Hot Rods Leave as is Kustom or go Hot Rod

So getting a little tired with the look of my 36... I have the chance to purchase a nice 327 with fuelie heads from 66 Vette and a option of Muncie 4 speed that needs a rebuild... thinking of maybe going this route,, but I sure will need to upgrade to a 9" third member and parallel rear leafs... and a change in the way it sits now.. Thinking out loud ... maybe just leave it alone would be better... It's only money right lol 3/17 added a rear 3/4 view... since one person said this was not a mild custom...

 

Man, that is a beauty!

I'm a hot rod guy so I'd go with 327 but leave the exterior as is.

 

Do the powertrain upgrade, and leave the body as is.

 

You won't be sorry with a power upgrade! TT's wouldn't be a bad look..

 

What's the powerplant now? I couldn't mess with it

 

It has a 283 in it now, with a 39 Ford 3 speed and banjo rear (3:54).. dont forget to vote on the pole above.. Thank you

 

The car is a beauty, personally I like the idea of a 327/4 speed & upgrade rear axle, slight rake and call it done.

It's already had a engine change. HRP

 

Why only 4 when a 5 is kool?

Ben

 

327 with existing drivetrain chrome 40 ford wheels and get the nose down just a little more. Done deal!

 

4 speed and a muncie.. 5 speed , eh street rod.. lol

 

Kustom

 

that is a great idea Mark, I do like the 39 3 Speed ( floor shifted ) and torque tube rear.

 

Leave as is and buy another to drop the 327 in? Why have one, when you can have two at twice the price!

 

It’s already dang near perfect.
WWs would be about the only improvement needed

 

No doubt in my mind, pickup the new drive train & build another car

IMHO, I think there is very little advantage between the 283/327 .... I'm assuming you do not really use all the HP available with the 283 now.
3spd or 4spd with final drive 1: to 1: .... Does it really matter?

 

Send it to me!!!!

 

So far the voting is a tie.....
Does it suite your needs and driving style now? What would you gain by changing it? Drop the nose, add whitewalls and small hub caps and call it done!

 

I had an extremely similar '36 some years ago -- stock body, black, 265 SBC. I made a few "corrections" to it over a 5 or 6-year period. Dropped axle, top chopped a tiny 1 1/2", eventually replaced the driveline with a blown flathead, 4-speed, longitudinal springs in back and open driveshaft. Here are some pictures in its several stages.
Axle:

Chop:

Open drive:

There was also a period when I had it as a taildragger with skirts and lowered in back, but it didn't last. If you're interested in talking about this stuff, feel free to call me.
Tony Miller

 

oh I have another set of 16" rims that need paint.. and the WW tires are sitting in the garage still wrapped up.
here is a picture as found .. It had Chrysler Wires on it all the way around once. But were gone by the time I got it.. The day I picked it up , after trading my 51 Woodie for it.. came with wide whites, but they were flat spotted bad..and I gave them away as rollers for guy's project

 

It looks great as is, maybe white walls.

 

Personally I believe the caps on blackwalls are too smooth of a look. Chrome reverse 16s with a little altitude adjustment would look killer. That and a backspacing adjustment on the rear wheels to square things up a bit.

 

I love the look now and think 35/36 coupes should be taildraggers, but might swap to the 327. So, I guess I will vote leave it as is since it seems about perfect other than adding the whitewalls that you said you have.

 

Using a 9" and parallel leaves? Gonna do MII next? Don't forget the AC and power brakes.

If that was my car I'd enjoy it as is and appreciate it! Not many traditional '36 3-windows left. But lots of '36 Street Rods out there.

 

I 'll let the next guy worry about the MII and AC, and power brakes... Street Rod its not..ty

 

for the WW Crowd the night I picked it up 5 +years ago ... .. fun drive home pouring rain , and plenty of Rain X
The rims were green with caps and trim rings... with flat spotted tires the guy thru on before the trade..
shame it didn't have the chrome Chrysler Wires on any longer ...even had the spare rear that matched...

 

My vote is White Walls and skirts. And if you wanted to swap the 327 and that's no big deal either for a little extra grunt

 

lol, I have a set of Josh Carrillo Skirts sitting in my room also... have that covered .. need to fit and paint them... I see staying the way it is maybe.. But I like all the replies.. keep them coming

 

I don't follow why you would need to go parallel leaf springs in the back. Down a little in the front with a good exhaust note would be the ticket. Snag the 327, it can always go in this or something else. 283 or 327, the car oozes old school cool, change too much of that and it will blend in to the background.