I BOUGHT A CABRIOLET

[Django]

A few people already know, but this weekend I finalized the deal to buy a '36 Cabriolet. The cabrio is now safe and sound in the barn. It was a really fun trip with THOM, JonJon and Radar. We left late of course. Rental Trailblazer got a flat 15 minutes from picking it up, so we had to take it back and get another one. We headed out at 11pm Friday night and got to Erie PA at 6am. So we got a hotel room and slept until Nelson got there, which was around 11am. Nice guy. Turns out he helped build the '32 3 window that is red primer with the black grille that is in Hop Up all the time. Bitchin.

At noon we stopped at Quaker Steak and Lube. Funny name huh? Cool theme restaurant full of cars and bikes. We ate in the corvette room and tried to figure out how much money was hanging on the walls that had been reduced to junk because they were screwed to the wall. They had a '77 vette hanging from the wall and a 59 vette on the lift. Other room had a '57 bird on the lift. Lots of bikes. Food was fair.

Somewhere in Ohio, we hit a bump and the rear end came apart. And apparently it has no backing plates. Oh well, no big deal.


The car.

Some areas are worse than I thought and others are better. It's all good. I'm happy with it. So is Dad. The grille is junk, so he is giving me the old grille from his 3 window. Sweet. He also gave me some gauges and some sedan fenders. My dash plans are for not, cause the dash is cabrio specific, so I'm not going to cut it up now.

The body is going on my '37 Flatty chassis that I bought last year. Was a driver and the guy sold me the chassis so he could put his '37 Tudor on a TCI/SBC chassis.

There are 2 camps on the build.
T5/open rear vs. stock/columbia 2spd

THOM and Radar think stock/columbia and Dad, Jon and I think T5. The columbia will be more authentic but the T5 will be more user friendly in Chicago traffic.

We will see. It will take many years for it to reach Hop Up status, so until then, it will just be a driver.


PICS from TRIP (http://mdesignstudio.com/chad/cabriolet/)

Oh, note the '36 ford in my garage. Yes, I will be in a '36 for the Pileup after all... Dad's 3 window, but I'm not complaining. Hopefully my 5 window is not far behind.

http://mdesignstudio.com/chad/cabriolet/images/IMG_1774.jpg

>>>QUESTIONS:

I held up some sedan fenders and they look like they will work. So what is the actual difference between coupe and sedan fenders, cause I'm not seeing it.

Would you chop a cabrio? I've seen plenty of chopped '36 roadsters, but no cabrios. I thought Dad was going to blow a gasket when I told him I wanted to chop it. It is NOT going to be a custom/taildragger. I just want it to be an early style hot rod, with the front end super low, slight rake and just some subtle customizing.

[lucky_1974]

Dude that is sweet I love 36 Roadsters and Cabriolets. Can't wait to see how the project progresses.

[Plowboy]

You Bastard! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[wingnutz]

Got some shots of my chopped Cabriolet..., I'll bring'em to the Pile-up...! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Mark

[Rusty]

Good jod. Looks like some fun is heading your way.

[Tuck]

That RULES!!! damn.

[29EHV8]

Good score,can't wait for the updates.
I'd go with the columbia setup......Shiny

[Jive-Bomber]

Hard to argue with the lines of a 36 3W, Roadster or Cabrio.
Are you planning on chopping the convert top or leave it stock? Carson top would look mean too...

[36couper]

Looks great Chad. You're living my dream......a whole whack of '36's in the barn!
I like the cabrios with a slight chop. Be prepared for a considerable amount of work though getting the bows to work properly.
Everyone I have talked to said there is no way a sedan fender will fit a coupe or cabrio. Who knows!?
I like your plan.....raked with something other than red steelies for wheels. Save your money so you can bag it and kill a few worms. Tail draggers are for greasers.

[Reggie]

Django, nice score. I didn't realize I was bidding against you. I've got one that's not as nice as yours....make sure you give me some inspiration pics as you move along.

[AHotRod]

You SUCK http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Congradulations on the find and purchase.

[57wagon]

Awesome car!!! Looks like you guys had a bit more "excitement" than I did on my trip to north dakota this weekend though... Can't wait to see the car....

I'd chop it http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[redmeat]

<font color="red"> AH SHIT...I thought you were going to tell us all about your new VW!

R E D M E A T </font>

[Dooley]

prick!!


Looks real solid, good job!!

[Django]

I have my Dad to blame for my '36 Ford sickness. He taught me well. Really, if you keep building the same cars, the spare parts bin is always a godsend. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I look forward to seeing your pics Wingnutz.

The top will be functional. No carson top for me. It will likely not have the material on it for a long time, so I have plenty of time to decide if I should chop it or not, so that means no rain... KC and the Sunshine Car.

No bags. I have a dropped axle for it, but I may give it to Dad for his 4 door and buy one with a bigger drop.

So Hotwheel, you're the one I was bidding against? I'm glad you bowed out! Thank you! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif A cabrio was a dream for Dad and I for many years. I started bidding on this one cause it was so cheap. More of a joke cause I was SURE it would go waaaaaay beyond my available funds. Trust me, the LAST thing I needed was another car. But when the bidding held firm and I was still the high bidder... I thought damn, I really have to pay for this thing! That ruled, cause I never thought I'd get one before I was 50, or I'd have to sell damn near everything to get one. So here I am about to turn 34 and now I have my dream car. I don't care how long it takes to complete.

