I recently became the proud owner of a '50 shoebox coupe, imported into the uk from Utah. It's a running driving if slightly rotten (usual places) solid base, it seems largely untouched bar a few paint jobs and the odd bit of galvanised tin riveted in. Here are some pics How it arrived in the uk The pictures are very kind to it The plan Sort the car mechanically and Saftey wise and get it on the road as a driver with custom touches and then given time and money sort the body properly , keeping it mild and traditional. So spots, fender skirts, sombreros, lower it 3" front 4" rear and some 6.70 bias ww. Warm flathead. Where we are now Foxcraft Front suspension stripped chassis cleaned and painted loads of bit s on order, ball joints, kingpins trunnions , etc. Accessory spot lamp , one for now Also losing the overriders and have some pontiac sombreros on the way The goal
Looks like a great start. Can't go wrong with a shoe. Popular, simple to build and still reasonable to buy.
Restore and drive for the moment, with some lowering. Etc. get a season or two out of it the sort the body, chopping is a long way off at the moment
The pictures make the car look better than it is but it's surprisingly solid and un messed with. I'm in Gloucestershire South west
Looks like you have a good solid car to start with. Mine had lots of rust. Floors, rockers, quarter panels, lower front fenders, etc. Turned out to be a lot more work than I anticipated but was well worth it. It's a copy of the car I had in high school in 1955. Take it slow and do one project at a time.
Already broke that first rule, my roadster is in the paint shop and will need to be done for pendine hotrod races at end of June , lack of planning+ impulse buy= doh!
Cool car man, love the colour. When I get my arse into gear and sell my o/t driver a spinner is definitely high on the wish list to replace it. sent via classroom note. pass it on
Yes, quite a lot actually , the car is on the road, front and rear suspension rebuilt , steering and brakes done, fully rewired. It's lowered on on aerostars and blocks on the front 3" or so and 4" blocks with air shocks rear. Serviced it and spent a while dialini it in. Fitted a 50 chevy bumper gaurd on the rear and smoothed the boot and A centre spot light on the front. Over riders removed etc. also have a 53 Packard side trim to go on after some cut and shut and some nos badger exhaust trims. Fitted some 6.70 ww and lyon caps to the front . Pics to follow ....
Great find, excellent to drive as is or spend your hard on money on to really doll it up, Keep us posted
I really like that rear bumper treatment. And I've always liked the look of a shaved decklid on these cars.
Looks like you have a great car to start with. Mine was a lot rustier than I thought and had to replace most everything below the chrome strip. Keep us posted with updates.
Very nice! My '51 is also a copy of what I had in 1963 High School (except better). I'm no good at working on my car and trying to get anything done on it around here is damn near impossible!
Can't go wrong with a ShoeBox.... Love them .. Nice car, and good for you. Keep us in pics as you proceed.
Thanks everyone. I fitted my second spot lamp and wired up some indicators, a freind repaired the floors and inner wing , it'll need the bottom edge of all 4 corners sorted in the future but for now if I can keep it looking like an old car I'll be happy, trying to keep everything pre 54/55 for the moment.
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