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

Dam Travis, glad to see more progress. I just got out of the garage from putting the heads on the hemi. Need to adjust the valves, prime the oil system and button up the top end. I'm also finishing up my fire wall, lots of holes needed to be filled. See you soon.

 

I love this build, thanks for sharing!

 

Too cool man

 

awesome build thread, i love watching the threads where a car is brought back from oblivion. also that car looks mean as hell, like its gonna hurt someone especially next to the stock bodied one. good work ill be watchin for updates.

 

Looking good ,keep it up

 

I'd just got thru your RPU thread, and found this! Having a 40 sedan, I was dubious about chopping a coupe, but you've turned me around, this is great, really well proportioned, and sits right. Can't imagine how you find the time to do all this, but i'm looking forward to more updates.

 

This is such a great save. Not only brought back, but better than ever.

 

just read this whole thread - really inspiring stuff!

 

Zibo, La'Bee-do,..........So Much For'Rust Free",
One hell-a-va BUILD !!

Great work!, terrible lookin' welds, BUT GREAT Ideas and Execution!........
YOU hit tha' Profile Perfect w/ the slanted w/s posts.....Mor Pics !
____________________________________________________________

Just brung home a '53 Poncho...........Your post, changed MY mind 'bout partin' it out !!!!!!!1



Still !, Smoked' up in tha' Smokey Mountains

 

Travis, I'm glad to see you going on this again!

 

Looking good!
I need to get moving on mine again now that the warm weather is back.

 

Great to see some progress pics Travis !! Thanks !

 

Thanks guys for all the interest.
It makes it worth updating!
Not much done today though.

It's nothing compared to you orchestrating that bitchin race car.
Gonna be a whopper!

I'm a bad Hamber,
kinda selfish, so many threads I never saw your insane project.
Finally caught up with it, you're crazy in a good way.
Chop that thing!

Get rid of cable...

Hey Smokey,
I'm using the Mig to tack the panels in place,
than the smallest tungsten with 1/16 rod on about 45 with my dynasty TIG machine,
jumping around in increments of barely a quarter inch.
It's tough to weld the rusty sheetmetal, even with a light sand/file to shine it up both sides.
If there's a new panel, I'll usually start more on the new metal and blend with the old,
I find that helps a bit.
I'm planning that I can file/grind them down later,
but any tips?


TP

 

Chopping a coupe makes them look like a turret on an army tank. The cars that are not chopped in post number three look better than the chopped cars.

 

That car isn´t sectioned though. It´s all about proportion.

 

Tremendous thread---

 

Please tell us some latest news!!

 

Just read the whole thread, Fantastic work. Makes the work I've done on my car look like changing tires in comparison...

 

Any news Zibo?

 

ummm. WOW! nice work. I will be watching, no more posts from me, just watching Sensi Metal San!

 

Thanks guys for the interest and excuse the delay.
I've been needing to actually make money so not too much progress.

Here is an update...



I left off with that back panel tacked in.
It wasn't a pretty sight,
some warps and bad alignment.
There was no bottom access cause of the hinge assembly.
It seems like an easy panel but there's a bunch of curves,
plus that bent part I hammered in made it less forgiving.



It sat for so long there was a point I was going to just mig it,
bondo over it and pretend it never happened.
Fortunately I didn't do that.
I got out the TIG and the dolly and hammer and spent some time hammerwelding.



Its still not perfect but it is way better than I had hoped.
I can spend hours knocking the weld and a little more hammering,
but at least it matches the rest of the car.



After that I tacked the decklid into place.
It is the easiest way I've figured out to locate it properly.
The gap wasn't too bad.



With the the temporary hinge assembly removed,
I pirated off the pieces that were needed.



These were shiny when I made them
and I'm not sure why I didn't rattlecan them.
So threw them in the bead blaster after a light scuffing with the grinder.



Man the bead blaster is a bitchin tool.
I am glad my brother is a tool junkie.



Sprayed some rustoleum on them and now they're ready to go.



This is how it sits other than the hinges being bolted back on.
There's alot of work and I've got the idea in my head.
I just have to be in the mood to crawl in and out of that cavern!

TP

 

Looking good!

Have you fired the engine yet?

