Hot Rods Model A Coupster on '32 Rails Updated

Thanks!! I'm working on the left tail today. Someone removed the fender without unbolting it from the frame...
I hate this part of the front fenders. The reverse curve screws with me.



I rigged it up with crap around the shop for a 6 inch drop from the frame to the running boards and the appropriate length.

 

Not the best day today. The patch i made that bolts to the frame totally screwed the fitting of the gender so the patch grew. I should have welded it together on the car but I got lazy.
It' back under control for now.

 

Great stuff and Happy New Year @Dyce. Man I had a double post...now that I got that under control...

 

Well I got the left side really close now. It seemed to be immune to my hammers so I got the shrinking disc after it and it really started to take shape. I also made a couple of these tools to tune up the opening and planishing the curve.

Here is my favorite view.

I got a good start on the right side yesterday. The bead down the side is rough and it was full of pin holes on the top. I'm sure it spent some time upside down outside.



My goal was to have the fronts done before new years but oh well.....

 

Wow, and I'm fretting over an inch or so if rust for about 8" in the bottom of my quarter panels.

 

Here is a '31 full fendered roadster on a Deuce frame featured in the March 1972 issue of "Street Rod" a short lived magazine from the 70's.

 

Thanks for the pictures!! Neat car. It looks like it has a 33-34 style rear splash pan instead of a 32 tank.Its hard to tell with the spare tire in the way.

 

Wow! Great progress on the fenders. Can’t wait for the next update.

 

It's been a long time since I posted any progress but I have been busy. My elbow started bugging me so I had to take a break from the fenders. Years ago I had the engine mounts done using a Hurst style mount but I didn't like the it with the rear mount on the transmission tail housing.

I also went with a vega box. I put a new end on the pitman arm to take ford Rod ends. It had to be shortened anyway.

I decided to use a powerglide instead of the 4 speed. My wife doesn't like driving a stick and she will be driving it now and then.

To shift the glide I went with a nifty column out of a 47 or 8 Oldsmobile with a hydromtatic. I took it apart and it looks like the shift indicator buttons can be switched up to match the transmission.
I shortened it up and put new bearings in both ends. I had to make a new shift arm on the transmission but it works great. I have some tuning to do on the linkage but I need to get the floors done first.

I'm working on mounting the master cylinder and a 40 ford pedal now.

 

I got the brake pedal and master cylinder mounted.


It is a 40 ford pedal.

 

After getting the column, shift linkage and brake pedal sorted out I made a 1in. Firewall recess.


And got a good start on the front Floorplan.

 

Indent looks good.

 

Finished the front Floorplan today.

 

Started on the trunk floor. I used a model a rear spring and crossmember in case I stumble upon a quick cange.

 

I got the trunk floor welded today.

This shows it from the front.

 

More progress on the floor.


Next is the seat pan.

 

Thanks!!

 

Excellence in metalwork! You massage that like I did Dacron on my large model airplanes...
Nice plan with the powerglide. I did the same on my '55 F100 before I got it running, took out a well planned Muncie (and clutch pedal!) and inserted powerglide. All went well, 4 years later the 'glide slipped, then gave up a block from the shop. I pushed it the rest of the way, (it was rolling) and once inside substituted a 350 T.H. Length was the same, driveline from a Monte Carlo! (length was same)
World of difference, those ratios...made a different truck out of it.
Love your fenders...

 

Nicely done!
I don't know how I missed all this, but you are really doing some fine work. I too am amazed at the skills people have with metal, and you sir have skills!

 

I like the th350 myself but this looked like a good spot for the glide. It worked out great with the Oldsmobile column shifter!

 

Thank you for the compliments.

 

I also like the use of the column shifter, especially in a roadster...
My Mom always said "You put that big stick '37 Cad tranny in your '61 Caddy, then a column shift in your roadster...'Just 'cuz it doesn't belong there'?"
Yeah, got me good marks 'downtown...'
Keep up the great work, love the strict traditional parameters. This build will pave the way for some that are serious.

 

I just googled Dacron and know what it is now. Man I wish it was that easy. I had to quit the sheetmetal work on the fenders because of my tennis elbow flaring up. It is work but very satisfying when you can see progress.

 

I finished welding the seat pan today.
It is made out of 16 gage which was a joy to work with. still need to grind the welds.

 

Nice work. I'll be reading this a couple times for inspiration and ideas. I really like your rear fender bead by hand as I need to do the same for 37 p/u fenders. Thanks!!

 

Thanks Albert boy! Most of the fender bead was done on a pullmax style machine but i ran out of machine clearance on the tails. I'e been doing some work on the house for the last couple of weeks but hope to be back at it next week.

 

I was just gonna ask if you used a Pullmax for all those beads..... I have to flow form some wide beads in my floor and I'm not looking real forward to that.....

Looking great, Mr. Dyce!

 

I made templates to make the x's. This picture shows the top plate that serves as a guide.

There is a second plate under the panel made out of steel that the bead gets punched into. Then under that I used a board to act as a stop. I think a setup like this would work ok flow forming with an air hammer. I can take a picture of the plates apart if you like. It is a common setup for a pullmax style machine.

 

Cool set-up! I'm pretty sure I can see it in my mindseye. Do you think a person could get away with the second plate being made from aluminum too, if it was a single use "die"? I bought a 4x riveter and delrin inserted heads from yardstore to try this with.