassis. Both were junk in my estimation. The car was a featured car in Streetrodder magazine once so it was fairly decent. The happiest day in my life was the day I sold it. Glass may be cheaper initially but as previously posted it takes a lot of cash to buy all the pieces you need to finish one. The real big hit you take is when you go to sell it. I see steel 36 five windows for sale quite often. I'd bite the bullet and buy one before I'd go glass. Just my opinion.
I found mine 3 years ago with a want ad in The Early Ford V8 club magazine. Older restoration from Calif for a very fair price.
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