If all you had was a cowl ... what would YOU do?

build your own body and frame, richard d on here is doing just that

 

Wow Gentlemen - thanks for the sage advice - and the encouragement. If I get a chance and it's cheap, I'm going to bite the bullet and pick it up. Seeing what the ruffrodders did with just their cowl is pretty encouraging. At the very least, I will have saved/hoarded another part that would otherwise reduce itself to base elements.
I gotta tell you though, the idea of having my very own rpu or boat tail, or lakes speedster, or somewhere in between is really exciting. My dad is not really into my custom - he likes it and all, but I think he wants bare-bones speed and hot rod style. Maybe he can get behind this and his enthusiasm will feed off mine and we'll be able to build it together.
I'll keep you all posted - hell, this is all hypothetical, I have yet to get this in my possession, and it might all be a pipe dream, but it's exciting all the same.
Thanks again for all the different viewpoints and perspectives.

 

I bought one of these Model T cowls as my metal-working skills wouldn't be good enough to build that component. That will be the only original body part on the modified. The rest will be a tubular space frame covered in formed aluminum.

 

If it's cheap buy it. Then if you decide to do something at least you have that to start with. If not you can probably sell it for more than what you have in it. But expect to find all sorts of things to fix on anything that's that old, like stress cracks and things twisted out of kilter. But at least you are saving it from becoming part of a rice burner.

 

I once bought the back half of a '30 coupe in one booth at a swap meet and in the next booth bought the front half from a different car. Come to think of it, none of my cars are built from one complete car. I'd buy it and wait until the rest comes around. It always does.

 

if its a roadster cowl, they are more desireable.
Especially if making an open top car.

I found a 29 roadster cowl,
then a repop doorskin,
then some rear non-ford quarter panels from kiwi-kev,
little by little.
TP
still looking for a passenger door/skin!

 

All right - I drove back out there today and spoke to the son-in-law again. He hasn't been able to get ahold of his father yet for price, but I brought my camera this time. I also tore the tarp back off another pile and found some more goodies ... looks like this is shaping up into a decent find.
This appears to be a 29 cowl ... needs a patch on the right side ... otherwise, solid as a rock:






And there is also this random old machine with some meaty wishbone on it. Anyone care to venture a guess what it's off of or whether or not it would be useful to this proposed build?



So ... now what do you guys think? I'm waiting anxiously by the phone to hear back.

 

Deffinitely a 28/29 cowl there. Looks workable for sure. I guess at this point, price will determine your next move? Best of luck with whatever you decide to do!

 

That upside down set of wishbones under the machinery are the very desireable 35-36(36 in this case with wide-five pattern drums).
Just the wishbones often sell for $300 up to, believe it or not, $1k.
Try and get all the stuff shown for one money and then sort it, and sell the excess to finance the project a little more on down the line.

 

Good to know. Thanks.

 

You could be your own reality show and build that in a week . On a more serious note: HA/GR.

 

If your going to built an rpu, Use old volkswagen beetle doors. They have the same curve as the model a doors but a few inches longer. So you can take the skin from them to both build new doors and the quaterpanels.

The rest is simple stuff.


/Eric.

 

I hope you don't pay more than $100 for that "project" ....

 

Eric, I need a How Too on those doors. PLEASE!!

 

you can find my answer here: http://www.ruffrodders.com/cgi-bin/ib/ikonboard.cgi?;act=ST;f=110;t=8222 (check the date it was started way before zombie's sketch)

 

I have an A cowl that will become either a woody or an RPU. Thats good info on the VW doors, does anyone have any pics?

 

a good frame and cowl, maybe a banger and frontend would add up to quite a lot more than $100

 

Well, I havent done it yet but the parts are there waiting to be used.

Here's some pics of the 31 tudor cowl with a vw door.






As you can see, The curves are pretty damn similar. The only bad thing is that you have to make the upper part of the doors in a bead roller so the beads match with the cowl.


/Eric.

 

$50 cowl and a hood, the rest is history.

 

You may have seen it before, but here is where I am so far...
Started with this:

Add a few doors, some $40 bedsides, swap meet/ebay axles and wheels, and mix with a couple hundred bucks of tubing:

The Texas heat and a VERY long-dreamed about (and finally-affordable) Shovelhead has stalled my project somewhat...
But I REALLY think I can have it running(but probably not painted or upholstered yet)for Roundup '08.

GO FOR IT!

 

Id paint it up real cool and have it pinstripped and hang it on my wall ..and wait!

for the guy who has the rest of the car to put it on...lol

 

"If all you had was a cowl ... what would YOU do?"

I'd look at it, change directions on how I wanted to build it (2 or 3 times), buy a shitload of parts....and look at it some more.

Well, that's how my project is going anyway.

Tim D.

 

Hi guys, new here, But On these cowls, Are you guys getting titles with them, or what??? if not what do you do, is this a kit car then, I'm just wondering, this may be a dumb to ask, But I would just like to know, I have always been into the 60's and 70's car, MUSCLE CARS, And I'm getting older and have changed, I have always wanted to build a custom 50's or early 60's And I drive a truck, so I keep my eyes open for stuff all the time. thanks.

 

Nate - thanks for backing me up on the price. If I can get that pile o' parts for $100 bucks, I'd consider myself lucky. I could always sell off what I don't use.

Dreadman - Now THAT is what I'm talking about. I was at a friends shop today peeking around out back and there is a long, low, pointy hood from a 40's Buick that looks just right for something of this nature. He's got some nice headlight buckets and grille stuff he doesn't intend on using either cuz he's building vintage race stuff, but my wheels are turning in your direction.

Richard D - You sir, are an inspiration. Good luck on making it to Roundup 08.

Unfortuantely, I STILL have not gotten in touch with the actual owner, but I'm still trying. I'm headed up north tomorrow to pull a 308 out a51 Hornet ... that would look awfully nice nestled between some new 2x4 framerails hanging out in the breeze for all the world to see ... and HEAR.

Thanks for the input and pics gentlemen.

 

So, I found out yesterday the old man wants $400 bucks for everything you see in the pictures EXCEPT the homemade drilling machine with the 36 Ford wishbone.
It's a lot more than I wanted to pay, but if I can somehow rangle the cash and it's still there by the time I save up the dough, I'm going to buy it. Desperate times call for desperate measures.