As some of you know, I have a 48 Chevy coupe that I bought about 2 years ago or more. It has been sitting and NOTHING getting done. It has a 79 Z28 camaro front end on it, etc. The body is OFF the ch***is and has rusted floors and rocker panels. Basically I need all new floors from front to back and new rockers. I have a few questions on this. I think I may just go ahead and sell this thing because of how much money it will take to get it even half way decent. The body is in GREAT shape with original paint but the floors are GONE basically. Where should I get new floors at and how much am I looking to spend for new front and back floors, ****** tunnel and rocker panels on each side? Can you guys send me some pictures of some nice 48 coupes? If I keep it then I will put air bags on it but give it a smooth clean custom look with welded in fenders, pie cut the hood, chop the roof a little. If anyone has ever seen the picture of that concept car called the "Holden" from GM then that is the color and interior color I want on this thing with that kind of look. The wheels I think would be cool similar to those like the old cad wheels (don't know what you call those). Any info, pics, etc would be appreciated! Thanks!
i got my floor pans and rocker from ems automotive ask for bob kay he's good 216-541-4585 www.emsautomotive.com
i'm doin a 47 Chevy coupe. been workin on it here and there between other projects and being lazy. goin for an early 50s feel. got a 322 Nailhead and 4 speed for it. was gonna go the multi carb straight 6 route till i fell into the Nailhead. the thing i have'nt decided on yet is what to do for a grill. i want to do something at least somewhat original but it has to be attractive and at least appear to be period correct. i'm goin the MII route with a 10 bolt rear on bags all around. mine had a bunch of bondo in the rockers and a few real bad spots in the floors. i've been workin on patchin rust since i got the thing. just little stuff here and there but it gets old fast so it's hard to get excited about workin on it. i've got a few pics that HAMBers have shared with me over the last year or so. here are some of my favorites...
here's mine its in bare metal..no major work anywhere on the body. I did have to fix some poor patches done by the previous owner on the rockers.. Its back to this state and better after the little "mishap" I had I really like these big cars. they ride good, and are comfy inside. I wouldnt buy ems floor pans.. just make your own.. the floors are mostly flat anyhow.. fwiw mine is Mustang 2'ed and 10 bolt just like Kustombuilder suggests his will be.. mine is not bagged.. it may get air ride next year.. I have a few spare pieces if you need them
Very nice guys. I will talk to EMS then guys, thanks! That one with the buick headlights and fenders back is my favorite, I have it saved on my PC for a LONG *** time. The guy is on this site if I remember correctly. Sawzall, yours is very nice as well. What all do you have done to it? I was going to put in a plain 350 since I can't find anything like a nailhead or something a bit rare here but then I keep thinking and if I do anything then I want to put in a big block. I have always wanted to put a big block in something. I want a traditional look to the car but with a modern motor and ch***is. Oh and Buick port holes on the side (no clue what the hell you would call them but you know what I mean). Either on the hood or the fender, most likely the hood.
What spare pieces do you have? All I have is a body, ch***is (not put together at all), fenders that need some patching, two hoods, two dashes, drunk and doors. Needs EVERYTHING else. I don't have a single bolt to this car it's that bad. The grill and bumpers are all rusted up so those are no good, not even to paint since they are pitted and dented up bad. The chrome things like bumpers and grill are going to be the expensive things but that I am not worrying about at first, the ch***is is what I am worried about. I am thinking about going to Fat Mans and getting that kit that replaces my sub frame with the MII and the frame rails but not sure. I got a MII on my 54 Chevy HT but haven't driven it yet.
ch***is eng. front crossmember.. (bolt in) posie rear springs 350/350.. gennie shifter (for now) tonight I switched out the stock steel tank for a 18 gal poly tank.. the seats are recovered stockers.. steering is via.. a 52 olds accessory wheel really.. no body mods and really I dont plan any.. eventually I may chop it.. but I doubt it.. too busy with other projects.. as for your build.. do you plan to show off the big block? (ie no hood?) if not.. why bother? small block fits great. big block may require firewall mods..dont know) sawzall
I have a decklid.. a pair of doors and a fender thats good some dents for the front driver side.. I also have fender extensions.. and a rear gravel pan.. I wouldnt buy the fatman kit..I believe it requires you to do a bunch of welding.. this is the crossmember I used.. http://www.ch***isengineeringinc.com/page22.html
I might just keep the sub frame on it and see how it comes out. I will try and get some narrowed control arms for it. That's a nice front end though and it's a bolt on! Too bad mine has the clip on it already. I hear its too wide but then some say they have it on their 40's hot rod and it's fine. I don't know what the heck to do.
Yeah on the big block thing, your probably right. A 350 or something similar would be better, lighter and cheaper. 400 ****** is huge and heavy and the 350 ****** is cheaper and smaller. I guess a plain 350 crate is good with moon finned valve covers, etc.
Thought you were building that 54 Chebby? Don't **** up like me and have more than one project and not enough time or money to get either one done! Still working at that shop?
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