Too Far Gone - '28 Ford Sport Coupe

I would give my left nut to find something like that in my area. You deffinatly have it good if thats too rough.

 

You should look it not as a complete car but as a sum of the pieces. Just what all will you have to replace on it? My 34 truck was so rusty that by the time I get it done the only parts I will use from the original truck will be the cab, one door, hood and parts of the bed. That one looks like you would end up replacing more than you keep. I think you would come out better finding a body shell,pay to have it shipped and get a good frame and go from there. You would probably come out better in the long haul.

 

****** Hell, I don't see much wrong with that!Get it bought.

Nick.

 

You can probably make the grand back on the parts you don't use. around here that would sell today...quickly.

 

The deal is done, the '28 is mine. Along with a spare frame, engine/trans/rear, & '30-31' cowl. It appears that the '30 frame was converted to a truck at some point in it's life. I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do with the spare frame, likely I'll clean it up and part it to help buy patch panels for the '28.

I did some more poking/prodding of the '28 - the doors need to be patched, three of the 4 fenders are in decent shape, the gas tank is gone, and the rumble seat sheetmetal needs the lower 8" or so replaced.

It's going to be quite a project, but I'm looking forward to it. Not 100% sure of the direction I'm going with it, but I'm thinking fenderless hi-boy. It may end up with a dodge power plant (I've got a low mileage LA 318/auto) but if I come upon a good deal on a flattie I'll sell off the dodge.

Pics of the spare frame and the rear of the '28 attached.

 

Looks fine to me, I'd get started right away

 

awesome we hope for some build pictures as you bring it back to life

 

Well, I've been working on it on and off since I drug it home. I rolled it out of the garage yesterday, and while it doesn't run I figure it is a bit of a milestone to have it sitting on the suspension with the steering connected.

I'm going to work on putting together a "build thread" that summarizes how I got here. I've still got a lot of things to do, but I can actually see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Specs:
Frame - 2x4 tube with an 8" Z, welder series flat front cross member, 4" stretch.
Front Axle - '28 Ford, Drilled, '53 F100 Drums
Front Suspension - Model A, every other leaf removed
Rear Axle - '71 F100 9", a bit wide so I may narrow it
Rear Suspension - Chevy truck arms w/Dodge Neon Coils
Body Channeled 4"
1" square tube "subframe"
Engine & Trans - LA 318 w/727
Steering - Vega cross steer
Seat - Chrysler 2nd Row minivan
Radiator - Ford 4000 tractor

I was toying with the idea of a coupster, but after rolling it out and taking it all in I think it's going to get a fixed AL top covered with carson top material (Koz style). My doors are ROTTEN top and bottom which is what was making me think coupster, but I think I'm going to build with what I have and keep my eyes open for better doors. I've got new skins, but not sure the doors I have are worth saving.

Next step is to pull the body off the frame and finish weld/paint/wire/plumb it.

Here's where it stands today (well, yesterday actually):

 

Chop it a few inches and you'll be glad you kept the top. ******* is cool, but these things look great with the top. Here's mine after the 2" chop.

 

Agreed - it needs a 2 maybe 3" chop. And since the doors are really junk anyway I don't have much to lose.

 

I would not worry to much about wood costs. If you have enough skills to get this project to the point where you may need wood, your metal skill will allow you to replace wood with metal for little moneys! I think you will need the services of a good automotive metal blaster before you can begin to salvage this much rusted metal. Also a good cut off tool and lots of discs! An ox- acetylene cutting torch can be very helpful for heating and cutting rusted bolt heads and such, IF you have the skills to use a torch
properly it can save you a bunch of time on dis***embly. If not it can cause more damage than good.

 

Hi ...Nothing is to far gone...just depends on your fabrication skills...Sport Coupes are rare and should be saved at any cost..sell it to someome who will repair it.....

 

Any more progress on your car? You've done well so far.

I think you did the right thing.

 

Model A's are easy to repair and the patch panels are cheap. Around here they all need the bottom six inches replaced. Weld it up.

 

at least its somewhat complete from the photos ...

metal work skills are a requirement here but its savable .... =)

looking forward to the build

 

Good for you that you bought it! It's a project for sure, but will be worth saving!

 

Yah, let's see some progress pix. Love me some Sport Coupe!

 

I did a '30 Sport Coupe years back, loved that car. I think they are very cool and mine made a fine rod. I made all the wood pieces from a rough cut 2x8 Ash plank. Not a big deal. This one though, I think by the time you got down to good metal you wouldn't have much left to work with. That cancer looks deep. I'd leave it for yard art and find one a bit more solid. Just another perspective.