Fat Fender Ford help request, new project?

Anyone here have a '46-'48 Ford? Anything in particular to look out for? This car has the original flathead in it, interior trashed of course - just look at the seat in the picture. The guy wants to trade for my Galaxie (she ain't as shiny anymore, but it's all there too and runs). I'm angling to get the trailer too, I think that would be a fair swap, otherwise he wants $2500 for the car. Trade was his idea. I'm going to get it anyway, unless the guy is a total creep.

I'm wondering if the damaged front fender on the driver's side isn't worse than it appears. Is the rocker panel stainless hard to find?

My plans would be to make a mild custom, rebuild the flattie (a two pot intake w/Strombergs is in the deal) if it isn't cracked beyond repair. Drop with Superbell axle up front, lowering blocks in the rear. Rebuild and use original brakes. Navy blue metallic paint, white vinyl with blue Cadillac cloth inserts, WWW and flipper caps, gas, drive, repeat.

 

more pics

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful....

 

It's a 1947 by the way.

 

I forgot to post what I am trading. Wifey thinks I'm out of my mind...

 

Just from the looks of that one picture I'd say you should be able to sell the Galaxie outright and get more money that the $2500 purchase price of the '47. Even with the trailer thrown in (I'd guess worth a grand, maybe?) I'd still think the Galaxie should be worth more.

But if you need a change and want to do it you should.
There are a lot of fun things you can do with the 'fat fendered' Fords. I just got a '39 sedan and have been going through catalogs and building the car in my head for weeks.

Jay

 

That pic of the Galaxie was like five years ago at least. You are right though, I just need to move out from under it and get the trailer too.

 

Check for rust in the rockers, floors and trunk. Sounds like an OK deal, a 46-48 Ford will be worht way more than a galaxie with a little work. You can't use lowering blocks in the rear, it has a single spring. I just removed a couple leafs and put longer shackles on my 41.

 

Check the inner rockers, most of them are rotted out. Does not look like a $2500 car to me. Galaxie should be worth more at this time unless it is a bondo bucket. Looks like big block emblems on the fender?

 

Oh so it is a transverse spring out back? How does the car handle? I have seen a monoleaf setup for each side offered by Posies. I had thought they switched to two sets of leaf springs in '39 or '40. Lesson learned, thanks.

Are you still running a flathead in yours?

 

Original paint. Lots of tire kickers, but no $$$$.

 

Patch panels for the rockers will set you back about $600, $400 for the drop axle setup, needs glass I can see ($350 if you don't need the rear one)... I'm with the Wifey on this one, that's only about $1200 car if the bottom is decent, $1600 if the block is good.

 

Looks pretty good chopped...

 

Ford didn't change to parallel leaves until 49. As far as worth I wouldn't go $2500 even with the trailer included. Keep your eyes open there's cars out there at least as good for less

 

That's not a good trade so far financially. But if this is an emotional deal and it makes you happy and you can move on, then by all means. But I would ask for more parts or cash, a lawnmower... something.

 

Well, let me take a look at the car. Floors supposed to be solid. How many of you have picked up something like this for $1500? That is a serious question and I'm not trying to be confrontational about it so don't take it that way. I have not seen them.

BTW Chris, I saw a video of Django Reinhardt, that boy could play, fubar hand and all.

 

It's all about what you want.
I traded a pretty beat up non running 52 chevy fro a 46 2dr sedan with a decent int. and running flathead 6. Body was a touch nicer too.
Then I traded that for paint and body on my 36.
Your car for that car and trailer and some cash could be a nice start point.
If you get it pm me i have a 46 manual I'll send ya.

 

Ever heard "Don't go grocery shopping for the week- when you're hungry?"

......I say"Don't start a ground-up project without having something decent in your garage already"

personally-- I'd hold onto that Galaxie. Even if you're bored with it right now.

 

I bought my 41 for 1200.00, all the glass was bad, interior junk, and no motor*******. I put a flathead and stock three speed in it, all new glass with all new glass seals, channles, ect, vintage seat covers from ebay, dropped axle (5WBomber on here can drop yours for 200.00), new firestones, ect ect. BUT- it was the car that I wanted, not much rust, very strait. I'm still not even 5K into it, thats with a 59AB I rebuilt. They can be cheap fun cars.
The plus was the guy I got it from had the tank cleaned, radiator recored, rewired the whole car with a cloth kit, and had the gauges restored and converted to 12V. He had it on the road, but blew the engine, so pulled it and******* and sold me the car. It was worth 1200.00 in parts

 

I'd say no dice man, I picked up my 48 for $6000.00, was completely gutted, new paint, rebuilt sbf and c4 trans. Keep the Galaxie.

 

Keep the galaxie....I picked up a 47 Merc for 3k a few months ago and it looks 10 times better that the one in the pick...Solid floors, 1 rust spot on the bottom of the drivers door.
Had to get the motor running (they wired it backwards, was running neg ground instead of pos. ground). Once I got it running, had to replace the pumps, fix the generator, fix the radiator and rebuild the carb...
Interior has a hole in the drivers seat which I'll cover with a blanket, rest is gennie
Had to repair the dash...all the plastic is rotted out (I have spare plastic for 46-8 fords) and get all the internal and external lights and switches working..
Fixed the broken drivers window..
Patched a hole in the trunk(Back by the spare tire well) and had to find all the bottom row stainless from anywhere and everywhere...
Gas tanks are about 400 bucks a pop
So far I have about 1500 bucks more in my original investment..

Now look at that car......I'll bet it needs quite a bit more than what I've got invested in mine......

 

Look carefully at the rocker boxes, the lower cowl, and the lower quarter panels between the door and fender (water sits between the quarter and the running board and rots them out). This stuff adds up quick and most project 41-8 Fords seem to need most of these pieces. Check out www.emsautomotive.com and www.bitchin.com for what these parts will set you back (plus you gotta weld them in).

I paid $1800 for my car at an auction and while advertised as rust free it needed all of the patch panels I listed above (the RH lower cowl was a mixture of chicken wire, bondo and a root beer can). The patch panels and running boards added up to roughly $1400 including shipping.

Cory

 

Take a look at this link. I sold the car for $1600 Thanksgiving week-end. Western car with only rust in the trunk solid otherwise

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2261675#post2261675

 

The more i think about it, I think what he is offering you is a deal more inline for a PRE-WAR Ford, not a '47. He does know when the war was right?

 

I would keep the galaxie. The sedans are not worth as much as the coupes. I shoud add I am partial since I dont like the sedans. You can definately get one farther along or in better shape. It will cost way more that what it is worth to fix it.

 

I love the fat Ford, but keep your Galaxie.

 

I see non running 2dr's for under 2K all the time....there should be lots to chose from....that one looks like $1000. to $1500....If you're not in a big hurry, I'd take a look around.....flat heads are not cheap to fix...water pumps and ignitions etc. can add up to big dough pretty quick...but I'm the worst at jumping in to deep, so I shouldn't talk......

 

Yeah, I guess so. I must have had buck fever.

 

by the time youve done the repair work before you set down to the custom and mechanical work youl have sunk so much effort into that rough 47 youll be sick of the sight of it .. I wouild have thought that was the type of rough car we in europe are used to! you must be able to find a better one in your area.. ? better to pay more for the good base and a flying start and get straight into the customising .... Keep your galaxie ... at least its on the road.

 

Definitely- keep the Galaxie. If you're bored with it- how about some new paint?? That 60's Ford Lime Gold would look******in.

 

Holy smokes, I think the people and planets are all in alignment against selling/trading.

I'll give the car to my son I think.