My dad and I didn't start out to build the car that we did. We were just going to build something to blast around with and maybe take to the dunes. We started out with a 65 Ford truck and this is what we ended up with after putting the Renault body on it. It was pieced together from what we could find.
And it started with a Renault.... Best use I've even seen for one! LOL! That's actually pretty cool looking.
We were tougher back then. The shop if you can call it that had a gravel floor that flooded a bit when it rained but became nice and smooth when it froze. We had a very long 220v extension cord from the house to the shop (250'). No heat no insulation. We sure had fun building it though. He still has the car and if I ever get the time I will redo a lot of the metal work on it.
It actually started with a 3/4 ton Ford truck and we got the body later. Thanks for the complement, It won most unusual at a number of local car shows. It was always fun to hear the know it all's who would be telling there buddy's about the one they used to have that was just like this one. When he took off the ragged front fenders and put cycle fenders on it so he could keep driving (it was his daily driver) it while he fit the better fenders to it, some purist restoration guy told him he ruined classic car.
I think you guys "improved" it! That's one wild looking rig! THIS is how you ruin a classic car- let it sit in the mud and disappear!! ( and the old man that owns it WON'T sell it)
Now that's very cool. Unusual for sure. A great fun looking Father and Son project. Thanks for showing us.
It was fun to drive as well. When we were building it we flattened the frame in the middle where it kicks up under the cab to the box area. We also tilted the section over the axle back to flat and moved the front of the rear springs up on the side of the frame. So the effect of all that was that it gave it a lot more king pin angle, the equivalent of having the frame on the ground in the rear so it would go around corners like it was on rails even with the 6.50-16 bias ply tires on it. My dad cut the centers out of the wire wheels and the centers out of 8 lug truck rims and and had a machinist friend turn them to fit in the wire wheels. He used a stick welder to build the whole car including welding the centers in the rims.
Man !!! If the radiator was about 4 inches shorter so the front end didn't go up hill !!! If I saw it I am sure I would want to appreciate a second or third look. Very interesting...
My dad felt the same way and did end up lowering the grill shell in later years. It looked better. Since neither of us did paint and bondo work he farmed that out to others, usually in trade for welding, so needless to say it didn't last. The car is stored in a covered area and waiting for some TLC when I can find the time. It hasn't been driven in the last 9 years.
Hi. WOW, that is really to my taste. Like the teardrop trailer also. I have an old style clamp on bumper hitch on my 46 Chevy Coupe & a 4' x 7' teardrop to pull behind once I get the Coupe rewired & turn signals installed. Hopefully will have that done by next Spring. Jimmie
WOW Thats really wild.You and your dad must of had a blast building that. I wish my dad was in to cars .Get her going again!.Bruce.
You will also like the fact that it is powered by a 6 cylinder Chevrolet engine. It also has a 4 speed truck trans with a granny gear. The teardrop was saved from being tossed on a bonfire and restored. I have that in my garage at home and plan on building them to sell. It is 4' x 10' marine plywood sides.
My dad and I work very well together, we don't even have to speak to each other we just know what needs to be done. I did not have auto shop in school but learned everything I could from watching my dad and others who were into cars. When I was 9 he gave me two Thunderbirds that he paid $75 for. I managed to get one running. He was a welder at the Navy Yard but never taught me to weld even though I watched him a lot. So when I was 13 the neighbor across the street asked if I could weld something for him and I said yes. I learned to weld that day. I thank my dad for all he taught me even when he didn't. That is why I still am learning today and saying I can do, instead of I can't.
Let's see some current pics - good bad or ugly - doesn't matter. Its a very interesting car by itself, the fact you guys did it together makes it even better. Plans to get it back on the road?
There are no plans to do anything for a while. I am too busy with work, running my business, and building my first hot rod for myself. When I am done with mine I could start the metal work on the cowl and now my son can paint so that part is taken care of. My dad is 73 and had a stroke that took part of his vision so he doesn't drive as much anymore or have the stamina he did. He still gets out in the shop and works on projects nearly every day. I would like to see it back on the road which entails gas, battery and tires. The body looking as rough as it does makes us not want to take it anywhere until that is fixed. He changed some things on the car over the years one of the them was running gear. Originally it had a 223 that came out of my 56 Ford pickup along with the 4 speed and the 3/4 ton axles under it. The engine that is in it now is a 250 that came out of my 66 Chev van and the trans came out of my 54 Chev 1 1/2 ton truck. The front spindles were changed from the 3/4 ton drum brakes to 1/2 ton disc brakes and the rear got a half ton 9" as well. With the change of the axles came the change to 15" rims with Cadillac hub caps (a look I never liked) and wider radial tires. The wider tires made it harder to steer with the old and worn manual steering box. I would like to see it with the 16" wires again and I think my dad would as well. That could be done by using wheel spacers so that the edge of the wheel center would clear the caliper and rear drum.
cool car. great use for that body. back in 1974 I did something kinda similar with a hillman wagon body on a 68 impala frame. did not look as classy as yours however. the use of the old fenders on yours is GREAT!!
Now that I think about it,the rear fenders are 30-31 model A so replacing the beat up ones that are on there would be as simple as getting a set of repros. The front fenders are from a 31 Graham and the spare tire mounts are not wide enough for the tire to set in so it sets on top. He has a set of non-sidemount 31 Graham fenders that we were thinking about using and still set the side mounts on top like they are anyway. I think it needs the tires on the sides to break up the side a bit. To do the car right I would need to create a sub frame for the body and rubber mount it to the frame because right now it is welded to it. The good thing is now I have the metal working skills to do all that it needs since I have been working at Fosses Hot Rods and Cool Cars for the past 10 years and getting paid to learn everyday.
Very interesting and imaginative build. It's cool that it still exists as well. Can't wait to see it restored.
These are a few pics that I took last year of the teardrop. I plan on using it for plans to make new ones but widen it so that a full mattress will fit in it.
I got some pics of the car where it is sitting, that show the condition of it now and some of the repairs that it needs.
The Jalopy Journal