So Hotwheel, maybe you can help clear up the fender debate? Have you ever posted pics of yours? I didn't know you had one. When I was holding the sedan fender up, it seemed like the fender fit the body, but the holes weren't lining up. What's to stop me from repositioning the holes? The left fender in the pic is in need of all new metal all along the edge to bolt to the body. It will need new holes drilled in the patches regardless.

Any other thoughts on the T5 vs Columbia? It's fairly well known that I can't stand cruising down the highway at 50mph.

[36couper]

Not sure if its a club cabrio or a regular cabrio but here are some production numbers for each:
Club Cabrio- Price $675 Production 4616
Regular Cabrio- Price $625 Production N/A

Options:
Radio (5 versions, from $44.50)
Heater $14
Clock $9.75
Cigar lighter
Radio antenna
Seat covers
Spotlight
Rumble seat $20
luggage rack $7.50
Banjo wheel
Spider wheel covers
Comb'n oil press./gas gauge $3.75
Dual wipers $3
Leather upholstery
air horns

[Reggie]

Django,
I'm a '36 nut too! I was child slave labor for my next door neighbor when I was a kid. We built this '36 5w coupe and I've been hooked every since. I haven't had one nice enough to build yet 'cause I got side tracked on these '32-'34 cars.

As far as the gearing situation....I've used T-5s and I've used the stock stuff. I have no experience with the Columbia.

The T5 is a great tranny, but you'd have some work in converting to an open driveline which could mean a whole new rear suspension.

My '32 3w has a 3.54 gear in the stock rear. I used the early ford gearset (has a low 1st gear) in the '39 tranny and I can comfortably cruise 70, can even pass at that speed but the engine is still revving a little too high.

In my 5window, I have a the same tranny with a 2.80 gear in the quick change rear. Runs real well at 80mph...but has to drop to 2nd gear and a max of 55 going thru steep hills and mountains.

Just based on my experience, a flathead and stock chassis would do fine with a 3.25 gear. Just finding that gear (unless using a quick change) is near impossible.

In my opinion, the dream flathead combination is the s10 T5,
open drive line, and a 3.50 - 3.70 gear. Using the overdrive is useless with a flathead with a numerically lower rear gear.

I've not compared the fenders between the sedan and coupe/roadster/cabriolet. I do know the mounting holes are different and that the latter is a wider fender. I wish I had two side by side to compare.

Here are a couple of pictures of my car. It was an east coast mild custom that I want to return to its original styling. Rear fenders are leaded in, rockers were rolled in and the frame is butchered. The floor is saveable and all of the cabriolet specific parts except the dash which looks like a '50's mercury. It needs a ton of work...so I'm looking to better my hand.

[Reggie]

interior...custom stitching...done in 1953. Original seat springs and frame.

[Reggie]

Dash...'50s merc? Has Ford 53-anniversary wheel.

[Django]

Cool car Hotwheel. I really dig the seat.

I agree, the T5 is pointless with that low a gear. I was told about a place that sells new gears for the banjo and I think they were 3:73, but I didn't write it down. I think my friend Jon knows who has them. Expensive though... $700.

Figures there's no production total on the cabrio I have. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Makes sense the sedan fenders are more narrow. I guess I would have to just bolt them on and see. I said earlier that the fender in the pic was sedan. I was told it was a coupe, but I couldn't tell the difference when compared to my sedan fenders. Neither of our coupes were at the house to compare either.

So what is the lesser of two evils... sedan fenders or glass coupe fenders?

My windshield frame was missing, and I found one. It should be here on Wednesday.

[continentaljohn]

Great find on the cabriolet, I too have a soft spot for them.. Looks like a nice solid car... As for the gear try Joblot, they would have one for the rear.. I got mine for the 32 3:54 , was the highest/lowest they had.. As for the Columbia, heard they were a bit weak when you jump on them alot..
Hotwheel , sweet ride are you steering away for the great 32? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[old beet]

Dash???? No 49-51 Merc stuff there..........OLDBEET

[SanDiegoJoe]

from the pictures on the link it looks really solid - nice floor!

keep us posted with progress pix!

[unclescooby]

Good score dude. That thing looks like it is in really nice condition too. Do you need to store the car and title at my house...in Cuba?

[Peter Pan of Chicago]

Great score, Chad! With a sickness like '36's, who needs to get well. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Fantastic,

Joel http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[fordnutz]

>>>QUESTIONS:

I held up some sedan fenders and they look like they will work. So what is the actual difference between coupe and sedan fenders, cause I'm not seeing it.

Django, If you are talking rear fenders, I think the difference is in the mounting flange, or the shape of the rear wheel well. No difference in the fronts. Nutz.

[Django]

Yeah, rear. Will sedan fenders get me by until I find some coupe fenders?

[magnet]

I cant wait till we set that cabrio body on that 4x4 S-10 chassis ... you still got that 12" lift kit for it right?

I still have that bright pink paint you were asking about too django... and i know a guy that can reproduce those ZZ top graphics in vinyl sticker..

:-)

Nice score, cant wait to swing a hammer on it.

[Django]

[ QUOTE ]
I still have that bright pink paint you were asking about too django... and i know a guy that can reproduce those ZZ top graphics in vinyl sticker..

:-)


[/ QUOTE ]

Don't tempt me... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Hey ContinentalJohn, cool site. http://www.joblotauto.com/

So if I go that route, then that's all I'd need to do right? No need to go with a T5?