Register now to get rid of these ads!

Projects French hot rodding

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by Protofuria, Apr 3, 2019.

  1. Protofuria
    Joined: May 31, 2011
    Posts: 50

    Protofuria
    Member
    from France

    Hi guys, I'd like to introduce you to my ongoing project.
    But first, I've got to tell you that I'm a French guy, living in France and I'm building my rod on a French car. It might not be a traditional hot rod in the sense that it's based on an old Peugeot, but if you look at it from a distance, it might pass for a weirdly small 34 Ford...
    The guidelines for this build are :
    -trying to keep it as "traditional" as possible
    -trying to keep it as cheap as possible
    -built it all by myself

    here's the car when I saw it the first time :
    12239298_10153623002350399_1914499369936062108_o.jpg
    It's a 1934 peugeot 201. It started its life as small 2 doors car and got hacked into a pickup probably after WWII.

    here's a better view of the car once I brought it back to my shop :
    14141791_10154278563080399_5070629992531794566_n.jpg
     
    Baumi, GuyW, kidcampbell71 and 23 others like this.
  2. this could get interesting
     
  3. treb11
    Joined: Jan 21, 2006
    Posts: 3,947

    treb11
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I like it. How do you plan to deal with limitations on engine size and modifications? A newer Peugeot drivetrain? Are you keeping it as a truck or rebuilding as a car? How much latitude is there for a restoration versus hot rodding?

    Sent from my SM-G965U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
    Protofuria likes this.
  4. Protofuria
    Joined: May 31, 2011
    Posts: 50

    Protofuria
    Member
    from France

    here's what used to propel the car : a 1.2L 23hp flathead 4, with a 3 speed manual sending power to the rear end via a torque tube. the engine is dead seized and won't be used. Gearbox, torque tube and rear axle have been sold to get some money for the build.
    14222352_10154286277450399_9164895211110040523_n.jpg
    nothing more than a big paperweight now, so I yanked it out
    16665344_10154758451085399_1988155292549075100_o.jpg
     

  5. blowby
    Joined: Dec 27, 2012
    Posts: 8,661

    blowby
    Member
    from Nicasio Ca

    Cool truck. I'd be stuffing a Simca V8-60 in that thing tout suite! I have a 60 in my Bantam in place of the tiny 4 banger. Tight fit but doable.

    0205181444_Pano.jpg
     
    bowlingball, Jet96, Grandadeo and 7 others like this.
  6. Protofuria
    Joined: May 31, 2011
    Posts: 50

    Protofuria
    Member
    from France


    there is absolutely no aftermarket parts for these cars, so upgrading the existing engine is not an option.
    rebuilding it to stock body would imply buying another donor car, so I'll keep it as a truck : after all, it's part of the car's history. But I'll make a new stepside bed.
     
  7. Protofuria
    Joined: May 31, 2011
    Posts: 50

    Protofuria
    Member
    from France

    here's the engine I will be using : it's a Ford V4. these were used in many Ford cars for the european Ford division. mine's from an old mk1 Transit van (exchanged it for and old moped). transmission is a 4 speed manual from a Granada and rear axle is from a Simca Aronde

    14449776_10154359641510399_588673842832125377_n.jpg

    I started that build a few years ago so I'll be posting pictures and comments until I get to what it is now
     
  8. Nice project. What happened to the Simca/Topolino van next to your pickup ?
     
    Protofuria likes this.
  9. Dick Stevens
    Joined: Aug 7, 2012
    Posts: 3,710

    Dick Stevens
    Member

    This sounds like it will be fun, I'm ready to follow this build!
     
    Protofuria likes this.
  10. Protofuria
    Joined: May 31, 2011
    Posts: 50

    Protofuria
    Member
    from France

    it's still there , waiting for someone with a lot of courage 56120227_2145738692403566_3274064199784857600_n.jpg
     
    exterminator, Squablow, Stogy and 5 others like this.
  11. Protofuria
    Joined: May 31, 2011
    Posts: 50

    Protofuria
    Member
    from France

    let's talk wheels. the stock bolt patern is 4x130 (metric, sorry). I wanted some wire wheels for this car, but theses are very, very... very rare. so I got a set of english MG-A wheels I'll bolt on with a Rudge adapter
    14917286_10154460320335399_2034269777619219506_o.jpg

    45294710_10156405024610399_7960223611095089152_o.jpg
     
  12. cederholm
    Joined: May 6, 2006
    Posts: 1,748

    cederholm
    Member

    This is cool! ...looking forward to this build.

    ~ Carl
     
    Protofuria likes this.
  13. Cool project, looks like the motor is fitting in there pretty good.
     
    Protofuria likes this.
  14. Protofuria
    Joined: May 31, 2011
    Posts: 50

    Protofuria
    Member
    from France

    here's a view of the front axle : from start to 1933 it sported a solid straight beamvthen in 1934 they changed the design and went with independent wheels
    18121324_10154965938165399_755478691839728277_o.jpg
    I'm working on the rebuilding of the front end. I was able to find some NOS spindle rebuilt kits (pretty expensive parts) . the wishbones were badly bent as the car had been moved with a forklift. Some adjustements under a press solved this.
    I also plan to lower the car as it sits pretty high. I'll reverse the two split beams and the longer leaf springs, this should do for a nice drop.
    54517017_10156706644265399_4603488880069443584_o.jpg
     
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2019
  15. Protofuria
    Joined: May 31, 2011
    Posts: 50

    Protofuria
    Member
    from France

    yeah it looks like it belongs in there, except for the alternator that sticks out too much.
    I could have gone for a v6 but it would've been a really tight fit!
     
