Hot Rods Lengthening a 32 Ford

Cody got a straight six in his.

 

But then there's the old fat guy factor. I grew up driving an A-bone. Fast forward fifty years and I don't fit any more. If I were building a '30s Ford today, which I won't do, I would make it fit me and the engine I wanted to use. The Packard V8 takes some real estate.

jack vines

 

Y-block...but not full fendered either

 

No, I understood what you are pointing out. It's just that things are going to get close and I would rather extend a little ahead of time than find I'm a little short on room after everything is welded. Trust me that I will put a lot of effort into insuring I have sufficient room. I'd rather have a little more than I need because I think when things are too close....they look cluttered or something. Also often difficult to work on. I hope that as you said that I'm going to have the room I want without changing things and appreciate the input.

 

I like that maroon '32 in the first post as a good example of re-proportioning.

For a project where the customer was a tall guy and he wanted to us a V-10 I did some drawings of different changes to the hood and doors. The front fender mods are harder on a '34 than a '32. Putting more in the hood than the door helps retain the proportions.

A few years later while strolling around a show and shine I ran across the metal guy and the owner. I was really surprised how well the car turned out and actually looked quite natural, which is the result to strive for.

 

Exactly my thought as well. I think most people don't really notice minor lengthening and I think its done more often than some people realize. An inch or two would be really hard to pick up on if the wheel and grille get moved to keep that visual relationship in tact. Nice drawings. I bet lengthening the door and keeping the lines in tact was a tad more work than just extending the hood and repositioning the wheels and grille during a build.

 

The metal guy shared how difficult it was. I believe he made new door skins and quite a bit of the front fenders, he is excellent. A lot easier to do on paper and see options of how it looks before costly mistakes.

 

Yep, an inch won’t really be noticeable. But three or four will.