Starting the Shoebox project W/updates

I have been looking for a new project for some time but had'nt really decided what I wanted to build and then this came available locally So I got this 51 vert (The one Bob Bleed had for sale a while back) and thought I do something with it.
Its a fairly sound running driving car that just needs some TLC. Because of the initial investment being much more than I normally spend on a project Im not going to be able to do a full blown build on it at this time.
my plan is to make sure its safe and dependable, lower it and give it a cheap paint job and paint and detail the engine compartment and possibly chop it if i can get away with it by just moving the convertible mounting points down and forward (but I havent even looked into this yet so dont know if this will even work.)If somebody has any info on the chop Im all ears.
So far Ive steam cleaned the motor compartment and undercarraige and just statred taking it apart, I ordered a new harness from Rebel, some Aerostar springs and pulled the lower control arms off to step them. Im gonna leave all the trim and emblems off and am still undecided on the color it will be. Right now the short list is Black, Metallic Gold or maybe a Root Beer metallic but that could change.
It has a nice interior only its a saddle colored vinyl Im also thinking about dyeing it white if it can be done and look nice. I will try to keep regular updates and progress pictures as it goes and Im sure I will be asking lots of questions and doing lots of searching and reading too I've already got some good info and help on it already..... Mike

Here are the before and first progress pics

 

looks cool! If it were mine, i wouldnt chop it...its a convertible!

 

Awesome car! That would make a cool cruiser. Like all the plans, but i wouldnt chop it looks badass as it is. Seems everyone has a chopped 49-51 ford im my opinion. I'd just slam it down to the ground. Good luck with the build hope to see more pics!

 

Cool,looks like a hell of a start!!

 

Ill only chop it if I can just move the mounting location of the rear mechanism so it could be put back if needed but I found these pics on Ricksters site and I cant get over how cool these cars look

 

Made some more progress this week. Got all the interior out and found no suprise rust holes in the floor (big relief). I got the lower control arms back from the blaster's and I'm working on a simple jig to step them. I think I will try to put 3* of caster in the lowers when I step them then with the new mounting bracket available for the upper arm I can shim the top to adjust caster.I also got the Aerostar springs in note the height next to the stock spring that was sagged with a torch. After getting a better look at the mounting of the convertible top mechinism I dont think im going to try to do the chop but other than that so far everything is going great and Im hoping to have it done in time for the Rust Revival at the end of May.

 

I say chop it.......my 51 Vicky will be chopped.

 

I like the maroon/candy apple red one from rikster's site... looks like you've got a solid foundation to work on!

 

I like that car, nice plan! I like the color too though, I'd repaint it the same blue!

 

I hate convertibles, but shoebox convertibles always make me rethink my hatred...and don't bother chopping it, if you want the roof lower then just put the top down ...and I vote for a dark blue solid paint job...come to think of it, your coupe is already dark blue, so scratch that idea...how about painting it a maroon or really deep red?...what's the plan for wheels/hubcaps?...

 

There's something wrong with guys who hate convertibles

 

Yeah, we have taste and appreciate flowing lines on vehicles instead of choppy fabric covered angles ...hahaha...

 

Nice ride Russco. Post some more pics when you get those springs in. I'm interested to see how low it is.

 

Nice

 

Im not sure on the wheel covers probably sombreros I was leaning towards a gold metalic color but I really have'nt decided on the color. A cool red or burgandy would be nice too. The color choice is really bugging me, on all my previous builds I've always had a mental picture of the finished car before I started but I just cant decide on a color yet.

 

Whatever you choose it will be cool. You do nice work. I'm glad you got it.

 

Looks good so far. Im really interested to see the drop from those springs. It looks lower already, whats the setup in the back?

 

Throw people off and put some early 50's smooth dished "DeS" Desoto caps on it...hahaha...or some '54 Chrysler New Yorker caps on it with the gold 4 point stars in the center...which reminds me, I need to mail one of those off to a guy in CA tomorrow morning...maroon and gold are great colors Mike, especially if you're a MN Gophers fan ...

 

P.S. Check out the Junior Conway shoebox to see if you like maroon and gold...that car is fucking gorgeous...you could always go with '57 Ford salmon and black paint colors too ...

 

Make sure you submit a "tech week" post on the stepped lower A-arms and Aerostar springs. New adjustable mounting bracket for the top? How'd I miss that?

 

Very nice what r u gonna do to it or u just gonna cruise that sweet ride, thats what i would do this spring and then fuck with it this comin winter!

 

Shoeboxs'=sweet

 

nice work mikey!! rust revival???? your not bringin the coupe? or the blown truck? you need another wife so you can bring all 3!!!! ill go shave my legs! see ya in 3 hrs!!!!

 

Todd, looks like Mike will have his girlfriend drive one of his cars to the Rust Revival.

Mike you sure have a good looking fleet of cars. I am still partial to the coupe.

One more thing,please don't paint your wheels RED

 

Mike, I have a brand new shop manual for that car and a clock that is in real nice shape-yours if you want them.

 

Thanks Sam I'll need the bible for sure.
I got a little more progress done stepped the lower arms 2.5" and put the Aerostar springs in I also decided on a color, Carmona Red (its a reddish burgandy color with alot of pearls in it) so here is the before height with the torched springs and the after with new coils and stepped lower arms

 

Mike, did you take photos of the process of stepping the arms? I've searched but can't find an article on this. I know there's been a lot of discussion (pros/cons) here regarding this, but I'd like to see some how to so I can decide for myself. Has someone already done a thread on the procedure? I want to do this to our '50 Ford.

 

kickass mike!!!!!

 

Lookin good Dude!

 

Daddio here is a link to a tech thread done on some Chevy arms same deal basically http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=317696

The ford arms are not stamped out of sheet like the Chevy arms but the process is the same I used a 5" wide X 4" tall piece of 1/4" flat stock.
I also built in 2* of positive caster when I welded the outer piece back on. Jamco has new upper cross shaft mounts that relocate the shaft and can use shims to correct the camber issue the fords have when lowering with shorter springs and I should be able to get some caster into the uppers this way too here is a pic of how mine turned out. Not being an engineer I would welcome any input concerning strength issues the way I did this