So I wanted to build a traditional 40’s Custom. But I already have other personal projects going and don’t have a ton of cash to drop on another car. My buddy calls me, and tells me of a 35 Ford four door sedan on craigslist for $1500. So I check it out and came up with this Idea. Cut the roof off and make it a sedan convertible, Build a Carson style top 1939 Lasalle Humpback grafted in 1939 Lasalle windshield frame 1939 Lasalle hood and Grill (yes I had a LaSalle parts car) 1937 ford windshield glass and trim 59ab flat head 1932 ford bumpers 1937 Ford dash Flipper hubcaps Un-suicide the rear doors All this and I’m in the car under $2000 So tonight after I did this concept drawing I said to myself, I should post this on the HAMB. maybe A new member or someone lurking on the HAMB will be inspired to not be a pussy, go out and build a traditional car on a budget . Besides what better car to learn on, If you screw it up your only out $1500. Its just a four door sedan so who cares. <p> <o></o> <o></o>
I'm still metalflakin and chrome taping (Roth did it) the roof on my 60 'Sabre cuz I like 60's customs. No spiderwebs tho. I like your idea of a 40's custom, you just don't see a lot of them. I agree, let's hope someone gets inspired.
Do it Matt....looks good to me. Will there be updates like the "Legion"? You do killer work and I'm sure most would want to see this build.
well Fraz you made me go back and read my post again, and I sounded like a dick. So I did an edit. basicly what I said was allot of guys new to hot rods and customs end up in late 60s 4 doors because they are cheaper,but with a little work you can be in a traditional custom for just as cheap.
Great idea, great project. Four door sedan bodies from the 30's and early 40's make excelent padded topped early style customs.
yes, I'm going to post the build, but I probably wont get rolling on this car till the legion spl is done. KIRKS a slave driver.
Great idea. If those two pics are of the subject car it looks to be in pretty good shape. I see that it still has the 16" wires that you won't be needing. Don't forget about the $$$ that you can get from selling the parts that you won't be using. Your original $1500 investment could be cut in half. Good luck.
those pics of the 35 customs on you period correct mb are killing me. I have never been a fan of the 35 grill, but seeing them painted makes me change my mind. they look good with stock wheels too. could you post a couple of those pics here.
This was a '40 Merc FOUR DOOR sedan when Brewsir started out with it. Just for some inspiration, see what's possible and "Go for it!"
For inspiration... I think this one was started from a 36 Ford two door sedan... With a hood this would look a whole lot better... but you get the idea... From another Hamb posting...
Good idea! We are many that are on a limited budget, me included.. A suggestion, I hope I not offend you, would be to sell the -32 bumpers and instead buy something late 30's early 40's for it... -41 Plymouth maybe?
Those are some nice looking sketches Matt. If you can make it look like that, I say it is a winner of a project. Nice to see something a little different, but still refined and classy. Personally, I don't find much attraction to suicide doors myself, but also curious as to why you would un-suicide the doors. Project wasn't going to quite enough work, so you just decided to throw it in to make it worth the effort.
If you lookat the pic of the rear of the car the lower hinge is in the midle of the door. do to the rear fender you cant lower it any more. basicly the hinges on the back doors would be about 8" apart and have about 14" to the bottom of the door. It would take only one stupid friend to bend it.
Thanks for the input. If there is any part of the concept Im going to change, it will be the bumpers. the 32's just happen to be the only bumpers I own at this time. I might have a line up on some 40's Olds bumpers.
Think of it like...I dunno, a Nor Cal legacy, that your idea is consistent with: Dick Bertolucci and Harry Westergard were friends, and Bertolucci offered Westergard a place to work that wasn't his mother back yard. And through some contact, the Barris brothers got in the mix, and built their first customs in Sacramento. And Westergard drove his '55 T-Bird into a tree on the Delta levee road, but that's another story. High time we collectively started imagining or constructing early customs. Sure, there are lots of cars that emulate it, but I think it would be great if it got more traction, especially in the context that you presented it...a "budget" build. And the hook here is that you are in Nor Cal. It's kismet.
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