I have always been a lover of post war Fords, so this one followed me home recently. It was rescued from huge vacant lot, in the California desert. It has never been painted, and is 90% rust free, and untouched. The down side it doesn't have a stitch of cloth left in the interior, and the seat is nothing but a maze of desert tarnished springs. Does anyone know if there is a junk yard bench seat that will fit this application? The expense of an interior is killing me $$$. Someone suggested aluminum door panels, and bucket seats... Help me vision this build. So far I'm thinking typical dropped axle, 283/327, 4 speed, 9 inch, updated brakes, black walls, and black wheels, with original hubcaps. Simple and old school. Here's a picture or two. Hopefully I can save the desert aged exterior.
I have a ‘68 El Camino bench seat in my ‘46 Business Coupe. It fits great and looks old style enough to look like an original seat. If you are really familiar with the style of the original seat, it doesn’t look like it at all but it doesn’t look like a newer truck bench seat. I mounted it on a piece of 2x4 square tubing that bolted to the stock holes on the bottom and the seat on the top. The seat sits low in the car, but I like that look and it’s placement in the cabin. I got my seat from the local wrecking yard many years ago with nice enough to run for a year or two stock black upholstery for $25 bucks. You might have a hard time finding a seat of that year that nobody need’s today
You are just north of the upholstery capital of the world. Take it across the border and get the original seat rebuilt. They can make door panels and headliner too. And cheap.
Get out your tape measure and then visit the junk yards. That way you can shop among many that will be adaptable and able to pick the color/style you like. The biggest downside is that most of the cars built in the last 20 years are 4 door and you'll want a 2 door seat that you can flip forward for back seat access.
Does anyone know if there is a junk yard bench seat that will fit this application? The expense of an interior is killing me $$$. I had this problem with a Ford pickup truck years ago. Nothing left but the springs. I cleaned, painted the frames and oiled the sliders. Then I went junk yard shopping. Look for a rear seat as close as you can find to the width of your seat. Height can be adjusted, to a small extent. A rear seat because they usually have less wear. I found a seat out of a 1977 Ford LTD II sedan that was about the same size as a 1960 Ford pickup. Took it home for $20. Removed the hog rings, peeled off the seat cover, took the foam rubber and put it on the pickup frame. Then covered it with the seat cover and hog ringed it down. When done it looked real nice and was quite comfortable. I think I had to stuff a little padding in the corners to get a good fit but that was about it. Please resist the temptation to put in a whole seat out of a newer car. They never fit right or look right and are not as comfortable as the original.
Thanks that's a good idea. I almost didn't buy this because of the interior. There will be a way to overcome the interior issue. Years ago guys would take their cars to Mexico. I'm not willing to risk that..
I'm rust belt drooling...the money we'd be paying to rebuild the bottom 6"s could go to an interior...Rustys ideas a good one, south of the border suggestion also is another (I had a friend that did that) what about that Hamber from Mexico that did all that Custom work a pm away...and how about our own Hamb Upholstery craftspeople...good luck with it and congrats...keep us in the loop...those www's look pretty cool too...it just needs a slight adjustment in altitude...droooool... https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/current-tj-upholstery-information.1183200/ ...A fairly recent thread on the subject...there is other possibilities shared by Hambers as well...
Another possibility would be to buy a second hand sewing machine and do your own upholstery. It is not that hard, not as hard as bodywork and painting or rebuilding a motor.
Couple that with a search here and pull up some threads that share that part of the build...walking in ones shoes can be a challenge...but many have done just that...
There are lots of vintage NOS aftermarket seat covers on ebay and the like. You would still have to fix your springs and frame and source padding.
Thanks guys. I'm trying not to stress about the interior. The untouched nature of this car, is what kept me coming back to it. As to rust, the removable floorboard that covers the transmission, had several rusty screws, and the corner of it near the drivers feet needs a little repair. The tool compartment near the back bumper needs replacement, I suspect there was mice living in it. Otherwise, the floors have some pimples, but it's mostly original paint.
