Projects Building a Traditional 32 Roadster Beater

Following your build, your roadster looks great.

 

The mounts are bronze... Not sure if and how to work with bronze. I assume I would have to braze any cuts I make. They do need to be laid back a bit. Does anyone know how much clearance is between the lower edge of the windshield and the cowl. I have over an inch... that seems like way too much.

Mike, thanks for your comments. The '40 rear spring was ground to fit the stock deuce cross member.

 

Got the dash powdercoated gloss black and installed with the Terraplane cluster. Not sure if i will powdercoat the cluster surround interior color or just leave it with the 'beater' look .....

For now I am using the gennie 32 wheel, but perhaps if I can find an original unmolested 38 banjo in black, I will make the switch.

 

The bottom of the frame should just clear the raised ridge on the top of the cowl - my car is ~1/4". The rubber seal that slides into the bottom of the frame then lays against that ridge on the top of the cowl, creating a seal.

 

Thanks ! That is exactly what I needed to know.

 

Hate to tell you this Falcon Man but a steel 32 roadster with sanded and buffed black paint does not qualify as a "beater" LOL
Following your build and it's going to be a great car when it's finished.

 

That is really looking great. Nice build!

 

Ok .....It's been a while, but it was summer and I normally don't work on my cars during our nice Minnesota weather. That's what winter is for with a heated garage

However I did get the interior done ! Thanks to local HAMBer '8-Track' (Steve Cossette @ Aero Upholstery). His shop is only 5 miles from my place in Medina Minnesota. I told Steve I wanted it done in real distressed oxblood leather, traditional, and just make it cool. He totally amazed me with the design and quality!!!! Unbelievable workmanship... he was doing it as if it was his own car. The seat didn't quite fit the car, so he got the welder out and went to town. Anyways ... here are some photos ..... which hardly do it justice. I sit low in the car, the seat is firm, and I love the smell of leather


Since we live in Minnesota, Steve installed 'his and hers' heated seat elements. That will be nice on a fall ride.


I love the pockets he made with 32 ford hardware. He dyed the leather door stops to match the interior as well.



All the stitching and piping looks perfect.

Had enough leather to finish off behind the seat.


Now, I need to get back on it and get it driving by spring ... that should be easy .....

 

Wow, that's awesome -- the upholstery turned out great! Perfect color, material, and design.

 

That interior is beautiful. Seat shape/fit are perfect! Oxblood is rarely seen, but sooo classic!

My son has a black '27 Track T 'Nose Job', which was upholstered in tan naugahyde. ('Street Rod' style)
He sanded the tan 'hyde, then dyed it black; sanded it lightly, then sprayed it red. The outcome was very similar to yours, a rich oxblood color. Just right!

 

Very nice, and the areas where "nobody will see it" are perfect too.
That's the sign of a professional.
Matching key fob too.

 

Awesome. I really like your craftsmanship and the quality of your work. That's how a traditional roadster should look.

 

Really, really nice - looks great!

 

Killer. That's how it's done right there.

 

I'm afraid the term "beater" no longer applies.

 

Um this is cool

 

Wow very very nice , could not ask for better .
Mention his shop again through this thread , get him more business !

 

Very Nice

 

Incredible. @8-Track does some good work!

 

Looks great Doug. Can't wait to see it on the road.

 

Thanks for all the nice comments Doug. It was a fun project to do.

 

I think this one left beater status a while ago. Veddy Nice!

--louis

 

I had my exhaust put on this week. I am using Red's headers. Running straight 1 3/4" pipes with no mufflers. Ran it through the stock rear x-member, enlarging the stock hole on the passenger side, and creating a similar hole on the drivers side. Hopefully it will not be too loud.....

 

ShaZam what neat build. Really digging the interior. I'm looking for leather like yours for a black suede 5 window I'm doing but haven't found any yet. I did my last FH roadster with 2 inch straight pipes and it sounded great.

 

Great build nice job

 

Looks great, i am also building a 32 roadster and take inspiration from your build. Do you think you'll need heat deflectors between your exhaust and fuel tank? I would like to do a similar set up and it's just an observation from your photos.

Sent from my SM-N910G using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Very nice. Do I see smoke on the right exhaust? Probably from welding?

 

Not sure.... Seen other cars done the same way without deflectors.... gut feeling is that it should be OK.

Yep .... photo was taken while it was being welded......this shop has done a half dozen cars for me. I get to hang in the shop and 'help' ... super nice work and cheap.... this exhaust was done for $180....

 

Sorry - this ain't no stinking beater! Super cool build ....

 

Finding some more time to work on the beater....

Installed the front and rear Houdaille shocks. They seem to fit very nice and hopefully will work well. Much easier than using tube shocks. Testing the shocks on the bench they move freely and respond to the tension adjusting. Hopefully I got lucky on the these used parts and I will like the ride.




The gennie grill shell was modified in a previous life... probably for AC. I had some fun repairing the damage...




Another big milestone was installing the deck lid for the final time... starting to look a car now....


I have been trying to figure out what to do with the gauges. The Terraplane insert will give me the fuel level, but I needed Temperature and amp/volts. I have an oil pressure gauge mounted to the block. Against my thoughts of cutting the dash for more gauges, I did. I had a working 36 temp/amp gauge laying around and I placed it on the left side of the dash for easy viewing. I think I like it.....

I also found an original banjo wheel to replace the stock 32 wheel.


On to the wiring. I always use the 'American Autowire' kits. Easy to use and designed very nice. I placed it under the dash on a panel I made, mounted using the stock holes in the unmolested gennie firewall. Just need to finish the wiring for the lights and dash, then clean up the harnesses.


Here is the flattie ready to fire up.


More to come soon. Hopefully it will be on the road before I know it!