Thanks guys! I am pretty happy about it, hopefully next weekend will be as good as this one was... I dont think I'm halfway yet, the top is only tackwelded right now, and there is a lot of overlapping metal that has to be cut away so it can be welded. I am really surprised of how much it changes the look of the car. It might need a hood top too now, what do you think?
Metalshapes, I'm watching this project intently. Looks killer.When you take photos get a lil closer so we can see some of the body lines in the roof panels that you are using and give the lowdown on what pieces are what.I am very interested in this project for a future modification myself. When you asked about the hood height, where you refering to the 32 shell height? From the 3/4 front angle shot the shell seems like it could use a chop, but I would have to see it in person to tell for sure. Can you drop it down another inch or so? I know it's low already.
The parts I'm using are: The part right over the windshield and the rear window piece - '32 Ford. The piece that is yellow in the pics and the curved pieces between the roof panel and the hand made side pieces - '30 2Dr Sedan Ford. The roof skin - '68 Camaro. When I made the side pieces I put a line in it with my beadroller, sort of like a '32 3W, and that line goes all the way around the back, under the rear window, and to the other side. Everything gets welded to a frame I made out of 1/2" square tubing, exept the part that bolts to the windshield frame, that is 3/4" I could not get it any lower with out making the car uncomfortable to drive, and at 47" total height it is about a foot lower than Hot Rod Ron's Deuce Coupe you can see in the back ground... As it is, it is going to be a ***** to park it, and you'd better not have claustrofobia to drive it...
Curbspeed, I just re read your post, and you were asking about the height of the grille shell ( not the roof like I thought...) I dont want to chop it because I really like them stock height. It does look kind of high, but when you measure back to the cowl, it is one straight line all the way to the windshield, and parralel to the top of the doors. The only way I could drop it down would be to cut the front X member out, and weld it back in lower. That would be a lot of work, but it might have to happen... I was wondering if the car needs a hood ( no sides) now that it has the hardtop...
A one-piece hood top would help make the whole thing look like a single, solid shape. Personally, I think the grille is a little too high, but you could mock up a hood with cardboard and tape and see how it all reads together.
Fill the grill shell? **** I'll trade you a brookville if yer gona do that!! They look better all nice and cluttered up with chrome! Hood sides would be boss, real sleek. FLIP
Was this the car that is in the current issue of CKD? I loved it there, but can't say I much care for the lines of the new roof. If it was a removeable carson-style top, I might like it better (so I could take it off). The roof makes it look like it should have independent front suspension. Sorry, you had a winner with the former version.
[ QUOTE ] I think I'll fill and shave the top of the grille shell first. That should atleast help a little... [/ QUOTE ] No sir not the way I see it. That car has just the right stance and the grille actually sets alittle lower than the cowl. Great car!
Looks great! I don't think it needs a hood or sides at all, but I might suggest an exhaust that comes out over the frame rail and down the side of the car.Far as the grill shell goes you might kick the bottom out and give the whole thing a slight rake. This would bring the top down a little bit.
Yeah, I have heard its in CKD, but I have not seen it because I have not gotten mine yet... Right now the top is tack welded down, to make it easyer to build, but it will be removeble when its done. It is more for bad weather driving ( Arizona style ), and long distance. Thanks for the photoshop Petejoe, the way you drew that line is how it measures out on the car as well. I dont know what throws the eye off, if it is the angle of the frame rails in front of the cowl, or if it is the angle of the engine. Can you photo shop me a hood?
If you run a hood parallel to the ground like that it may make the car look bent. It really should follow some of the angle of the cowel so the shell is slightly lower. The top is looking great. TZ
[ QUOTE ] I was wondering if the car needs a hood ( no sides) now that it has the hardtop... [/ QUOTE ] yeah but only if you drop the grill a bit.
That top really looks nice with the rest of the car. Good work and nice use of puzzle pieces to make it all up. If you do put a hood, I suggest only a top, no sides. When you do that i think you may want to lower the top of the grille shell, so it matches the downward slope of the car form the cowl back.
[ QUOTE ] Right now the top is tack welded down, to make it easyer to build, but it will be removeble when its done. It is more for bad weather driving ( Arizona style ), and long distance. [/ QUOTE ] Cool. How do you plan to fasten it to the car? Looking at it again, it looks much like a cut down folding canvas roof, which is good. I don't know if you ever plan to paint it, but it would look cool white or off-white as opposed to body color. Just a thought. -don
thank you Hammeredabone, I will definitely have to do something about the grille shell height, if I'm going to put a hood on it...
The Jalopy Journal
