Way back in 2007 I had a thread on building this Vicky http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=169303 At that point it was pretty much a complete roller and we blew it apart for finishing. I got the chassis done, painted, reassembled but I just couldn't get motivated to do the body because in all honesty I hated it. When I built it the owner (good friend as well) wanted the roof filled and wanted to make sure the roof had a crown to it, he said almost all 32's with filled roofs look to "flat" to him. Seeing as how he was paying the bill that's what I did. He liked it, I hated it. I since made and installed drip rails and replaced the fabricated firewall with a repop to help get away from the glass car look (no offense to glass car owners!) but that roof still didn't look right to me. Despite that I had probably 40 hours in metal finishing it, he liked it and there was no way he'd pay me to change it I did what I had to do, I cut the top back out. Didn't even ask him, he wasn't real happy to come in a see the roof gone. I fabricated a lip with a 3/16 step to form an opening like a stock 32, fabbed up a framework with hardwood bows. The only consession was I did add a solid panel across so it doesn't have chicken wire but we'll go over the tin with a Juliano's top kit so it look close to original. Funny thing when I was done the owner was thrilled, we both agree it looks tons better (he hasn't offered to pay for the work though). Now the major step foward, it has paint!!! I'm real happy with it, I think it looks damn good considering the isn't any bondo in it and I'm soooo glad to be done with the prime/ blocking sessions (3) which is always the part I hate most. No pics but we finished the cut and buff Friday, Tuesday the body is going on the frame for the last time, then finally assembly, my favorite part. FWIW we originally planned on Washington blue but when another shop across town got on this kick and started painting everything he did Washington blue we changed. It's 32 Ford Brewster Green, the frame, fenders and belt line trim will be a dark Brewster Green. I think I'm going to like it, kinda classy looking, regardless there won't be many like it at a run! 13 years in the making and it's all downhill from here!
Looks great and a good color choice/combo. Assembly is definitely better than block sanding! Button her up!
No kidding, especially on this old body with arthritus! After finishing the block sanding on this one I looked at the other 4 cars in bare metal in the shop, bit the bullit and hired a full time body guy. Wasn't cheap, stole him from a high end resto shop but the qulity of his work is well worth it, maybe my block sanding days are over.
I don't see how it was any business to change something he liked, he shouldn't have to pay for it. Lucky for you he liked it, it would have been funny if you had to put it back the way it was for free.
I'll be the first to admit that I have no eye for style... I think it looks VERY good both ways, I'm glad that you found found a compromise that makes you both happy!
Yes I'm digging the color - really want to see the fender color too. I have a dark green car in the pipeline and no it's not a Prius
Like I said, he's a close friend so it's not like he's a normal "customer". We have a long history of building cars together so when I changed it I knew it would be ok. He trusts my judgement and I was ok not charging him for it.
I see what you mean by the "fiberglass look". The original idea did make the car look like a "fiberglass car". I have a neighbor that did the same thing to a '38 Ford. He designed his own fenders and doors and gave the car a "hard top". It looks just like a fiberglass body.
It's a car! well sort of, still makes me happy to have the body on the frame for the last time. Nerve racking with paint on it, especially getting the firewall to pop into place. These 32 firewalls were not Henry's best idea the way the go in. Now you can kinda get the idea how the colors are going to work, the frame and gas tank are the darker Brewster green. Once I get the beltline painted the darker green I'll add a stock type pinstripe to it in the same cream as the wheels to tie it all together. Funny, 40 years ago when I was a full time custom painter (70's style you know) if you told me someday I'd paint a Deuce with a "stock" paint job and that I'd like it I'd laugh. Guess I've changed.
I'm not real familiar with how those go together. What do you mean "pop the firewall into place? How did you do that without damaging the paint? That is a great color
On a 32 the firewall bolts to the frame and other then a couple small bolts on top it's just a compression fit once the body is bolted down with a gasket (seal) between the firewall and body. The trick is the body is slightly narrower at the bottom so you have to pry it apart slightly to get it to "pop" over a flange on the firewall that holds the gasket. And, yes, we did chip a little paint, easy touch up though.
I really like the paint you have picked on this deuce. Can't wait to see it all come together..Nice work, and I am for one am glad you went the extra mile and changed the top back to orignal, looks much better. Props to ya on this....We need more body men like you.
The Jalopy Journal
