Projects 1925 Chev Roadster Build, 2 are better than 1...

So after I finished my first '25 Chev roadster in 2019 I decided it was good time to start building another '25 roadster. This time the roadster will be built the way I had originally intended the 1st one but way, way better (super detailed) a glutton for punishment some might say. I have been enjoying the 1st roadster but I really enjoy the build process.



The engine will be a 1925 Chev 4 with 3-port head, Ford C crank and a Winfield spec Chev FB cam. This part is still a ways off as I am still collecting parts for the engine build. Gearbox is '25 so to the diff. Front end is a '34 Axle '32 wishbones '36 spindles. Front brakes will be Boling bros Lincoln style brakes I also intend to adapt Lincoln style brakes to the rear and run early Ford 5 stud wheels all round. Steering box is a 1926-27 Chev.

The idea I'm following for this build is what if Bob Giovanine & Chuck Spurgin instead of selling the engine and rolling shell rebuilt the car for the street. This project will take a few years I intend to have this build finished early 2025 to celebrate 100 year birthday of the '25 Chev.

So I started with some bare rails and spare crossmembers and built a jig



So once I got some uprights welded on I squared rails up then squared & levelled the chassis to the table. Once I was happy with how things measured I welded in the main uprights.



After I got the uprights welded in I figured where the rails needed to be pinched since this will also have a track nose I pinched the rails more than my first chassis to be closer to the original Spurgin/Giovanine roadster. Once I figured the width I cut a piece of RHS 65x65mm 5mm wall. I squared everything and welded the crossmember in.



This is a split wishbone kit Adam Tremellen in Victoria, Aus manufactures, high quality.


This is the second suicide perch I made, I wasn't happy with the first.


Using fibreboard I made a pattern for the wishbone mount once I was happy I transfered this to 4mm plate.


to be continued....

 

So I decided to build a steering arm based on what the Spurgin/Giovanine had. I made this out of 1/4" plate, I will gusset and add a piece on 3/8 plate below or add a reamed bung for a for '34 tie-rod ball. This may need to be changed later if the engineer isn't happy




Setting up where the Chev steering box will end up drag link is '34. Chev pitman arm will need to be taper added so I can use the '34 Ford tie-rod ball.


I lost the build pics of the wishbone mounts but they bolt to the side rails and underneath.

 

Second try blackout wiped the last edit
So shortened the '32 bones 8"

I was happy how the wishbone mounts came out. The shape was inspired by the original spring hangers.
'''''''u8gfrz

 

So I jumped around to different parts, one reason was waiting for parts, second I wanted to make sure I wasn't locking things in just incase I needed to change something.

So once I got the wishbones mount I moved to the steering. I purchased this '27 box 10 years ago from a HAMBer.

I bolted the drag link up and positioned the box where the geometry was correct. I made a pattern and mimicked the wishbone mount shape (this will be an ongoing theme). I also lined the bolts up with wishbone mounts

In this pic you can see where I cut the steering box mounting plate. I can pivot it to centre with driver later on, this was needed with the pinched rails.

 

Just my speed...bring it on @Jimmy B...

 

SWEET!!!

 

Oh hell yes

 

Loving this.

 

So I got the body mounts welded in and it was time to get my boxing plates tacked in, I didn't want the usual flat boxing so decided to do something different... love it or hate This will more or less be an accent piece in the middle of the chassis.


Lastly I had to pie-cut the rear kick up as '25 chassis didn't have the highest kick up. The original roadster was done differently, the way I did the rails flowed better. This is where I pretty much got up to before I went to the GNRS in January 2020 spent 3-1/2 weeks there got home 20th Feb.

Yeah, Yeah, I can't take a selfie for shit!!!

 

That will be a good place to stop until morning.

:edit:
Sorry for the delay, fucking power went out second day in a row.

