Decisions

Its a somewhat foolish question, but i am torn. I have been on the search for a new family hauling project. I have come to these two currently, but i cannot decide. The 1941 Chev is a far more complete project, but i am having a hard time seeing it cool. THe other is a 1938 dodge, needs far more work, but just looks meaner from the start.

Whats there for parts on these two (looks like the dodge is going to need parts!)?

Any thoughts?

Any ideas on either of them as far as cleanup / customizing / first steps?

I like the completeness of the chevy, just cant picture it done up. all i can find are street rod styes.

(Yes I asked about the chevy a week or so ago)

Thanks - VOH

 

Go with the Chevy. They clean up real nicely and can be made to look either custom or sinister depending on what you are after.

I had a 40 coupe with 41 front sheet metal in high school it looked as mean as they come.

 

I think the Chevy or the Dodge would both be good choices.

Here's the thing that I would consider. Which one can you get finished for the least amount of money and in the shortest time.

I mention that as far too many times a project is started as a family hauler and the family is grown up and don't want or need to be hauled before it is done.

Choose what you can finish and drive in 2 years maximum, or don't even start. My opinion, because I have been there.

 

If it wasn't for the grill on the Dodge I kinda like it and it certainly would be different but I'm sure that the Chevy will be much easier to find parts for. If it were me I'd go with the Chevy. Done correctly they can really look mean.Bottom line its your car so gotta chose the one that lights your fire.
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You can get any parts you need for the chevy,and if you ever need to sell it, it will go a lot faster than a mopar.
Just my opinion,let the beatings start.
Russ

 

You're right about the Dodge lookin mean.350SBC,700R4,Oh yea..

 

Looks to me loki you can drive the Chevy the way it is. If there is no motor, buy the motor mount kit from Ch***is Engineering. Last one I bought was about $140. It bolts in. You can put a chev small block and th350 in it in an afternoon.

 

Parts for the Chev would be easier to come by, plenty of them out there. Neither is "***y", but it's a matter of taste either way. Here's a pic of one I did 21 or 2 years ago, so the wheels are a bit dated, but the rest is pretty timeless.

Peaked the hood, shaved the trim from the top of the headlights, shed the bumper guards, change the al***ude, and, the most subtle change, painted the rocker trim pieces body color. Some folks will just shave the rocker moldings, but to my eye it leaves a long, unattractive flat spot. The trim adds texture, yet painting it body color makes it less distractive.

 

chevy. it's closer to the finish line.

good luck.

 

The Dodge is really cool looking...but getting parts for old Dodge's are a *****. You wind up searching for used stuff.

There are some Dodge parts people out there...but it's not like chevy stuff where you can usually find a bunch of different catalogs to dig through.

I've been dealing with that a bit with my old Dodge Truck. One of my floorboards was rusted bad...and I didn't like how my patch job came out. Nobody makes repop panels, so I wound up buying a used one on ebay that's not perfect..but way better than what I have to start with.

So really rotted metal gets replaced with "just a little bit of rotted metal".

But...you don't see as many early 50's Dodge trucks on the road.

 

I really like the looks of the dodge but I guess I would go with the chevy also...It is closer to done from looks of the pics I would just do some modifying to it to make it look a little bit "better"

 

The chevy would be my choice. I did a 37 dodge with a 5 inch chop And it looked real good, but I also chopped a 41 chevy sedan, and if done right, and if you lay the rear window down, it will almost look like a fleetline model but with it's own style.
Do the chevy

 

I'd recommend getting the Chevy and get it on the road and drivable while you keep your eye out for a ***ier hotrod. I'd be afraid that the Dodge would turn into a loooooong term project. I always had long term projects (all that I could afford) when I was young. Once I got one on the road it was sooo much more fun to go to the shows. If you get the Chevy running and another car lights your fire, it will be a lot easier to sell a runner instead of a basket case.

I was about 10 years old when I helped my older brother clean out the exact same 41 2dr. His first car. It was being used as a truck for an A/C repair man and it was filled with junk. He drove it for several years and sold it to another family and we watched it for several more years.

 

i like em both , but the chevrolet will probably be a quicker build and the easier to get parts for , buy the chevy and steer a fellow Hamber to the dodge so they both get saved

 

Dodge is covered with surface rust, which where I come from means the body has to be media blasted. no gl***... prolly rusty inside as well.

Chevy looks like you could be driving with a motor trans rear and wireing.

if your build plan includes complete dis***embly and bare metal re-do, then they are both equal... choose the coolest one.

 

With effort and help from your brothers on the HAMB I think you'll be able to find/make any parts you need...where there's a will there's a way. Now considering that; which one do you prefer to stare at? Build what inspires you, what excites you...if neither REALLY turns you on, keep looking. IMHO
Good luck. Looking forward to seeing your decision.
-Mr. Bill

 

chevy...

 

Go with the one you can picture done the way you want it. That, in and of itself, is more motivation to finish than working on something you're not sure about - regardless of whether it's already closer to done or not.