Started a New Project

This is my '37 (?) Chevy PU project. Planning on a T5 ****** and a 4' box on the back. Maybe a top chop. I think the chop would look good but don't have sufficient body work skills so that would have to be farmed out. I don't want to try it on this one, screw it up and have it look like hell. Not planning on lowering it any further. It will have shiny paint and bigger rear wheels and tires. Engine is a '50 Buick straight eight. Thats a loooong engine.

Brother and I spent a few hours mocking things up and discussing frame options, body height, engine height, wheelbase etc.

He'll be working on the frame this week (he lives 100 miles away and has the equipment and experience), the front suspension should arrive in a week or so. We may be heading to northern Kansas next weekend for a couple of better doors. I have a grille shell and radiator combo coming for it. Not Chevy though.

This is my first ground-up build. I've been working on cl***ic cars, my brother has all the hotrod experience. I've had my '37 IH for a few years and never got to doing anything with it. The more I looked at it and thought about it, the less I liked its proportions and overall shape. I find these Chevys to be more pleasing to my eye.

This should keep me busy for the winter. I trust the opinions of most everyone here. What do you guys think?

 

If the cab is going to sit that low, I wouldn't chop it without driving it as is, to see how much room you have inside. And with that straight eight out front, it will sure be different.
Good Luck!

 

Thanks Dave. No chop is planned right now. Just thinking about "what if". Have a long way to go before ride height can be determined but what you see is what I'm shooting for.

Probably won't be as traditional as most here (did they use T5s back in the day?). But it'll be a work in progress as I learn more. Get it driving, then fine tune things as I gather experience. Its a far cry from full size Jeeps and Mustangs.

Buick engine, beam axle with hairpins, Ford 8" rear. It will have cross steering. I thought running a rod up front from the cowl would be a bit iffy due to the length involved.

 

i know this thread is old , but i like buick straight 8s did you every do any more with it ? any new progress