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History Late 30s Mopar coupes?

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by trevorsworth, Aug 6, 2025.

  1. trevorsworth
    Joined: Aug 3, 2020
    Posts: 2,056

    trevorsworth
    Member

    Since I'll be turning my RPU back into a roadster soonish I won't have a hot rod truck anymore... unless... I looked at a 38 Dodge truck body today. No frame, but... a really nice cab, bunch of extra doors and fenders, two hoods, bed sides, and a few grille shells to choose from...

    I could get a 46-48 Ford frame pretty cheap and at first I thought it would work well - at a glance the critical dimensions are very similar to the Dodge truck frame - but I think it gets too fat too far forward to do what I was thinking. Maybe I'm better off looking for the right Dodge truck frame or building a custom frame.

    post-78906-14314252869.jpg
    post-78906-143142528653.jpg frame.jpg
     
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2025
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  2. RodStRace
    Joined: Dec 7, 2007
    Posts: 9,059

    RodStRace
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  3. trevorsworth
    Joined: Aug 3, 2020
    Posts: 2,056

    trevorsworth
    Member

    You forgot the drag coupe... :D

    I wanna really build one. Sid's car is more like a restoration. The T is my first, I learned a lot putting it together, and it's coming along well but I love it as is, it's daily driven, so I don't wanna just blow it apart and change it completely. Here's one where I'll have to really test the engineering and fabrication skills I've picked up.
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2025
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  4. gene-koning
    Joined: Oct 28, 2016
    Posts: 5,871

    gene-koning
    Member

    The widest point on the Dodge truck frame is 36" on the outside, and that is under the pickup bed. The only place on the Ford frame that is under 36" wide (that point looks to be the firewall location to me) going forward, at the widest center location the Ford frame is 44" wide (probably at about the back of the cab, and that 44" isn't even the outside of the frame measurement). That Dodge cab is not going to fit on that Ford frame worth a hoot.
    Either find a Dodge frame, or build a custom frame.
     
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  5. cfmvw
    Joined: Aug 24, 2015
    Posts: 1,136

    cfmvw
    Member

    https://www.jalopyjournal.com/?p=62478
    This '36 Dodge has really good lines with the front wheels pushed forward and the nice chopped top.

    upload_2025-10-14_11-8-51.png

    I also like the way this one looks with the rear axle moved back to center the tires better in the wheel wells - the black looks really nice! Taller tires help with the proportions, too.
     
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  6. cfmvw
    Joined: Aug 24, 2015
    Posts: 1,136

    cfmvw
    Member

    upload_2025-10-17_8-18-41.jpeg


    Found this fenderless '38 Chevy on the HAMB, a good example of pushing the axle forward to create the right proportions.
     
  7. cfmvw
    Joined: Aug 24, 2015
    Posts: 1,136

    cfmvw
    Member

  8. choptop4
    Joined: Feb 3, 2007
    Posts: 873

    choptop4
    Member

    38Dodge. Almost done.
     

    Attached Files:

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  9. cfmvw
    Joined: Aug 24, 2015
    Posts: 1,136

    cfmvw
    Member

    I did a double-take on that rear view. Talk about a mirror finish!
     
  10. 57Fury440
    Joined: Nov 2, 2020
    Posts: 569

    57Fury440
    Member

    The 38 Plymouth will look great with your ideas put into play. It will be a nice car without being another same old, same old. You have no idea how many idiots have come up to me over the years, asking why I didn't use a 57 Chevy.
     
  11. cfmvw
    Joined: Aug 24, 2015
    Posts: 1,136

    cfmvw
    Member

    upload_2025-11-6_8-42-1.jpeg

    Found this one on the HAMB, looks like a '38 Dodge.
     
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2025
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