Technical Wanted your opinion

So I went to look at a 41 Ford today...I know taking on an old car like this is a big commitment, and I really want this car I was just wondering should I let something like replacing floor boards scare me away

 

Do you have the tools and skill?

Sent from my SM-G900T using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

And welcome to the HAMB. You've come to the right place.

If replacing floor boards is the main issue - you've got a keeper.
You can do it and learn along the way.
Got any pics of the little gem?
Sedan, coupe , or what??????????????

 

^^^^what he said


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

No pics yet my camera phone only takes pics of me. It's a sedan. Any major body work I might just farm out

 

Floorboards are too easy. And better, yet, if you don't know how, you will have fun learning.

 

Thanks for the reassurance some times I one think situations and scare my self out of wanting to do it

 

So much time ( years ) and money ( Thousands ) and frustration ( Immeasurable ) rebuilding a car , and when it is finally completed , the finished product will be worth about 25 - 40% of the money spent. which means you can take less than half the cash and buy a finished car and let someone else absorb the loss , you get to drive away the first day smiling, make improvements as is convenient. ( my opinion )

 

I took this screen shot from Google maps off of my Facebook. It looks chopped but it's not

 

That is not an appropriate project for someone who doesn't have the skills to replace floorboards himself. You asked for my opinion, you got it.

 

Oh shit George you grumpy old geezer.
I suppose you were born with an electrode whip hanging off your belly button.
Small investment. A perfect project for a new comer. You guys that are pricing out this project are forgetting the most important return. Experience.


In my old age...
Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked.....
the good fortune to run into the ones I do.....
and the eyesight to tell the difference.

 

Topher,
Don't let floor board work scare you. Its a perfect place to begin.
That car sure looks like it chopped to me. Please keep us updated on your progress and failures. Don't be ashamed to ask for help. We will help you every step of the way.



In my old age...
Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked.....
the good fortune to run into the ones I do.....
and the eyesight to tell the difference.

 

It's a pic from the Google car if you look from different angles it looks different

 

First, ask yourself why you want to get into old cars. Do you like them or do you admire the attention they get?

If it were me, with your limited abilities, I'd search some of the builds on here. You've only been here a day. You haven't seen anything yet. See what guys are doing and notice the time and money involved. After all that, you may decide to jump in. Shit, you may discover that's not the car you REALLY want.

My #1 rule is get into something you like. Choosing something for the wrong reason is a sure journey to failure.

 

George X2. Floor pan replacement is not a fun job. Expensive and very time consuming. Not a job for a newbie. My approach is buy the best rust free car you can afford. Saves lots of time, money and aggrevation the long run.

Gary

 

Find some guys in your area to hang with and "apprentice" for a while. Once you've got some shop time under your belt and you've asked questions and looked at other peoples cars ( and, yes, problems) then decide what you want to do. Re-doing a car is a LOT of time and work committed. Not much glory in working with old rusty, greasy stuff - that comes later. ( but if you're like me, a lot of the fun is bringing the parts back to life and useable once again).
I started out with a Model A- plenty of them around, and a real basic "erector set" kind of car. Tons of parts available. Perfect for learning ( I've had 6 more since!)( and I'm STILL learning ; one of the joys of life )
Good luck with your decision.
.02 cents worth from Mass.

 

topher5150; Let someone else have the opportunity to "save" that 41. It will turn into a money pit in short order. Save your money and buy a more desirable car.

 

Floor boards , piece of cake , lots of great advice here!


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

That car looks like it needs alot more than floorboards. And see what parts are missing and see if replacements are available. Do you have a garage to do the work in? Ya got tools to do the work? Farming all the work out will cost you alot more than the car. Good luck whatever ya choose.

 

Listen to Pat ^

 

Perfect car IF you want to learn how much work it is to build one and how much pride is involved in driving it afterwards. Not a good choice if you just want an old car to drive and can afford a driver quality ride.


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

You'll never learn how to work on an old car until you dive in. Confucius say: "When you feel like you cannot eat anymore ice cream, switch to doughnuts"


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

You've got enough support on here to walk you through it. Just don't ruin the car, and we won't think any less of you. No pressure. Lol


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

41's don't bring a ton of money when they are done and missing parts may not be found easily. I don't know your skill level but getting in too deep on a first project could turn you off on the hobby altogether. Look around and maybe you'll find a car you like that just needs some freshening up for the right money. Good luck on whatever you decide.

 

my thoughts exactly. I know the OP isn't going to listen, cause when he asked for advice, that wasnt really what he wanted to hear, but that car is not an entry level project.

 

Yes, trim wise 41 is a one year only for the grille. That better be all there and in good shape. Floors are a good place to start since they are not exposed bodywork. What is your definition of "completely gone"? is it just under the drivers feet? That is common and easy. Does it cover more that 30" of the floor and extend into the subrails? Lots mo harder. Do the doors open and close ok? Lots of bind means lots of sag and maybe more issues.

 

OK, my turn............here is a link to a build that may be close to what you are looking at with that '41. Why don't you follow along with his resurrection and then see if you can get an idea as to what typically is involved in one of these projects and how it may be similar to your proposed project forgoing the frame swap of course.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/rusty-47-ford-reserection.466490/

 

Some better entry level choices, I will try to outline the reasons why...and the idea isn't to buy these cars specifically, more to show what a good entry level project is.

If the claims about minimal rust are accurate, this is a decent one, most of the heavy lifting looks to be done, it appears to be fairly complete. solid aftermarket support for '53-'56 F100s means parts aren't too hard to find, and its a popular body style, so if you decide you are in over your head at some point, its not as hard to get out.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1953-ford-f-100.1049526/

Not a popular bodystyle, but at least its all there, and the body looks to be pretty decent...
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1937-ford-humpback-4-dr-sedan.1050067/

Again, fairly complete car, claims to be fairly rust free, and its a coupe, which is generally considered a more popular body style. '47's and ''48s share a lot of trim pieces, fairly solid aftermarket support...
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1947-ford-coupe-price-drop.1036459/

Again, looks like most of the heavy lifting is done, not real HAMB friendly, but lots of good parts here, car doesn't look like it needs a lot to be a runner...
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1947-ford-coupe.1007463/

beginners always want to start with field cars, I think usually because the initial buy-in is cheap. Its backwards, beginners need to start with a good basic package that needs basic mechanical work and maybe paint. I am assuming you at least have a decent garage to work in.

 

Many years ago I was all hot to trot on building a 51 Ford Prefect into a gasser as the car could be had for $225 , bone stock , licenced and running every day driver of the seller .
A good buddy ( he still is ) suggested I sit down and accurately calculate what it would cost and how long it would take ...........then , double the money and triple the time . " You might be close , he said " Thankfully I passed on the idea .

 

x2