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Projects T&A Flathead Builds a '48 RagTop

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by T&A Flathead, Aug 24, 2015.

  1. T&A Flathead
    Joined: Apr 28, 2007
    Posts: 1,985

    T&A Flathead
    Member

    Got some work done. Nothing glamorous but stuff that needed to get done. I welded the inner seam where the convertible body section overlapped the donor Tudor body section. I also welded and repaired the body structure supports to the floor and inner fenders. Last was reshaping the rear body structure bracing of the convertible body to tie in with the donor.

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  2. Molded fenders would look great! And I love that love that blue color
     
    T&A Flathead likes this.
  3. T&A Flathead
    Joined: Apr 28, 2007
    Posts: 1,985

    T&A Flathead
    Member

    Started working on the quarters. This is the last major rust repair on this old heap.

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    I also started messing around with different ways to mold the fenders in. I am leaning towards using 1” tube and shaping it around the fender then cut out the section I need for it to flow into the body and fender.

    B66E7497-2E31-4A06-B276-3D6B72098292.jpeg
     
  4. T&A Flathead
    Joined: Apr 28, 2007
    Posts: 1,985

    T&A Flathead
    Member

    Made some progress fabricating some panels for the passenger side. Not welded in yet, just fitted. I also stiffened up the running board attachment to the b-pillar, original method was a little flimsy.

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    I also started to cut out the drivers side. It’s much worse, more of the structure is rotted away.
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  5. T&A Flathead
    Joined: Apr 28, 2007
    Posts: 1,985

    T&A Flathead
    Member

    Got a couple hours in the shop today. I beat a new lower B-pillar piece into shape.

    89982D0B-51C6-472D-AA33-4D0AFE31C0D1.jpeg 75658C91-5380-416D-8034-D7D868E190DB.jpeg B1C6F331-E4E7-47A9-BBCE-459694DF585D.jpeg F96B719B-B226-4089-9F63-30436F04F504.jpeg
     
  6. T&A Flathead
    Joined: Apr 28, 2007
    Posts: 1,985

    T&A Flathead
    Member

    Couple more hours at the shop.

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    and a little inspiration from a killer ‘41.
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  7. T&A Flathead
    Joined: Apr 28, 2007
    Posts: 1,985

    T&A Flathead
    Member

    A little bit of work accomplished this weekend. I nearly forgot about the panel that goes between the rocker and the quarter panel between the B-pillar and the inner fender. It needed to go in before the lower quarter patch.

    DC73D843-654E-4897-BC22-DEE734A52984.jpeg 23A71D18-0213-4C60-B137-C7D90BB51707.jpeg CC7560C7-4C57-497F-B0CD-6B4F0A7F8115.jpeg 9C682AD3-2633-4B3A-9AE5-6666AB9ACBCF.jpeg BA512BFB-5B12-4A53-9949-92B9A60A3F7A.jpeg 7283C219-E20D-4B93-B8FA-2381031017BC.jpeg

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    Also finished up the truck area body structure.
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  8. A Boner
    Joined: Dec 25, 2004
    Posts: 7,419

    A Boner
    Member

    Always thought of molded in fenders as an easy fix for rotten fenders/quarter panels. Looks cool, but that’s what always come to mind... Just saying!
     
    Algoma56 likes this.
  9. T&A Flathead
    Joined: Apr 28, 2007
    Posts: 1,985

    T&A Flathead
    Member

    That is likely true in many cases, especially the ones that mold over a wide area. I’m fixing all the rust first correctly then make a decision on whether or not I’ll mold the fenders. For the look I am going for , I am leaning towards a tight radius molded in area. I just can’t stand the visible fender welt on an early custom.
     
  10. T&A Flathead
    Joined: Apr 28, 2007
    Posts: 1,985

    T&A Flathead
    Member

    I got some more work done today. There is more metal work needed on the drivers side but it’s close. The passenger side is welded in on the ends but the seem needs to be finished. Both sides still need the inside welded. I am happy with the how they turned out.

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    Then Nat came by to help clean up the shop.
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  11. Countn'Carbs
    Joined: Nov 8, 2006
    Posts: 975

    Countn'Carbs
    Member
    from CO

    Nice Work and it's great to see the kids involved as well!! Great Job!!!
     
  12. T&A Flathead
    Joined: Apr 28, 2007
    Posts: 1,985

    T&A Flathead
    Member

    Thanks Dave.
     
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  13. T&A Flathead
    Joined: Apr 28, 2007
    Posts: 1,985

    T&A Flathead
    Member

    Passenger side is welded and I welded the inside lip of the panels on both sides.

    upload_2020-2-15_18-23-34.jpeg

    upload_2020-2-15_18-24-19.jpeg

    I started welding the holes in the trunk floor and around the trunk lid gutter.
     