Anyone Streetrodding one of these would be glad to offload the old stuff but chances are it would be also be in need of a refurbish...so really only good for patterns and what SD has...I wonder why it's missing all the upholstery...
@sdroadster are the door and other side panels still attatched as they would be good for patterns... https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/interior-making-door-panels.97283/ https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...t-46-ford-begins.621455/page-42#post-14971214 ...Threads to puruse...
The cardboard backing was so brittle, it just fell apart in pieces. So, there is almost nothing left. Years of desert heat, and hungry mice did that.
Is the hardware there? Springs, glides and any other steel components? Panels are all flat make your own cover with fabric you can afford. Cover springs with blankets, it’s what we do when we’re broke
Great save with that 46 short door coupe ! Especially being a desert car & metal being solid..My 41 had Zero interior except a few tattered door welts.Did the 46 business coupes have a rear seat or the flip-up seats ?
It had a flip up seat. It is absolutely untouched, and rock solid. I'm 76 years old, and have been a hot rodder since before I could drive. I feel a little stressed, and have had self talk, like "what have I done now".. and then at the same time, envision how I can save this car. I like simple cars that are more workmanship than purchased chrome glitz. One way or another, I need finish up my existing project, before I tackle this. Meanwhile I am on the hunt for parts that are affordable.
New correct stuff is bucks, no way to get around it. A sewn headliner is 500 + on the bay. I didn't check on other items, but yeah that is going to add up to thousands inside. A custom job from patterns up is going to be about the same or more in the US. Your choices are DIY or ship it a low labor cost area and you have already said no to a TJ excursion. I would say no to aluminum panels. That reeks of 70s drag car. The cost for the sheets is more than proper door, kick panel and package tray board. I'd lean more toward just making the backing boards and repairing the seat frame/springs and recovering as Rusty mentioned. A clean job in progress is going to be a big improvement. Hardly anyone can do full body/paint, interior, chassis/suspension and drivetrain all at once. Since you don't have unlimited funds, I'd also suggest trying to gently revive the current drivetrain and get it safe and driveable as-is if possible. Upgrade it when funds to complete each step (brakes, lowering, engine/trans/rear swap) are ready so you can enjoy it while building rather than blowing it apart and having a long term project taking up space. I speak from experience here. Check out this thread https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...ject-1957-fairlane-500-town-victoria.1226507/ It isn't beautiful yet, but he's driving it.
I have been working on this project slowly. I have been trying to find someone to drop a 40 axle. I have used Sid's before, but have called them several times and it just rolls to voice mail. Does anyone have a recommended source to drop a 40 axle?
Finished up the roadster project. So far I like working on the 46 better. This is a V6 Chevy motor, scooted all the way forward to the front crossmember. There is a remote electric water pump, and about 10 inches of additional leg room, thanks to the reversed, and extended firewall.. I still putter in the garage in between Chemo therapy treatments. It appears I was exposed to Agent Orange in Viet-Nam. 50 years later here I am. Stupid me...
There's a thread on a great dropped 32 axle. Check with them about your 40. The roadster looks like a barrel of fun, and you should be able to enjoy it year 'round there. Thanks for your service. AO got a lot of people.
That 46 looks great. I have been dragging my feet about going to look at a 47. This might be the push I need.
Just make sure that you look before the snow flies and check the underside. CA desert body is going to be a whole lot different than North Shore Of Lake Erie!
Cut some door panels out of 1/8” Luan mahogany plywood sand the edges and varnish them Put them in with trim screws Looks real cool and will cost about 40$ Hog ring a double layer of burlap on your original seat springs Go to a carpet shop and get a rem of heavy felt carpet pad Upholsterers call it jute but carpet guys call it felt It will cost you about $20 Glut it to the burlap with spray adhesive Then put a back seat cover on it as suggested Or an eBay seat cover with some 1/2” foam Here’s a seat prepped for foam and seat cover
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