Projects 1932 Cabriolet - The 'FlatCab' - A Real 'Barn Find' for Once

Things are coming along on the FlatCab - have acquired all the parts that I need to update the following . . . while keeping the original parts in their "as-found" condition. I decided that anything I am going to modify, I have to replace with a new/different item, so as to not disturb/ruin the original. I know this undoubtedly has made my life more complex, but I know that if I took all the mechanical brakes apart and off the car . . . they'd never go back together. At least this way I can rebuild the original running gear (even though it is all in good shape) and store it away.

Here are what is going in the car:

1) Transmission: I'll replace the 32 transmission with a 39 box with 25 tooth Zephyr gears. I built this ****** 35 years ago, ran it my 34 coupe at that time. I've saved it since (guess it was good to not part with these things).

2) "Modernized" Columbia: I've located a late 32-34 rear end (as the car has the early one). I've also dug out my old Columbia two-speed axle stuff (have a few of them). Anyway, Columbia never made an axle for a 32 anyway - but that is not a big deal. I'll take a later Columbia housing, graft on the 33-34 axle tube and spring hanger and set it up for the correct width. I'm modifying an early 32 Torque Tube (I believe it will work) and a 34 drive shaft to fit.

Updating It: Also, I'm doing a bit of experimentation -- talked to HotRod works about their slip-in/late axle setup for early Banjo rears. They've set me up with axles, side gears, bearing holders, etc -- I'm going to put this into a Columbia so that I have stronger axles. It will take some special parts and ***ociated engineering/machining, but I believe I have it figured out. I'm also using all new 8620 internals (expensive) - to make the Columbia as strong as I can make it. I'll do***ent the whole deal and share it on the HAMB.

Now why a Columbia you might ask? Well, I can't think of any way to get highway cruising gears and still have stop-light gears and not cut up the frame (K-Member)? With 4.11 gears, you run out of gear really fast on the highway and spin the hell out of the motor - so a Columbia is about my only 'period correct' solution that I can think of.

3) Front Suspension: I found another original heavy 32 axle, had it dropped by 'Okie Joe' - did a hell of a nice job. Along with with a set of 32 spindles --> Joe dropped the arms and put new king pin bushings in for me and set them up for correct clearances with the axle (that is why I sent the whole deal to him). I also got a new lowered spring from Posies, hydraulic brake setup, etc.. Everything that is on the car now will be taken off and stored away.

4) Engine: I've already talked about the 41/42 Merc engine that I'm building, just starting ***embly on it - lots of machine work, porting and other nonsense has been going on all winter. If you haven't seen that thread - it is highly detailed on my approach to building a stout "street flathead":

The complete engine that is in the car today will be taken out and stored "as-is". Hell, it runs well and does exactly what a 100 HP flathead should do . . . go down the road!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...-updated-03-15-15.862832/page-7#post-10898237

5) Minimal Metal Work: I've talked to Flop Customs about fixing the poorly done quarter panels - and correctly filling the tail light holes in the back (Earl put lights in, then took them back out). One side has metal that was screwed on top of the old panel and a lot of lead/bondo. Yes, I could leave it . . . but I really want it to be as Henry built it . . . so he'll repair both sides and I'll work to put some old 'distressed' black lacquer on it to match the body.

 

At the service station last Sunday:

 

DANG!! Dale, I had no idea of the history of this car when I said that you were driving your "test bench" on the previous post.
We met at the GNRS in Jan. of '14, talked about flatheads, the HAMB and other neat stuff in the Land Speed Pavilion. I was wearing the Hill Davis Streamliner T-shirt. I just finished reading your incredible story and I have to say that this couldn't happen to a nicer guy! Have lots of fun! Richard

 

Hey Richard - thanks for the note . . . much appreciate the kind words! I met so many people at that show - can't keep them straight.

That is the streamliner that originally had the Moller/Adams engine in it?

What are you doing these days? Anything with flatheads? Where are you located?

Dale

 

I wrote this post to Dale in a PM earlier this morning....He thought it'd be good idea to share it with you all...If a moderator thinks its highjacking this great story, feel free to delete or move, however, Dale encouraged me to do so, so here it is:
--------------------------------------------
Dale,

Funny thing about this thread I'd like to share......
An opportunity came up this November for me to buy a car I've lusted over for YEARS!

EVERY TIME I drove through the S curves on 95 through Pawtucket, RI I'd think of the car that "got away".....well, it came available Thanksgiving week, 2014, and I was not going to let it slide through my fingers a third time..........

You'll notice I posted on your "barn find" thread back in April of 2014.......When the opportunity came up for me to buy the Willys Ive lusted over for years, I want you to know I thought of this VERY THREAD and the story about the land in Alaska and the salmon fishing....

Short story is I bought the car.....I never truly do***ented it here on the HAMB, but, I did post something that was posted by the previous owner here:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/hello-from-m***achusetts.806096/#post-10730858

If you read the thread completely, you will see I knew about the car from long ago, I posted about the car when the previous owner acquired it, and a later post after I bought it.

It really is never a "good time" to buy a car....I'm in the middle of another project, Christmas was staring me in the face, but, I made it happen because I was not going to get the opportunity again.

Funny to see Ryan post this today because, I thought of your post probably 2 or 3 days ago while out in the garage....Still in dis-belief I own this thing, I said to myself, "Man I'm glad I read about that guy with the Cab. in Ohio and the land in Alaska".....

Anyway, thanks for taking the time to post a great story and even more thanks for helping me put my *** in gear and not letting this one slide through my fingers again!

