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Projects Norwegian Zephyr Roadster Kustom

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by Mats-Henrik, Sep 16, 2013.

  1. Wensum Valley Rods
    Joined: Oct 13, 2008
    Posts: 289

    Wensum Valley Rods
    Member
    from England

    I now have the problem that Mats is probably going to get if he wants to drop his zephyr 8" at the rear, that being that the rear chassis will only just clear the axle tubes. I had to raise mine back up by 2" with a temporary raiser block just so I could use it.
    The only possible way I can see round it is a slight c notch in the rear chassis. I am about to start this on my zephyr so I can drop the rear back down to the height I want it at.
    With my rear crossmember flattened out as much as I could the rear was lowered by a good 6-8" and with the c notch it should sit and drive really well. I should end up with just a hint of a trim ring showing below the skirts.

    Paul.
     
  2. Eric H
    Joined: Apr 2, 2006
    Posts: 972

    Eric H
    Member

    If the frame can't be altered, a tapered body drop may provide a few inches of drop allowing you to drop the suspension that much less. I am glad we don't have such laws here in North America.
     
  3. Mats-Henrik
    Joined: Nov 7, 2009
    Posts: 94

    Mats-Henrik
    Member
    from Norway


    Thanks for all the input on the suspension lowering. I'm not sure what to do yet, but I'll deal with those problems when I get there. The DMV inspected the car and took about 200 pictures, so I'm pretty sure I cant sneak anything by them. (as well as they are probably reading this also) :)

    Anyway. I've been working on the windshield frame for a couple of days. This is something I've been planning for months, but still there is a lot of small details that are hard to predict.

    J.B said early in this thread that the pillars should be straight. That is correct if you're looking at a 39/40 Ford or Mercury convertible.
    <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101906403@N07/10686045034/" title="1939 Ford Deluxe Conv Sahara Tan 4.6.2011 019 by matsheinrich, on Flickr">[​IMG]</a>

    But a Lincoln convertible has a slight curve at the bottom of the A-pillar, towards the door.
    <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101906403@N07/10686232193/" title="1939_Lincoln_Zephyr_Convertible_Coupe_retro_luxury____f_2048x1536 by matsheinrich, on Flickr">[​IMG]</a>


    This raises the question wether to do it as a ford, the shape that most people know, and will "fool" most people into believing its an original convertible, or to do it as a Lincoln. I decided to do that part like a Lincoln. I also took out another inch at the same time. Here's a few pics of the prossess:

    <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101906403@N07/10665554586/" title="zepher 289 by matsheinrich, on Flickr">[​IMG]</a>

    <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101906403@N07/10665808843/" title="zepher 293 by matsheinrich, on Flickr">[​IMG]</a>


    <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101906403@N07/10665504835/" title="zepher 298 by matsheinrich, on Flickr">[​IMG]</a>

    <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101906403@N07/10665749313/" title="zepher 299 by matsheinrich, on Flickr">[​IMG]</a>

    <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101906403@N07/10665488845/" title="zepher 307 by matsheinrich, on Flickr">[​IMG]</a>

    <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101906403@N07/10665538254/" title="zepher 309 by matsheinrich, on Flickr">[​IMG]</a>

    The top support:
    <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101906403@N07/10665482745/" title="zepher 310 by matsheinrich, on Flickr">[​IMG]</a>

    <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101906403@N07/10665533174/" title="zepher 312 by matsheinrich, on Flickr">[​IMG]</a>

    <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101906403@N07/10685810385/" title="zeph 041 by matsheinrich, on Flickr">[​IMG]</a>

    <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101906403@N07/10685817315/" title="zeph 037 by matsheinrich, on Flickr">[​IMG]</a>

    The next question is the corner where the top of the windshield frame meets the a-pillar. The fords and mercurys have close to a 90 degree angle, but the lincolns is a bit tapered.

    <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101906403@N07/10686286714/" title="5d94d46a by matsheinrich, on Flickr">[​IMG]</a>

    <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101906403@N07/10686215235/" title="Lincoln_zephyr_06011701 by matsheinrich, on Flickr">[​IMG]</a>

    I did it like a ford/mercury for now, but maybe I'll go back and change it. I'm not sure yet.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 1, 2014
    kidcampbell71 likes this.
  4. J.B.
    Joined: Jan 7, 2005
    Posts: 1,246

    J.B.
    Member
    from Sweden

    I only meant the upper part of the A-pillar. :) That's the place where most miss out on fake convertibles. The upper inner part starts to do a curve on a coupe and not on an original convertible. You have handled that great here and whether you go with the tapered or straight, you will be fine. I personally think it's the best to look how it's done on an original convertible.

