Projects '23 Ford Roadster build aka The Incredible Hulk

I have been wanting to start another build lately,
another Model T based, Olds powered late '50s early '60s styled car
this one will take design cues from the first T buckets like Grabowski's Lightning Bug and Tommy Ivo's T.

the body will start with a 1923 Model T touring, which I do have
and a shortened Model A pickup bed that I will have to find.

the chassis will be based on a Model A frame,
a V8-60 tube axle with fabricated four link similar to Norm's
an early Olds engine, stick transmission and Olds rear.
probably the '58 J2, '37 Roadmaster 3 speed stick and an Olds 9.3 with 3.08 posi
all these parts because I have them.

this thread may literally take years
so be patient I will update as work progresses.

 

I picked up this body at The Early Bird Swap Meet in Puyallup last Saturday

 

Keep us posted good luck on the build

 

today I pulled the skin off the wood inner structure

 

and did a rough mock up with vice grips to see what the inside proportions will look like

 

'haven't decided if I will keep the square panel between the doors like Norm and Tommy did
or remove that panel to give the body the curved bottom like a regular roadster

 

the name was already painted on the rear when I got it
it might as well stay for the time being..

 

Looks like there is an opportunity to do a slight stretch. You might want to sit in it before you get too far.

 

Agree with a boner. Nothing worse than building a car you can't fit in. My recommendation is to stretch the cowl and use a dropped floor, that way you sit "in" the car, not "on" it. For some inspiration you can look up the David Thacker T-roadster, 2004 Rodder's Digest. Best of luck with your project.

 

I will follow along....always interesting watching Paul doing his thing

 

I like it, I like it !

 

next phase in mock up,
set clamped together body on stock A frame
with Olds 9.3 rear and Ford V8-60 front axles
and dirt tires
with '49 Olds engine and LaSalle transmission

wheel base will likely stretch a little at front with suicide front
frame will come down a little with a kick at rear (adding to current frame/housing clearance)
body will be channeled depth of frame max.
engine will come down a little in relation to frame
tires will change, these were handy and bolted up.
engine will likely be either a '58 371 with J2 tri power and 3 speed stick
or '60 371 with dual fours and early T10

something to look at anyway and mental shift components on..

 

three quarter rear..

 

I'm in!
Looks like you've done this once or twice

 

'thing about mock ups is you see so many possibilities.. like
maybe in keeping with the name it will stay up high and get a blower on the late 371..

 

That's why there is a mock up

 

ok, here is the same 303 but with later heads and blower on top..

 

Hmmmmm me thinks the 49 version because of balance...the blown version engine pulls the eye to it in an almost overpowering way...and that may just be why you like it...but thats the fun of it all as you say throw it together add this n that sit back and go Hmmmmm

Just thinking out loud...great stuff underway...@Paul

After looking and staring at the 2 choices you have put forth either has merit so you have a tough decision with either choice being a winner.

 

subscribed!

 

phone walk around..

 

Very convincingly nice...you have me thinking like the wind @Paul...what grille are you thinking?

Great video...

 

Grill choice will be dependant on which build style I decide on.

Right now I'm thinking T,
That would work with an Ivo style bucket,
or the drag roadster, Grasshopper? style.
I do have a very crusty chopped '32 shell though, if it goes Lightning Bug style.

 

It's so good already.
When I see the blower the word "Hairy" comes to mind.

 

Pretty cool so far

 

If you don't put a blower on this thing, I will be very disappointed...

I have a NOS T grill if you wanna go that route...

Cool build as always

 

following along.....I like it Paul!

 

V-belts or Gilmer?
Nice!

 

V belts would be cool,
2" Gilmer might fit best,
and should work if it's not too "hairy"

 

With a muffled motor, a toothed gilmer sounds mean!

 

I used a 34 chev grill cause I like things that are different and because my wife bought it at a garage sale You would be amazed how many people never notice it's not a 32 grille.
I also used the 4 bar with tie rod ends like back in the day. You have a kool build going on Paul.