Projects The 49' Ford Roadster Project

Last August there was a unrestored but pretty solid 49 ford at a local swap meet. The owner was asking way too much for a sedan and i really didn't need another project. I looked at it several times over the weekend and it was very rust free all be it ugly as a last minute prom date. The next week the swap meet was all cleaned out but the car was still sitting there so i called her with an offer i was sort of hoping she would refuse....but she wasn't into cars and was tired of dealing with this one so a deal was made and i picked it up.



I drove it over to the shop and parked it with no real plan, along comes 3rd quarter taxes and i can see the car from my office window and the distraction of ideas started growing. The car didn't have a lot of value as is so I didn't feel too bad about trying something wild with it.

More later...

 

Solid old Ford, That will be a pretty cool custom....

 

Here ya go. HRP

 

Thanks HRP, not sure why it didn't work on the first go.

 

Come on, man, can't you see the "flow" to those lines? There's a reason they're called "shoeboxes"!
I bet you'll come up with some coolness to lay on the old girl. That even has rocker panels for cryin' out loud ( it wouldn't up here!).

Watching from the Nawtheast.

 

Rob, Here is a rear shot of a 2dr shoebox my Brother, along with some Navy buddies built in '59. The short fins on the back, really balanced the car out very nicely . I will look for a side view.

 

I know the ending to this one....but I won't spoil it... ; )

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The car came with some replacement floor pans but they weren't worth the cardoard they were shipped in
So we just fabbed up some patches for the two rust spots in the floor. The rest of the floor pan was in amazing condition.

 

Like i said this is a solid car!



Next we went threw the brakes



Feeling like we had a solid car for a project it was time to really get started, the body was braced up and....

 

That left the proportins of the car pretty ackward. The p***enger compartment was dominating the body and just didnt look right. So i cut the package tray loose and slit the body right below the top all the way to the door opening. This let me slide the package tray 10 inches forward


and cutting it in half let me make a higher crown into it to flow into the trunk better. A filler panel was shaped and tacked in.

 

This looks like fun.I`ll saddle up and ride along.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

 

Looks like it's headed for a Coupe conversion. And a Grate place to start from!
The Wizzard

 

Thanks man!

Next up was getting rid of the door pillars
Dont mind the door gaps as they weren't adjusted up.

I cut up the garnish moldings and deleted the side windows, this is a straight up roadster now.

 

I stand corrected, didn't see that coming knowing what Winters are like in Idaho. I like it.
The Wizzard

 

Neat,,,,,,,,, and ?

 

Looks like fun ---- following along

 

I like this thread better than the other one with the same ***le...thought my head was going crazy...

 

After the metal work was sorted out we absolutely destroyed the shop with some body work (sorry this just isn't a full netal finish kind of a project) we did do the metal work to where there is no more tgan an 1/8" of filler anywhere.


Then we figered out a way to spot in the finish so as not to need to paint the whole car. I know a lot of you turn up your noses at patina but a full paint job isn't in the cards right now. But this car is solid enough it would be woth putting one on in the future.

 

Cool hot rod

 

Thanks for not spoiling the surprise

 

I have had a louver punch that i built years ago but haven't used much. I drug it out and added a laser, the laser works so much better than closing one eye.

So we marked of the hood and went to town. I had reshapped the punch from the last time i used it, much happier with the shape.

 

I like it ..... just something about them old shoebox fords that ALWAYS leaves me smiling

 

Well burn me with a torch and call me Sam Barris. Great project you have there sir. I love that you're making a true roadster out of the vehicle while still maintaining the factory lines. Can't wait to see the finished product.


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Section it for a really wild look

 

In the above picture you can see the shortened wing windows

 

Cool, I like that.

 

Very cool!

 

The interior i wanted to be cool in the sun and not at all catastrophic if you got stuck in a rain storm.
The original seats just weren't going to work. My old 65 f250 was broke down in my lot so i figured i could cut down tge seat. Turns out if fit perfectly. We then just cut some panels and covered everything in heat pleated vinyl. Without the s***ched pleats they should be waterproof. Next we covered the floor in rust converter and paint then glued down outdoor carpet. It formed pretty nicely eith only the trans hump needing a edged piece. This should dry out quickly should it get wet beings there is no juke padding under it.

Then we had a boot sewn up out of top gun to make the look of a convertable top

 

Pretty damn cool

 

So now your all cought up.
I rolled it out for some pictures (and to sweep the shop)