No, that’s actually a 34’ with a 33’ Grille it was my Pops High school Rig, which I got in 2006’ but sold it to buy a classic Bronco..... Which was a sore subject... So I was Threatened not to sell the 33’ or I’m dis-owned as a son. This 33’ Doll is special to me though, I grew up with it. Heres The 34’
Few More of the 34’( with 33 grille) It was to much for me at the time. Frame was bent, and Someone replaced the rocker with the body upside down and got the door all out of alignment and it wouldn’t shut so I got frustrated and sold it, and bought a 1971 small body classic Bronco. So my dad didn’t talk to me for a few years after that. It’s all good now. I tried to tell him that I didn’t grow up with that car, that was his high school car, and memories. the 33 Doll is the car I grew up with. He finally gets it now. Well!.....that’s enough for today’s history lesson folks!
I know! More in some cases! Thats my problem though my dad collects lots of cars and keeps Them, me I collect one or 2, get bored sell it and buy another one!!! And the cycle continues! Not anymore more though this one is a keeper.... at least until Pops Croaks! Just Kidding!
By chance do you have any pics of the radiator to grill mounting arrangements on that 33 and specifically the tabs? Are they original?
my goodness you have led a pampered life, two model 40's from in the family. it takes most of us many years to drag home some rusty hulk!
I know Right? But....Theres alot of Baggage that has come with the cars over the years! That I won’t share here. Lets just say.... cars are my dads way of making up for lost years with his sons...and Family. Another way.... is.... I would Have traded “10” model 40’s to have had a normal Father Son Relationship growing up, if that makes Sense?
That's a whole lot of bracing, gusseting, and such to be hung on a small square tube. Might be good to make the tube reach all the way to the outer rails, and maybe some boxing in that area of the rail.
I think that looks fine. I would add bracing towards the front and rear, but something simple will suffice. There is no torque load to the sides, only front and rear.
It might not be that jazzy, but I am planning on boxing around it, and running a couple braces top and bottom to the outer rail. You’ll See !
Perhaps others with more experience here will chime in, but would it be better to go "UP" with your drive shaft clearance cut-out instead of going "down"? Take it all the way up to the floor boards and that would make future drive shaft removal easier. Also will keep it from hanging down, possibly interfering with the drive shaft during suspension travel, and so it wont be able to be seen from under the car. I think if you go down, you'll also has scrub line to worry about and possible speed bumps problems. If you go up, the only thing you need to worry about is making sure you have driveshaft clearance at full suspension compression. Reason I bring it up is my battery is under my car on the driver side frame rail and it hangs down about 3"s below the frame rail, which is about a half inch below my running boards. If you look at my car from far enough away, you can see it hanging there under the car, and it gets closer to speed bumps than I like after the front wheels clear the speed bump but before the rear wheels approach the speed bump. Something like this:
Thanks Dirk I appreciate it. But I’m not worried about it, it’s not gonna hang down any lower than those links, plus the center crossmember hangs lower than that and the master cylinder. I kind of want a little protection around the links anyway. Plus the rear ends pretty much stock height.
It’s kind of illusion looking at that picture of the cut pieces they’re only 3.5 inch total lower to the bottom of tubing.
Make sure that when suspension is at full droop the drive shaft has clearance to the new crossmember.
I’m Shocked! My Pops actually Got most of his roadster in the same Room! Thats progress! Only took 12 Years! (He’s moving, again! so he had the body in one Garage, and the Chassis in his shop, but now its gonna get moved again! to his new Home, after he gets the rearend setup so he can trailer it) I told y’all Im convinced he has extreme ADHD? This roadster has been 30+ years in the Making??? So frustrating! But I love him anyway!
Nope I’m 51, he’s 76...its sad. My uncles and I try to help him, bit he gets sidetracked. And we get Frustrated, and have to go back to our homes. That’s why I jumped at the chance to help him sell all his other cars and stuff so he can focus on it... someday!
Wow! So now I’m back at work full-time so I haven’t gotten much Garage time! So I decided to go back and read my posts all the way to the beginning when I brought it the 33’ home. It’s only been since December! And then all this major work I did when this corona thing happened, within only two months! Not to pat myself on the back.... (but OK I will!) I’VE DONE ALOT OF STUFF!!! in a short amount of time! And Dang I’ve learned a lot! Compared from when I started, a Few months ago! I’m actually amazed! It’s weird when you read your thread from the beginning, because, when you post each day, it’s just adding to the story, so you don’t realize it at the time. And that’s stopping several times to take lots of pictures! I actually like sharing with everybody, and getting input! even though I don’t listen to all of it! But hey! Some is better than none! No seriously though, thanks for listening to my story and, my rants, etc. I got Monday and Friday off this week, so I’ll get a couple days on 33’ Work is really busy now that we’ve been behind! So the work is going to slow down on the car for now! I am sure glad I got that metal work done!!!! -Peace to y’all Rick
Hey 33, I think I spied an Austin in the background of one of those pictures. 2 dr? 4 dr? What happened to it? I totally understand the situation you faced trying to help with your Dad’s projects. I have friends that I’ve tried to help but between disagreement on how to proceed and constant changes of direction it just didn’t work out and those projects still sit unfinished. Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
That was waaay before I was born! But it was most likely My Uncle Toms! He liked to buy odd small foreign cars and put Big blocks and Later rear-ends in them! And make crazy machines I guess, although Ive never see a picture of one???? But there are some stories... or maybe legends??
Coming along Slowly. Plenty of clearance around the driveshaft. Although it kinda bugs me its the off center style third member. Oh well! its not like I’m gonna be hanging out underneath the car! Especially driving down the Road!
Got the Cross mount built, just gotta make a template for the mounting tabs. Gonna make them wrap around the tubing slightly so they have good back and forth strength. Hey Dirk! I tried flipping it over, and it looked cool, but I looked under the body, and I would have to do some serious Mods to the Driveshaft Tunnel, and floor. The Driveshaft is gonna be hard to get in and out with the crossmembers like that, but it will work, I laid some sheet metal across the frame to simulate the floor, and with some finagling. It will come out. ( maybe replace the u-joints before I put it in just in case!)
This will do!....Kewl! Man! This rear suspension fabbing is really testing my patience! Its Going So Dang Slow! I see everything thing played out in my head. And just want it done! But in reality its so slow... I don’t want stuff all crooked and stupid looking so I have to move slower! I think you all figured out by now, that I have zero patience??? This car is slowly teaching me that. Oh but I’m fighting it!! Lol!
Done for today! Do some more Friday! I’m happy so Far! Hopefully When the car is actually together the Drive shaft will be Able to come in and out! Simulation is one thing... Reality is entirely Another thing! I’m sure it will be fine!!!
Looks good! Just make sure you can get the bolts in and out after it's welded. Don't ask how I know it's a good idea to double check.....
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