Register now to get rid of these ads!

Projects 32 5W Build - The $4K Swapmeet Body

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by NealinCA, Feb 2, 2023.

  1. NealinCA
    Joined: Dec 12, 2001
    Posts: 3,333

    NealinCA
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I bought this 5w body at the LA Roadster Show swapmeet back in 2018. I had been looking for a 5w body for quite a while. We were at the swapmeet and my budy Josh Carrillo called and says that there is a 5w coming into the swap on a trailer. He followed the load to their spaces and waited until I go over there. There was already a crowd forming. I was second in line, and as soon as the first guy (Vern from the Choppers) said he already had enough projects and stepped away, I stepped in, made an offer and shook hands. All in about 15 minutes from when they pulled in the gate. Josh was in the right place right time and I am thankful he called me.

    Even though it had been an old channeled hot rod, with no floors and rough quarters, the doors, cowl and roof were in really good condition...and it was an very affordable way for me to get into a 32 5w!
    [​IMG]
    I found a complete chassis with coupe title locally and brought that home
    [​IMG]
    With some other parts I had gathered up, we did a quick mockup.
    [​IMG]
    With the body on the chassis, located with the firewall and rear fenders, be braced it up and pulled it back apart to begin repairs.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    We started stripping the quarters and found that fenders had been welded on, then cut off with a torch. Not good
    [​IMG]
    We decided the best option was to order a new United Pacific floor and rear quarters
    [​IMG]
    I had done some trading with my good friend Josh at Carrillo Customs, so he did the panel replacement
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    As well as cowl and door patches and put a cowl vent back in, as it had been welded and leaded in.
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2023
  2. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 21,475

    alchemy
    Member

    Welcome back Neal!
     
  3. NealinCA
    Joined: Dec 12, 2001
    Posts: 3,333

    NealinCA
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I started gathering old chrome for the 5W I knew I would own someday, long before I found the body.

    Original Bell Auto Parts tube axle, 32 wishbone, perches, spindles, PSI shackles and 39-40 Lincoln brakes
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Old chrome 32 trans case with chrome 39 double detent top
    [​IMG]
    So with these parts, I decided it was time for another mock up.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    It then sat in the back corner of my shop, with little to no progress for a year or two. I had a little shop open house, so rolled the car out, did a wheel and tire change and got a little more inspired.
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2023
  4. Tow Truck Tom
    Joined: Jul 3, 2018
    Posts: 2,616

    Tow Truck Tom
    Member
    from Clayton DE

    A Star is born.
    Happy days to you
     
    porkshop and Stogy like this.
  5. el Scotto
    Joined: Mar 3, 2004
    Posts: 4,720

    el Scotto
    Member
    from Tracy, CA

    Man that's awesome! Another cool one to add to the herd!

    I may have to reach out to Carillo about assembling some bodies I've ended up with. He's local and looks like he does good work!
     
    porkshop, Stogy and nochop like this.
  6. krylon32
    Joined: Jan 29, 2006
    Posts: 9,902

    krylon32
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Nebraska
    1. Central Nebraska H.A.M.B.

    Your project looks and in typical Neal fashion will be a show stopper. I can relate to your project. When I bought my 5 window it was a channeled car with no sills or floor, the rear fenders had been bolted on twice above the wheel wells and it looked like the front fenders had been bolted to the front edge of the cowl plus the vent was filled. We used UP sills and floor, Brookville vent assembly and wheel wells and a UP under deck panel. My guy saved the front and rear quarters which remarkably did not need patch panels. A plus was the doors and top which were almost perfect. Sadly like most of my builds it moved on and lives in Oregon. Good luck.
     
  7. F-head
    Joined: Oct 20, 2007
    Posts: 1,272

    F-head
    Member

    Lookin good Neal
     
    Stogy and kidcampbell71 like this.
  8. NealinCA
    Joined: Dec 12, 2001
    Posts: 3,333

    NealinCA
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    A few more details. The car had 41-48 Chevy tail lights and a Hollywood style license plate frame and light in the old tail panel, so I decided to stay with that combination.
    [​IMG]
    After some careful measuring and moving lights up/down and side to side, I ended up with this.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  9. Fogger
    Joined: Aug 18, 2007
    Posts: 1,863

    Fogger
    Member

    This is going to be great. All those parts collected will contribute. Looking forward to the completion.
     
