just to avoid confusion, and since it seems alot of shoebox guys are both in the Facebook Group, Kustom Shoebox Ford Library, that I run, and follow my build here on the HAMB, I asked Ryan to switch my handle from Pipes to Tony Ray. Makes it a little easier to follow!
Picked up a 54 ford grille I’m planning to modify to use in mine and a set of 55 Lincoln hubcaps , oh also found a 73 maverick 8 inch rear for $100.00 so I pounced on that . Decided to take out the 9 inch and run the maverick rear so I can put my 51 merc skirts on!.. not a lot getting done but gathering a bunch of parts.. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Got to spend a little time working on the coupe.. now you see it.. Now ya don’t Setting the 50 merc surround in just to get an idea.. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Doing a great job like the look , this is one of mine , 302 , AOD , 9 inch . The other one looks like we’re you started.
Got a little something in the mail for a little wheeling and dealing.. haven’t decided if I’m going to use it or not, though with the merc grille surround I probably won’t.. but I’ll hold on to it for a little bit just in case.. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
I normally try not to promote my FB group or the shirts, but the guy that does the design just blew me away with the Series 4 shirt. One of my absolute favorite cars ever is on it, and I’m super excited how it turned out so I thought I’d share..Eric Henderson’s 51 hardtop convertible. It’s car that I hope one day mine will look half as nice as.. Eric’s 51 convertible hardtop shoebox Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
One more piece to the puzzle, checked off the list.. been looking for 52-54 ford front fender wheel lips for a while.. ended up getting a set for 50 bucks plus shipping.. one has a little bit of surface rust, the other was cut in half but great shape should be easily fixed! Also got one set of 53 merc bumper guard/bullets, from Tony Gomes, owner of “The Capri”! I’m think I almost have all the parts I need besides the wiring harness and trim, and a few odds and ends. Looking forward to getting my car over to Mark at Customs by Flash! Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Yeah, one more step down the road. People don't know what patience is until they start a custom build or restoration. But damn, is it ever worth it when you finish up, stand back and say "I built that!"
It’s amazing when I think of it how different this is from muscle cars. When I built my 68 mustang 30 years ago it was just repair body and build engine and trans.. with this 51 coupe, the body is in really good condition and yet its little things like getting hood peaks made, fender wheel lips, and tons of other little modifications that seems so much more then just patch panels and then paint.. can’t say I mind though.. the thrill of the hunt and score of parts just to get that certain look is something I am enjoying! Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
And now I got the front set of dagmar for it!!, thanks to another member of the KSFL! Now I need to decide if I’m going to run the stock 51 bumpers or do the 51 Chevy ones like Jr Conways.. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Junior's car did not use Chevy bumpers. He had a '49 or '50 Ford front, Smoothed by Sam Barris. The rear was off a '49 Ford, no outer bumper bolts
Thanks! I had thought I read that he did, now I’m feeling like an ass for messaging Jivin Jer about it! Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
I went back through my notes and found out that on the Kustomrama site it was listed as reshaped 51 Chevy bumpers. I know I had seen that somewhere.. so not losing my mind!! But they do look like they could be 49-50 fords.. I shot Jiv Jerry a message about it. Hopefully he can clarify it for me. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Tony, looked back at the Kustomrama site and you were right it does say that but they are not correct. I like where your going with your shoebox. I'am doing the Merc bullets on mine as well
yup now i got to start looking for 50 ford bumpers! Thanks for pointing that out!! Couldnt figure why they just didnt look right but i figured it was my eyes playing tricks on me!
Well I had a little money stashed away that apparently started burning a hole in my pocket.. ended up picking up this 52 Mercury accessory wheel for 350.00. It was this or some lake pipes.. I always wanted to try fixing up a wheel and I think this is a pretty cool one. So the wheel won out! Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
So it starts.. next weekend I’m taking the coupe to Chopold’s shop, Customs by Flash in Howell, NJ..Figured it would save some time and money if we took out the motor and trans, since the engine compartment needs redoing.. it may also get something different if it all works out.. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
So Saturday got my coupe to the shop, really didn’t get to do much at all to it besides get it unloaded. Went back Sunday and started taking off all the trim, door handles, window regulators and latches along with the chrome piece above grille and bumper. Had some help from Jersey Mike who showed up in his beautiful chopped shoebox.. man he drives the hell out of that thing! Took a few pics of Mikes shoebox.. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Thank Goodness that statement is not true! There are one of the greatest cars no doubt about that, lets just hope no body else finds out about them.
Here's a wild one that resides in my town. Alan Reason's 1950 Ford, Utopia. I Bumped into the owner Tom one day while in my shoebox. Still trying to get over for a visit and see his stuff....
Went to the shop today and Mark( Chopolds on here) had made up the rings to French the taillights on my coupe and had one side done by the time I came in . I started stripping the paint off as he worked on the other one. It’s amazing how solid the coupe is. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
The Jalopy Journal
