Projects The Brooks Special - louisb’s 29 lakes roadster build

Hi All,

Been dreaming of building a 29 roadster on 32 rails for a long time. About four years ago I started collecting parts to make it happen and today my body arrived from Brookville. So I figured it is time to start a build thread. The goal is to have it ready to apply for TROG 2019 which gives me a little less than a year to get er done.

The plan is a mid to late 40s lake style roadster with flathead. Here is some inspirational material:

 

Okay, on to the main event. Here's the new '29 body with the gas tank dropped in place:

 

While I was waiting on the body to ship I started rebuilding some of the drive train. First up was the transmission. I originally purchased a "ready to run" '39 style transmission but upon further inspection it wasn't. I guess my opinion of ready to run is a bit different than the seller's. Heavily pitted gears throughout and a worn out trans case meant buying all new, NOS and NORS parts with a few good used where I couldn't find anything better. A replacement 78 case we sourced from Van Pelts and attempt two started. (Remember, if at first you don't succeed, don't try sky diving. )

 

Unfortunately, attempt two didn't go any better than attempt one when I couldn't get the trans together. Well, I actually got it together the wrong way several times, the wrong way different each time. About this time (how many times can I use the word time in one paragraph) I sent my '36 banjo rear with original 3.54 gears to Ken/Alabama from the Ford Barn for rebuild. If you are in the SE and need a banjo rebuild, look up Ken on the Ford Barn. He did a really nice job and the price was reasonable.

 

I talked to Ken about my transmission assembly woes and he agreed to give me a hand so I boxed it all up and took it with me to pick up my axle when it was ready.

After several attempts we still couldn't get it together. That is when we discovered that my 78 case wasn't as deep as a regular '78 case. Turns out I had an early '37 78 series case which doesn't have as much clearance as later cases. I even pulled out my scrap original case to take some pics that show the difference. I called up Mac Van Pelt and he offered to send me another case. (Mac's a great guy and will get my business again.) So the transmission is on hold till the replacement replacement (rereplacement?) case arrives. I believe they call this "The joys of hot rodding".

 

Time to rebuild some '97s. I started with six cores and ended up with 2 usable carbs.

Box o' Carbs:


Doesn't everyone disassemble carbs in the living room:


The final three ready for assembly.


Hum, didn't notice this body had been drilled and tapped oversize. Good thing I only need 2.



All done and mounted on the Offy intake.








Right now I am waiting on a set of '32 ASC rails to arrive so I can build the chassis. I have a couple of '59 blocks also in transit. One of which "ran when pulled" that will hopefully provide more motivation. Updates soon.

Thanks,

--louis

PS: If anyone needs a set of Offy heads I have these up for sale. Picked up a nice set of polished stock aluminum heads I plan to run instead.

 

Looks great!

 

Forgot to post this picture. When I was up in Alabama visiting Ken I got to ride in his original 40 coupe. It has a stock flathead and Columbia two speed which Ken rebuilt. And if I owned it I wouldn't change a thing. By the way, cramming three large southern boys into a 40 couple is a bit tight. The door popped open a couple of times and I thought we were going to lose my friend Bob once or twice.


Thanks,

--louis

 

I love that '40 but if it was mine, I'd wash it. I'm kinda nit-picky like that.

 

It gets driven a lot and it sits outside like a real car. Plus it was pollen season. That’s original paint too.

—louis

 

Great stuff @louis...hey getting to ride in old cars makes going places to get things fixed way better...cool project you have going there.

 

Well, to be truthful, I'd gladly take it even if it was covered in 50 years of pigeon shit.

 

I agree.....wash and WAX it..... just to preserve it, especially if it sits outside. A 40 coupe deserves better than that.

 

A lot of prep work this weekend. I really want a stock style l seat but at my height it isn't going to work. Sitting on the floor my arm pit is level with the door top so I instantly fail the monkey fucking a football test. Also took out the trunk in prep for the 32 chassis.



Thanks,

--louis

 

Okay I am going to throw this out there. I have a good original '32 grill shell. I would prefer a filled and peaked shell for this project. Be for I send this off to someone to be filled and peaked I thought I would see if anyone wants to trade. It has some minor pitting and some pin holes in the splash area. It has also been cut for a model A. It is not good enough for restoration or a high dollar car.

Thanks,

--louis

 

Nice work man.

 

Sweet Home Alabama!