  16. kiteloop
    Joined: Sep 1, 2013
    Posts: 24

    kiteloop
    Member
    from chatel

    super initiative, courage, a suivre avec grand plaisir
     
    Protofuria likes this.
  17. Kiwi 4d
    Joined: Sep 16, 2006
    Posts: 3,564

    Kiwi 4d
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I presume thats the gas tank on the firewall. That’s a hazard i would think . What are your plans for shifting that?
    Cool build , and use what’s available.
     
    Protofuria likes this.
  18. goldmountain
    Joined: Jun 12, 2016
    Posts: 4,442

    goldmountain

    Looking forward to your build. I have a small European car too where there isn't a lot of aftermarket support.
     
    Protofuria likes this.
  19. rusty valley
    Joined: Oct 25, 2014
    Posts: 3,883

    rusty valley
    Member

    cool car! i like that the tranny has a handle on it! what an idea!
     
    Protofuria likes this.
  20. Protofuria
    Joined: May 31, 2011
    Posts: 50

    Protofuria
    Member
    from France

    Merci! Tu es Suisse? toutes les pièces d'origine que j'ai revendues pour l'instant, ce sont des Suisses qui sont venus les chercher chez moi dans le nord est de la France car elles sont semble t'il difficile à trouver chez vous.

    you're right, that's the gas tank. As there's no history of it being particularly a danger in case of an accident or some "spontaneous" fires, I will keep it. Plus it's in mint condition, absolutely no corrosion on or in it. But I'll be very cautious with all the fittings and such, I don't want any leaks near the engine. The real downside is its capacity. This would eventually push me to put a tank under the bed with a neck on the side.


    Please tell me more, what car do you have?

    That's the tranny I had with the engine, it's from a MK1 Ford Transit van. That handle is a mounting point (missing a ruber bushing). I can't use it as the shifting commands are located on the left side and stick right into the pedals.
    I'll use a Ford Granada tranny which has mounts under the case and shifting commands on top
     
  21. That cool man, looking forward to seeing more!
     
  22. mgtstumpy
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 9,214

    mgtstumpy
    Member

    Absolutely love it, more updates please. That van is a candidate for some TLC, blown Hemi maybe? I remember the V4 Ford Transits as we had them down here as well. Your grill is reminiscent of the Ford Brewsters of that era.
    upload_2019-4-4_18-24-39.jpeg upload_2019-4-4_18-35-12.png
    Here's a HAMB thread by a Polish member building a Peugeot 301 RPU and a Peugeot 401 I posted
    upload_2019-4-4_18-30-54.png upload_2019-4-4_18-31-53.png
     
  23. chev34ute
    Joined: Nov 13, 2011
    Posts: 1,240

    chev34ute
    Member

    Fantastic, The French automobiles of the thirties were some of the nicest built. I often wonder why I don’t more done as Rods. I really dig the layout of this pickup, especially the independent I Beam Front End.
     
    nunattax and 46international like this.
  24. Protofuria
    Joined: May 31, 2011
    Posts: 50

    Protofuria
    Member
    from France

    some people actually already made a gasser with one of those simca/fiat:

    I knew about the brown 401 truck, it's a french car too. that 301 seems to be a nice project.
    301 and 401 are almost the same cars as my 201, just bigger.

    yeah, they really improved the drivetrain on this MK2 and the chassis comes boxed from factory. Mk1 had a straight I beam and a more flexible chassis as the rails were just U shaped
     
    kidcampbell71, mgtstumpy and dwollam like this.
  25. Boryca
    Joined: Jul 18, 2011
    Posts: 709

    Boryca
    Member
    from Detroit

    I absolutely love that IFS! Definitely following along with this one.
     
    Protofuria likes this.
  26. Wonder how many made it through the war? how rare are they?
     
  27. Protofuria
    Joined: May 31, 2011
    Posts: 50

    Protofuria
    Member
    from France

    they're not that rare. Peugeot, Citroen and Renault of that era were common cars. These days you can find bodies, chassis... sometimes a nice barn find. they're not expensive either, I got mine for 1500 euros (would be 1700-1800$).
    the real problem is about spare parts : there are almost none. some hoarders have loads of parted cars on shelves but will only sell to people restauring the cars to stock. hot rodding is very frowned upon (but still many people do it)
     
  28. [QUOTE
    the real problem is about spare parts : there are almost none. some hoarders have loads of parted cars on shelves but will only sell to people restauring the cars to stock. hot rodding is very frowned upon (but still many people do it)[/QUOTE]
    Looks like this happens everywhere.....you just tell them you are restoring one...until you saw the light & changed your mind! Good luck with this cool project!
     
  29. Corn Fed
    Joined: May 16, 2002
    Posts: 3,278

    Corn Fed
    Member

    Neat car. I kinda like it fenderless. But the independent front suspension might be a little too cumbersome looking to be hanging out there.
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.