Projects 1950 Ford coupe — sectioned custom

I have some ideas on an egg style insert, one of a kind. Also, I always wanted to do a front end like a jet air intake and jet exhaust out the tail fins. I want to add several “jet age” and mid century modern elements. I need an artist rendering of my artistic vision man.

 

Twin stacked stock (frenched) tail lights with the side flairs.

 

You have a good start, don't get carried away you'll only make it fugally.

 

If you are planning to spend big bucks on a build like this 100% you should commission someone with an understanding of customs from the era you are trying to hit to render your ideas and give suggestions. Throwing every idea you have into a build willy nilly is a recipe for disaster especially if the builder is not well versed and experienced creating cars in the style you are after. Major customizing is not restoration work and takes a special skill set to get right.

 

I have about 50 years experience, understanding custom car builds. In junior high I spent most of my spare time going through hundreds of old car magazines from the 50s and 60s. I remember a great article or series of articles don’t remember the name of the zine, but it was something like 50 Oldsmobile. They showed how it was sectioned. I’ve been planning this build in the back of my mind for many years. I have already spoken with a certain custom car designer about this build and not ready to name names.

I certainly understand what you’re talking about in adding too many gimmicks. This is a thread on a message board and I’m just throwing out ideas. The work has not started yet.

 

could be a good idea. I have a good idea of how to enhance the horizontal tailfins You know how 51 Ford has those chrome pieces that widen the fins? My fins will be slightly wider. Again, throwing out ideas can be unproductive. I’ll keep you all up-to-date as we make some progress.

 

Yeah, the Polynesian for sure. Work of art. I noticed that Ron Donne section Ford in another thread this morning and I am going to read up on it; One of the best.

 

More on the Ron Dunn coupe above. I googled customize 1950 Ford Coupe and this popped up. Looks like a recent Hot Rod Mag article on the restoration of the coupe and included an old article on it, but no info on when it was published. I like the taillights.

Lee.

 

This is a complete article on how the Polynesian was built from Rik Hoving's Fotki site.

https://public.fotki.com/Rikster/11.../jack_stewarts_polyn-3/jack_stewarts_polyn-1/

 

EXAMPLE:

I think bringing them a little closer together (top one down) would look pretty cool...

Credit & thanx to the owner/photog

 

The Hot Rod magazine article was May, 1958.
https://www.customcarchronicle.com/custom-cars/ron-dunn-ford-rest-begins/

 

I had a chance to buy the Ron Dunn car. His nephew ended up with it and he just so happen to live a few doors down from my son's best friend in high school. It was in exactly as the as found condition. The owner was asking 16k...I thought it's cool and all...but 16k? I was ignorant of its historical significance, and it was also some years before it was "found". Oh well.

 

That car sat outside @ Steve's for quite a while. I lived @ 160th & Powel in S.E. Portland which is a few blocks West. I was glad to see it "rescued"!

 

When I saw the car it was in Burbank CA, Valley Customs was in Burbank too. It looks like Ron Dunn lived in Glendale which is the next town over. So from 1950 to when Steve bought it, that car lived in that area for over 50 + years.

 

Steve’s website used to have a lot of coverage about the restoration of the car. Might still be there.

 

Did Ron Dunn. Pass ? A good guy. Had a chopped ‘40. With Corvette tail lights

 

Don't know for sure but I think he passed years ago. His nephew got the car in 1970 Kustomorama says. He bought that Ford brand new in '50. Assuming he was 20 at the time, would put him at 94 years old.

 

Maybe its just me, how about going with a conservative top chop... like 2 inches. I think it would help with the overall proportions.

 

Looks like a pretty big undertaking, but it is in good hands. No belly button build here.

 

Bob, that thought to chop crossed my mind it may happen first thing is to finish the basics. I will get some sort of Photoshop or artist rendering work done and we’ll see.

I think the traditional method of building a full custom show car is to make a new change every year. I might do some of that. The thing about the top chop is, I plan a full custom interior and would hate to mess that up by chopping it later.

 

First year, primed exterior, finished seat and door panels.
Next year with chop and glass installed.
Third year, custom painted with headliner, carpet, trunk installed.
Maybe?

 

Yeah, I really like that plan. I don’t mind driving an unfinished rod/custom at all, will certainly help with the budget aspect. right now, I’m lucky to have a side hustle, making extra money working from home, but that’s not guaranteed at all.

 

It's not just you. A serious sectioning with no top chop makes everything disproportionate-- see page three.

Just do it right and narrow it the proportionate amount, too. Split windshield makes that easy-peasy.

 

So this Ford coupe roof needs to be split down the middle of the entire roof lengthways, narrowed and welded down the middle? I’ve seen some cars needed that to be split 4 ways. I’ve just curious, more familiar with a Merc (I think) that is basically just the whole thing dropped down.

All the bodywork will be done professionally on this one. I think I’ve proved that point (my Lincoln is still sitting there gathering dust… ) Actually did quite a bit on it a couple months ago, but then this new job got in the way.

 

Roofs generally need to be widened, if anything, not narrowed when chopping. On these cars they are usually left as is when chopping.

 

Yeah, that comment had me kind of confused.

 

Yeah narrowing makes no sense. Cars flair out and get wider from the roof to the belt line not in. Narrowing the roof would make it even more difficult to get things to line up than is already created by taking a section out.

 

Here is an album on Rik's site of some pictures of the work Paul Bragg did on his wife's sectioned and unchopped '50. Personally I think the shoebox Fords look pretty neat unchopped and sectioned. One of the few cars I think get away with it.
https://public.fotki.com/Rikster/11...stom_cars/paul_bragg/49_sectioned_ford_coupe/