We're starting a new project to build Chris Magee's 32 five window. He has been collecting all the parts and building the car in his head for a long time, now it's time to make it real. Aesthetically it will be a fraternal twin to my green roadster but powered by a flathead with a 39 trans and a QC rear end. We started by taking the frame rails that had their cross members removed and jigged them up to put the K-member back in along with a Model A rear cross member and an aftermarket front Model A cross member. Ideas for mods to the rear cross member were robbed from other posts here on the HAMB. The K-member, engine mounts and cross members are just bolted in for mock up but will be riveted in. We added reinforcements to the rear frame as Ford did on later 32 frames since these rails did not have them. We also had to replace the rear frame horns that had been bobbed in a previous life.
The front cross member was modified so it too could be riveted in place. Engine mounts were fabricated and will also be riveted.
Next up was to mock up the engine, trans, rear axle & body to double check cross member placement. I'd say we got them in the right places. Now we have a bunch of sheet metal repairs to do.
It’s back apart and we’re beginning the rust repair of the body. The floor just about fell out when we lifted the body up onto the cart. The bottom edges have all been cut to reasonably solid metal in preparation for the numerous patch panels. Now we’re waiting on the new floor from UPAC. Three of the fenders and the deck lid needed some minor repairs, which are done. The left rear fender was too beat to use so we’re waiting on Chris to score a better one.
Well, that took a lot longer than I thought it would. We waited for the floor from UPAC for 3 months It's finally here and it looks good. While we were waiting we got the cross members and motor mounts riveted to the frame.
We bolted the floor on the frame and started the modifications to clear the Model A rear cross member.
The rear panel was toast so, we replaced it with a part from UPAC and the bottom of the trunk lid had to be fabricated to repair the rust and fit the trunk to the hole.
Hey Don, Home Depot sells small containers of their oil base house paints, as test samples, as an aid for customers to get the exact color they are looking for. Have them mix up a matching maroon sample, and then get samples both darker and lighter in graduated steps to match all the original different maroons that have developed over the years on the 5W body. Should be able to get a bunch of different shades for not much $. Patiently waiting for the final touch on this work of art!
Most of the work on this project over the past few months has been doing a little body work to the patched areas, saving a pair of 25 louver hood sides that had the lower edge trimmed off, and matching the paint to the abused and neglected finish that covered the few parts we didn't have to patch. We started with getting some Omni solvent based base coat, color matched to the maroon that was last painted on the car. Below that appeared to be an odd shade of red oxide primer. Below the primer appeared to be the original black and peeking out below that in a few spots was surface rusted bare metal. The painting process began with a coat of black epoxy primer then before spraying the next color we taped off a few odd shapes and spattered some rubbing compound on it. The second paint layer was a mad scientist mix of several different shades of epoxy primer to closely match the odd red oxide color. Then a little more tape and a little more rubbing compound splatter. The final layer was several coats of the color matched maroon base coat with a little hardener mix in it. Once all this cured the parts were pressure washed to expose and remove the rubbing compound splatter and the tape was out of the paint to reveal the different layers. Next up was scuffing the finish with Scotch Brite pads, various grits of fine sand paper and some buffing with coarse compound to get the overall finish to match the old. A little trial & error and making it up as we went. It's mostly just mocked up again. We still have to get a fuel tank and the front valance and get them painted then we will do a little more to get the final finish where we want it. So far I think it's looking pretty cool and just what the customer wanted.
The Jalopy Journal
