Hot Rods Model A body on ‘32 chassis WITH FENDERS- Help!

That is better @loudbang...is that a 29? Even if it is it really has that look me thinks.

It's one thing to find examples of Hotrods with a period look but finding the pics from the period are golden.
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Do an overdrive manual trans. The benefits are many and you will thank yourself later! Gary

 

So @RiffRaffRoadster did you dig any more vintage pics of You and Dad with the Roadster or other pics with just it from back in the days when he had it out and about?

You already have shown us more than the typical 1 only pic......I know, but just thought I'd ask...maybe some Aunt's,Uncle's or other close realatives may have some to share...it's worth asking...

 

I think There May be in his vast collection of slides. Next time I go see my Mom, I’ll get his projector out and look through them.


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...that is exciting Riff...

 

Question Hambers: the rear body panel below the trunk lid has some crude repair welds showing where there used to be taillights cut into the panel back in the car’s hi boy days. This wasn’t known until the body was blasted (these were covered over with bondo). I want to keep the car like we found it, with the Model A taillights mounted to the rear fenders. I hate to cut out this cool link to the past, but it needs to be done. Any other options? Bondo the crap out of it again so this clue can be found by future owners down the road? Cut it out and reweld a replacement panel and save the original panel and hang it on the wall?


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A lot of that can be smoothed out with a hammer/dolly, holes can be filled with welds. Sure could reuse it and take way less skim filler to make it smooth. A good body man could make it flawless, its only metal right?

 

Those panels are pretty easy to find. Coupe and roadster are the same. Since your paying for bodywork I would look for a replacement. Try Bert's in Denver. He has a lot of used parts and there is always Bville.

They come up at swaps all the time when you are not looking for them or there is always Ebay.

 

Looking at your ride blasted did expose what is quite typical of many old Hotrod bodies...they have been bashed around. Many people call bodymen hacks but their job was to smooth it out and make it look good and I believe yours was given the creamy/lead love so many get...that blasting did make for a challenge but it's a learning curve of a different extreme to chassis building or any of the other trade functions.

One thing you are doing is walking in their shoes and appreciation for these tradesman is quickly realized.

Again you enjoy the mixed journey to the finished product...I had that rear panel replaced on my former coupe and was left unsure I had made the right decision due to outcome, one and cost.

If the metal is solid hammer weld the former holes and smooth the whole panel as well as the other areas and skin and finish...remembering it takes skill and knowledge to get it right.

 

https://www.ebay.com/i/302871510893?chn=ps

 

Same as 30/31?

 

thanks tb33

 

Do we need to replace the entire panel, or just cut out the section with the old taillight welds and replace with new steel?

 

That might be a question for your metal guy, you know the panel that's in there now fits.

 

no, sorry, I looked it up fast and did not pay attention. here is the right one.
http://www.mikes-afordable.com/product/A163B.html

 

I've gotta tell you the bodyman might have more time making a replacement panel fit than smoothing out the old one. Brookville makes nice parts, but I wouldn't bet the farm that it will bolt in without a bit of slicing and dicing.

 

From the pictures it looks like a good body man wouldn't have too much trouble metalworking that out and then just skim coat it. It would still be visible from the inside of the panel so the history would still be there for the nit pickers. ha ha

 

I think the history on the inside of the panel would be the best reason to keep the original panel.

 

If you are putting a three speed in, I would suggest putting a 3 speed over drive. Also, glad to see you are moving forward on this. Good luck!

 

You should see the inside of my firewall for just this reason.

 

I like that approach-thanks Jim


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Since this is an available repro panel, I suggest that it would be a good piece to develop your welding and bodywork skills on. If it comes out good, keep it on the car; if not, you learn.

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Let's be reasonable, any interesting history was lost with the sandblasting of the patina which uncovered a sloppy restoration of previously cut holes for then in vogue tail lights. If this modification was done at a quality shop like Valley Custom or Sam Barris it would have been leaded and might have some historical value. It was plainly done by a backyard hack that had a welder and a can of bondo. Get over it. That panel might have a couple of spot welds and some rivets or screws holding it in. Easy removal, prime it and hang it on the hall, brag to your friends how much better it looks with the new panel. Any competent builder will tell first to "Restore the body and then do your modification".

 

Even if that backyard hack did the mods in the late 1940’s? I’d like to keep that history intact so the next guy that repaints the car in 30 years can see those welds.


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I like you Riff and I have a noticed a dramatic change in your appreciation of traditional hot rodding from your first posts of wanting to make your car look like Magnuson's, Boyd's roadster (edit. I went back and caught the word..kidding) to now wanting to honor previous craftsmen. If the modifications were done with proper hammer welding and metal finished I would applaud your desire to save it. The fact is after looking at the pictures it is plain to see that the person knew nothing of metal finishing it is warped and it appears that there is burn through and that type of work does not deserve the attention other than to show how it should not be done.

 

Here's a picture of my car as it was in 53. Not built by a craftsman but a 17 year old kid and good enough to have been a two page feature in a mag. The other picture is how I found it. Note how the cutouts were made for the 39 taillights.

 

In any reputable shop that panel would have been on the Floor and a replacement one in place simply because it's the best service for the Customer. When the Customer says "hay that looks nice, where's the other one" I would say over there on the scrap pile, you can have it if you want it. Let's be honest Guys, these cars never go backwards. Going forward means spending time and $$$ wisely.

 

cc

Well I did replace that panel. I couldn't save it. I was showing what was ok in the early 50's when this car was built. I left the two round spots on the back panel where the straps that held the gas tank were brazed on just for this reason. They also have a little bit of original paint in them. I now have a little magnetic sign back there that says "not fake patina"Maybe I should add another one saying don't do it like this.

 

Kind of the same argument to keep the original front cowl as is with the jagged remnants of the original gas tank they cut out intact. You can only see it/feel it if you look under the dash, but kind of cool its there. Totally hidden from outside.