A friends (Mario) dad (Ritchie) has had this since at least the 70's. A sweet 3-window coupe, it's slow build displaying multiple build trends over the years. Check out these wild ladder bars! So massive, they'd hit the frame at this ride height. Couldn't get any lower. The crossmember center section was replaced by this glob of angle iron. If anyone wants to see "traditional" This is traditional!! Another issue was the engine was set up a bit too forward, trying to keep the firewall uncut. The rad/grille was propped fwd almost an inch, and an electric fan placed in front of the radiator. In the few miles it had been driven, it always ran hot. This was cherry on the outside, a little crispy on the inside. The plan was to set the rear with 36 wishbones, slide the engine back for a belt fan, and prep for full fenders. TP
Where to start... a HAMB friend HOTRODJEEP happened to be visiting the area. Let's put him to work! I had known Jeff online for 8? years, but funny how land gets in the way. We pulled the engine and removed firewall paraphernalia without getting his shirt dirty! Thanks Jeff!! After that I set the radiator/grille shell to the proper placement using the hood, the pic in the previous post. The radiator rods marked for future positioning. The firewall was so clean... Let's cut it out! Now the SBF could be mocked up to the proper radiator position. Motor mounts were made similar to what I did in our 40, using biscuits and 1/4" plate. Now what... TP
With the engine/tranny positioned, the missing center x-member piece was next. More templates and 1/4" plate. Welded in place, now the radius rods could be set up to a home base. Anyone recognize this fun job? Some are easy some just take time. The next part was a whopper. The curved 33/34 rear spring didn't match to the 36 wishbones. Holey chit! TP
Zibo I love the fact that you hand cut and shape each piece of plate steel....I do the same thing and enjoy the level of rustic or hand made look...
If you use the 36 spring and modify the cross member it should work. I like where you are going with this build. Got to love traditional/hacked together.
do you think you could you get away with actually flipping that curved spring around 180 degrees from it's current orientation? Like seeing this kind of build. Cheers, Drewfus
I love these small tweak rebuilds that bring old "traditionals" up to "HAMB traditional" current specs. So fun and refreshing to sit back and see a car made right.
Nice work so far. Good to see you back and giving this 34 a much needed adjustment. Love the "traditional" torch cut mounts! It'll look good full fendered. IMHO, unchopped/unchanneled 34's need fenders.
Lots of envious guys out here watching you. I'm at the top of the list. The very kind of car I'm looking for. Keep us posted on your progress. Love it!!
Truly authentic "Traditional" Hot Rod. You're doing a great job of "tidying up" some of those earlier details. And I like seeing Ford engines in Ford Hot Rods. It just seems to me like the right thing to do.
Hey thanks guys! Cool there's interest in building hot rods still... Especially the down and dirty get on the road I do! Making the necessary bracket with templates is so much easier than modifying a "bolt-in" kit that doesn't fit. Also usually faster, cheaper and better looking! (That's my sales shpeel) The curved spring fits in a curved rear crossmember, that is an exact fit. A straight spring would call for a typical dropped 35-40+ crossmember, which seemed like more work with the body off. It took a while to wrap my head around the solution... I'll type it up in a bit!! Thanks again for the interest and comments, makes it worth freezing in front of this computer! TP
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