Hi guys, I haven't been on this site much in the past few years, other than when I need an answer to a question, or to graze the classified section. I figured I should at least try to contribute something, since the HAMB is and has for a long time been such a valuable resource for me. I bought this 32 3 window on Father's Day last year. It was a basically stock car, in pieces, that had been stored in the rafters of a barn here in Oregon since the 1960's. Everything was there other than the deck lid. I have since sourced a nice Brookville one for now, which I will be punching full of louvers. I didn't have the nuts to chop this one myself, so my friend (and fellow Estranged Car Club member) Rob chopped the top 4" for me, and laid the pillars back. The body will stay just as it looks, with it's earned patina. Not because I'm a "patina guy", but because I would rather just drive and enjoy this car and not have to worry about it. It will have a nice, tidy chassis that is clean and simple, with some modifications to sit very, very low, but also maintain a nice aggressive hot rod rake. I will be running a '58 283 with four deuces, Muncie and Olds rear end. My goal with this car is to have a reliable, foolproof hot rod with a nasty look that I can drive anywhere. My short term goal is to drive it to Bonneville. Anyway, I will update this thread as I move along with the project. I have other projects going, so it may be a year-long saga, but we'll see. If you have time, there is a story that I posted to my website that gives a more in depth look into how this car came to be mine. If you'd like to read it, it can be found here: https://ironandsteele.com/blogs/news/better-lucky-than-good In the next day or so I will add some more photos of the process of how it got to where it is now. For tonight, here is a quick introduction. Thanks for looking, I will update as I make progress.
Sorry-I clarified the post, but I guess I meant "stock" as in unaltered. It is a very nice body, definitely was never a roundy-round car.
… and those grills on the back wall !!! holly shit!!! that's like a wining lottery ticket just hanging there.
Hard to believe someone passed on it too. Congats, stoked for you and sounds like you have a great plan for it!
Very entertaining and well written story...the find of a lifetime. Now let's talk about that 36 grille fetish...
The chop job appears to be very well done, and you retained the top hinge, which is often eliminated.
Thank you guys for the positive comments and for taking the time to click the link and read this car’s story. A few commented on the chop and yes, it is very well done. I can take absolutely no credit for it, that was all done by my buddy Rob who has incredible talent. I’ll post some photos soon. Thank you again
Here are some additional photos: Disassembled New wood going in and being altered to fit doors being fit back home.. Of course, that is a very abbreviated run down. But that's where we stand as of now.
Congrats on the find and buy. What a great story. Looking forward to watching this one come together. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
My website, ironandsteele.com At the moment, I'm sold out of everything but small and medium. I will have new stock in October though.
Great inspirational photo's. Isn't it great to have talented friends. Please keep us posted on your build, I'm sure it's going to turn out killer
Thank you guys for the kind words. I haven't posted progress because I haven't made any. I was distracted by a '33 pickup that was a restoration project that was abandoned as it was being cut and buffed. Long story short, I bought it and will be taking it over the finish line. Stance and wheels and tires need to be addressed, then just wire, plumb and drive it. Anyway, there was some small movement on the coupe, I picked up my chassis earlier this week. I had a very specific stance in mind for this car, one that involved being low, but also having an aggressive rake. I invited Darryl Schroeder ( Schroeder's Speed and Custom ) over to see my mock up and ask his advice on how to best achieve the stance I wanted. By the end of the conversation, it was determined that sweeping the front frame rails would be needed, among other things. By the time we did all the work to my existing frame, we were better off just starting from scratch, so that's what ended up happening. The chassis has 2" swept front rails, Model A front cross member, flattened rear crossmember, small C notches for clearance, etc. I will be using a heavy axle with an old 5" drop and likely a reverse eye spring to get the front end down somewhere around 9" or so. I'm not sure yet how far the back will be dropped from stock measurement-wise, but the rear tire will end up somewhere between 3/4" - 1" below the wheel well style line. Also, quite a few guys went to my site to read the full story of this car and later messaged me about my "F*CK POLITICS" shirt. They are back in stock on my website, www.ironandsteele.com Thank you for all the inquiries.
After giving this some thought, I am willing to take this little 3 window off your hands and relieve you of the burden to further build. We Canadians are very nice as i am sure you have heard so it's the least I can do. Love what you've done including the drive train choices. Give me a shout and we can arrange bringing this old girl north!