Projects 1931 Olds 5W Coupe Build

No argument here, there is no replacement for displacement.
My thoughts were though that a 2000 lbs car with 200hp is going to feel the same as a 4000 lbs car with 400hp, but look 10 times cooler!

As all thing are, especially in the area of hotrods, to each his own.

 

So after a very long time at the sandblasters, voila! He did a pretty good job I know it can be tough sandblasting sheet metal. I did however encounter some distortion, especcially in the roof where it was open and able to move.....2 steps forward, 1 back....still progress right?

 

400 hp in 2000lb car is 10 times as much fun,lol ..love it dude.

 

Simply can't argue with that logic!

 

Putting it all back together now. I tacked the door back in place but I'm having a real hard time with the door gap.



New pillar fabbed and installed, 1st step in replacing all that lumber.

The door gap issue is becoming a problem, anybody else find that once the doors go back on the gap is real uneven? Mine is not even close, narrows by 3/16" in places, won't flush up in plane either, sticks out 1/4" top and bottom when center hinge is flush???? Frustrating, either the door warped or the body did?

 

Getting the doors to line up has been a real challenge, that and getting them to operate smoothly. I think I have it cased though. Just have a small panel adjustment to do at the bottom, I think over the years the lower panels on the body that were not supported pulled in. I guess the 80 year old girl has a few "saggy" spots....to be expected I guess, reconstructive surgery is under way!

 

So a little more done, re fit the headers to the old inline, looks pretty good sitting there.


Also working on the subfloor. Trying to cram everything in there and keep as much space for me as possible, also had to re-make the clutch linkage...again.

 

Nice looking project

 

Looks pretty good to me. I like what you did with that frame.

 

Thanks I had some momentum going early on that I have lost got to get back into it this fall/winter. This weekend project is going to be building a wooden steering wheel.

 

Great progress so far! I would love to hear what that 6er sounds like with those headers! And please make sure you post pics of your steering wheel build!

 

I am not much for fenders either. here's a pic of my brothers 31 Chevy. Full fenders and a 455 olds. We had the same problem with the doors. Just keep at it they come around.

 

So heres my atempt at a functioning steering wheel.
Started with a few pcs of oak glued and clamped, routered in a steel ring and epoxied it into place.


Once that hardened I could finish routering out the wheel and then round the edges.
1 last oak cap ring to go on yet tonight (hopelully) and I can sand and stain it.

 

Nice job on the steering wheel!

 

It helps when the center section is in decent shape and made of aluminum, a little sanding and polishing and it looks new. Well.... not exactly new its got some healthy dings in it so it still shows its age (which I like) but a new oak wheel definitly helps. Clamped the top section last night so I should have more tomorrow.

 

Got the clamps off last night and routered the last piece down.

Needs a little sanding and some stain/laquer to preserve it and we are down!
The only issue I had aside from wrecking 1 oak board was tear outs, I wish I had bought a better set of router bits to start with, in the end (not including the new tools) I spent under $50 for this.

 

Nice project I am doing a 31 Pontiac and I am also running an inline 6 a Pontiac OHC with a 4 speed. Are you running exhaust under the car or just the lake headers

 

Just the Lakes, I trimmed down a couple of cherry bombs and installed them in the ends as baffles....to keep the local constabulatory off my back

 

The steering wheel looks great! Keep up the good work!!

 

I am with you NO FENDERS

 

nice job on the wheel

 

awesome work on the 'wheel!
i've got some oak and mahogany just waiting for the same thing...

 

Thanks, I like the idea that the one thing I touch the most in the car (steering wheel) is handmade!
Progress continues, 2 whole days worth, pics to follow as I finally got the body over the frame again and tacked down, Doors line up pretty good so far, little tweaking to do but man does it sit low! First time actually sitting in the car....4" Chop, 4" Chanel gets you into a damn low ceiling height!



Dual carbs look pretty good on the one side if I do say so myself!

 

Quick question, I was looking at the trunk last night, The opening on the body measures 40 1/4" the trunk measures 41" How is it that before I started these 2 pieces fit together with some clearance and now they dont???? I have not sectioned the body at all so how did it shrink in width by 1" +/- ??

 

Reinforcing the body shots.

 

Love this car,damn you. lol

 

Its a gunna be puuurdee! Thanks I apreciate it.

Also broke down and decided that the DIY whitewalls were not going to cut it, so Coker will be taking $1000 of my money in exchange for a brand spankin new set....after xmas! Maybe santa will bring them?
L48-15 in back and 560-15 in front? possibly 640-15 in front depending on how much of the "big and little" look I go for.

 

So a little progress today, not much really but I was proud of it so here it is...

http://youtu.be/DYvbg9T8EGY

Not sure if this is going to work trying to post this and upload video to youtube from my iPhone?

It's supposed to show the door functioning!


Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad

 

I am inspired thank you for your talent you have some great ideas