Projects My shoebox - 180° change in my thinking

When I bought my '50 Ford coupe I was thinking about lowering it and using some interesting hub caps, maybe even a set of Cadillac sombrero's I have been hanging onto for years in case I ever got around to building custom car.

I have seen so many custom shoebox Fords built on the hamb that really impressed me but when I put the 5 spoke wheels on the coupe and had to remove the lowering blocks on the rear the car took on a hot rod stance and after staring at it the past few days it just doesn't sit like a custom anymore.

The 351 Cleveland doesn't have the mellow tone of your conventional custom, it's got a pretty good lick.

I don't remember ever changing direction when building a car or truck in the past but this car just want's to be a hot rod. HRP

 

Danny, I have one word for you.



GASSER!! Do it!

 

Hmmmmmmmmmm...looks familiar. View attachment 4087897

 

I think it looks killer as is

 

It sure looks like it developed an attitude when it raised up- yep, bad attitude, jacked up, thumpy exhaust, it's a hot rod now.

 

I was at a local HAMBer's garage discussing such things last week when I suggested that the car I am building is not subject to my whims and desires alone but the car itself has a say in the process.

Michelangelo, has been said, worked to free the image from the stone in front of him with hammer and chisel. Not so much an act of creativity but one of rescue. I'm not suggesting you start painting a mural on your dinning room ceiling anytime soon but I for one respect your process and progress.

 

Yep, go with the flow, Grasshopper, it looks good.

 

I think it looks bitchin that way!

 

Looking Good !

 

Just let those hot rod thoughts flow..

 

I like the way it sits, but just a little lower would be even more sinister looking. I think Rocky's sled nailed it.

 

I like it as well. Two ideas that you could toss around are ; 1) install side trim, 2) custom taillights , say the Lee sets or make your own.

 

“I’ve never changed my mind before....does it hurt?”.......... - Evil Roy Slade -

 

Now you’re talkin’- there are many many custom shoeboxes already. And a lot of them are lowered to the point of undriveability.

Hot rods are more fun anyway.

 

I'm liking it like it is. Most customs are overrated and ugly, very few hit the mark. Besides, a man known as HOT ROD PRIMER has it in his name, not to mention his blood!

 

Nice Hot Rod----- Looks Great!

 

Rocky, your old '49 coupe was one of the cars here that helped me seal the deal to buy the '50.

When I bought the wheels and took them to my tire guy I got a little to aggressive with the tires on the rear and realized when I put them on the car the way it sat with lowering blocks the tires would rub the finder well, so out came the lowering blocks.

I had originally planed on replacing the trim but the more I look at it the more I like the look.

I have another gas sending unit ordered to replace the wrong one I installed in the tank so I'm hoping to get the car on the road very soon, I still have a lot of misalliances things to do but driving the car around the block and washings the 4 plus years of grime off will improve the looks. HRP

 

I've always said "Car's have personalities". You can't take that away from them. I don't know what creates that. Could be Color, Stance, Sound, Upholstery, I just don't know but do know they have them. In the past I've built 3 other 49-50 Fords. They were all Hot Rods from the get go. This 51 came to me totally apart including Body off Frame. It's a Mild Custom and told me so as soon as I started putting it back together. How can that be? I even knew it's prior history and it wasn't Kustom. You gotta work with what they are I guess. I like the Americans on yours and had a set on mine while building it. When the Hubcaps went on it the picture was almost complete. All that's left now is to add the side trim I have had waiting on the side line. She tells me that every time I wash her up. It's like a Woman getting all dressed up and not adding her Lip Stick. Totally Weird, I know.
The Wizzard

 

That looks great HRP!

 

I think you have owned too many 32's "if there is such a thing" was looking forward to seeing this one as a custom..

 

Sacrilege! a man can never own too many Deuces.

For many years it's has been Model A's '40 Fords and Deuces, I'm just trying something different and as much as I had planned on building a custom I'm afraid I am just too much a hot rod guy. HRP

 

Hmmm,, I think we can have One disguised as the Other. Hubcaps and all.

The Wizzard

 

Gasser Bite your tongue and refrain from posting such nonsense in the future.

 

I saw a 'Hot Rod' from the first pic you posted... LOL. Some hot rod flames is all it needs!

 

Gassers are cool but I just wouldn't even consider doing that to a '5o Ford Coupe.
Now if I happened up on a '54 Ford coupe that could be a entirely another story. HRP

 

Got 4words for you, flames and side pipes

 

I've owned 2 trucks with flames and I'm over them.

And the car had a new exhaust system installed a few years ago so for now its fine. HRP

 

And I bet Beano approves!

 

No to the gassa stuff its been done to death

 

Know what you mean, Danny...I was gifted a '54 Ford Coupe by #1 son...Bless him!
It will be a tall (not TOO tall, just a couple of inches over stock...406, real floor shift, Wimbledon white, like a 'stocker'... 5 spoke Americans, big & littles))
Your '50 is just right, BUT: Just drop the nose ONE MORE INCH. So we can see the Rake. Please. You can see the road better, too.