    The Lincoln doors seem to have a very special shape on the top. Both in front and rear.
    [​IMG]

    And yes, that extra inch was perfect!
     
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  5. Wensum Valley Rods
    Joined: Oct 13, 2008
    Posts: 289

    Wensum Valley Rods
    Member
    from England

    Said the nun to the bishop :)
     
    kiwijeff likes this.
  6. J.B.
    Joined: Jan 7, 2005
    Posts: 1,246

    J.B.
    Member
    from Sweden

    Naughty Englishmen... :D
     
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  7. Reijer
    Joined: Oct 11, 2010
    Posts: 175

    Reijer
    Member

    Impressive project. That V12 is very cool.
     
  8. Cali4niaCruiser
    Joined: Aug 30, 2005
    Posts: 599

    Cali4niaCruiser
    Member

    As others have said, very ambitious and cool project. You've got great style!
     
  9. Sledge
    Joined: Feb 5, 2008
    Posts: 1,731

    Sledge
    Member
    from Nor Cal

    windshield looks great!
     
  10. F&J
    Joined: Apr 5, 2007
    Posts: 13,222

    F&J
    Member

    I just went back to look at page one....this is an incredible transformation..:cool:
     
  11. fortynut
    Joined: Jul 16, 2008
    Posts: 1,038

    fortynut
    Member

    Top notch work. Excellent proportions. My question is this: with your obvious skills, why not build a buck and create your own grill from scratch? The bonus would be new metal, thick enough to withstand the rough handling of finish sanding and buffing required to adequately plate it. Of course, variations on the original theme, as Jim Jacobs did when building the bars for the '37 truck grill he put on his '34 Ford three window high-boy, or the '39 style grill he fabricated for Pete Chapouris purple 'vert? I mean, you are building a handmade car, why not a handmade grill to go with it? No matter your choice, it's looking damn good and I know it'll look mighty fine when buttered up and painted. Keep up the good work.
     
    kidcampbell71 likes this.
  12. Zed
    Joined: Dec 4, 2005
    Posts: 952

    Zed
    Member
    from FRANCE

    great job on the windshield posts. That detail is often omitted in that kind of transformation , and the result is as rough as a redneck cutted coupe or sedan can be... :D you gave the natural convertible elegance to your beautiful Linc with that .

    ps: The next step would be to "square" the top corner of the windshield (glass area) ;)
     
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2013
  13. Okie Pete
    Joined: Oct 29, 2008
    Posts: 4,968

    Okie Pete
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Very classy the lines flow . Great job.
     
  14. I say tapered like a Lincoln. Looking great!!!
     
  15. radio_king
    Joined: May 14, 2008
    Posts: 403

    radio_king
    Member

    Cool build and nice progress,any chance to see it on the road next summer maybe??
     
  16. radio_king
    Joined: May 14, 2008
    Posts: 403

    radio_king
    Member

    I`m all for it!!Let me see...big band swing,down hill (sled)race etc... :D:D
     
  17. Hemiken
    Joined: Sep 21, 2012
    Posts: 492

    Hemiken
    Member
    from Australia

    The finesse and shape are all coming together, this is becoming more and more a great car. Keep going and keep us posted. Thank you.
     
  18. Foppa
    Joined: Aug 18, 2008
    Posts: 168

    Foppa
    Member

    that is so damn cool !!
     
  19. gonna make for a kickass car............
     
  20. resqd37Zep
    Joined: Aug 28, 2006
    Posts: 3,216

    resqd37Zep
    Member
    from Nor Cal

    I love where this is going. Here's one I started a few years back but ended up selling off. Your's is going to be a killer ride.
     

    Attached Files:

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  21. Gambino_Kustoms
    Joined: Oct 14, 2005
    Posts: 6,561

    Gambino_Kustoms
    Alliance Vendor

    Bad ass looks killer
     
  22. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 23,264

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    As for lowering, be prepared for it to not be as low as you might want it to be. It will be low, and look cool, but the frame rails will be on the axle after not going down all that far. Lowering beyond that will require HEAVY mods to the frame, which I understand is not possible where you are.

    Here I am putting in a notch the size required to put a '41 Zephyr on the rockers, with a 5.60-15 rear tire. BIG.
    [​IMG]
     
  23. Amoros
    Joined: Nov 11, 2009
    Posts: 123

    Amoros
    Member


    Ingenious
    You just saved me a couple of steps and cuts doing it this way. Any fitment issues arise with this cut? Did you have to choose where to cut to achieve the wanted door length?
     
