Projects 32 5W Build - The $4K Swapmeet Body / The Old Chrome Coupe

I bought this 5w body at the LA Roadster Show swapmeet back in 2018. I had been looking for a 5w body for quite a while. We were at the swapmeet and my budy Josh Carrillo called and says that there is a 5w coming into the swap on a trailer. He followed the load to their spaces and waited until I go over there. There was already a crowd forming. I was second in line, and as soon as the first guy (Vern from the Choppers) said he already had enough projects and stepped away, I stepped in, made an offer and shook hands. All in about 15 minutes from when they pulled in the gate. Josh was in the right place right time and I am thankful he called me.

Even though it had been an old channeled hot rod, with no floors and rough quarters, the doors, cowl and roof were in really good condition...and it was an very affordable way for me to get into a 32 5w!

I found a complete chassis with coupe title locally and brought that home

With some other parts I had gathered up, we did a quick mockup.

With the body on the chassis, located with the firewall and rear fenders, be braced it up and pulled it back apart to begin repairs.


We started stripping the quarters and found that fenders had been welded on, then cut off with a torch. Not good

We decided the best option was to order a new United Pacific floor and rear quarters

I had done some trading with my good friend Josh at Carrillo Customs, so he did the panel replacement


As well as cowl and door patches and put a cowl vent back in, as it had been welded and leaded in.

 

Welcome back Neal!

 

I started gathering old chrome for the 5W I knew I would own someday, long before I found the body.

Original Bell Auto Parts tube axle, 32 wishbone, perches, spindles, PSI shackles and 39-40 Lincoln brakes



Old chrome 32 trans case with chrome 39 double detent top

So with these parts, I decided it was time for another mock up.





It then sat in the back corner of my shop, with little to no progress for a year or two. I had a little shop open house, so rolled the car out, did a wheel and tire change and got a little more inspired.

 

A Star is born.
Happy days to you

 

Man that's awesome! Another cool one to add to the herd!

I may have to reach out to Carillo about assembling some bodies I've ended up with. He's local and looks like he does good work!

 

Your project looks and in typical Neal fashion will be a show stopper. I can relate to your project. When I bought my 5 window it was a channeled car with no sills or floor, the rear fenders had been bolted on twice above the wheel wells and it looked like the front fenders had been bolted to the front edge of the cowl plus the vent was filled. We used UP sills and floor, Brookville vent assembly and wheel wells and a UP under deck panel. My guy saved the front and rear quarters which remarkably did not need patch panels. A plus was the doors and top which were almost perfect. Sadly like most of my builds it moved on and lives in Oregon. Good luck.

 

Lookin good Neal

 

A few more details. The car had 41-48 Chevy tail lights and a Hollywood style license plate frame and light in the old tail panel, so I decided to stay with that combination.

After some careful measuring and moving lights up/down and side to side, I ended up with this.

 

This is going to be great. All those parts collected will contribute. Looking forward to the completion.

 

Amazing hot rod.

 

Looks awesome..

 

Neal, of course it's amazing! Your attention to detail always comes through.

 

I like those tail lights

 

I'm currently building a '32 Fordor but I favor the 5w coupes above the others. Yours is looking great!

Dave

 

Outstanding

 

Really nice work! I may have questions as I've just started unchanneling my 5W window too.

 

Fantastic! (But I'm not surprised)

 

Yes, the United floor system is the way to go on a channeled 32. Awesome work Neal...

 

Looking good Neal. Like the chrome parts. I think one of the key appearance factors is the suspension setup and stance; looks like you have that sitting great.

 

At it as always

 

He’s back! Glad to see it. One of the most talented people on here.

 

Another piece I had long before the body were these old purple hood tops with 5" louvers...

I am still on the hunt for hood sides with two rows of either 4" or 5" louvers, but they need to be these old style spaced at 1-1/8", just like original 32 hood side louvers. Anyone?

 

That's gonna be a beauty.

 

You make it look so easy!

 

What a cool coupe! I will subscribe & Follow along

It's going to look really sharp!

 

Neal, the car looks amazing! Any chance the old quarters are still around and available???

 

Sorry, those quarters went to a swapmeet and are long gone

 

Looks like the perfect home for that Bell tube axle we sold ya! Great to see some more detailed pictures and story to go with.

 

Wow! That Bell tube axle is one rare bird!
Beautiful build.