Report from the shop...31 on 32 rails...

[Rolf]

Damn, this stuff takes time ! Anyway, here is a report for those who cares:

With a nice body like this, I figured I may not even need the welder...

http://www.classicroad.com/modelA/abodyside.JPG

Yeah, right...

http://www.classicroad.com/modelA/111_1152.JPG

Turns out that the "old guy" used fiberglass tape on the inside lower panels, and then used filler on the outside.


http://www.classicroad.com/modelA/111_1153.JPG

He also "screwed" the rear inner fenders to the body using duct tape as a "gasket". I guess that may have been OK if one had used fenders.

http://www.classicroad.com/modelA/111_1138.JPG

Also, he had covered the weak rear subrails with some 1/8 thick sheet metal.


http://www.classicroad.com/modelA/111_1154.JPG

So out it goes, all of it! Trust me: I see what some folks starts with, this is nothing, so I guess I am still lucky!

http://www.classicroad.com/modelA/111_1169.JPG

I need new sub-rails anyway, to follow the sexy '32 frame kick up. I shaped metal to follow the frame, then I added 1 X 2 square tubing for strength.

http://www.classicroad.com/modelA/111_1175.JPG

http://www.classicroad.com/modelA/111_1181.JPG

It was then bolted to the frame and welded up.

http://www.classicroad.com/modelA/111_1179.JPG

Sub-rails to go...the outer lip will also serve as support for the inner fender.

http://www.classicroad.com/modelA/113_1326.JPG

"Sub-rail connectors"

http://www.classicroad.com/modelA/113_1323.JPG

http://www.classicroad.com/modelA/113_1329.JPG

Modified A inner fenders...

http://www.classicroad.com/modelA/113_1334.JPG

With the rear lower panel in place, and the trunk opening as square as I can get it, it is tacked together at this point.

If you wonder about those goofy dollies: I live in yuppie neighborhood, so I so don't have five buddies coming over and helping me lifting the body on/off the frame, and they work great, for several reasons:

1. They are built at ride height, and the car sits on it's own suspension, so when I add motor etc I can keep an eye on the rake, without having those purdy (and expensive) Firestone whitewalls in the shop while welding and grinding.

2. You can kick the car around in the shop easy.

3. I jack up the body, stick a 2X4 under it, and roll out the frame from underneath it to work on it.

I was hoping I would be in to mounting the engine, figuring out linkages, steering etc, but this stuff has to be done first...one day at a time...

[VAPHEAD]

Way to go Rolf!Glad to see you are working on the hot rod and not buying more cars...
Have you heard? The Bowl-A-Rama is on the 20th of Dec.
Are you going to be in the states?
Good work pal I give ya 3 stars,
ERIC

[fab32]

Seems there is always surprises waiting for you especially when you have what seems like a rust and wrinkle free body. Oh well, just another step in ROD BUILDING 101.
BTW, things are looking good, keep us posted.

Frank

[roadstar]

It's amazing what people will hide. Reminds me of the foamfilled and bondo rockers I saw on a pontiac sedan acouple of years ago.

Looks like you are doing some nice work there.

[Detonator]

Hey, nice work Rolf. Thanks for the update. I hear you about slow movin' projects, especially during the holidaze.

[29EHV8]

Rolf,too bad about the "find" eh.Great job your doing.those stands are kick ass!I know what I'm buildin tomorrow. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif....Shiny

[Mart]

Yeah, ditto for me.
I thought those stands were a great idea when I saw them the other day.
Mart.

[Dirty Dug]

Looking great Rolf. Who cleans you shop? Must be hard working in that white tyveck suit and respirator. Wanna race?

[superbell]

Rolf all looks great, plus I may have to make a set of those roll arounds. What are you putting in your duece for a motor Dug? Rick

[Dirty Dug]

8ba with a T-10 but I won't be able to keep up with Rolf. I'm a very conservative driver as you know.

[coupeHEAD]

Lookin better all the time! Great shots!

[ric]

Nice work. I think those stands are a great idea, not goofy at all. I too am going to make a set.

[maud]

I have a new found respect for street rod fabricators. I have done frame-off and rotisorie restos on a few musclecars. I just thought they were tough....hours upon hours of labor, but at least I had a blueprint to go by, knowing everything would bolt back up when it went back together. A few months back I bought an all original '34 5-window coupe, I beleive I will leave it that way. But I noticed one thing I would change if, I did any major tin work, I'd refab where the rain is channeled around the edge of the trunk. All the water is channeled into the trunk floor. I notice your Model A is the same way. Do you plan to do anything to prevent water from ruining your new trunk floor? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif Thanks for the info.

[Petejoe]

rolf thanks for posting, the jackstands are tits. Great idea. Now when are you going to let us come over and get that floor and shop dirty. We all need a grease and oil job. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Rolf]

Vappy...only three stars, come-on...Yes, I will be in the USA for X-mas, Bowl-O-Rama sound fun. You mean, drinking beer and talk hot rods all night? Yeah, I could do that!

Dug: Yes, I really wanna race! Paradise Road?

maud: Yes, I will build a gutter on the inside of the new lower back panel, and connect it with the side gutters from the trunk, then just go out thru the rear floor with drain tubes...and yes, it's a lot more time thinking/fabbing compared to doing a muscle car resto, but I really enjoy the freedom to do ANYTHING I like.

I guess that's what hot rodding is all about...

[Dirty Dug]

Does the one with the least tranny fluid on the ground win?

[Rolf]

Dug...yes, trans fluid is supposed to stay INSIDE the trans! No more power shifts for you...For those who does not know, Dug is a very conservative driver...until he gets excited!

[C9]

Lookin good ... I especially like the 1 x 2" subfames.
A lot of cut and fit, but it looks very factory. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

A question though - and not a criticism, but a question - once the diff is installed is it going to clear what looks to be a 2 x 2" crossmember when the rear axle bottoms out?

I'm guessing I'm getting fooled by the camera angle.

Cool dollies as well.

[Rolf]

C9...a valid question. It was just a temporary brace for the "quarter panel adjusters" while all the rear sheet metal was out. It's gone now.

I will build the floor braces from the sub-rail assy with 1 X 1 tubing.

[Tuck]

Rolf is this the car the bones you polished are going on? NICE WORK man~ very nice...

Tuck

[Rolf]

Tuck...Yup, they would be the ones...not as fancy as your stuff, but I am having fun!

[visor]

Rolf that nice work man.
Your subrail design looks real good.
I'm puttin a 30 roadster up on 32 rails and
your ideas will be used!
Thats what this place is all about.
Thanks for the tech.

Super nice photo shoot also.
----------------------------------------------------------
"OPOSSUM BENDERS"
Central Missouri Chapter