Projects T&A Flathead Builds a '48 RagTop

I really like the Cadillac grille and I think '49 Ford parking lights would work perfectly to finish the ends of that center bar, plus they'd be functional there.

 

I hammered out the original turn signal area. Would have been easier to start with nice 46 fenders but I could find any that didn’t have the same rust issues mine did. Also started figuring out where I’m going to cut to remove the rust.

 

You are going to be a master welder after this project.

 

haha. Looking back, I have laid down quite a few feet of weld on this rust bucket. All that’s left is the rust on the front fenders. I’ll have those fixed by next weekend.

 

Front fender progress. I used pieces from the fenders off my parts car and made repair panels.

 

Finished up the drivers fender and started on the pass side.

 

Nice work!

 

Passenger side fender fixed.



Back to work on final fitment and modifications to the grille.

 

A little more work on the grille. Added some mounting tabs and other final fitment work. Also shaped the center bar ends into radiused spears. Also welded round stock to the radius on the fenders to fill the gap between the grille. I have way too many hours in this grille.

 

That's looking good, Tim! Too many hours? Yer just makin' it right and tight.

 

Sporting a PortaWall! Old school at its finest....

 

A porta what???

 

The grille looks fantastic! Nice work!

 

Sweet!

 

If you do t know what Porta Walls are they are a whitewall ring that tucks between the tire bead and the rim to give a low cost white wall “look”.

 

I really like that you used the existing frame and extra parts to complete the engine mounts and the rear frame to lower the stance when sitting with the body weight. Also keeping the closed drive shaft. What was used in adapting the five speed to the Y- block? Thanks for a great build.

 

@Dangerous Dan Thanks for the comments. The trans is a T170 from a mid 80s Ford F-150. It’s a 3sod with OD. I’m using an offy y-block to early ford trans adapter and an MEC adapter.

 

That's basically the same transmission I had in my '31 coupe behind a pretty strong flatty. It cruised the highways like crazy with the overdrive. Great option.

 

Going for a little of this?

 

@Fortunateson , that is a good one.

 

I haven’t touched this car since March. Kids, work , house projects , and etc keep getting in the way. Cleaned up the shop today. Hope to be spending more time in the garage soon.

 

I like these long term threads. Gonna read the whole thing.

 

Glad to see this thread pop up again. Life happens & you just can't stop it!

 

Great to see you are back at it. Slow but steady eventually gets it done!

 

Well how’s it going? The world is waiting with bated breath for an update....

 

Hey, Tim, checking in to see if you have an update for us ravenous hanger-on-ers!

 

Haven't made much progress lately. But I did get something done today. I’m working on getting the hood gap up front where I reshaped it to be correct and uniform.

 

Not much of an update, but I have a helper now.

 

Holy smoke she's getting big! Glad it's happening again.

 

Good to see progress, also good to see you're teaching your helper about proper eye protection. Those are good lessons to learn.