So back to it, all updates thus far is up to Jan 2020.
I purchased this T crossmember from the US last year. Could not locate one here.
I cleaned it up a bit before I put it in the critic acid

magic



Dunked the pedals, when I pull the parts out I hose off & than use water with baking soda which apparently neutralises the citric acid. So far this works and had no flash rust when part drys.


Chev roadster boot hinges (Trunk)

more


Decided to throw in the cowl that I plan to use



When I cleaned the cowl after being dunked shit got a little spooky
I did not know what colour this cowl had been, just what showed in the pics above. So the colour that is coming thru on the dash and dash rail is fucking spooky close to the colour I have had in my minds eye for years.




So this is the basic concept, (add windscreen and headlights) tone in concept is a little off but is similar to the colour I am looking at, teal to blue range.

 

Back to the fab work.
Next up I trimmed the T crossmember to sit inside the chassis and tacked it in place.

This pic angle shows the effect I was after with these boxing plate, chassis kind of looks unboxed.


Once I was happy I welded it up.

Where I did the pie cut I decided to add a decent size plate on the inside of the rail may as well make it strong as possible.


Next up made patterns for the kickup boxing plates then cut them in 4 mm steel (Chev chassis steel were 4mm in this era). mocked up below.

I think this will do for tonight...

 

more

 

Quite the craftsman. Keep at it.

 

Well ya got me hooked.. the first ones amazing so real excited to see what ya come up with for round 2!


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Man threads like these really stoke the fire for future projects. Really looking forward to this

 

Jimmy B, I see that you are making this one a left hand drive....

 

Go man go!

those bone mounts are kool.

 

Love those boxing plates! Lots of great details!

 

I really enjoy the chassis build stuff.Theres some great ideas i may have to steal for my 20 db roadster build.Check out the banger group on here theres some guys with great knowledge willing to share.

 

I was going to ask the same question. Are you allowed to scratch build a LHD in Aus?

 

Thank you! Still got a few more updates before I catch up to where I am at currently.

Thanks for watching, I am excited to build this the way I wanted the 1st.

Glad to provide a little inspirtaion.

Yeah, this is left hook, like the 1st one was initially before going with RHD for drivability.

Thanks Mate! Those mounts are awesome and super hi-quality.

I always wanted to try something different with the boxing plates. I have been refining ideas for this build for the last 12 years, finally turning them into a reality.

If I can give you ideas go for it. that would be cool to see a DB roadster.

This car from the get go was intended to be built here with the intention once finished take it to the US. When I talked to the engineer about my plans he at that time said he saw no issues given my plans to export. Given the car is all original running gear works in my favour when going for compliance as that portion does not need approval, the areas need compliance will be the chassis mods, ie front end and rear suspension, chassis construction, etc. '25 Chevs did not have front brakes so any 4 wheel juice brakes are an improvement. The engineer needs to inspect the bare rolling chassis, at this stage if the engineer says no to LHD this is not the end of the world a days work to mirror what's been done then convert to LHD when time to export.

Cheers Joey!!

 

Your blue looks like model A ford dutches blue with a black primer/sealer underneath.

 

Looks like you will complete two before I have finished one !!

 

Another cool Chevy build! Love it

 

Another day, another update.

I purchased an original 30s/40s Mopar master cylinder like the original roadster ran and made up a bracket carrying the theme of other brackets

Bit of a glimpse of what I am doing for rear shock mounts

Start of the stainless exhaust

Exhaust is inspired by the 1947 version of Spurgin/Giovanine roadster.

 

This picture really illustrate the illusion of chassis being unboxed.

Next up is the original brake mechanism crossmember. I used a spare gearbox mount as a kickup to get clearance around the torque tube.

About this time I switched to the TIG to weld the boxing plates, still use the MIG on the tight areas I can't access with TIG.

 

Nice work man. You'll have a fleet soon.

 

Next up I made a bender for the hydraulic press, this has helped make the crossmember needed to mount the rear radius rods.