 

Costs a lot of money to look that old.

Love it look forward to more posts.

 

Dude, I love where you're going with this project. If it looks anything like your inspiration material, you'll be golden!

 

Got the tail lights and license plate installed today. Cut the holes a wee bit big so I ended up tacking a couple of pieces of strap to the inside to bolt the lights to.






This also arrived from Joshua Shaw. He makes a really nice 17" wheel. The texture on the spokes is actually the reflection of the ceiling. Can you say shiny?



Thanks,

--louis

 

One 32 Ford frame, some assembly required.



After reading this thread https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/lets-build-an-authentic-1932-frame.610718/ by @edwardlloyd I am going to try my hand at riveting this one together. Model A front, 32 k member and rear crossmember. Frame rails are ASC from Honest Charlie’s. I was really impressed with their customer service and they are an Alliance member so you get the discount. Plan is a stock frame with no pinch, slap or tickle.

—louis

 

Ooooh, nice!

 

Some assembly is always fun! I like!!!

 

Spent about 3 hours welding up rivet holes in the center crossmember and fitting it to the chassis. I have to admit that I am really tempted to just weld that bastard in place and move on instead of doing the rivets. I would probably have more patience if it wasn’t so damn hot and humid. It is pretty damn miserable in the garage right now.



Thanks,

—louis

 

I'm digging it.

Subbed.

 

Spent a few days in our nations capital this week. Politics aside, there is nothing like a trip to the memorials and national monuments in D.C. to remind you how great of a country we live in.

Got home around mid day yesterday and spent a few hours in the garage and then all morning today getting the rear crossmember and frame stiffeners from @ELpolacko installed. By the way those are some quality pieces and well worth the price.

Had to tweak the k-member a bit to get everything to fit. Also set the front crossmember centerline. In an earlier post I mentioned I was following @edwardlloyd post. I also have been double checking all my measurements against a set of blue prints I bought from @Deuce Daddy Don and some of my measurements have come up a little different. Not saying either are wrong but it is always a good idea to double and triple check everything.

Sorry the pics are out of order.

Trans update: After tripping over the trans for a few weeks I decided to send it to someone who knows what they are doing. A man has to know his limits and if I am going to get this thing done in time for TROG next year it will take some outside help. One last thing I have to worry about. Paul Jennings, who I think is @NealinCA brother, will be rebuilding it for me. (I know he is on the Ford Barn but not sure if he is on here.) Neal has also done some work on the steering box for me and if Paul is anything like his brother I know the trans is in good hands.

Thanks,

—louis

 

Not much exciting progress, just drilling all the stock holes in the chassis.



Lately all I have been doing is filling old holes and drilling new holes. (Sounds like a bad country song.) Wanted to talk a little more about my goals for this build. If that was not the sort of thing you enjoy reading about, skip ahead now.

When I started this project I set a few goals to try to help guide the build.

1. K.I.S.S - Keep it simple stupid. I have a tendency to make projects overly complicated which makes them drag out forever in the search for perfection. Lots of time spent searching for just the right part, days agonizing over every detail and basically never getting a project done.

2. I want the car to be an everyman’s car. Something a guy back from the war could have built in his garage. A car he could take his girl out on Friday and then race on Saturday. So no fancy parts such as quick change rears or blown flatheads. (Also ties in well with goal 1.)

3. Use as many factory parts as possible, just like they would have done in the late 40s. But make allowances where it wasn’t feasible. I work 2 jobs to pay for my hot rod addiction so I don’t have endless amounts of money to throw at it. I am trying to spend the money where it counts.

4. Get the damn thing on the road. I am tired of car projects dragging on for years. I want to drive this thing which is why I set a deadline of getting it ready for TROG 2019. (Also why I am posting this publicly to hold me accountable.)

Now of you will excuse me, I have more holes to drill.

—louis

 

I want to 2nd the bit about the Industrial Chassis Xmember. I've used one on my current roadster and the quality is truly exceptional

 

Looks like a great build with a realistic target! Subscribed.

 

Got some good garage time in yesterday and today and installed the front cross member. Had to do some repairs where someone butchered the crossmember for a Vega box. Front cross member was welded in because that’s what I figure a hot rodder would have done in 1945. Rest of the chassis is now bolted together and ready for riveting. That probably won’t happen till July since I am traveling the next few weeks.



Thanks,

—louis