I am nearing the end of work on my 51 coupe so I thought I might document on the HAMB - something I haven't done before. I traded Eagletucky here on the HAMB my 60 Ford F100 project for his 51, so he really is responsible for the bulk of the build and direction of the final product. For the most part, the car is built as if a kid in the late 50's to early 60's would have put it together. It has a '57-'59 Chevy 265 which I have grown to love, lowered in a matter fitting the time period. The modern updates on the car are the 5 speed trans and front disc brakes. It has steel wheels with a slight rubber bias-ply rake. One of the many things I like about the car is how simple - ignition switch, light switch, heater switch (and a usb port). Basic hot rod. I am in the process of wrapping up paint and customizing the dash insert. Should be driving this beast again in another month. Before I jump in to what I have done, lets start with how it looked when I got it:
Man that’s cool. I had the same idea building my ‘50 coupe - I wanted it to be something a teenager would have in about 1962.
We made the trade deal about a year ago. So the first thing I did after replacing the fuel pump was put in 3 pt shoulder harnesses so I could feel good about having my kid in the passenger seat. Welded bungs into the B pillar. Then I put some miles on the car. Some of these photos from Tierod. Plus help and moral support from our Wednesday night group. We meet at my shop every week for tacos and to work on car projects.
This is what I traded for the 51. Eagletucky got a painted truck that needed assembly. I got an assembled car that needed paint. At the point in this photo, truck was built as if an old farmer had a truck and a wrecked Thunderbird and built a hot rod from the two. Dropped straight axle, de-arched springs, 390 with vintage intake looked like a 406, white interior with black diamond inserts. I'll post my project sketch of where I was headed design-wise. Eagletucky took the truck to the next level. There are some photos of that build on Instagram, same user name .
I agree, both vehicles look great. And I like the fact you put in 3 point harnesses. For me safety over maintaining the old school look is important.
Last fall my wife and I stopped for dinner at a little diner in Shelbyville IN and this was in a frame at my booth. Had to wonder if my car was in the photo.
The Wednesday night group helped disassemble and prep. First thing we did was set up shelving to store parts - then tear down.