I love your 32, the story, how you do***ented it and everything....Also wanted to let you know in a 'round about way - you helped me realize one of my dreams.
best,
Pete

 

I find this whole thread OFFENSIVE! (for purely personal and envious reasons)

 

Great !!! Cabriolet´s Rocks.

Aulis

 

@Bored&Stroked -

When I read @Curt Six's one-page article in TRJ Number Sixty Two, I said to myself: "This would be a perfect thread for the H.A.M.B." ... but I never stumbled across it until today (Thanks @Ryan for bringing it to our attention).

I have really enjoyed reading this thread (i.e., I dig your writing style) ... It's a great story ... Grandpa Earl's Deuce Cabriolet definitely ended up with the right "caretaker"!

It's so cool of you to invite Brian to ride in his grandpa's hot rod ... I ***ume you two will be attending the GOODGUY'S 18th annual Columbus NATIONALS (July 10-12, 2015)? ... If so, be sure to let GG staff (e.g., @hemi, @John D, etc.) know ... they love these kinds of stories!

 

Great story! Did Earl's grandson, Brian ever get that ride in the '32??? Maybe I missed it. Thanks for do***enting everything and preserving the history of Earl and his '32 for all of us!

 

RE: Brian and Columbus GoodGuys

I'm going to contact him - hopefully he can make it (sure sounded interested when I mentioned it). He is the one who deserves to ride in it the most - I think it will do his heart and soul proud! I'll keep everybody posted here and I will contact the GG crew. I may not have everything done, but I sure as hell will have the new engine in it - as I'd like it to 'shake, rattle and roll' a bit!

I also will have my nephew from SoCal with me - I'm trying to get him into early hotrods, so for his 2014 XMas present, he gets to fly to Columbus and hang out and work on HotRods for a week. I'll make him get his hands dirty!

 

This is a great story. thank you for sharing. very envious and happy for you all at the same time. I can't help but think hopefully one day i am on the other end writing my story to share. Thanks again. Love the early hot rods. Told my wife yesterday that i was born at the wrong time. love today's tech but love the old cars more.

 

Dang! All four of those new transparent fenders, with matching running boards, really are almost invisible! Leave it to you to find something so unique. Thanks for sharing them with us.
Keep workin' and thanks for sharing the trip with us,
Al

 

So true. Guys with too much money are so often ***holes. Congrats.

 

Hey, there, Hamtown Al, this is hoping you and yours can make the LonestarRoundup next month on the 17-18. There is supposed to be a bunch of those West Coast boys joining us so the "party" could exceed 2000.

 

Great story!

 

Congratulations Dale. Great find and great story.
Thanks for sharing.

 

After chasing leads for nearly 55 years, I am as jaded as you are/were. You hit the jackpot and now own a real gem. I don't have that many summers left, but I still sniff out stuff every chance I get. So far, no Deuces.

 

Keep this story coming! I'm intrigued to see how you handle the preservation of this little piece of automotive history.

I think saving the garage idea is great!

As far as the '59 tag and WW2 bald tires questioning - I kept renewing the registration on a cl***ic Jag I had in outside storage at my PA house - "I'll drive it again one day" I'd say - and I did - it is sitting out front right now.

I call it the Rat-Jag - 5 years stored outside in PA made it look like a Rat Rod. I drive it every day to work. My wife thinks I'm crazy! She keeps telling me to put an interior in it before she will get in it. I like it the way it is but hey, I am a little crazy after 45 years of a car obsession!

Great site, I love the daily articles. Different every time.

 

Somehow I never saw the thread before and I'll have to say what a great story. Keep the updates coming.

 

Great story, thanks for bringing it to the fore.

 

A little late to the dance (one year late) but I am sure glad I showed up. As it has been mentioned many times "great story, great reading". The images of that garage really got to me. It looks like the garage my dad had and where he helped (taught) me on the 32 five window he helped me buy. Brought back a lot of fond memories, Thank You!

 

Great story, and great reading. Totally dig the pictures too.

 

Man... what a great story. Excellent job of do***entation.
The pics of the garage and how it seemed to be frozen in time were great. Synthetic rubber produced during the war wasn't as good as the real thing.
During the war,citizens were asked to donate all unused rubber and tires.
If these tires made it through the war years, that may be an interesting story by itself.
It would be nice if you could date their age.


Sorry if I started to take the thread off course.
Anyway what a great piece of history and mystery.

Thank you,
Gas and Guns

 

Lovin this!

 

Yeah, probably could have figured it out - probably some 'date code' someplace. But, when I put the new tires on it - I threw the old ones away. Should I have saved them? Maybe . . . but one can only save so much. Unless I was putting it back in a 'museum', would have never used them. But - now I wish I'd saved em . . .

 

You always wish for those things back however trivial they seemed when you got rid of them.... my 32 was a bit of a hack job... but a tried and true early rod with a 1960 homebuilt ***le. I dumped the chromed shoebox swing pedal setup and all the remnents of the old interior... no pictures of the plywood floor or anything else.... I just dumped what I didn't want a the time. I didn't research the cars history for 5 years after I got it.... I found the original builder too... unfortunately it was 6 months after he had p***ed and his widow was not happy to discuss anything car related.....be happy you know what you know and that the car has a good steward! I love the car and the direction you are going with it.

 

Not to derail the discussion, but I'm looking at those fender supports and seeing the little holes at the tips and thinking that would be a good place to put an old jewel reflector. Not sure what that would do for or against the look of the car though.

 

Thanks for sharing your story and congrats!

 

Count me as a fan of you Sir and of your fabulous '32 Cab.

 

I'm pondering the new interior at the moment - will be asking the HAMB crew a couple important questions on leather colors and engine colors - having a bit of a mental dilemma on it! Will post a vote . . .