 

With the rear prepared for its huge project,
I started up on the front.
The firewall was at a blocked point -
the engine is set back into the firewall,
and there's not much access.

One night I got the idea to reangle that angled part more vertical.



This way at least the spark plugs are easy to change.
The headers cover up the firewall so it looks good enough.



The problem was the firewall wasn't inline with the forward body mount,
so the cowl lost its structure.
This is the base part of figuring out the door hinges,
and I've spent way too much time thinking about this!



With that huge gap and a floppy cowl,
I was at a decision time to figure out the cowl to fender joint at this time.

TP

 

No Buddy,
I just turn it over by hand every couple weeks


Channeling and sectioning the body
changed the position of the fenders.
It was so rusty that most of it had disappeared anyway.



I figured the best place to start was making the templates.



(each side was a different day!)



The green 40 has the bolt-on fenders with the welting,
and I really didn't want that on this car.
(The rear fenders were already welded on)
The issues were
1-removing the engine - which is fine with the grille removed
2-fixing the fenders - just have to drive a little carefully.
3 - more body/fender bracing as its all one piece.

So the first night,
I just figured screw it



This was really tough for me.
Its left handed hammering so this was the opposite for me.
Ok, I needed the practice!



I was really happy with the "almost" finish product,
this was about 2 am.
and I couldn't wait to do the other side the next day.

(I've found this 3-color rattlecan patina recipe!)

I took way more pictures the next day,
and it was amazing how fast something goes the second time.


nothing to rocket science here.



all these tools were from my grandfathers stash!



I had it tacked that morning,
and finished it up later that night. (this saturday)



The passenger side was alot easier,
should have started with that side,
more access and right handed hammering.



After the 3-color spray...



I can't believe how rigid the cowl and fenders are.
Now the firewall can be integrated into the fender/inner panel,
so it will really beef it up.

Yeah the body will need to be removed as one piece but oh well,
I doubt I'll ever do it.
Jinx.

TP

 

So this one is for 41 Dave.
He called about 8:45 pm last night,
and I told him I was just about to start working on the 40.
My new rule is working on my own stuff after 9pm!



I've made a bunch of these.

http://perichbrothers.blogspot.com/2011/04/motorvation-ford-coupe-nose-part-i.html

and for some reason it is the missing part when I look at pictures of the project.
Sometimes I've got to do fun stuff.



A month ago I made one for my cousin on his '36,
but he wouldn't let me build it on the car, too nice.
Way easier to make it like this.



In 6 hours I had this all whipped together.



It's a little rough,
but again it matches the car so its fine.
I'll trim the back part a bit more,
once the radiator (or front engine blower is figured out)



The bummer was I was so focused on the work,
I forgot to eat and was totally spun out by 2:30 in the morning!
Oh well,
good excuse to hang out on a July 4th!

Now we're all up to date...

TP

 

Yeaooow!!! Nice looking grill top!! So glad you're back on this!!!

 

I really like the way you shopped it . I have a 38 , basically the same body , and was not sure to shop or not . Same shape also , the only difference is I had a frame under the car Same rust .... No engine .. Like yourse .
The round top is the problem , and over my skills to make it right .
But shopping like you did is quite easy , and doesn t need too much work to have nice lines ( well , not TOO much ... ).
I still expect what s following

Edit : great idea on chanelling , the doors seems really too high stock . Worse when shopped . And it a really long car .... Even the Coupé . 16 or 18 " IIRC .

 

Travis, Had this all typed out and computer shut down on me . . . .

So, one more time . . . . .

First must say that this update sure had a lot of info in it. The fender/cowl patch panels came out great. Bet your Grandpa is a smiling as he sees you using his tools. Bet he is very proud.

Second love the mini hood topper. Make the front of the car look more finished. There is sure some time and skill that shows.

Third, what's this about a crank mounted blower ? Will it be more caveman fab work ? Will you be using a GMC 4-71or ? Will carbs be side draft ordown draft ?

Looking forward to more updates on your Custom Rod '40 Coupe !

Dave

 

Cool! Always like to see this one coming along.

 

Glad you guys are still interested in this old heap!

Irish Mike scanned this photo last week or so,
and I swear its been giving me bad ideas!



It's just a far fetched idea right now,
but that's how all this starts.

TP