Nice build and I like the idea of the old hot rod look with less bling. Ron Pope builds some nice stuff, heavy duty, has a lot of knowledge of these cars. He's helped me out on my 28. I wish I was closer, I'd like to have that radiator shell you took off.
I've never seen a panhard bar go forward like that. Does the suspension bind? From the pics, it looks like the panhard bar is quite a bit shorter than the ladder bars, leading to different travel arcs/binding.
Only drove car approx 5 miles after purchase, not interested in how it went as I planned to change it heaps, but it did drive like a tractor, although the SBC appeared strong.. latest pics / info, rear end 61 inch wide, I plan to shorten to 58 - 59 inch with 31 spline axles ( currently 28 spline) and Detroit locker to enhance looks and be more suitable for drag racing. Rear appears to be mounted about 1/2 to 1 inch towards left side or panhard could be adjusted improper. Removed dash today and I will start bending some tube tomorrow for under dash. Supercharged 392 hemi is me just thinking out loud, I plan a 400 - 600 hp SBC for this car. Glen
Started fabricating bars under dash area today, had to make in 3 sections and will bolt together. Glen
As far as history, the important history started in July. You are doing a rebuild that anyone should be proud of.
A few pics of latest progress, decided to make cage bolt in as it would be easier for now, may weld in later, unsure at present. Glen
Man the way those coil overs are mounted on what amounts to a flimsy tab makes me cringe. Glad to see you beefing it up!
I plan to keep the nostalgia look for this car, I have very limited space for the rear bars and will keep them inside. I plan to make them as high up the main hoop as I can and to attach onto top of shock mount. Now that I making it bolt in (plan was for weld in) i have to re think how its going to attach. Glen
My friend couldn't get the required NHRA 30 degree keeping them inside the body. He ended up like this
When I talk drag race, I'm talking street meets etc, this will mainly be a street car. If they wont let me drag it the way it is - depending on how fast it goes, I will use my other ride. Glen
A few pics of recent progress, pulled out rear and cut off all brackets / tabs etc getting ready to shorten. I have a pair of 31 spline axles coming (the ones with extra spline to cut to desired length), Im unsure of exact length but it will be around 56 - 58 inch wide when finished. Also have an eaton tru trac centre as well as 3.50 ratio gears on order to complete the rear. I cut off shock mounts today and will relocate them about one or two inch lower down to raise the rear of car - I feel this will get the tyre more inline with the wheel arch and also create a little more boot space. What do others think ? I also made this neat little diff centre holder to make it easier to pull down the centre - works a treat. Glen
Sucks you have to go through so much on what appears to be a clean nice car. Looks like you're doing it right though. Good luck.
Yes it is a lot of work as well as money, but the end result will be a safer, better handling, more user friendly, faster ride that has my stamp on it. My original plan was to buy a finished driver and just drive, but Im glad this car came along as Im enjoying the re build and it shouldn't take that long to finish. Another plus is that it is going to cost about 15k less than buying a finished car. Glen
Not HAMB type but easy way to take street car to the strip is a mild shot of nitrous. Maybe that not allowed down your way? Nice car & nice build/update for your rules
Nice car and I personally like what you are doing for your family/own safety but some of the engineering as mentioned above is very questionable. Well done, cheers
Thanks guys for positive comments ( negative comments also welcomed if appropriate ), here are a few pics of today's work. Brought some cheap headers - surprised with quality. I will use original headers for registration and put lake style on later. I will build 2 x exhaust systems 1 x legal, the other not so, lake headers require heat protection in Australia. I also like the idea of several styles of looks for this car eg - its quite easy to change headers / exhaust / wheels for a total different look. Glen
You are really doing it right. My A has a 351C in it now, is really ugly. Found a 327, really like the look of yours. Thanks for sharing.
So-cal front brake kit arrived, 4 link rear kit, axles, tru trac and centre section bearing kit also arrived. Next job is to mount steering column and set up steering box then shorten rear housing. After this is done then I will pull body off and mount rear and strengthen chassis. I also brought this old heater and gave it a fresh coat of paint, happy with results, may mount today if I get time. Progress slow but having a ball. Glen
neat little hot rod, like the straight ahead no bling style. Good luck with your mods and enjoying this nice coupe. Awesome heater, very impressed with your work.
My rear end, 9 inch, was way to wide on my 28, I narrowed it and centered the pinion. Love this build, going to make a really nice hot rod.
Thanks guys, a few pics of todays progress, made column drop, mounted heater and welded up some angle iron to clamp on diff housing ends to keep straight / square when I shorten. Glen
I work as a nurse in mental health, here in Oz it pays well but you need to put in the hours. Done many other jobs over the years and went to uni at age 40 to study nursing. I am self taught in everything cars and engineering thru playing with them all my life. All my stuff is a result of hard work over a long period. The missus is not happy with all my possessions but I cannot help that, boys need their toys. Anyway a few pics of todays work, shortened housing 1 1/2 inch per side. I made a couple of end plates for reference and used a small piece of pipe to help cut housing square. It turned out ok, now I need to assemble centre and cut axles to suit. Glen
A few pics of today's progress, Pittman arm required some modification to keep over split wishbone, anyone in OZ no legality's of bending Pittman arm. Also planning to build dimpled grille, any suggestions. Grille will be painted black, Im not into shine, Also a couple of pics of past rides, 28 roadster and 1970 ford replica GT sedan - 12 sec street car. Glen
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