I didn't even haggle with him. 1. I wanted the car no matter what 2. I knew other guys would be on it like flies on a cow patty if I hesitated. It did take everything I'd saved at that time, but it was my dream car. But I was still living at "home" at that time, so no bills. And I'm still trying to make it a reality.
I've been tinkering a bit over the last couple weeks, but I finally got a good weekend's worth (for me) of work done. I installed the upper bearing in the new column and started to mock up the steering location. But first I needed some seats. These are 65 Mustang buckets. They have studs that stick out the bottom so I had to drill holes for them to sit down on the floor. Luckily, there were no crossmembers in the way. I had stated in an earlier post that there would be some braces running across for the seats to sit on and stiffen the floor. But upon setting things up, I found the seats were too high. I'll have to stiffen the floor from underneath. With a couple nuts to hold them in place, I set about mocking up the steering column/wheel. Since I foolishly let so many of the original parts "get away", I want to use as many of the old parts as I have left. One being the steering column drop from the old car. After some internet research I found this to be out of a 35-36. It was brazed to the old dash board and I had cut it off many years ago saving the dash as best I could. The remnants of brass cleaned up pretty easily with a grinder. After a lot of penetrating oil and a bit of blue air I finally got it apart. But not without some damage. I ended up having to drill and retap a couple places and ruin the old key tumbler to get it out. I haven't decided whether to replace the internals or do something innovative like make a turn signal switch to go in there. With some wire, I mocked up the location. Next will be to make an extension from under the dash to the old drop. The old column drop fit the 1 1/2 inch exhaust tubing like it was made for it. Mainly because I had measured the old column before I got the tubing. That's all for now. I hope to get some more time on it over the Thanksgiving holidays.
I got another few hours work done over the last couple days. I decided it was time to roll some beads on the new floor, so I set up the bead roller and got after it. The main floor piece is pretty large and I couldn't handle the piece and turn the crank, so my wife graciously came out and cranked while I guided the piece around my marks. The first thing I ran across was the reach of the HF bead roller would not go all the way to the center of the main floor piece. So, I just did as much as I could reach. Having previously drilled the seat mounting holes, I knew where to leave flat for the seat tracks. Anyway, here's what I ended up with. I rolled an offset here and cut out for MC access. It'll have a cover made to sit down in the "lip". You can just make out the clutch master lid (round, black) to the left of the brake master. Opinions welcome: is that enough beading? All of these pieces will be welded together and then to the body to make it one piece again. And I still have another day to work on it! I hope... Never know what will crop up between now and then.
I got some more done today. Real progress this time (unless I have to rip it out and redo it...) The main floor is tacked in. I did some more bead rolling on the toe board. It will be installed with nut rivets and machine screws. I need to be able to remove it. That's all for this weekend. I need to find someone with a rivnut tool I can borrow for an afternoon.
Thanks guys. I spent most of the weekend on the coupe again! Yesterday, I got the pedals arranged and in place. No pics of that yet. I still have to cut the toe board for them to come up through. But, I then started on getting my column mounted. I didn't want the dash panel to be the only means of support, so I fabbed up a brace that will be welded to the inner structure and come down behind the dash. It's just tacked right now. I wanted to mount everything up to be sure before I weld it in permanently. I'm using the 36 drop, but I had to make an extension to mount it to the dash. Still needs a little tweaking, but the column is mounted. That'll make a great place for some kind of switch, light or just some pin striping.
OK! I've had nearly 3 weeks off and I actually have gotten some things done on the coupe. The floors are finished, except for final welding. You can see where I patched in a piece in the center of the toe board. I didn't need the big opening that I had originally cut. Plus, the flat area will allow me to put a cup holder on it. I gots to have my coffee, tea or Coke while I ride. I made a master cylinder access door, complete with Dzus latch. And a transmission cover. The trans cover and toe board are held in place with rivet nuts and machine screws. In the photo below, you can see a space to the left of the toe board. I still have to figure out how to seal that off. There will be a kick panel there of course, but sealing it to the toe board is something I haven't figured out yet. Maybe extend the toe board out on each side. I stuck the seats and column/steering wheel in place to check driver position. Only to find I cut the column/shaft too short! The photo above shows it pulled out to where it needs to be. I had measured with a different U-joint than what I ended up with. But I had it all connected and I could turn the front wheels with the steering wheel. I just couldn't get my legs between the wheel and seat. Oh well. I can extend the column easily enough, but I'm not sure I want to weld an extension onto the steering shaft. I could take it to work and TIG a piece on, I guess. I made that shaft a few months ago, but I don't know when I'll be able to get time on the CNC lathe again at work. Not to mention finding a long enough piece of 3/4" scrap material again. We'll see what I come up with. Happy New Year Everyone!
