Projects ***Got any 31's?....Nope, Go Fish!***

So my good friend BlockBuster has finally crossed over to the dark side!
After being a Jockey Journal guy for quite some time he got the four wheel bug and started lurking around here a bit. Well, after doing some moving and shaking and wheeling and dealing the plan was set in motion to find him an early Ford coupe. Some looking and research was done far and nation wide and then we came across a little add for a non-descript '31 coupe project right here in Massachusetts, just outside of Boston.
He made the call and we hopped in the truck and took a ride.
We pulled up to the gentleman's house in the evening and saw the garage door open but no coupe was visible. After some neck craning and repositioning this is what we found....






The owner then went on to tell us the story...
The car was bought in 1978 as a project for him and his neighbor to do. Well, as many stories go, the neighbor had other interests and the owner just had "plans" for it. The coupe was stripped down in 1978, sent out for dipping and patch panels were replaced. The motor, clutch and pedal assembly, and transmission were all rebuilt in 1979 and never installed. They just sat near to the coupe. It all sat right there since 1979....WOW!

A deal was struck and the heap was BlockBuster's for the taking!

At first it seemed like a big project and that alot was probably lost or missing....boy were we wrong! Not only had the work on the coupe started but so had collecting of several new and spare rebuilt parts. There was stuff hiding throughout the garage and loft and the basement of the house!! Four and a half hours of lugging, dragging, and digging led to a great deal more than was bargained for! With the help of BlockBuster's dad and Richie, we loaded the trailer and both pickups and headed for the interum storage unit...

What a day!







First daylight since 1978!!




A horrible pic of Richie and Slick Willy!


Captain BlockBuster's wheels were turning!...even with a bum leg.

 

nice find

 

score!!!

 

The coupe was loaded up on the trailer and then talk of having to make two trips started!
But we stacked and consolidated and got it all to fit (luckily)!









We got to the storage unit and unloaded before it got dark.







And so it begins....
Im sure BlockBuster will come out from the shy corner and give his input and plans for the near future on this one!

 

Wow! What a great find! Looks like a pretty cool place to start!

 

Way to go guys...

 

wow!! Good for you!!

i guess barn/garage finds are still possible

 

That's awesome! There's still more of this stuff out there to be found...

Looking forward to hearing the plans for his build.



Malcolm

 

Here I am fellas. Big thanks to Slick Willy and Richie for a full day's work. Or is it play? Plan for now is to go very vintage/period, as in there's no such thing as 350/350. Mild to slightly more aggressive chopped highboy, stock engine/drivetrain/chassis. Big and small wheel combo. The simple, basic postwar hot rod. As time and knowledge allow, there may be some mods, but I'm a sucker for the less is more philosophy.

The project came with receipts and manuals galore, parts in double and triplicate. With guidance and inspiration from the HAMB and my friends, I promise to do this old girl justice.

 

Seems like only yesterday...

 

Sweet find, like how there is so much extra stuff to work with or sell and re-"coupe" some of the purchase price.-Weeks

 

Actually Richie, it was this morning by the time yesterday ended...

The engine rebuild sheet/receipt is awesome. This engine was done, set aside and hand-turned over periodically since the project stalled in 1979. Total cost was $279 +/- parts, $325 +/- labor. So like $620 total in 1979 dollars. Priceless in 2011.

 

Welcome to the model A hotrod club. No better car out there then Henry's baby.

 

The neighbor's 'other interests' was having children. The owner mentioned that to me during the initial phone call. I thought the project was sitting for a year or two, not 31! Those kids are at least 30...

 

Nice Fishin.........

 

Wow!!!!

 

Looks like you got two frames with it

 

good score blockbuster hope you post some build photos when you get to work on the car

 

I think I ruined my key board with drool.

 

Did the owner plan on the neighbor doing all the work. Why didn't he just go on with it? Nice score, though.

 

Great story. It's always better to find a stalled project as a lot of times parts have already been purchased giving you a head start. Lets see some pictures as you get this one back on the road.

Frank

 

I like stories like these. Make you want to go out and find something to buy!!

 

Congratulations. Looks like a great find.

 

nice road trip ,cool little project ,now he has it bad ,the 2 & 4 wheel fever !! now "got any 2's ?

 

Very nice!!

 

Nice find, have fun with the project

 

Are you planing to run the 4 banger

 

You guys borrow my pick-up when I wasn't looking? Looks like a good time was had by all. Blockbuster gets a cool project. The previous owner gets his garage back. Who got the cool trash can?

 

great find guys!!!! looks really solid with lots of extras