Hot Rods Repro Parts. Some Things Never Change

I think you’re correct I was in a hurry I wanted to get this project moving it’s dragging on I didn’t want to wait for the swap meet season to start so I could do some measuring on various bumpers. I never could have guessed that a repop part could be so far off

 

As soon a you said you tried 10 or 15 hoods I knew we weren't talking this century!

 

I ran a body shop 40 years , and the shop rule was to always dry fit any and all parts ,before primer and paint !!!

 

My honest opinion is if you went back in time and bought the parts you need today, directly from the Ford factory, they wouldn't fit your car perfectly either... Old Fords just aren't that precise... I'm trying to get the doors back on a model A right now, and they're off in so many different measurements, I'm about ready to quit the hobby...

 

"Some of the things I learned 50 years ago, I find myself learning them again....Damn getting old."

Getting old is the price we pay for not dying... so we have to deal with that, too.

Oh... and remember: "Measure once, cuss twice!"

 

The problem with us is that it's a throw away society and not a rebuild or repair society like it was at one time. I also watch those videos of them fixing everything with minimal tools. They have to fix it. they can't throw it away because they aren't fortunate enough to have the means to buy new. I'm envious of some of their skills but happy I'm not in their situation.

 

First of all I agree parts that may not exactly fit as they should be advertised should be noted as such. I think we are accustom to how things are manufactured today in relationship to each other. I.e. a replacement part for your newer car and the overall tolerances between the initial car design and assembly and the resultant service parts. I think a lot think this about a cars running, ride and handling as well. We are so used to fuel injection and tuned suspensions we tend to forget how it used to be and maybe get a little spoiled. While some the parts may not be perfect when assembled to 60-90 year old carcasses they are least a lot better than having to start from scratch in most cases if you don't have the talent or means to recreate like myself. But then these repo parts are being made from what I assume to be one part they have on hand. And given the variation in original tolerances and manufacturing they stand a very good chance of not being a drop in with no required mods.

 

True. These cars were being built and pushed, pulled, or drug out the door as quickly as possible. Same goes for paint jobs; if you paid a bodyman to paint your car today and he gave you a paint job of the same quality that your car came with from the factory, you'd probably end up taking him to court over it.

 

I may have mentioned this before, but I did street rod build a few years back. While it has a few on topic features it's essentially O/T for here. Dealing with new and repro hot rod shit (yes, shit) I ended up giving it a nickname about a year before it was done. Every thing took a dictionary of cussing and fussing, prefit, re-engineering, some stuff made to work with other stuff just doesn't. The name? I call it "The Fat Chick" now because every time I dealt with it I didn't end up with that good feeling that comes of a good job. Felt more like I got caught under the bleachers bangin the fat chick. Not unlike being seen riding a girls bicycle, but somehow "Girl's Bike" just wasn't enuff. I feel your pain, truly I do. I actually called 2 different companies to question (bitch about) the issues and one em actually said "Just deal with it. Welcome to the aftermarket." Really? Doing high zoot American Classics tends to raise one's expectations. I hope I never do another, or if I do I'll be the source of needed bits.

 

That's the truth. Even using NOS fenders and panels, if you've ever tried to restore an early Mustang you'll find that the car can be way off and the panels will need a lot of help to get the aligned. On my 66 Coupe the left side was spot on, the right side not so much. Getting the fenders and doors to play nice took a lot of work even with factory parts.

 

I assume you know that’s the truck he’s working on?

 

Charlietruck62: Just saw your post with the pictures. That's the truck I'm talking about that I'm doing some up grades to. Just cleaning it up a little, most people won't know the difference but some will accuse me of ruining it. Having lunch at 81 Express at the North end of Hebron.

 

If they wanted it different they should have bought it is what I think

 

Yes I knew who it belongs to. No your not ruining it. It’s not often that I see other hamber’s rides. I have seen it in person it’s a cool truck with character. It will still be a cool truck after you make it the way you want it. The peanut gallery may or may not notice all of the changes. As has been said around here I’d drive it!!!

 

Since I got it I've driven it almost everyday except during salt season and when it was in the shop for maintenance and updates. Thinking of driving it to the LARS show (3500 mile trip) but I may not be tough enough?

 

Hope you do drive it there , that's the best feeling. Just out on the road.