Poor Man's 3 Window Coupe . . . started a new project

well i finally got the guts to pull my 31 DeSoto 3 window coupe out of storage a couple weeks back. i spent the first week staring at it and figuring out what to do with it, i took some measurements and started cutting on it. i am trying to take more pictures of this build than i did with my model A, now that i have a good camera handy. well i will let the pictures do most of the talking.

a rough start to say the least . . . and an ugly SOB






these cars are pretty damn tall, and since im not building this car for comfort a heavy chop was in order.






i figured i would start with 8 inch chop



seeing how the rear window is 8 inches tall to begin with and i still wanted at least a mailslot to see out of i had to cut the rear window out to trim and relocate later




reinforcing the body is a must!




with the roof back on its clear that the windsheild is going to need a makeover if i want to drive this thing






a few pie cuts here and the were necessary to line all the factory body lines back up






you can see that i decided on making the windsheild as big as possible, this are still neesds alot of attention but its a start.




the rear window after being cut down is less than an inch and a half tall. after sizing the window to the body its going to need alot of trimming still




and now for the doors, the tech on using a chop saw really came in handy here






heres what it looks like somewhat put back together, its a start but i am a long way off . . . .












i have the stock frame and im still trying to decide if i want to run it or find a model A frame to run, i want it to be really low so channeling will be a must. i have thought about running the stock frame in an underslung configuration, since it has parallel leafs and i have the fron suspenson for it. i also have a fresh 283 for it and the turbo 400 to back it up. finding the right rear axle is on the immediate list of things to do, sorry for using so much bandwidth on all the pictures.

 

That thing looks badass...Look foward to seeing the progress...

 

should have gone for a nine inch chop..........

 

WOW!!! Can't tell you how much I like that look. I'm trying to imagine it on a frame,with a grill shell and wheels. What are you planing to use for the grill?

 

im not sure yet, maybe a tractor shell, i one off an old Oliver that i think woul look good. im trying to find the biggest tires possible for the rear, and maybe some artillary wheels.

 

Sounds good.

 

Very cool Tetanus. These are the type of threads I like to see. Like the back window, just enough room to slide a sandwich through......with no meat.

 

HOT DAMN!!! That's way too cool. 2 thumbs way up.

 

heck yeah man some 825 16s on some of those artilery looking wheels you always see on 34 fords, maybe a 33 or 4 plymouth/chrysler grill with the bottom choped off and reformed to look like a duece grill bottom, sitting on the stock fat tappered rails and a 32 ford header panel for the windsheild ala bass's coupe ( maybe you could find something chysler of maybe murray/briggs bodied model A that could work also ) and your in busnees.

looks mean

 

tractor shells are for tractors

 

Hey Tetnus, looks like you're having too much fun!! Looks cool to me. If you are still interested in a nailhead core PM me. Keep up the good work, we'll all be looking forward to future posts on this project.

 

I think if you took just a little more out you'd would nail that competion look.
Better get some gogles DINO!

 

any more of a chop and it'd be a roadster now. geez. I'm just jealous. keep us updated.

 

How tall are you?

 

I gotta say, the whole thing looks badass.
I really dig the Eddie Munster widows peak on the cowl too.....

Rob.

 

fix the rust .. leave the bullet holes

 

SLANT SIX !! that's all I got to say..

 

i don't think you'll be seein much out that back window. neat lookin body though. some serious attitude with the heavy chop.

 

LEAVING THE

BULLET HOLES WOULD REALLY MAKE IT UNIQUE.

 

looks done to ME !!!!!!

 

suhWEEEEET!

i got a yard art 29 dodge brothers out behind the house sittin on the back fenceline. . . i'm gonna watch this build close... now if i could only remember who had them dodge/chrysler doors for that 30 . . . lmao

 

For an ugly SOB it sure looks good!

 

A33 desoto grill would look cool.

 

Awesome! It's begging for a Poly motor.

 

agreed. . .keep it MOPAR

 

That is one killer coupe, i love the insane chop. Stick with the stock frame and just modify it, you don't want to use ford parts on this car. Definatly go with the tractor grille.It's nice seeing something that isn't a ford!

 

Do you need a Hemi for it?

 

i dont think a Hemi is going to fit in my budget for this car. i am basically going to use as many of the spare parts i have laying around to put it together, i dont really want to spend alot of money on it. but on the other hand, who doesnt need a Hemi?

 

Another couple of inches and look how much you'd save on the rear window. Killer coupe.

 

nice work Erik, I cant wait to see this one rollin' around...