Projects T&A Flathead Builds a '48 RagTop

This thing sat all spring and summer and collected dust. Now that the snow is flying and the hot rods are away, I’ll be getting back to work.
Still working on the rockers but made some progress today.



reminder on how bad the cowl rocker was.

A few more things to do and the cowl will be ready for welding to the floor.

 

Just read this thread. Really nice work!

—louis

 

Thank you.

 

I had some good help in the shop today. Sam punched all the holes in the outer rocker so I can plug weld it to the inner rocker tomorrow. I also got the cowl inner rocker aligned and welded in. I’ve aligned the rocker at the b-pillar and made a brace. Hopefully I get the cowl tacked to the floor tomorrow.

 

Looking good!

 

Thanks Mike! Long way to go.

 

Installed the B-pillar support that goes between the inner and outer rocker. I’m not entirely sure it looked like this because the rockers were completely rusted away. But this should work.


And just like that the cowl is now welded to the donor floor.




Door gaps fit better than before I cut it apart and they can still be adjusted.


The rear section is aligned in the factory holes but not welded in yet.

 

That escalated quickly! Kickass!

 

Looks great.

 

Thanks guys @cactus1 and @brady1929

I’ve been all over the place on power plants for this girl, from a 49 mercury Flathead to a small block Ford. I really want to keep this no newer than the mid 50s but want to keep it all Ford. I’m thinking a y-block now. Thoughts?
I plan on driving the car a lot.

 

I love y-blocks. The little 239 in my ‘54 pulled that car around great. OD trans was a plus!

 

I plan to use a T170 converted to closed drive shaft. Cheating a bit but I want OD.

 

Buddy of mine @RHRH3P found this on Craigslist, so I checked it out on the way to work this AM and bought it. Talking cars and looking at his neat stuff made me way late to work so I still need to go back and pick it up.

 

That y block will be perfect in there!! Great job man!

Sent from my SM-G977U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

More work today. Fixed some rust. Almost ready to tack the rear section to the rest of the car.

 

Looking good, Tim!

 

Brought my engine home tonight.

 

That's a screwy looking carburetor!

 

Teapot carb .

 

I am diggin’ this build. Like the way you grafted the two bodies together- lot of work but easier than cutting out that much rust and Forming complicated patches

 

A little more progress since I decided to skip my day job today.
I put the truck lid on just to check gaps and alignment before I begin welding the rear section down. Also fixed a rust through spot and started welding the rear section.
Pretty pleased so far considering all this thing has been through.

 

Incredible job, Tim. I always enjoy seeing your work! Looking forward to your next post.

 

...cool project and nice work,...here's a pic of Pat Barnhart's coupe before he converted it to a convert,..really liked this car, good luck with yours...

 

@greaser and @rusty1 , Thanks guys. Hopefully I’m back in the shop tomorrow.

 

Love it! Great work and love your inspiration pics! Keep it up!

 

Nice work, it's certainly coming together! The Y-block is a nice touch.

 

Back in the shop for a couple hours today. Nothing too exciting, but I did finish welding the fender wells. I have more welding to do on the inside where the body supports contact the floor and the fender wells. Pretty happy with how everything lined back up. I was planning on molding the rear fenders into the body, but the fenders fit so go I really don’t need to. I’ll decide what to do later.



I also need to decide if I should weld the seem on the inside where the rear section over lapped the fender wells, or just use a seem sealer.

 

Hoping I can pull this off half as good as this.
The Bill Roark ‘48 Ford.

 

I really like that sea-blue-green on that convert.

 

i do too.