It’s been 2 weeks as of this afternoon that I started work on the Cabrio. I finished bolted the body to the frame, finished the subrails at the cowl to secure the front of the car. Mounted the windshield frame, finish bolted the firewall in, finish welded the remainder of the underside of the subrails. (Lifted it off the chassis before finish bolting it) I mounted the fuel tank, built new decklid stops to set the height when it’s closed and installed new bear claw latches and strikes. (I had the day off). She’s ready to be painted (new metal) and rolled out into the daylight of some stock A axles. Final mounting of the fuel tank B pillar (before latch strike) B pillar during rebuild (there wasn’t any good metal to attach the catch to, so I remade both sides) I followed the same steps for the passenger side. New owner is coming over tomorrow with a set of 35 wires and some big and littles. I’ll post pics when it’s outside and I can get some good side shots. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
The day before yesterday (Tuesday afternoon) I tried out for the first time an old Coats tire machine that was given to me over the summer. The new owner of the cabriolet brought over his 35 Wires and a set of NOS Coker Classic big and littles. He got them from an older gentleman who purchased them years ago and never mounted them. He ran out of time, so we were unable to move the axles into the shop. But that’s one step closer to it rolling. Yesterday or last night mostly, I spent some extra time (after he asked me to do more). I worked on mounting the windshield frame into the cowl. There is no hinge so I fabricated some mounts that I then welded to the frame itself. These will sit flush on the insides of the A pillars. Pass side A pillar Pass side A pillar. Dry fitting Mounted a old battery box in the trunk area Finish welded up a bunch of other odds and ends. This afternoon he’s coming over to help clean the metal w orbitals and paint pre wash. Get it ready for epoxy sealer. I changed my mind from rustoleum. The car is coming out too nice for rustoleum. It deserves a real paint job. So I’m going to get it prepped right. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Course I can. Top of the frame unbolts and you slide the glass in. The mounts aren’t welded to the a pillars. (Only welded to the back edge of the frame) They’re bolted into threaded inserts I installed in the a pillars Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Hah. He just liked a to tell people he owns a Hotrod. He doesn’t actually want to build or drive them. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
this is so cool having you doing the cabbie at almost the same time as I do the sportster... to slow down and wait to see how you deal with a problem offers new options... go mike go !
Half day today allowed me some extra garage time. Got the cabbie scotch brighted wiped down and sprayed the whole body in black epoxy. The new owner came by seam sealed the new metal and took some pics as I sprayed it. As always I did a few more things like building a decklid latch and installing some leather door straps. (Took them back off before painting). Tomorrow it gets the axles and it will be off to his house. . Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Awsome Mike ! This just proves that with a lot of hard work and ingenuity someone like you can make something happen where others just walk away. Meruryguy
Hey Tom ! Hope you’re well. Thank you for the kind words .. hope you’re still spinning wrenches enjoying your cars ! Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Not really on topic but the pic of the '31 firewall shows off the teardrop... buddy cut one out, flipped it upside down and used it for a floor panel around the shifter... he also suggested it would be cool as the sheet metal dimple for a cowl steering set up...
Came out swell, Mike! I’m sure Sean will love it... Your Grumpy old (?) friend Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
@Mikel50, Thanks for sharing the journey and your vintage visions...I hope you follow this fwd or have your Friend get the heck on here...but hey keep us in the loop...maybe continue right here...
Hey Mike, Nice save on that Cabrio. looks like its gonna be one cool hot rod! whats that white shit on the ground? it was 79 yesterday here in the dirty south. You should open a shop and call it Barrell Fire Hot Rods. Im ready to go back to the beach
I am going to be the one that will be installing the drivetrain and getting the car ready for TROG 2020.I’ll post up updates as the car progresses. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Great work...thanks for taking the time to take pics and document, here! ...makes me feel lazy....gonna have to step up one day
One day ? No better time than now ... you’re my age. No reason (besides health of course) to not get out and build your car or buy one that’s complete. Get out and enjoy life in a Hotrod. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Mike this is some really good tech as far as doing the subframe, hinges, and sheet metal work on this car. You really nailed it and this thread deserves some more attention. I hope guys looking for ideas for getting some of these structure-less bodies out there road find this!
New owner put it under a tarp then sold it to pay bills. I heard it’s still local and the current owner was building it for trog. However I can’t confirm that. I haven’t seen anything online or anywhere in regards to the car. Sorry, that’s the only update i have. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
The Jalopy Journal
