Well, here's another build thread. This one is about my '31 Ford Coupe that I started working on 6 or 7 years ago. I should warn everyone that this is not intended to be a traditional rod, rat rod, or street rod, it's simply the car I want to build. It started as a pile of parts delivered from Oregon in a trailer....
Used a few paint stripping pads and a pile o' sand to clean the two-tone house paint off (as cool as it was!) Then hit it with some DP90 (I guess I subconciously knew this project was going to take a while....)
Step 1: Chop 5.5" out of that top! It came out pretty good for a first chop, if I do say so myself! Theres still to this day some welds, hammer and dolly work, and leading to be done.....
I got some '32 rails from Turlock, boxed 'em, pinched 'em, and started on the cross members. Then made some shock and hairpins mounts, and test fit the front suspension.
The whole project was put aside for a few years at this point while I was distracted by moving, remodeling, putting together a new shop, dirt bike racing, and, well....women! I got one of those winters quickchanges with 9 inch guts, and spent way too much time making a bunch of brackets. Then I decided the shock mounts needed bracing. The braces still need some support between them at the lower bend. I'm going to mount an old keg on top of them as my gas tank.
StevieNash: It was a pretty good body. I had to replace the front lower corners, and still need to replace the rear in front of the wheelwell.
Here's where I start to get a little ridiculous: I decided on a full stainless steel exhaust, and I am going to make all of it, including the mufflers and headers That's about how she sits today, the next few weekend will be camping weekends, so probably not much progress... Oh, by the way, the "plan" is what you've seen here with a quad Weber topped SBC and Muncie 4-speed. Black car with an ivory white '32 grill and matching steel wheels. I already have the dirt track style front and rear tires, and I'll do some dirt track style nerf bars, and rear bumper. I also plan on making a bomber style bench seat with ivory leather padding. I'd love to make a removable top insert, but the "how" is still eluding me..
Thanks shootr and captain scarlet! I'm hoping to have the chassis rolling by fall, might be a stretch though..
The chop on the roof looks good. Can't way to see the progress. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
It's been a long time since I updated this, work on the '31 has been slow. I got my beer keg gas tank saddle made, it will also help brace the shock tower struts from inward flex. I made up one side of the headers, still have a little bit of welding to do. And I made up the front body mounts. I didn't pinch the '32 rails hard enough, so I have to get a little creative with the mounting. Mangled the hell out of my pointer finger on the bandsaw while making those too. (I'll spare you the picture of that)
Planning on mocking up my front floors and trans tunnel this weekend. I'm debating making a new firewall while I'm at it. Anyone have thoughts on making a new flat firewall versus just contouring it where needed?
How about reversing the original, gives you plenty of room and you maintain the stock 'welts'. Looks like a nice car you are building there! Doc.
That's a good idea Doc! I like the look of a flat firewall with beading too, but flipping the firewall would be a lot easier. Not that I've ever done anything the easy way...
I've been giving some serious consideration of a recessed and flat firewall whenever my Model A gets started. The idea would be to have it mimic the angle of the toe boards / inside cowl brackets and go straight up till it meets the bottom of the fuel tank. I'm guessing it would be recessed at 3-4" by the time it gets up to the bottom of the tank, but have no idea exactly where the two would join up. I'd also make it as wide as, and flush with, the inside of the cowl sides. Gary
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