  24. Mats-Henrik
    Joined: Nov 7, 2009
    Posts: 94

    Mats-Henrik
    Member
    from Norway

    Looks like I haven't been her for a while. I´ve been busy finishing up the windshield frame, that turned out to be a helluva lot more work than I had planned. The inside of that thing is ten times more work than the outside. I´ll post some pics in a few days.

    Thank you, I think its getting there

    Thanks!

    Thank you for the input. I haven't really thought of that. Thank you for your belief in my skills, but I´ve never made anything to be chromed, we don't have many chrome shops around here, and the few I know of is super expensive and really bad quality.

    Thank you, but I won't square the top corner. In my opinion, that would be a modification that makes it look like a home made-convertible rather than something factory. And besides, that windshield frame is a helluva lot of work as is. To alter that angle would be basically to scrap the whole thing, and start over. What Im saying is, if I wanted a different angle on that corner, I would have done it from the start.

    Thanks!

    Thanks! I really like your Dodge as well. Hopefully I´ll have it driving by next year, but probably no paint. It also comes down to if I have to rebuild a V12 or not. That might be cruel on a hardworking familymans wallet.

    Nice! Was that a four door as well?

    Thanks!

    Thanks for the input. I don't want it to lay frame, just to have a nice stance. I´ll do what I can with the spring and shackles, and see what is required after that.

    That seemed like a very good idea to me also, but it turned out it wasn't that straight forward. The belt line start to go downwards right between the doors. Because of that, the belt line angle from the RH rear door is the opposite of what it should be when welding it to the LH door. I don't know if it shows that well in the pics but I had to cut out the top of the rear part and weld that in separately. Im not sure if I´d do it like I did or make the outer skin from scratch (at least the rear part) if I was to do it again.
     
  25. Mats-Henrik
    Joined: Nov 7, 2009
    Posts: 94

    Mats-Henrik
    Member
    from Norway

    Finally done with the windshield frame! I tapered the ends a bit more, but not quite as much as a stock Lincoln convertible. I think this looks better. It took a few hours of welding and fabricating. The back was more work than the front. Now I can't wait to stick a couple of 112s there..

    <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101906403@N07/10940568125/" title="frontruteramme4 by matsheinrich, on Flickr">[​IMG]</a>
    <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101906403@N07/10940569595/" title="frontruteramme3 by matsheinrich, on Flickr">[​IMG]</a>

    Unfortunately the pictures of the smoothed out inside became to dark to post. But heres one before grinding.
    <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101906403@N07/10940571475/" title="frontruteramme2 by matsheinrich, on Flickr">[​IMG]</a>
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 1, 2014
    kidcampbell71 likes this.
  26. Okie Pete
    Joined: Oct 29, 2008
    Posts: 4,968

    Okie Pete
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    The radius on the top of the door is icing on the cake. Your skills are amazing.
     
  27. Wensum Valley Rods
    Joined: Oct 13, 2008
    Posts: 289

    Wensum Valley Rods
    Member
    from England

    That's a whole lot of work in that screen surround. The end result looks spot on though.
    I can't wait to see this one done, perfect shape I reckon, but then I may be a little biased :)

    Hey Mats, I have sorted my suspension and it's now as low as possible without the chassis hitting the axle and without a c notch. I know I flattened the rear crossmember on mine and you can't do that but even so the lowest you can get without a c notch is where mine is at now. I have 8.5" maximum from the ground to the bottom of the rear of the running board where it joins the fender. That may give you a good reference point. Guess it all depends on how much you can get with shackles and spring alterations.

    Paul.
     
  28. Lukydevl
    Joined: Feb 23, 2010
    Posts: 700

    Lukydevl
    Member
    from Arizona

    Looks fantastic!! I dig it..
     
  29. toker
    Joined: May 7, 2013
    Posts: 3

    toker
    Member
    from Sweden

    I have a solution on the DMV problem: Move to Sweden.. :)

    To bad that governments always have to throw wrenches just because they can.

    Your car will look fantastic when it is done!


    Greetings from the other side of the mountains..
     
  30. Mats-Henrik
    Joined: Nov 7, 2009
    Posts: 94

    Mats-Henrik
    Member
    from Norway

    Thanks for the kind words. Nothing beats an original coupe though, that is what I would have started with if I could afford one.

    Nice! I'll fill in some applications and hope for the best, theres a possibilty that I can straighten out the crossmember, but no chance whatsoever to do a C-notch (strange norwegian rules). I'll hope for the best.
     
    kidcampbell71 likes this.

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