Projects winter project - "so let's chop a 40 coupe (and fab everything else possible...)

I can add myself to that list for sure I get excited whenever I see this thread pop up ...I know lol get a life haha!!

 

So much talent I really dig it!!! Can't wait to get going on another project!

 

Cool project!

 

Great build! Comin out nice man!!

 

I remember when this project started, but lost track of it, just read through everything and look forward to more updates. I really like the look of the windsheild, reminds me of a 36-37 Cord, the chop is perfect.

 

Crazy amount of work...........but lookin awsome!

 

Your chop is one of the best I've seen on a Forty. As I was going through your build, I kept having flash backs to the 'little books' when the old guys would just sit down and 'make' a car from pieces. I know this may sound weird, but if you get over building this one, and start on something else, here's hoping you'll be able to start with some cherry metal and really piss people off.

 

wow, wOW, WOW!!

nice work - amazing. jaw dropping. great proportions, great flow, incredible.

dv

 

Zibo, I'm glad to see that you're still working on this coupe ! Damn it is looking good.

 

Hey thanks guys for all the interest!

I've been slacking off a little on the 40,
had to pay some bills.

This truck has been at the shop for about a year and 8 months or so,
and the owner was deployed to afghanistan on the 27th of december,
so it took up the last 5 weeks of the year,
and still not finished!
Totally OT in a way - street rod - 85 corvette running gear under a '55 chevy,
but it's been different and fun to work on.

So here's my chintzy update.



This is the last sheetmetal part to finish before I could throw in the engine.
There was a possibility of hammering out a "patch panel",
but thankfully after digging in my junk pile found a replacement instead.


After some scrubbing and hammering,
I broke out the rattlecan.


It was so easy,
I could see why guys like to restore stuff rather than hot rod stuff.

My fingers were just getting warmed up so I rattlecanned over the epoxy primer on the firewall.


There was another issue that I had,
and it kinda spurred me into cleaning up the shop.


I'd just picked up this engine for a friend,
and my stuff was encroaching into the non-hotrod area a little too much.
This got me into cleaning mode,
so I through these whitewall tires on that I had scrounged up.



Then I stuck the engine in,
the first time it's been in since the firewall was completed.
I forgot how much it slammed the suspension down.


The engine fit perfectly in the firewall.
whew.


Another perk the smaller rear tires helped with was not needing to radius the rear fenders.
The spring needed to be unhooked to fit in the 750 mock up tires,
and while I'd like some 700's,
the 650's fit without any cutting.
Which is a good thing right now.



It was so cool to see the old 40 back together,
I made a list to see what it would take to get it to be a runner.
Probably not the best idea cause it got longer and longer.

I'll get some real work on it as soon as some bills are paid!

TP

 

Looks great! I followed the truck build too on your blog, down right killer!

 

Love the pictures of the motors. Looks like my shop.I have a caddie flat head and hemi also,but i'm going to use the hemi in my coupe.

 

damn...

 

Travis, The '55 is sure looking good. Maybe it will turn out pretty good . . . .

Good to see some more done on the '40, It sure is sittin' down kind of low in front. How much suspension travel do you have ? Hope it is not down on the bump stops.

Dave

 

thanks for the great thread! i am heading home to san diego to re-open the old family "shop" at the end of the week. first step is cleaning it out. your thread just lit the fires!! keep up the great work.

 

that, my man is one hell of a job your doing on the car,you have brought it back from the dead,you are to be commended........

 

What a great looking car, well done.

 

Nice hot rod

 

Thanks guys for keeping this thread alive!

Hey Dave,
I might have had to experiment with new stuff but I couldn't make it too Donk!
And yes it does need some more spring leaves in the front,
although it's not hitting the frame yet.
Always something!

Fur biscuit - PM me when you've got free time and come by the shop!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I finally decided to get my shit together and fit that passenger door panel.



The first step was replacing the missing bottom door frame.
The outside corner has a bunch of bends,
and that was the part that was holding me up.
It took about an hour on an early friday night.
Over the past 2 months I've collectibly had at least 2 hours staring at it.
Fuckn shit.


The next morning I was ready to go.
I had already hammered the panel out months before,
which made it really easy.



You'll notice that the bottom of the door doesn't line up with the body.
There is a step on the replacement panel,
so the panel lines up with the true bottom.
I'll have to figure a piece of trim or something to match it up.



Now that the door didn't flop around,
the bear claw latch really clicked tight with little force.
So nice.

Psychologically this was a big deal,
as it was the last big gap on the outer sheetmetal.


Of course the rear tailpan area needs help,
there's a bunch of rust spots on the fender,
there's no floor,
and everything needs to be finish welded...

TP

 

Ya but at least it looks like a car!! Makin floors is too easy after all this work ! Ya gotta try and roll it outside for us to have a good look at it in natural light! Looking great Zibo!

 

This is one of the few thread I suscribed
Of course Koolkemp is also one s ..
Funny to see some guys have the same love for rust

But I m a little bit anger cause you make choping an easy task.
So I ll shop mine. but if I make a mistake, you can be sure it s your fault

 

Travis, outstanding!

Of course, we've come to expect that from you!

 

Buddy, You sure hit the old nail spot on with that big hammer ! Travis is quite the man. Going to be one super duper Chopped '40 !

Dave

 

Man Travis the 3 Huevos is looking good! I need to stop by one of these weekends to lend a helping hand. I think we could get it plumed and wired in one day. Call me up.

 

That's looking good.....

 

Travis, Give me a shout sometime. Need to yak about what else you have planned for this poor old '40 ! Going to be very "Beuno . . . !".

Dave

 

The hard part about making the floors is cutting up a fresh sheet of metal.
I can cut up scraps like nobody's business but a full sheet I don't know where to start!

Yo D -
You better watch what you type cause I'll make it happen!

Chopping is easy,
its the welding that's the tough part.
Really.

Thanks guys!

Not sure you're gonna want to know dave!

TP

 

Okay shameless self promotion post to get the pictures on the top of the page!
TP

 

Had some time "off" so I had to make the most of it.


This back part was the last obviously nasty section.


I thought it was going to be tougher than it was,
as the rear apron piece was sunk in cause there was no support.


But just having fresh sheetmetal helped.

I still need to do the bottom lip of the passenger fender,
and then push out the center part as its still sucked in a bit.


That all happened so fast that I couldn't stop.


Next thing I know it was too late to do the other side.


The next day (tuesday-yesterday) I set aside a chunk of time.

Was so wound up to do this,
I think it took 30 minutes to pound this out and get it tacked in.


Of course it's not finish welded but neither is the majority of the car.


I've been looking for some 41 studebaker tail lights for a long time,
but they're too pricey.


I've had these lying around for a couple years.


The bummer is it added even more work.


They stick out too much,
so now I need to hammer out a bucket to sink them in.


At least I can make sure I like the location
as the plan was for a bumper/nerf or push bar.

So the 40 is turning into a 39.
Anyone have any 39 headlights?!

TP

 

Looking great,thanks for the update!!