So this is my first hot rod build. I built a ‘54 Chevy a couple years ago that I have a build thread for on here. Although I do custom upholstery for a living I really enjoy doing full builds. I picked up this 31 coupe a few months ago. It was in really rough shape. Lots of rot. Someone had cut the whole subfloor out and braced it completely out of square. The frame was zd 6” front and rear. Nothing really fit or worked together. So I decided to get rid of the frame entirely and start from scratch. I picked up a 59ab motor for it, ‘39 trans, ‘40 rear and brakes, a stock frame, and a ‘32 k member. After collecting almost everything I’ll need for this build I got started on restoring the body. First, after many hours of measuring and measuring again I got the body squared up and braced. I made sure the doors fit correctly and got the subfloor installed. Now I’m finally making some progress on all the rust repair. I’m hoping to get this car going for the spring, not finished but done enough to enjoy it while I finish it. That being said I’ll be posting lots of updates on here pretty regularly. Thanks for looking! A couple shots from when my buddy bought the body and the day I bought the car from him. Home in my garage. Got excited and stuck the motor in (he kept the 8ba for his ‘32 build)
So here’s what I started with on the body. Not terrible but not great. Would have been a whole lot easier if the sub floor wasn’t all cut out.
being from the northeast... your idea of rough and mine are a bit off... i'ld be bragging about that one .…"Go K MITCH Go " ...
It’s definitely not terrible. Just the fact that someone butchered the whole sub floor out was a pain.
On to the progress pictures. Got some repop subrails and cross channels. Didn’t seem to fit to bad. Going for a somewhat original look but it’s a hot rod so I welded everything in. This floor pan kit also came with the car but I’m not sure if I’m going to use it yet.
Getting all the rot patched up. Learned my lesson with buying the patch panels. Better off making them. Especially the rear quarter pieces.
I was amazed at how cheap some of the patch panels was for my A, until I got them, then I knew why. It's easier to make your own than it is to try and make theirs fit. Your doing a great job, not wasting any time either!
You're shop has that nice dingy old barnyard workshop feel going for vintage ambience. Have fun and it does look as if you are.
Those were actually on there when I got it. Pretty sure I’ll be chopping it. I want to get it all together before I go there though.
Picked up this new rumble lid at Hershey. The fit is absolutely terrible but I’ll make it work. Decided I’m going to fix the original too.
I got the passenger side all cleaned up and patched for the most part. A few more little things to take care of.
AD has that right... don't let the previous owner see it, he'll be looking for a bill of sale loophole !
watching with interest, exactly the same project under a tarp waiting its turn.. same body issues too.
Thanks! I have not gotten that far yet but they will most likely be run out the bottom of the car in some way. I’ll post pictures when I get there. Thanks! I’m in Monson MA
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