Customs Some horse trading...... and now I own a '37 Cabriolet

I recently traded a 57 Bel Air convertible project and a 68 Barracuda convertible (I know (OT) and a little bit of green stuff for this '37 Cabriolet. It needs a little TLC and tweaking, but all in all was a nicely done high end build at some point. I'll likely have a few questions as I dig into it. Hopefully it has enough of a traditional custom look to be appropriate here. Here's the lowdown.
- 37 Ford Cabriolet (all Henry Ford steel)
- Black with ghost flames
- 3"(?) chop
- TCI chassis
- Big block Chev
- Turbo 400
- Ford 9"

Plans for the car for the winter:
- Lose the tinted glass
- Install door handles and grille/hood trim
- Change the column drop.
- Install running board covers
- Install skirts (?). They came with the car.
Plan for now:
- Clean it and drive it until the snow flies........ no I'm not going to ask the best way to get the dust off it

 

Congrats - yep, just drive it and enjoy the ride

 

Pretty cars. Saw one in Gatlinburg in about 1974 that was gorgeous, been one of my favorites since.
And a real one, too. Rare car, IIRC

 

Did it have some kind of rear mounted spare? Nice looking car.

 

It does. It came with the ring and plate but no tire.

 

Awesome score, best of both worlds A fold down roof and wind up windows

 

Looks good! Yes I would install the trim on the hood and grill. The door handles might be a problem, I would leave them go. Windows I would leave go until one of them cracks. If you drop the back skirts would be nice. I think I would just have fun with it!

 

I vote to do everything you planned except one thing.
The skirts. Sell them and never look back.
The car looks nice as it is. I'd drive it till the dust was gone
One thing I would do down the road if it were mine would be to swap in a nice strong small block.
I'm not a fan of the big blocks and it seems like there was a period of time where guys thought that they had to shove a big block into everything, hence the large number of older built cars with big blocks.

 

Love it.

 

That car is beautiful!

 

Larry,

I tend to agree with you on the skirts. I'm going to throw them on the car on the week-end for a look but they'll likely be wall hangers.

How's the RPU coming along?

 

Suck that rear bumper in and lose the tips and shes a winner as is. Looks like some wires could be cleaned up under the hood once snow flies.

 

You done god! Great lookin car.

 

Nice car, maybe I am in the minority but I think skirts would suit the car but maybe I am just biased, whatever the case enjoy the car.

 

Definitely agree with the comment on the tips. I was looking at the back bumper a couple of days ago as I'm not a big fan of the exposed spare, but I'm not sure the bumper is wide enough to wrap the back of the fender.

 

Wow...I'm a big fan of '37s anyhow ...but I really love this one...I would personally like to see it with the rear spare on...and the skirts...

 

I like skirts on those, but yours looks great without the .

 

Your car presents itself closer to a custom than a hot rod with the trunk mounted spare and ribbed bumpers IMO.
I'm not usually a fan but I'd run the skirts and enjoy it.

 

Year, but the hamb says fat fendered cars have to have skirts now, so...

 

It has a nice look..enjoy!

 

I need one too! Beautiful ride, and with roll up windows, the Missus won't be howling,,, too much.

 

Looks like a fun ride. Will be in Edmonton over the weekend. Once I find out what my plans are I'll call.

 

Plan for now:
- Clean it and drive it until the snow flies........ no I'm not going to ask the best way to get the dust off it

---Hilarious [emoji23]

 

It's coming along fine, I'm doing every little thing I can think of before I tear it down for finishing. I just did all the interior panels and things like that.
I'm going to send parts out for chroming and I'm setting up a ventilation system in my garage so I can paint.
Before too long it will all be in parts to start the pretty up phase
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...-up-build-thread.460009/page-29#post-11699773

 

That is a beautiful car,the top Is perfect. HRP

 

Good to hear. I'm looking forward to seeing it done. I like you're going to paint it yourself at home. If it wasn't for the average estimate of $20K (some more) for a shop paint job on the Bel Air, I probably wouldn't have done the trade. The guy I made the trade with (great guy by the way) has a paint booth and the skill to do it himself..... I don't.
Paint cost is going to kill this hobby.

 

HRP. I've been on this site just about as long as you and have seen many of your posts. I appreciate your opinion. Thanks.
The car cleaned up pretty good...... with soap and water.

 

Congratulations. A great looking car that is nicely done. Enjoy.

 

nice looking car , enjoy it drive the wheels of the sucker