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

Tick-Tock

 

We ran the engine today in the test stand and all seems well. I will re torque the head tomorrow and run it a little more.



We also pulled out the black firewall. Hopefully I get the other back from paint and chrome next week and it can start going back together

 

That motor is gorgeous! Glad you are going back to it.

 

Getting there. Looking forward to seeing it at the GNRS and shortly afterward in Hop Up.

 

I bought a second pair of Rotoshim shocks for the rear. They come standard black anodized finish, but since I wanted them polished they agreed to blast the parts to bare aluminum before assembly. I sanded with a 320 DA then hand sanded with 1000 before polishing. I will spray them with clear gloss Cerakote this weekend. Then these can go on the car.

 

Great news on the engine run, all very exciting!
What colour will the F/wall be? White of some sort?
& Those Shocks have come up nicely. So they are Aluminum bodies? Made in the UK?

 

You might have to just wait and see on the firewall color...haha

And yes, the shocks are the aluminum bodied ones from England:

https://rotoshim.com/overview

I was very happy with the way the car handled with a pair on the front, so I am looking forward to driving it with a full set of these shocks (and the back end raised up so it's not bottoming on the frame!)

 

I'm thinking CHROME firewall!

Dave

 

Maybe you both are right

 

Ala 1960's GMC valve covers...

 

woah!

 

More progress. Sprayed the clear Cerakote on the rear shocks in my fancy outdoor spray booth



And installed.



I spent some time on the rear fenders, quarters and deck lid evening out the finish using Scotch Brite on an orbital sander.



I wanted to get the Scotch Brite work done so I could install the chrome frame horn covers

 

I am still waiting on the firewall and hardware, so worked on getting everything ready. I wanted to use the original cowl to firewall rubber, so I didn't have to fight the too thick new rubber seal.

The original was pretty good condition but had a smashed corner. I trimmed the bad part out, made a profile squeegee and remade the bead with "the Right Stuff" gasket maker. A little black tire paint and good to go.

 

Top shelf detail work Neil, the chrome accents are very tasteful.
By the way, I picked up on your idea on the LED light units and made some "Z" flanges from aluminum angle, installed one in my small front garage, it's perfect.

 

Neal, I'm hoping to see your rod in person at GNRS.

 

Lucky to live where you can paint outside. Here it'd freeze dry. I'm warming up to those chrome frame horn covers. Looking good.

 

"The original was pretty good condition but had a smashed corner. I trimmed the bad part out, made a profile squeegee and remade the bead with "the Right Stuff" gasket maker. A little black tire paint and good to go"

Really like what you did on the gasket6. As you know the repros are all too thick.

Glenn

 

More details.

I didn't want to run a front apron as I like seeing the whole chrome front axle.



But i didn't like the open frame rail with nothing there.



I was looking through old car show pics for ideas when I noticed what they did on the Barris built "Flamer" coupe


So I set out today to make my version. I am running a spreader bar, so I copied the upper profile from a stock 32 splash apron.



After I showed installing the clench nuts in the firewall, @banjorear messaged me to see if I could use a few leftover clench nuts he had. I just got these 1/4-20's from him a couple of days ago and they were just what I needed. I love the generosity of this community!

 

That's sharp!

 

Thank you! And I didn't mention, but they will get plated to match the rear aprons.

 

Like those frame horn covers

 

I assumed so!!!

I got another round of chrome back, recently. I have some more stuff to pull but once I do the car will be immobile... until I get it back.

How are you putting stuff back into mock-up and keeping it perfect? When the car is finished I won't think about it... but I won't be messing with it, either.

 

The frame horn covers look great!
I was thinking the same for my A.
I think you settled it for me.

 

I’ve thought of the same on the frame horns and especially like the way you made it all come together. This is going to be one of the top 5-W coupes ever!!

 

Your 32 is like a piece of fine art. Or like a piece of fine jewelry. It is stunning.

 

Looks great, I like the frame horn covers and I especially like the new rearend height.

I also recently did LED lights in my workshop. Even with trying to keep everything else in there period-looking, the LED's really make it easier to work and they use so little energy and stay cool, which is a huge bonus.

 

Most of the engine and chassis chrome is a mix of new and old, so I haven't been super critical, just using common sense. Taping off and covering parts when welding or grinding, etc. The rear frame horn covers are a bit different, as those are really nice plating and are part of the exterior finish. I am being extra careful and am taping them off while still assembling the car before GNRS. They are nice enough that they scare me being on the car while still working around it in the shop.

 

Sorry for the dissenting opinion and I like the frame cover idea, but I think a super mini splash apron would really help the flow of the fender into the grille shell. Similar to how the rear horn covers help the fenders flow into the rear body lines. The gap in the corners (the way you’ve done it) just looks unfinished to me.

 

I appreciate the feedback and I think I have a plan. I was waiting to get the radiator and grille shell back on the car to get the details figured out. Stay tuned.