Projects winter project - "so let's chop a 40 coupe (and fab everything else possible...)

The cowl mounts were nonexistent

so using the frame scrap made a support that will also attach the door hinges.



the lower firewall was gone too so whipped out these front mounts which really stiffened up the body.


now that the body could be mounted,
started to work on the crossmembers.
First wanted to cut some holes in the inner plate though.

using .188 2x4 prefabbed the crossmembers.
This is the pedal mount which solved and created problems...


...
TP

 

Now the majority of the frame is done.


Still need to do the suspension points, holes for spring u-bolts, lite frame gusseting,
bottom welding of the crossmembers...
and the rear tranny/engine mounts/crossmember but need to wait to find exact measurements.

At least now I can see what it will really look like!



TP

 

Thanks for the props!
I have a kinda original 40 coupe, well it has the floorboards and stuff,
so i've been using that as a template.
This makes it really easy cause the "wescott" frame diagram is really vague,
although it is precise in some measurements, there are no body placement measurements.

This body will be "sectioned" 1.25 inches basically by lowering the body towards the frame.
I've been using the upper reveal line to the runningboards as the "fixed" measurement,
(and also the door lines)

If you notice the fender to cowl part was cut out since the fenders will be "raised" that 1+",
alot of work but on my photochop it had a sleeker look, so I think it will be worth it.

SMOKINFLATHEAD-Can we get a side profile picture now that the fenders are on?!
-not without giving away the engine in it,
but here's a sidebyside shot. The rusty 40 is probably 1.5" higher than its sposta be.


TP

 

QUOTE=bangngears;3332570]40 coupes are perfect the way they came out of the factory,why would anyone want to screw up something so pretty is sick.[/QUOTE]

I love the replies but there's a 13 page story already!

Anyway here's a SS version of the stock fender mount.

my camera fried for the other ones so will post em up soon.


Here's a "title" pic so guys know the chops already done!

from this!


TP

 

The engine is so heavy that the plan is to have it set back and kinda low.
This hopefully will help the driving characteristics too.
I had it mocked up a little forward but it woulda been so high the distributor would be out of the hoodline...
BUmmer about the firewall but i've got a plan...


There is a big gap in front,

Probably gonna have the radiator out back too.

The headers will be crazy enough but here's another couple shots...




TP

 

Thanks guys!
We have alot of what the job calls steel and stainless scrap,
but more than I would buy at once!
(like if you buy 200 feet and have 30 feet extra...)
So during work hours I'll try to scrimp as much as possible to keep the scrap for my projects!
The stuff is amazingly stiff if you do the "triangulation" double bar trick.

Also DREWFUS -
You musta overheard our conversation!
At the old shop I had this old T-bird blower that woulda been neat to retrofit on there even.

Another friend mentioned converting the rear distributor to a front CAM drive distributor,
like in the early flatheads!

I can also imagine twin turbos but just getting it running would be cool too...

TP

 

OK, I'm not gonna repost ALL the posts from the BELLHOUSING TECH, so here it is...
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=328096

But here are some "snapshots"

all the templates...


turned into...


fit good...


finished up looked like..


Thanks guys for all the votes last month too!!!!

TP

 

Than did this tech project,
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=317172
really changed the project.

Here's a couple snapshots...

started with..



made a plate-steel press-mold...


with 2 stampings made this...


and after a quick patch panel repair...





TP

 

but couldn't quit there...






TP

 

The tech month kinda wiped me out,
it took me a while to get back in the groove, still tryin actually!

So recently started on the rear suspension.

cut and attached '36 radius rods, then angled them down by piecutting to get the right rearend angle.

Also started on some torque-arms...

I got distracted by the firewall so hopefully they'll be finished soon...

TP

 

The engine was so set-back it was hiding in the firewall.
NOTE THE DISTRIBUTOR LOCATION!
It is waaay back in there, I really wanted to move the firewall back an inch or 2.
sooo...
Since the cowl was so scrappy one night I just cut off alot of it...

It sat like this for a couple weeks.
I lost my plan of attack, but the only way to start was by removing the fenders...

without the fenders, it was easy to put the steering box/plate in,
will probably angle the shaft a little higher, and also shorten the shaft a little...


That bellhousing fits perfect.
The arm is a little long though, but an easy fix, will do that when linkages are started.

TP

 

(only had cellphone pics excuse the blurr...)

so tonight (sunday) made an effort to try to get at least part of the firewall in.
First the original forward uprights were moved back almost 2 inches,
giving a little more clearance for the oil filler.
Then made some cardboard templates of what I needed,
and cut out the original firewall pieces, tacked em in...


using the same rusty sheetmetal,
made some replacement triangles,
(i screwed up the first set! so these were the seconds, a little better angle...)


after tedious fitting and welding, they came out ok.

The vertical part is extended about an inch.


I'm not too happy with the way it looks,
but at least its re-supported the body and its half-done for now.
(Once the headers are in - there'll be a collector over the fender - ear splitters!
Hopefully we won't notice the firewall as much!)

It was amazing how floppy it was without the firewall/front mount.
Now at least the doors and hinges can be made up too.
The middle firewall is tough cause the distributor is set in the middle far back,
so I'll need a bubble off center.

Now we're all up to date as of sunday the 15th!

TP

 

This build gets better and better . . . . Absolutely amazing!

 

Impressive. How you have done the holes in the frame?

Luca

 

Nice work keep the post going.

 

What a Cadillac Flatty weigh in at? I almost considered running one in my coupe.

Looks like it's coming along nicely though!

 

WOW your a metal master keep up the great posts

 

All I can say is wow! You do some amazing work!

 

crazy good stuff here!!!!

 

WOW! keep the pics coming!

 

I have been following this one and must say this proves it right here that there is never a car to rough to be put back together. Just those who are not willing to man up and take on the project. Great work I can only wonder what is next. Kepp it coming.......................Oh Yeah were the hell do you get the Detroit Diesal green because I have been looking all over for it locally and these jerks don't carry it. ..................lol............I like that color alot.

 

looks great, this is the kind of ambition and vision that made the well known cars and thier builders from way back well known today!

 

This is one hell of a resurection of a dead '40 being put to good use!

 

Thanks guys for all the interest!

After seeing all the pictures,
I kinda forgot how much work its taken just to get to this point!
The problem sometimes is realizing how much more time and thought (and $)
its going to take to get it done!
Sometimes it gets a little overwhelming...

I'm off a little early cause of the rain down here,
so hopefully I can finish or start something worthy of another update!

TP

 

great work. As I have said time and time again the talent on here is amazing. Good luck with the rest.

 

Cool to see the new thread with more pics! One of my fav's, I just love seeing someone put the effort into making something out of what most people would consider a car not even usable for parts! Keep us updated please!!

 

fuck yeah. when you're finished this thread needs to be renamed "the zibo coupe build" and put in tech-o-matic... awesome work, awesome posts. thanks dude.

 

Welp I lose. hahahahhahahaa. This project is amazing, totally jaw dropping. Im keeping up on this FO SHO.

 

I never seen a 39-40 coupe chopped that I like till now-looking good

 

TP - The firewall is starting to take shape...but I still think you need to make a front drive distributor! But glad to see you back in the groove on this project. You inspire me to keep going on mine.

Neal