i seem to remember someone on here using a truck fender for a cowl,if so what fender lends itself best for this?Also been noticing on some old junk 50's trucks a guy could cut the back out of the bottom of the cab and narrow it to get nice curved rear corners for a body.I'm trying to put together a plan.I'm working part time at a machine shop so i have access to all the tools to make it happen.And between the guy i'm working for and Choprods that gives me 60+ years of experience to lean on.Any constructive comments or suggestions appreciated.I'm looking at building a small tub if anyone is wondering.
'loop, If you look at a lot of the old bodies you'll see they are nearly all single plane curves, because they had a hell of a job making fancy compound curves in sheet steel back then. I've often thought about building a body from square or rectangular stock, for window frames or door jambs, with curved-over-my-knee flat sheet to make up the rest. Look at the pic and see how many parts you couldn't make out of flat sheet and tube. Beats spending big bucks on some piece-o-rust 70 year old hulk. Not sure if that style is anything like you're after though
The truck fender cowl was The Leftover Special,now owned by Burnedup. Jason had a couple shitty old stepside fenders,a little bit of time.and alot of skill and creativity. Parts are where you find them,the cheaper the better.Look at the shapes,cut out what you need. And don't forget to look at VW Beetles,washing machines,and farm equipment.
I cant take ANY credit! Killer built it... we're both named Jason... (irrittatingly popular name back then! ) there, my conscience feels better already...
Years ago in Hot Rod Mechanix they were buildin a lakes modified out of a ford Courier box.The magazine went under before they got it done.It was pretty kewl......Shiny
[ QUOTE ] Years ago in Hot Rod Mechanix they were buildin a lakes modified out of a ford Courier box.The magazine went under before they got it done.It was pretty kewl......Shiny [/ QUOTE ] Last time I saw it it was sun-tanning in a back yard in Newport Beach.
You could build one up like a dwarf car just biger. if you havent seen one the chasis is built to the shape of body then skined over
[ QUOTE ] You could build one up like a dwarf car just biger. if you havent seen one the chasis is built to the shape of body then skined over [/ QUOTE ] Very idea developing.... What is the size and wall thickness of the tubing used to make that frame?
The 1x2 for the frame is.120 as for the rest of it, it depends on were its at but most of it is 14ga and the main cage is 1"1/2 o95 dom.
or a mid 30's Ford cab??? <img src=http://img64.photobucket.com/albums/v195/akakiller56/img_0025.jpg> <img src=http://img64.photobucket.com/albums/v195/akakiller56/img_0024.jpg> <img src=http://img64.photobucket.com/albums/v195/akakiller56/img_0023.jpg>
another from scratch.... <img src=http://img64.photobucket.com/albums/v195/akakiller56/rightbuck01.jpg> <img src=http://img64.photobucket.com/albums/v195/akakiller56/leftbuck01.jpg> <img src=http://img64.photobucket.com/albums/v195/akakiller56/rightcowl01.jpg> <img src=http://img64.photobucket.com/albums/v195/akakiller56/windshieldlight.jpg>
"Killer" is on the right track. The one I'm designing in Autocad will use a Model T cowl like the ones in the photo. It's the one component that's more than my metalworking skills can accomplish. The chassis will be from 1 1/4" dia. DOM tubing and will actually be the outline of the body. No ladder frame under this one. I want to sit comfortably low and down inside the body work. It will be belly-panned and constructed like a space-frame sprint car....just wider.
The tubular structure will be skinned in 16 Ga. aluminum so it will be similar to what this cat did in wood (photo). It will be fastened with 1/4 turn Dzus buttons for easy access to all the running gear components. The Model T cowl will hinge forward to allow all wiring and plumbing to be worked on standing up as opposed to lying on my back. I have a vintage midget nose and grille for it and it will have cowl steering.
I've seen that wood bodied car a few times in person and it is really incredible. The drive train is out of a junkyard stationwagon, the front suspension is all he really spent money on. I think the guy's a boat builder.
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