Well here are some pics of my 48 Thames that I just got. I've been so excited. Thames' are one of my all time favorites since I was a kid. I have several models I have built etc. This one got posted here and I nabbed it as fast as I could! Really nice old body, minimal rust and damage. It was an old hot rod at some point so there are a few crude mods, but nothing I can't overcome. It screams for a straight axle and old rear etc, but I personally really like the ground hugging aggressive look. I will not modify the body any more than I have to. It will have a soft top etc again, but it will definately need some structure added for strength etc. My plans are a Fatman front end with coilovers, and a triangulated 4 bar rear, 350/th400 combo, The slotted wheels pictured with a 9" ford rear. I want it to look really bad ass, but be totally driveable and reliable. But I have some gasser pics and they look really good that way too. Man I'm stoked, but I have to save some $'s or sell a car to get moving on it. Later, Rusty
FatMan would be good!! I put one under my 48 Austin gasser and drove the H out of it!! I may be biased though since I build "em!! Dave @ fatmanfab.com
Gassers may be cool, but if you already have a plan to drop it and make it look aggressive, then go that way. I have to admit, I have built a few of those models myself, but none of them were ever gasser style.
This may sound paradox but there is a guy near me who has a stock appearing Thames van but it has a V8 60 under the hood with 2-2s and Edelbrock heads. I understand your quandary in wanting to build it two different ways, but in the end it is all about being able to live with it on a daily basis, drivability etc. if you want it to be a long term keeper - and who wouldn't?
I think the gasser style is soon to be beaten into the ground (if not there now), but there are a few body styles that were very typical of gassers in their heyday,and you have one. There are few cars that I would suggest a gasser style build for but this is one.
I think the gasser craze has been done to death as of late. Use a turbo 350, they can be built just as strong as a 400, are smaller, and use less H.P. Good luck with your project.
Just give up, and I'll be there with the truck and trailer in a week.... Don't take this the wrong way, sir, but I hate you. 8) That is one of the cars on my Bucket List.... CAE straight axle, narrowed Olds, ladder bars, kidney bean Halibrands....
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