Customs 35 Ford 3-window build

Some of you may remember when I posted the story of how I got this car which was here http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=400929. Now I have started on the car. I am going to school at the Hot Rod Institute in Rapid City South Dakota. I first got the frame sandblasted. Then I got it up on the frame table close to the ride height I would like to have. First thing I did was patch the front crossmember. Then I started to weld the frame rails together where the X-member meats up with the rails. Thats where I'm at at this point.

 

I'm envious, I really like the mid 30s body styles. I hope you'll keep us updated on your progress.

 

WOW!!!! Looks like it was sitting there a LONGGGG time! Great car to save!

 

Awesome!!!! I love '35 Coupes!!!

 

I know I have been watching your thread and everytime I look at your car and see that you left the '35 gille it makes me happy

 

Nice! Body looks to be in great shape! I'lll be watching.

 

I am partial to that model V8 Ford.

Looks like you have been finding and stashing away some hard to find parts.

Good Luck with the project. Have Fun!

 

Today I got the new axle milled to fit the original wishbone. I welded up the u-bolts for the front spring. I also TIG welded more of the frame.

 

I missed the original "finding" thread but the build looks great so far!! Thanks for posting!

 

Subscribed! This should be cool!

 

Didn't get much done today but a little progress is better than none. I did a little bit of straightening on some frame pieces and cleaned a few things up.

 

Looks like fun, nice project!

 

This morning I got the front crossmember welded in and I started to smooth the axle

 

What a great body style to build from. Nice.

 

not judging... but why are you welding all the seams?
just seems like alot of work that doesnt need to be done
tk

 

It doesn't need to be done but if I have it all sandblasted and I'm doing the whole car anyways I might as well do it. All that is holding it together is 75 year old rivets and we all know that over time rivets can slop out which in this case can cause the frame to flex. In my opinion a suspension works its best when the frame is as solid as possible, which will allow the suspension to do what it was designed to do.

 

I finished smoothing out the axle this afternoon. It was a lot of work, but I think it was worth it

 

I didn't get a chance on Friday to post an update but here is what I did. I cut the rear crossmember apart so that I could raise it up. That is me in one of the pics right after I made the first cuts.

 

Today I finished the crossmember and started to weld up the seams on the rear frame rails

 

Nice start !!! Tom (Tired Old Man)

 

I'm kinda partial to 35's. Great start on an ambitious project. I'm subscribed.

 

I was wondering the same. Weren't the original frames designed to flex, so that they wouldn't break somewhere at a stress riser? This isn't a criticism, I'm just wondering if welding the 2 frame skins together will cause a problem somewhere. I'm about to start on my '33 Ford truck frame, and was wondering if I should bother boxing the frame, welding the 2 skins together like you did, or leaving it as Henry designed it.

 

You have a real Gem there in that 35 3 window. Hang onto it and don't be tempted by others money. You won't get another chance like this again in your life.

 

Today I fixed the frame rail that was rusty. I had another frame that the only decent parts on were the parts that I needed to replace. I cut the piece out with a jog in it to make it more structurally sound when finished. I also had to put another patch in further back. I did a root pass with a TIG and anything that needed to be filled was done with MIG over the top.

I am very happy that I have a solid frame rail now that is still all Henry Steel.

 

THANKS for sharing your story! and GOOD LUCK

 

You are off to a great start. Do yourself a favor and Box those frame rails.. I just did the front on mine and the first motor I had in it was around 450hp and it started to crack the paint on the roof just above the doors. It really does make a difference to do the whole frame. What are your plans for the drive train?

 

Plans are for an 8ba and a five speed

 

Friday I fixed the only bad spot on the driver's side frame rail

 

rear crossmember came out real nice

 

lookin' good Kellan!!