Projects T&A Flathead Builds a '48 RagTop

I didn’t like the way this turned out. It bothered me ever since I posted the above photos, so I cut some of it out and made a gutter. Not done yet but it’s tacked in place. Also have the drivers side metal fab 1/2 done.



Once I get the gutters done, I’ll trim and smooth the radius on the deck lid.

 

That's much better, I wasn't liking it the first way at all!

 

I absolutely hated it after I saw the picture, I don’t know what I was thinking. That’s what I like about metal work, cut it out if you don’t like it and start over.

 

I got the drivers side gutter tacked in. Final weld and finish work remains on both sides. So glad I decided to redo what I did a few days ago. Thanks for not being too critical on me on my first attempt , but I can admit my own mistakes.



now to fine tune and match the radius

 

Looking very good. Like the second fix much better. Keep going!

 

Kudos for your courage, man. Not many of us would have attempted the "learning as I go"
route! Coming along nicely.

 

Worked on finessing the radiused edges of the trunk lid. I used 1/8” rod to make a smooth radius in all 4 corners. Looks much better.



Also filled the trunk handle holes. I think it is ready for blasting, rear fenders are too.

 

Started messing around with the headlights.
Just getting ideas.

 

Now your talking! Looks way better...

 

Please use the original grill with the top chrome bar removed and filled, the plymouth grill looks ugly and modern. And 52 Ford headlight rims for frenching.

 

I’m not using the Plymouth grille anymore. Decided that was not the way I wanted to go a while ago. I fabbed up a modified original grille bar that I may go with using other crossbars. I may mold in (or radius) the exchange between the fender/fender extension and the grill bar so it doesn’t look like a bolt on grille.
after I French the headlights, I will take another look at the grille. Using 52 ford style Headlight rings to French the headlights still requires a lot of metal work to allow the flow from the fender to the frenched ring, otherwise it looks like a nipple.

Thanks for the input, Always open to suggestions and ideas.

 

Here is a photoshop rendering of the grille if I stay on the path that I am on. The headlight photoshop is not very good since all I did was color it in.
Also, I am leaning towards smoothing the transition to the grille surround.

 

Headlights recessed. Tacked in place. A lot of work to do to flow the fender into the ring.

 

I am playing around with a grille change, this time a ‘49 Cadillac grille. Barris put one in a ‘48 Merc




Early mock up pic.



If I decide to use this grille, I’ll detail all the modifications I made to the grille. It’s narrowed 4.5” and I recessed the lower horizontal grille bar 1.5”so it doesn’t protrude past the center bar.

To make the grille look like is belongs in the car I want it to fit right with the fender extensions and hood without it looking like it has a fat upper lip. I also shortened and re-radiused the nose of the hood. A lot of work left to do, but I am liking the look of the Cadillac grille.

 

Looking good!

 

Imho, I've seen a lot of custom grilles on the 46-48 Fords and it's hard to beat Henry's original work. The Olds option does have a certain eye appeal though.

I've been following your build with a lot of interest.

 

Nice work on the lights. Not a fan of the frenched headlights that stick a mile out past the fender. They look wrong no matter how well done.

 

Thanks and agreed. The lights aren’t done yet. I have pieces made to make the fender flow into the French light ring better.

 

you cant go wrong with the Caddy grille, but your first grill was certainly Kool

 

It’s been a while since I had any shop time, but I got some in today. Still working on the hood and latch but made some good progress.

 

What about the center section of that grill in the ford outer section?

 

Love the Caddy grille. Great to lose that odd surround that the Ford had originally.

 

Looking very good! I like the cad grille the best of all your tries so far. I really like the hood modification. Keep the good work up!

 

that is an interesting idea. Will have to think on that a bit.

 

Thanks @hotrod1948 and @James D , progress is slow but at least it’s progress. Building hotrods is faster than building customs.

 

Spent a couple of minutes at the shop on my way home from work. Did a little fitting and trimming in the grille. I have a plan, I think it’s working. A lot more to go, but the grill is coming along.

 

That is looking on target. The only thing is the ends of the center bar. Wonder if you could make some glass spear tip shaped lights to use as running lights.

 

Was thinking about the same thing. I’m saving those for last. My idea to explore is using a ‘49 ford park light.

 

Inspirational pic...keep up the great work, Tim!

 

A little work on smoothing the transition to the frenched headlight rings. It flows much better.



I’ll work them a little more and will lead them later.
Back to work on the grille.