Projects Soldiers Joy, A pre 40`s Custom.

So it`s been 4 years since I started this build. Didn`t even have a body at that time. Will be heading north soon to get some fenders and hood pieces. Parts are hard to come by. Here`s a better pic of the Deluxe headlight. I have 4 now. And a set of 33 headlight stands as well as a set of 34`s. Both chrome. Do you know how hard it is to find these. Need to start working on the doors(change out door tops- cut and replace), but dad`s shop isn`t heated and I have a customers high dollar build in the shop now. So cutting metal will have to wait. Bought a 33 Dodge gauge cluster and some tail light parts for a 33. Thanks HAMB members. It`s hard to build a car when all you need is 2 parts that actually fit together.

 

Bought this to get the carbs in sync. Now I just need to go get the motor I found out about last fall. I have 4 carbs now. Only need 2.

 

Another cool find will soon be heading my way. Found in the HAMB classifieds. Will have to be modified. A non existent part that`s fits for my build. Any guesses.

 

You are turning it into a pickup?

 

Nope.

 

Got word they are being shipped from Tennessee. So far every part of my project was purchased from a different town. And from about 12 states.

 

They arrived today. Would post a pic, but my stupid phone won`t allow it. Might have to try this APP thing on the wife`s phone. New technology for me. Sadly, a couple months ago, the guy with the 33 Plymouth convertible passed away. It was out of my budget but it had all the needed parts to convert a coupe into a convertible. The body is a basket case. Maybe that`s why I have been stalling on my project, thinking I could end up with this. The guy was a MOPAR guy, so he had lots and lots and lots of stuff. We`ll see what happens. I will miss him.

 

So this is the end of Feb. On the radio today, it said that this was the coldest month of Feb on record since 1869. With an average temp of 9 degree`s. So it warmed up last week, up to 20 dgree`s. So a roadtrip up North. Last Sunday headed to Sioux City to a Motorsport swapmeet. Not real big but bought a few things. It was a 45 mile an hour drive as it was snowing and the roads were icy. Some places got as much as 8 inches. Then headed North, the roads got better. Darn near to Minnesota. Saw @Wally and bought a truck load of parts. Some front fenders, grille sides, a hood and inner fenders. Plus a few other things. The front fenders are 34 Dodge. What I really wanted to use. But figured I wouldn`t find them. Also the hood sides are 34 Plymouth, also the ones I`ve wanted. But as my luck would have it, the hard to find parts find a way to me. Thanks Wally. This thread sucks with out pic`s. I`ll try to work on that. So that was a 400 + mile venture. Left at 6 in the morning and returned at 7:30 that night. Saw about 8 vehicles stuck in the snow or in the ditch. And saw a minivan hit the center gaurdrail. Also took a wrong turn happened to drive by Daniel Boones place on the way home. That is who I bought the body from. Sadly, he passed away.

 

I might want your 34 Plymouth headlights someday if you decide not to use them.
I hope the parts you got from me help you!

 

I have 2 sets. And yes, the parts will help. Just need a bunch more.

 

Dan Boone or Madrid?


Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.

 

Dan Boone of Rock Valley.

 

Finally sent some money to a HAMBer for a era correct convertible top mechanism parts. Also noticed a piece of plywood bondoed over in one of my parts door. Uff.

 

Yowza, last time I saw something slathered on that thick was on my cake at my 1st birthday party.

 

Did a mock-up of parts I have gotten so far.

 

There's no part of that mock-up that I don't like. Those hood sides are especially cool.

 

34 Dodge front fenders. 34 Plymouth hood and hood sides. 33 Plymouth body. Need to graft on a 34 Plymouth cowl to get the better looking dash and to accept the 34 hood sides and hood. Still up in the air as far as grille goes. Did this vvvvv about 6 years ago.

 

Look what I found while trying to organize my magazine collection. December 1954 Rod and Custom. With 37 Desoto bumpers.

 

Back in the day, guys with customs put smooth hood sides on their cars for a much sleeker look. I think I like the 34 Dodge hood sides much better.

 

Finished a 40 Ford coupe and almost have a Model A Coupster done as well for customers. Got a 55 Chevy coming next. This is the 4th anniversary of starting this thread. Was gonna head south to my buddy`s to retrieve my frame from under a car I persuaded him to buy. But things change. Maybe nexy week. Was also gonna haul my 4-dr body home as well. It was free storage at his place. Also need to head east (40 miles) to haul an engine home as well. I have a couple retired freind`s with something itch`in to do.

 

I did buy a couch 3 months ago.

 

When I was a kid growing up. My parents had a couch with this kind of material. Was thinking about it a week before the auction I got the couch from. $110. So, I had to get it. Neat color too. Was thinking I might use the material in my car. But it looks more like something from the 50`s. I got at least 6 yards of fabric and a good bit of hard wood. Also got some old looking bolts as well. Now I need to find some more couches.

 

That's a pretty clean looking 50's modernist couch, kind of a shame to cut it up for a few yards of orange brocade. I like the project overall, but not totally sold on that yet.

 

If you search pre 40`s customs. There are not alot out their. Most are, as we say off the wall. Not your typical builds as we know today. But as far as Coachbuilt cars. We find more examples. As far as material goes. Old original 1950`s material goes for over $100 or more a yard. A guy I`ve known for a while who live a couple hours north came by yesterday. He`s on his way to Vegas. He goes everywhere and is 100% car crazy along with his wife. He mentions he found me a motor in Texas. He`s good friends with the guy`s buddy. Do I want it. I said sure. How much. Just gas money. Yes. He has to go to New Mexico to get some parts and it`s along the way. I told you he was 100% car crazy. Hmmm. Gas money from Texas to Iowa.

 

The gas money might not be a bad deal. Have you priced small block Chevys on Craigslist lately? Just like vintage iron the prices on old engines (even the ones needing to get rebuilt) have gone through the roof. E

 

I only look for old couches on craigs list !

 

I thought the best place to look for old couches was the terrace?

 

So, Wednesday night I cleaned a hole in dad`s shop. Thursday, I borrowed my boy`s pickup and dad`s trailer and headed south with a good friend, Dan. Took the body and front clip off the 34 4-dr sitting on the trailer in the pic above. Placed the ditch find 34 4-dr on to the frame and headed home. The ditch found 34 is in far better shape than the other. Plus, it is mine. The other is Mike`s. That night I started to mark out the pieces on the 4-dr body I need to transfer on to my former coupe body. Somehow, I misplaced my camera. Front window area, a couple hinges, door tops, dash, wheel wells and floor. Need to make quick work of this cutting so I free up the shop. Looks like a big turd in his clean shop. Work will be performed between 10:00 and 1:00 at night. Not every night of coarse. Only free time I have. In an unheated shop. Anybody wanna help, stop on by. Luckily the temps have been rec ord setting highs for December. No aftermarket tin made in Taiwan will be used in this build.

 

This morning I had an hour. So off I went. It was 28 degrees out. Did some cutting. Warmed up my hands when the air compressor was running. Need to not leave my work gloves in the truck overnight. Need to buy a clock for his shop. Took me a bit to learn how to turn his radio on. Remind me to turn on the power strip first. -Here`s a genuine 33 Dodge Convertible from Columbus Nebraska. He is the guy I found my buddy Mike`s 33 Plymouth convertible form. From this angle, mine needs at least a one ta two inch top.

 

.. my other favorite Dodge Plymouth tin thread.