Projects Projects...which to start first?

I've been a fan of hot rods for as long as I remember. Living on a farm, I am extremely lucky in that my Grandpa kept every single car he ever owned. Which is good and bad. The good is that I have a lot of projects. The bad is that I have a lot of projects. Anyways, I'm a young guy (22 years old) and now that I graduated college, I'm at the point in my life that I now have a job and money to start putting into these old cars. So I'm calling on you fellow Hambers to give me some advice on what to start first. Keep in mind that I am a mechanical engineer and a farm boy, so I'm not one to shy away from hard work. Anyways, here are the options:

A 1928/1929 Ford Sport Coupe (coupster). This is only the body. I don't know what grandpa did with the frame. I've found cross members, the leaf springs, and the front and rear axles in different scrap piles and on home built trailers, but haven't been able to find the frame.

A 1937 Chevy Pickup. This truck is in pretty good shape. It's a flat bed, has the original frame, engine, and tranny.

A 1936 Ford 4-door Humpback sedan. This is just the body. Has anyone ever done a hot rod with one of these? They look different with that trunk sticking out the back, but it could make a neat hot rod.

A late 20s early 30s International 1 1/2 ton farm truck. Grandpa built a trailer using the frame, but he thankfully took the cab, grille, hood, engine, and tranny and put them in a shed. The original fenders are still in decent shape too.

What are your thoughts on these? I'm thinking it might be easier to go with the '37 Chevy pickup since the frame and everything is there. However that begs the question: keep it original-ish or go ahead and hot rod it, chop it, etc.? So yeah, I look forward to hearing what ideas and advice you can give to a young guy just getting into the hobby.

Austin

 

I always, always, always suggest that a person's first project should be one that they can get on the road with the least amount of work and effort. Doing this stuff is fun sometimes and not so much fun other times and anything that you can do to get that first build under your belt gives you a better shot at not throwing in the towel and taking up fishing.

The pickup looks like it would be easier and quicker to do IMO.

Don

 

Man you have some cool stuff but like Don's said the longer it takes to build the more likely to give up when it gets hard. I would step back and see witch project I like most then what ones need the least work and go from their.Every one will tell you some thing different but get a game plan on your build and then work that plan. This can and will save you some money and time on a build. Good luck on witch ever you do and post some good pictures of your build.

 

First thing I would do is get the ones that are sitting outside off the ground and covered up so they dont get any worse before you can get to them,the 37 looks to be the easiest and I know of a good original frame for the international.

 

Id suggest the '37 truck, fairly complete, get it up and running with a small block/automatic, about any rearend will fit, 9 inch, 8.8 whatever you can find with a decent width and decent gear. maybe swap in a front frame stub, or full frame.
Leave the body as is, maybe patch up the fender and learn some hammer skills, nice interior, wiring. Drive it for a while you look for or build a bed.
Tear it down for paint after you have driven it for a while.
You'll learn what it takes, this will help you plan out the bigger builds that need frames from scratch.

'37 truck - your mid 20's
Sport Coupe - your 30's, big build, go crazy
HumpBack - your 40's, you'll need a family cruiser by that time, leather interior, A/C etc

Your 50's rebuild any of the above with your kids.

 

I'll ante a couple cents:

If you want a Hot Rod, the coupster is the only choice. Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of the others, but for me a Hot Rod is not a pickup (unless it's an RPU) nor a sedan.

But the voice of reason agrees with those who say take on the easiest project first. Shoot, doing the coupster last would probably give you the best result by all the skill you develop on the others.

Man, I hate the voice of reason!

 

Austin,
Go with the one you like the best!.......If it were me I would sell the 37 truck, I would part out the 36 4dr, (As they do alot better in parts than as a whole) All that money would go towards your build. then I would decide between making the international a fenderless bobber truck, Or making the 28 sport coupe a bo huff style roadster. I would most likely build the sport coupe, But That's just me, As it is more my style of hot rod than the other stuff you have. But If you are a young guy, Forget about 4 projects, As you are beat before you even get started....And don't listen to guys who tell you to just put them up for a later time, As If you do that they will always be on your mind, And while hunting parts for the one you are trying to concentrate on, You will be finding and buying stuff for the others as well, (ask me how I know) and the problem with that is it is taking away from what you are trying to do. It is best If you just have 1 at a time and work on it and only buy parts for it......Just my 2 cents

 

as others have suggested do the one that is easiest to complete

 

I'd go with the 37 pick up.

 

What Don's Hot Rods says, post #2. Best answer and logic.......in my opinion (and his!!)
Many others agree. Go do it!! And then keep us updated with words and photos.

 

I am a die hard Ford guy.... But the 37 looks like the simplest build... and a model a frame isn't to hard to come up with... but deuce rails look so bad ass on 28-29's

 

I'm liking the idea of starting with the truck, then building a sweet hot rod out of the sport coupe. I'm thinking the Humpback will be on the back burner or part it out.

Since I didn't mention but also have a complete '50 Chevy 4 door Fleetline (fastback) and a '53 Bel Air. Those would be much easier builds since they are all original and in one piece and would be great to haul the kids around in if I ever find a woman... (Between work, the farm, and church, I don't get out much. Haha!)

But thanks for all of the advice and words of encouragement. The '37 will be a good one to cut my teeth on and will be relatively easy to work on in the driveway until I can get my shop built. And I'll definitely post pics as soon as I start working on it!