    Stogy likes this.
  10. brady1929
    Joined: Sep 30, 2006
    Posts: 9,437

    brady1929
    Member

    Amazing hot rod.
     
    Stogy likes this.
  11. Black Panther
    Joined: Jan 6, 2010
    Posts: 2,270

    Black Panther
    Member
    from SoCal

    Looks awesome..
     
    Stogy likes this.
  12. -Brent-
    Joined: Nov 20, 2006
    Posts: 7,537

    -Brent-
    Member

    Neal, of course it's amazing! Your attention to detail always comes through.
     
    Stogy and kidcampbell71 like this.
  13. nochop
    Joined: Nov 13, 2005
    Posts: 4,137

    nochop
    Member
    from norcal

    I like those tail lights EAAED367-B9D0-484A-8255-FED70AF3C849.jpeg
     
  14. dwollam
    Joined: Oct 22, 2012
    Posts: 2,510

    dwollam
    Member

    I'm currently building a '32 Fordor but I favor the 5w coupes above the others. Yours is looking great!

    Dave
     
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2023
  15. Outstanding
     
    Stogy likes this.
  16. deuceguy
    Joined: Nov 10, 2002
    Posts: 526

    deuceguy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Really nice work! I may have questions as I've just started unchanneling my 5W window too.
     
    Stogy and Atwater Mike like this.
  17. Fantastic! (But I'm not surprised;))
     
    Stogy and big duece like this.
  18. big duece
    Joined: Jul 28, 2008
    Posts: 6,897

    big duece
    Member
    from kansas

    Yes, the United floor system is the way to go on a channeled 32. Awesome work Neal... 2013-11-27 22.38.31-1.jpg
     
  19. Looking good Neal. Like the chrome parts. I think one of the key appearance factors is the suspension setup and stance; looks like you have that sitting great.
     
    porkshop and Stogy like this.
  20. dirt car
    Joined: Jun 26, 2010
    Posts: 1,272

    dirt car
    Member
    from nebraska

    At it as always
     
    Stogy likes this.
  21. He’s back! Glad to see it. One of the most talented people on here.
     
    Stogy and -Brent- like this.
  22. NealinCA
    Joined: Dec 12, 2001
    Posts: 3,333

    NealinCA
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Another piece I had long before the body were these old purple hood tops with 5" louvers...
    [​IMG]
    I am still on the hunt for hood sides with two rows of either 4" or 5" louvers, but they need to be these old style spaced at 1-1/8", just like original 32 hood side louvers. Anyone?
     
    HEMI32, The37Kid, Stogy and 15 others like this.
  23. NoSurf
    Joined: Jul 26, 2002
    Posts: 4,600

    NoSurf
    Member

    That's gonna be a beauty.
     
    Stogy likes this.
  24. Uncle Ronn
    Joined: Mar 23, 2015
    Posts: 129

    Uncle Ronn
    Member
    from Modesto CA

    You make it look so easy!
     
    Stogy and Outback like this.
  25. Outback
    Joined: Mar 4, 2005
    Posts: 2,843

    Outback
    Member
    from NE Vic

    What a cool coupe! I will subscribe & Follow along :)

    It's going to look really sharp!
     
    Stogy likes this.
  26. Magfiend
    Joined: Sep 11, 2019
    Posts: 473

    Magfiend
    Member

    Neal, the car looks amazing! Any chance the old quarters are still around and available???
     
    Stogy and Squablow like this.
  27. NealinCA
    Joined: Dec 12, 2001
    Posts: 3,333

    NealinCA
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Sorry, those quarters went to a swapmeet and are long gone
     
    porkshop, Stogy and PINEAPPLE like this.
  28. Looks like the perfect home for that Bell tube axle we sold ya! Great to see some more detailed pictures and story to go with.
     
  29. Wow! That Bell tube axle is one rare bird!
    Beautiful build.
     
    porkshop, Stogy and rod1 like this.

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.