Projects garagefind/ survivor 40 coupe build. FIRED IT UP!

So as not to mislead anyone; I found it in my garage full of parts and pieces and scattered all over in boxes , attic etc. The car was purchased by me in 1962 and was my transportation in high school. In 65 I bought a 57 Chevy so I could put a 327 in my 40 coupe. I bought a Hurst adapter ,removed the 59A and dropped it in. Sorry , no pictures from back then because I couldn't afford a camera.
There are a few things on the car now that I made & installed back then although I never got the car to move. I modified a Z bar for the clutch linkage but the rods flexed when I stepped on the pedal; so, no clutch. Still using the Z bar.
Jump ahead to 75; I'm out of the Navy and bought a house. I started on the car again and joined a car club. I bought an A coupe that just needed an engine, so I put the 327 in the A and went to the National NSRA meet in St Paul. FF to 2009 and I'm determined to finish my 40; so here is a couple of pix at the starting point.

 

Nice story.

I dont see any pictures, just some broken code/link/something.

Damn nice story. And I love any story about a 40 with a 327/Early SBC in it. The look almost stock in a way, and still pure hot rod.

 

Like to see your pictures.

 

Cool story -- excited to see pics.

 

Man, you have got to get that car on the road and enjoy it !

 

Great post and story Joel! There are two other local '40 coupes that have been owned for a loooong time, but haven't seen the road for (cough) many years . They are all in similar states of build, but Joel just might get his on the road first.

 

I may need some schooling on adding pix, but my screen shows them and they appeared when I did the preview. I clicked on the camera icon and selected a pic from my media. OK, here's the fitup with drake grille and old everything else. I was just trying to remember how all this went together

 

Another try with file upload . How about this one? this is the mock up for throttle linkage, clutch linkage and shifter location/ mount relocation for the Doug Nash 4+1. If you can see this I'll keep going. How's this for patina?

 

Yeah, I think that is referred to as a slow race

 

Thanks , Glen, I tried that in post 9. I'll edit the first ones.

 

No worries, just wanted to help, I deleted my picture help post as to not clog your story.
God Bless and best wishes to your success!
Glenn

 

Sweet. Post 9 is an astounding success in Texas sir. We have a go, on pictures.

 

cool....kinda looks like '39.....go-cat-go.....

 

Keep pics coming, mine is stalled because I want to finish a poject I had begun before I bought the 40.
I'm never selling mine!!!

 

WHAT !! Picture post #1.....is that a mechanics pit under that car....you lucky bastard ? THAT'S awesome !! I have always wanted the same....I'd have to stock my old box and tools in it. Keep my new stuff up high, with the car. Very cool.
I love the car, and me thinks....that you shall have a fast leg up on this race. Giddyap ! Thanks for the post. Wow.

 

Here are the headers finished and painted with Eastwood ceramic header paint. I saw on TV ( used to be Hot Rod TV ) that VHT is supposed to have 2500 deg header paint.... in a spray can.

 

I dug that with a shovel in 77/78 when I built the garage and picked up walking pneumonia while digging. A lift was hard to come by then, but if I had to do it now, I'd have a lift. The hole has served me well over the years though.

 

This is the inside stuff; Nova pedals, homemade bracket for the pedals and the steering column reworked from a 80s Camaro unit. I plugged the ignition switch hole, kept the turn signals and tilt mechanism and threw the rest away. Bedtime; more tomorrow.

 

Nice story and cool coupe!

 

I knew this would be a good ideer, too post on this thread!
This turns out to be great build!

 

I love a good '40 project. Keep it going.

 

What's with the front axle ? Almost looks like a fabricated center section.

 

sweet score!!

 

I see a lot of these cars with small blocks. But you very rarely see this birds-eye view. I see why so many people use them. I put a big lock Chrysler in mine. Had to modify the cross member to keep the buggy spring. Do away with the fender yoke, and make brackets. And move the radiator forward. It all came out o.k. But doesn't look as clean as this!

 

I drove my '40 coupe to high school in 1959---talk about memories. Great thread.

 

The axle came with the frame; I smoothed out the top & bottom and drilled "lightning holes" for more speed

 

Great story, Iwill follow along . Stay with it.


Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App

 

Be cool to have both. Maybe even on the same side of the garage. I dig it. pun intended.

 

Pictures of the dash and stuff done during the last couple of years. A couple of years ago, when I was trying to do the frame, it seemed like it rained every other day. I dragged it in and out of the garage constantly blasting and painting the next area to need work.
You can see the just finished exhaust with the traditional crimps in the bends

 

Here is a jump to the present on the frame. I'm going to use the thumbnail to save scrolling. Finally going together for good. the closeups of the X boxing plates show the mods needed to use the 5 speed (4+1) trans. I started with CE split bone/ turbo 350 trans mount kit. The reinforcement to the drivers side X was the most difficult part and that wasn't terrible.