Where to start?

Well first and foremost... I have had a lot of time off working on hot rods and classic cars. My first build was overwhelming and I really had no self-direction so I scrapped it. If your wondering it was a 51 Plymouth Cranbrook 4 Door. It would have been the perfect learning car for myself as it needed floor repair as well as a lot of other things. I did find that the engine did crank. I also restored the entire dashboard and gauge cluster.

Well now that I have my military career with the United States Marine Corps putting me in a place to pick up Staff Sergeant and continue down the road with the rest of my career I know I am ready to start on a new project. I am really undecided. I really like the look of the 32 Ford 5 window coupe but I really want a full body car like my 51 Cranbrook was. I also like the 63 Impala 2 door so I can remake a Junior Johnson replica car. I did find a truck I could make into a shop truck like a 51 Chevy its really nice.

Let me know what you guys think would be a good easy learning car. I was thinking about the 5 window since it seems easier to find parts (re manufactured) I am trying to get a nice look on it. No I am not a welder by all means but I am willing to learn.

 

since you asked for opinions.....if you found your first project overwhelming and scrapped it , i suggest you not do a `32 ford 5 window as you next learning experience

find a " full bodied" car that you like that is currently running/driving and make small improvements and learn as you drive it

 

From one non welder to another I highly suggest you take 36-3windows advise, find a running driving car. This way you can enjoy the car and still learn at your own speed.

 

40s and 50s cars are cool and really simple to work on. I'd chose a late 40s-early 50s common car like a plymouth/shubox ford or even a 52-57 ford...same year chevys and olds/Pontiac/buicks.

 

^^^^^^^^x2

 

Is a 51 Fleetline Chevy common? I really like the look. No I dont plan on chopping the roof but maybe cutting a coil or 2 off the springs and put a block on the rear leaf spring to bring it down! Re doing the brakes to hydraulic and probably keeping with the inline 6 just so I can drive it around till I remember (from high school) how to put a 283 or 350 back together with a 3 speed.

 

Well at least you don't have to convert it to hydraulic, I think chevy's been juice since 36. Also those inline 6 look great with a split exhaust manifold and dual carbs. Good luck with your build whatever you choose!

 

A 51 fleetline is a perfect car for you. The 6 banger will get you around 'till you can build a small block. There are a few tricks to make them better drivers. One is to replace the old bushing-style steering box with one from a 53-54 chevy. They are built with roller bearings instead of bushings.
My old 50 delivery came to me as a stocker with no motor/trans. I built a big smallblock [406 cu in] and used a 4 speed. As a po-boy I scrounged most of my parts from the salvage yard..like the clutch linkage from a mid 70s ford pickup and a freebie 10 bolt from an 83 Olds gutlass...it all made a fine hotrod I drove all over the western US for a few years.

 

take your time and find a body style that really excites you, and is not a '32 Ford. keep an eye on the Cars For Sale here for a project that has been started at a price in your budget. budgets can very quickly be wiped out if you are not careful.