  14. T&A Flathead
    Joined: Apr 28, 2007
    Posts: 1,985

    T&A Flathead
    Member

    It is inspiration like this that keeps me motivated to work on this old heap.

    upload_2020-2-15_20-7-41.jpeg
     
  15. T&A Flathead
    Joined: Apr 28, 2007
    Posts: 1,985

    T&A Flathead
    Member

    Back at the shop for a little while today.
    The trunk floor is patched up.

    CA1BD38C-EDF8-42FE-B170-EBDA6579B991.jpeg 7E43AAA9-7617-41E2-B743-5CB9D57B9097.jpeg
    I need to repair or replace the panel below the trunk lid. I may use the deeper tail panel from EMS or just make my own.

    Pretty much all of the body rust has been repaired so I’ve started to layout the cuts to chop the windshield.

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  16. T&A Flathead
    Joined: Apr 28, 2007
    Posts: 1,985

    T&A Flathead
    Member

    Put the chopped top irons back on to measure for the windshield chop. I’m going to love the chopped look.

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  17. Countn'Carbs
    Joined: Nov 8, 2006
    Posts: 975

    Countn'Carbs
    Member
    from CO

    Oh Man!! That is so good and talk about those irons being spot on!! Great Job!!
     
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  18. T&A Flathead
    Joined: Apr 28, 2007
    Posts: 1,985

    T&A Flathead
    Member

    Soon!
    DF59C9AA-ED84-4B23-ACB1-B7B4AFC7528B.jpeg


    A pic of the top irons folded. I need to modify more to get them to retract down a litter further.
    16D35C52-41D7-4C02-A119-51D7D6AB0C86.jpeg
     
  19. T&A Flathead
    Joined: Apr 28, 2007
    Posts: 1,985

    T&A Flathead
    Member

    It’s CHOPPED, or at least cut.
    I found rust in the horizontal windshield frame channel and a bunch of mice nests and nuts. I fixed the rust but didn’t get a chance to start fitting the windshield frame back.
    I had some good help today.

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    James D, RHRH3P, 36 ROKIT and 11 others like this.
  20. Wild guess , project supervisor, right?


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
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  21. T&A Flathead
    Joined: Apr 28, 2007
    Posts: 1,985

    T&A Flathead
    Member

    yes, supervisor, inspector, and board of directors all in one.
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  22. I see.


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  23. T&A Flathead
    Joined: Apr 28, 2007
    Posts: 1,985

    T&A Flathead
    Member

    Working on the windshield frame.
    I am planning out how to reinforce the inside of the windshield frame. There is a c-channel that run up and around. I’ll likely make another channel and plug weld above and below the cut line. I need to trim another 3/8” off of the windshield. I intentionally left it a little too long to try an initial fit.

    BD926DD0-AF5E-40B2-8294-642B2B98F6AC.jpeg A7C72192-53F4-4789-AE80-8851399002E2.jpeg 769FBE11-8422-417A-97E8-4175C9AA961C.jpeg F5E96BBA-9CC1-40A9-9BF1-49E5A1E33FDA.jpeg 85D28079-519E-43A2-B7B6-B99275702577.jpeg DBDE0D44-D263-4415-8A77-81527ADF3BD2.jpeg
     
  24. Peanut 1959
    Joined: Oct 11, 2008
    Posts: 2,179

    Peanut 1959
    Member

    For what it's worth, that windshield height looks spot-on to me. I would seriously consider visibility before deciding to take off any more material from the posts. Remember that you'll lose more visibility from the windshield rubber.
     
  25. T&A Flathead
    Joined: Apr 28, 2007
    Posts: 1,985

    T&A Flathead
    Member

    Thanks! The reason for the additional 3/8” is to get the top irons parallel with the top of the door (or close to parallel). You can see the irons at are running slightly down hill towards the rear.
     
    Peanut 1959 likes this.
  26. hotrod1948
    Joined: Jan 17, 2011
    Posts: 512

    hotrod1948
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Milton, WI

    You can also raise the mechanism mount(the panel that holds the regulator) a bit to level them out. Also the large top cast arm is slightly adjustable in relation to the side panel it bolts to.
     
    T&A Flathead likes this.
  27. Thanks for sharing your build..you're making great progress.
     
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  28. T&A Flathead
    Joined: Apr 28, 2007
    Posts: 1,985

    T&A Flathead
    Member

    I noticed that arm was adjustable the other day. I can’t raise it it too much or the arm will show at the back of the window. But its good to have some adjustment to fine tune it.
     
  29. A Boner
    Joined: Dec 25, 2004
    Posts: 7,419

    A Boner
    Member

    Speaking of visibility, those vice grips are going to be very distracting right from the get go. Otherwise, looking great!
     
  30. T&A Flathead
    Joined: Apr 28, 2007
    Posts: 1,985

    T&A Flathead
    Member

    I was thinking about leaving them but have them chromed! Haha
     

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