I've loved this car since I've seen it in TRJ and Tim's Rodder's Of Memphis Roadster since I knew of it's history. So cool to see it's still around. Bummer to hear the parts we let go. I have a picture of Tim Roadster in my son Memphis' room with the deck like showing the club name on it. Then I even went as far as to finding an original Rodder's Of Memphis Decal to use later on one of my cars for my son.
So no plans on restoring the car as it was??? Any interest in a 33 3w? I'd love to restore this thing to exactly how it once was!!!! That 351 TKO600 would fit great in a '33
It's going to look like it did (pretty much), but with some more modern improvements. Sorry, NO chartreuse. All the guys laughed at him back then. Besides, I've had bad luck with green cars in the past. I thought about putting a flat head back in until I started pricing them. Just the wheels put a hurt on me. That tranny was a BIG hurt on the old checking account. And I still have to buy a gas tank and tires. Check my tag line. I would trade a certain 400 Pontiac for a useable flat head though. (hint, hint) I got a repro of the Memphis Rodders decal and plaque a few years ago. Thanks for looking at my build.
I was at work yesterday and wonder of wonders, I found another scrap piece of 3/4 dia material. Just long enough. Got the taper and threads on it and cut to length. Correctly this time. Now I just have to extend the column.
Hey Jeff, I don't know how I missed this thread. Great to see the coupe coming to life. It sure has come a long way since I saw it in the back of the garage. When I did not have a large enough nutsert tool I just used a bolt and a few flat washers. Have you checked out Lazies sheetmetal site? He cuts off one half side of a belt punch and uses it to define the end of the beads, keep up with the post. Say hello To Dixie for us, Henry. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxwstKY_yNI
Great build, its a bit of a shame you got rid of alot of the parts, but you were 20 after all... lol Atleast it will be seeing the road pretty soon.
That's it. Is that a vintage original? And what's it doing in Arizona? Thanks, I didn't know what the colors were. And thanks for the input, everyone.
No pics at this time. Nothing really to see as far as progress. I got the steering column extended and I finally got all the floors welded in place. Still saving up for a gas tank and tires. And maybe powder coat for the wheels. Haven't decided yet. I could paint them and just touch up if they get scratched. BTW, how do you guys get your center caps off without scratching the wheel? Hmmmm. I don't see a pic of my wheels... Heres' one They are Wheel Vintiques Gennies. 4 1/2 front and 6 rear x 16 with the '42 style caps. I can't wait to get some tires on and set it down again.
Not sure yet. I was looking at Coker but Geeze! Nearly 800 bucks for tires???? Gotta be some 16 inch tires for something that don't cost so much. Truck, VW, something? I need to check a local tire store and see what they have. Wide whites would be nice, but I'll do black walls if the price is better. Got to be big and littles though. If Coker is the only way, then...I guess I'll do it.
Great fabrications skills! Also I don't mean to be an ass hole or anything like that I just think it would be cool if it were built a little closer to how it was. Seems like a little too many modern improvements. That's just me though and don't take that the wrong way. Good luck with the rest of the build!
I've tried to get someone to donate a flathead V8 to the cause, but none have stepped forward yet. No offense taken. If I knew then what I know now... Back then, the floor was a piece of flat sheet metal screwed to the frame rails with sheet metal screws.
Hello! Jeff , I have regulaly been seening a gas tank used but others in your type of build,the one you showed looks high dollar . If you wish I will rechek for the posts of which I am talking and get back to you,///??? Bill aka Tnomoldw
The Jalopy Journal
