Projects T&A Flathead Builds a '48 RagTop

Nothing too exciting, but I got the rearend back together and the front end rolls.

 

??? How is that possible? LOL

 

Frame rolls. Ready for final assembly.

 

Great job, Tim. I can visualize Natty driving this, with 3 of her friends riding along with the top down. What is her color choice?

 

Looking great Everseseses!!

 

A dark red wine lacquer, but her favorite car is my ‘49 coupe.

 

I dropped the y-block back in, then I got really interested to see how the chassis sits with the body weight back on it.

 

So , I had to put the body back on the frame.



I think it’s going to settle out and sit just about right.

 

Lookin' good, Tim!

 

Rolled it outside for a look. Body is already back off and I’m back to work.

 

Body has been off again and now it’s back on. Final fitment of door gap is underway. Also time to fit and radius the trunk lid.

 

Looking good!

 

It’s been a while since I posted because it’s been a while since I’ve been in the shop.
I started to mock up the front clip and will decide what I do with the grill.
I also started to radius the trunk lid.





Top and bottom roughed in with the same radius. I need to finesse it so it is smooth and uniform on all corners.

 

I haven’t had much shop time lately , but I did get a couple hours on Sunday. I started to radius the upper corner around the deck lid. I didn’t realize the amount and depth of factory lead that was in the area in the body seam. I removed / disturbed as minimal as I could and will teach myself to lead and will refill/feather the area. Any lead pointers/advice appreciated.




You can see the depth of lead in this pic.


I also rounded the water gutter. I still have to make the vertical piece that will tie in to the gutter, it will not just be an edge, I just ran out of time.

 

Made a little more progress today on the rounded corners. Uppers are done until I get some lead. I need to work on the gap and radius on the edge of the lid.

 

Lookin' good, Tim! I look forward seeing those curves finessed into H-D perfection!

 

Very nice. I used tiger hair then a top coat of rage filler. Didn’t have any lead nor the tools or skills. Based on what I see in this thread you’ll master the lead work easily!

 

Will give it a try. I’ve watched a few videos of Gene Winfield, he definitely makes it look easy , but I know it’s not to lay it right without making a lot of “extra” work.

 

When I melted the lead out in that area of our '38 cabriolet there was a surprizing amount of rust where the factory tinning had been poorly done. I'm glad that I dug deep enough to find it.

Btw, I've really been enjoying following along on your build as I too have a '48 convert build in my future.

 

looking forward to seeing this.....again.....such a cool car

 

come back anytime, especially if you know how to lay down lead!

 

I played around with the Eastwood fake lead and found it easy to work with. Was very happy with the results.

--louis

 

i read that you can not mix Eastwood’s fake lead with the real stuff. I have one of their real lead kits headed my way. I’ve never leaded, so I’ll be practicing on some junk parts.

 

back in high school shop class we did lead a panel....so yah i got some experience....hahahahaha

 

Does the weather strip channeling on the inside of the trunk need to be rounded like the trunk?

Sent from my moto z4 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

They didn’t need to be, but I was afraid water and dirt would get down in there and cause problems later if I didn’t make a continuous channel. Plus this creates a more finished look.

 

I’ve been struggling with what grill to use. My original plan was a ‘49 Ply grill, but it’s been done before and the more I mocked it up, the less I liked it. I started mocking up another idea to retain some of the original look of the grill. Thinking of continuing the upper grill molding to wrap around the sides then have one or two floating bars. Not sold on it yet, just getting a few ideas.

Ply grill


My new idea. I shaped sheet metal to match the radius of the upper grill panel. I would also radius the opening symmetrical with with the curve/radius at the corner. Similar to a ‘42 grill surround.

 

With option 2 would you use the stock turn signals? My personal tastes fall to the "floating grill bar" style, but the esthetic choice belongs to you.

 

Likely not. Haven’t decided on frenching / recessing the headlights yet, but I likely will.