Since I don't have enough to do, I'm starting a new Hot Rod project. About 20 years ago I found a 1926 Essex Coupe body out of my grandfathers field. It was thrown upside down and into a creek bottom rusting away. The past 10 years the front cowl has been setting in the middle of my flower garden in my front yard. When the Tornado went through our house in April, It also wiped out my 1990 Aerostar mini van. I used the van for snow days and during the middle of summers when I had to have A/C. (I know I'm a whimp.) I had this idea to use the 3.8 v6 in the project. It not something kool like a flat head or a Hemi but it is paid for and would be a good driver with that Overdrive transmisson. The top is rusted away and I would just cut the top off and make a roadster out of her. I blame my new sickness on Sod Buster and his Dad because those guys have way to much fun with their Hot Rods. I have a 35 Ford frame given to me to use for the project. The questions that I have is the Essex body close to the same size as a Ford body? Will the 35 Ford frame work on the Essex body? What do bugs taste like? I'll post some pictures next week and keep you updated with the progress. I appreciate the help. Happy Trails, Mick
You might find the 36 chassis too wide.A tape measure will tell for sure.Even if you can't use the 36 chassis,you could use the axles etc.
I don't think your Aerostar has a 3.8...it should either be a 3.0 or a 4.0 V6 in there. The 4.0 makes more power than the 3.0, but it's an oil leaking time bomb...the 3.0 isn't as powerfull, but it'll run forever! I would use a 3.0 Ford in a rod if I were able to hide it under a full hood. It'd be best in a small, light weight ride that you just wanna drive the wheels off of...not good for a fully trad rod...but cool for a driver or a beater. (Hey...use what you've got...it's what hot rodders have always done...we just have more to pick from in this day and age!) As for bugs...it depends...you're really only gonna be dealing with flying insects...so you shouldn't worry about what ants or spiders taste like. Most flying bugs have wings that are kinda nasty...but the meat is okay once you gain a taste for it! (Watch for bees, though...they'll sting going down! )
Haul it all to Chickasha and buy something you want or something you already have...like I have room to talk.
In "hot rod deluxe" Issue no.2 There's a hemi-powered five window that's using a 1940 ford chassis- Albeit narrowed and shortened And if I was you I might try and make that V-6 look like some kind of "flatty conversion" Thought those thoughts might have some merit...
I hadda 91 aerostar that was beginning to rust away on me. Then I hit a deer with it and limped it home before the radiator went dry.... I was gonna do the same thing as you until a friend offered me 300 bucks and a mallory dual point for a late flathead for the decrepid thing. The 3.0 with AOD would work great and you could even use the rear axle. A thought might be to use a full hood with external exhaust coming out holes in the hood sides... MIne had amazing power for only a 3 litre. We still have one at work with a 4 litre and it smokes the tires! Most amazing... should work like a champ in a featherweight rod.
I saw a 28-29 Essex Coupe on a Model A chassis once and it looked pretty good. But I have also seen a Model A on a shortened and narrowed 35-40 Ford chassis and that worked out fine too. I guess it depends on how much chassis work you want to do ?
The reason for this project: I was looking at buying a golf cart or somthing like that to get around at the Stray Kat 500. The more I thought abought spending money on a golf kart does not sound kool. I don't care what or how you fix one up it is still just a golf cart. Hop'n up the coupe would be Kool'r & alot cheaper. A friend of mine gave me a 235 6cy for my project. He told me it did ran when they took it out of the car. I was trying to estimate how much I would spend on getting the motor in shape, plus I need a tansmission. I was thinking about what I was going to do with my mashed mini van. The van with a little over 100k miles with a brand new trans sounds like the way to go. Rocky, I agree with ya, hiding the motor under a full hood with the exhaust sticking out of the side panels would be the way to go. I believe it will be fun to rip & tear around town. The Hot Rod will have the right stance, and with the 6cy rappin it will sound like it has enough attitude. It will be better than a golf cart & I'll have somthing to run at the next HAMB Drags. I know someone that can build a good chassy without hurting ya in the pocket book, so I'll go a head and pick up the 35 Ford frame. Thanks for the advice. Happy Trails, Mick
Sounds like it could be a cool project. I have a ex-Essex coupe, mines a '27. If the picture works here you go, if not go to the Greazy Hubcapz star photos and click on ratster. http://photo.starblvd.net/~Greazy_Hubcapz/14-1-1.jpg?i=1043357147
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