Projects Recreating the jesse lopez coupe

RIDE ON ! Bill aka Tnomoldw

 

OK, we've got half a dozen parts to this puzzle so I'm going to have to jump around a bit, hang on.
This doesn't look right.

 

The legend continues.

 

I guess i never really realized how much work actually went into that grill, i thought you would just remove to bottom bars and that was it.
I suppose thats the hallmark of a good custom, it looks like it was always that way!

 

Hey Jer, I was tying to clean out my inbox on here and found a message you sent me but I never replied to you ! Do still want the windshield measurement from my 47?? Sorry about not getting back to you!

 

No longer needed, thanks.

 

Hi ! Steve = Koolkemp ... I saw pics of a Jesse Lopez coupe done with a later model . I didn't like it.

 

The '48 nose has fenders that are more straight (vertical) than the '41. You can really see this when you attempt to install the front gravel deflector. It's really hangin' out/flappin' in the breeze when you hold it up where you want it to be.

The '41 is a transition design between '40 and '42-'48 as well as on the way to the '49-'51 model's. The Ford designers are always thinking a couple of models ahead all the time.

Anyway I had a pic of the gravel deflector fitted into the slot that I had cut in the lower fenders that I now can't find (don't tell Gramma about this). So, this is the one showing that I had to narrow it down to be more compatible to those round fenders. Later you'll see it in that slot.

 

Not only straighter but also quite a bit wider. Compare the Caddy grille on Jesse's car to how it looks on a '42-'48. Just as you say, a transition model. The fenders are a shape mix of '40 and '42. Borrowed the photo from hotrod-kennys grille thread.

 

Cool looking pic.^^

 

Jesse had a aftermarket grille insert in the nose of his car. He used the upper portion when he did the grille work. Here is my interpretation of that piece. The last pic shows it with weld thru primer. Ready to be tacked in place once everything is mocked up.

 

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killing it..good job.

 

Killin it is right!

 

This looks really good. The lower and center bars have a rounded return on the ends. Are you going to bring the bottom area of the fender out to meet the outer edge of those returns or will the fender run behind them a little. Any side on photos like you have taped to the hood aren't focused enough for me to see. Got the frenching going on too. Your a human dynamo!

 

You've got a good eye Karl. This is the first look at a really intense part of this build. If we don't pick up on these subtleties the accuracy and appearance will be at risk. Another big reason why doing this with high tech capabilities is huge. Like Jr's car, I can't get myself in a situation where someone can say Hey! You got that wrong, look at this.
That did happen on Jr's car with the placement of the spotlights. I caught it myself. I had to tear into the freshly painted A pillar/cowl area to fix it. It was a pain issue. Temporary if I fixed it, forever if I let it go knowing it's not right.
The fender will run behind AND partially overlap the second bar.

 

I really admire your dedication and skill in getting things as historically accurate as you do. This is my favorite thread and I look forward to your progress. Thanks.

 

Did somebody say frenched lights? We start here by removing the flange aroung the edge of the headlight bucket. If it's not removed the headlight sits to far back in the opening.

 

A BRIEF NOTE TO MY GENERATION THAT GREW UP IN THE 50'S (The Old Farts club)--

The time of testosterone fueled postureing has passed (we survived). One of my most favorite (long gone) Pastor's used to say, "put the cookies on the lower shelf so the kid's can reach em'."
You may find the lower shelf a bit annoying with the "I've done this a hundred times" thinking but, remember how sweet those cookies tasted when we were kid's? Those kids are still out there.

 

Your a wise old fart Jer.

 

If your going to weld your headlight rings to the fender you have to do something to the headlight assembly or you'll never change a headlight bulb again. Here you see I have the assy attaching from the backside instead of the frontside. Notice that the screw retainers are reversed. If you open up those retainer holes (just a taste) it will give you some wiggle room when matching up the assy with the ring.

 

Jer, love following what your doing on the car. Thanks for sharing with us delinquents
Lol!

 

Headlight ring is carefully aligned with h/l assy and then tacked in place.

 

I can't believe all this is going on right down the road.
Taildraggers are coming back.
Thanks for posting this, for those a few years younger, but get it.
Awesome work!

Y'all ever do lunch at Hicks Field?

 

Kustom orthodoxy (the little mags) has it that you notch the adjuster screws on the back side. Then drill a hole for access to them on the back of the bucket. After doing this you can then adjust those light's. All very difficult because your inside the fender. These screws are a lot stiffer than I remember because of their age (so am I).
A better solution would be to make sure that your lights are aimed correctly with the car in the stance that it's going to be and then just install the assy from the back. After this is done you can weld the ring on.

The little magazine's are our hobby's precious jewel's in the sense that they were the hook that got us when some of us were kid's. But, magazine's (big or little) can be treacherous to your wallet, your time and well being. We'll visit this later.

 

Not only a great project/subject, but terrific information and documentation too! Once again - thanks for the postings and the very helpful photography Jer! I love your threads.

-Dave

 

What can I say! DAMN SWEET! great job!

 

We're gettin' there. The fenders are being slowly welded up as we go.

 

Why don't you weld an extension on the headlight adjusting screw so it would be easier to "find".