 

Don gave you good advoce. let me ad to his advice, if you are going to be a hot rodder you are going to need something to haul stuff in, you can alwasy borrow a truck or you can own one. You already won a truck that with some minor upgrades will make you a good hauler. I would shoot at the chevy first not doing anything major that would make it not a hauler.

 

Yeah I do need to get them undercover and protected. I am amazed at the quality of steel in those old bodies. They've sat out for at least 30 years, and they still are relatively solid. the frame, axles, and original wheels are under a trailer my grandpa built, and I don't think he modified (i.e. cut up) the frame too bad. But if I need a good frame, I'll definitely get in touch with you. Thanks!

 

That is some good advice. One of my ideas (i've probably got way too many ideas and too much ambition. lol) was to take the old '47 International Kb-5 farm truck we have and build a car hauler out of it. But that's one of those things if I have a lot more money and time I may do, but most likely won't have the time or money. lol

 

If it were me I'd do the 37 truck as a first build simply because most of it is there and you can build it without a lot of fabricating if you keep it fairly simple. Clean it up, put a small block V8 in it with your choice of transmissions and a rear axle to match. Maybe just build a nice flatbed on the back to keep things simple.

 

I'd start with the '37 Chev truck...looks like the easiest to get on the road...but again, I'm partial to the '37-'38 trucks...
Tom

 

Just a little more friendly advice.....take advantage and get what you can get done now before the woman and kids come along, As when that happens, It changes things a bunch,.....You think you don't get out much now.....Gezz!!.....You have got it made right now.......Someday you will understand what I mean when I say that.....goodluck.

 

Haha! Very true! I'd better enjoy the freedom while it lasts.

 

Yep, 37 pickup with a modern V8 for reliability.

Shop? Kansas and farm to me= a huge barn. Then move all the cars inside.

The Model A would make a great Hot Rod someday. Hang on to it and start collecting parts.

The 36 humpback? I wouldn't part it out. I'd save it as a donor and eventually look to pick up a 35/36 coupe shell or back half. The humpback could donate the cowl, floor, dash, front clip, front doors (5/w), etc. Or save and build as a family sedan. Fat fender chassis are still easy to find.

Woman; Keep going to church, good things happen there!

 

Yeah, the huge barn would be nice...have all the old JD two cylinders on one side, the old cars on the other, and workspace in the middle.

That's an idea to keep the '36 and use her as a donor. You don't see many of them around...that trunk has kind of an ugly beauty to it.

Haha, good things do happen at church. Just gotta trust in Him.

 

Funny how much things change in a year... I just got back on this site after being awol for a year with work and other responsibilities, and read through all my posts. Never would I have imagined at that point where I would be at just a short year later... I did stay in church and found me a good girl who not only is a strong Christian and good cook, but also loves hot rods and Harleys. We're getting married this November. And then today, I signed a contract to buy a nice brick house with a 2 car garage, 30x40 heated shop, and 3 other outbuildings close to the farm. I'm blessed beyond measure and am getting closer to my dream every day. With a little patience and determination, you can realize your dreams. Hopefully, by this time next year, I'll be sharing with y'all how my first build is going. All I know is that I cannot wait for this next page in my life.

 

Build the one YOU and YOUR WIFE want to first..
Me,. I would sell all but the Coupester and International...
That Coupester begs to be done first IMHO..
Good luck and keep us in the loop !

 

I'm a truck guy, so that narrows it down to two.

I think your avatar has already answered your question

 

Well, if it's been a year and you still haven't started, I'd suggest you take a closer look at the two later model Chevys (49 and 54?) you mentioned.

If they truly are almost drivers, pick one and start working on it.

I'm afraid if you continue to procrastinate (no offense) we'll be seeing pictures of all these project cars with the "I'm going to restore it someday" byline in 10 years.

 

Thanks guys. I'm getting closer to closing on the house...there are so many hoops to jump through. The first thing I'm going to do after I take possession is get the Model A Sport Coupe and '37 Chevy truck inside and out of the weather. I'll definitely get my fiance-soon-to-be-wife's opinion on which vehicle to start first. She's a truck girl, so I'm betting the '37 will be first on the list.

Haha no offense taken. I know there are a lot of procrastinators on here, however, I do have an excuse: I have had absolutely nowhere to work on any projects in the last year. Now that I'm getting a nice, heated shop, I will be spending most evening (especially in the long, cold winters) out in the shop working on cars and woodworking projects. I may never get around to all of my "I'm going to restore it someday" projects, but I will still keep at it until I'm unable to do so. It is good to hear the collective wisdom of years of experience from y'all, and I'm sure as I get into it, I'll be coming here a lot more for knowledge.

 

Here is another pearl of wisdom from a guy that's been married for 41 years,,forget about spending MOST EVENINGS OUT IN THE SHOP.

A couple of nights a week if the boss lady agrees,,especially the first year! HRP

 

Haha good call. I may be a little too *ahem* busy the first year anyways to get a whole lot of shop time in.

 

Congratulations Man! She likes HotRods, She likes Trucks, lets get the truck driving!!!! Whats it need? A 350/350? A bed? A rearend? I got 49 chevy p/u disk brake kit that should fit. LET DO THIS!!!!! We're with you Home Boy

 

Well there's a 78 Chevy truck sitting with a 350/350 that I can pull and get running with hopefully minor work. I would love to find a 5 or even 6 speed for it though. The bed is gone, just a homemade flat bed. I highly doubt the rear end can handle even a mild 350, but the 78's rear 12 bolt might work. What else is needed for that disk brake kit? 49 spindles?