CHAD THOMAS Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 Just got the frame back from the sandblaster, and had to hurry and get it indoors before another round of storms. Garage space is tight and no room for the body unless it is on the frame, so with the help of a floor jack and a couple of dolly's off we go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landman Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 Working out these logistics problems is half the fun. I had dollies for everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GARY F Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 working alone you get creative. i removed the body off the frame of my grand prix myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 So are we looking at a 1932 Auburn, maybe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAD THOMAS Posted June 11, 2013 Author Share Posted June 11, 2013 So are we looking at a 1932 Auburn, maybe?Curious what brings you to that conclusion? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 (edited) Suicide door, sweeping reveal at the cowl, slant of the windshield, heavy frame. Basically, a wild guess. Maybe yours is a brougham? Edited June 12, 2013 by keiser31 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAD THOMAS Posted June 12, 2013 Author Share Posted June 12, 2013 you are dead on with the body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAD THOMAS Posted June 18, 2013 Author Share Posted June 18, 2013 Had some time in the shop today, starting to fabricate some needed body mounts. should have pictures up by the weekend. I slight hitch though...... Trying to find the center of the rear wheel opening.....Suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_Greenlaw Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 Keiser your unbelievable. As far as I got was early thirties ! But to narrow it down just on those pics......my hat off to you ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAD THOMAS Posted June 20, 2013 Author Share Posted June 20, 2013 Just as an FYI,Frame does NOT match the body.Keep guessing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 Just as an FYI,Frame does NOT match the body.Keep guessing.American LaFrance? My wife is guessing Greyhound bus! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob McDonald Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 CHAD, since you're making this car up as you go along, I'd say you can set the rear wheels anywhere you want, accommodating the tandem straight-eight engines you have in mind for up front. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAD THOMAS Posted June 21, 2013 Author Share Posted June 21, 2013 frame will be stock, suspension, axles, wheels, engine and tranny, etc. Front clip will go with frame, body different company. as I get further along and add parts and pieces it should slowly become clearer for you guys. keeping if vague right now as friends give me greif about not getting anything done ( been working on this for 5 years so far ) so want to surprise them with a major leap forward later this fall. but till then need some moral support. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted June 21, 2013 Share Posted June 21, 2013 (edited) I can't wait for more clues....especially on the frame. Almost looks beefy enough to be a front wheel drive car......O.K....I am seriously guessing Cord frame.I just found this.... Edited June 21, 2013 by keiser31 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted June 21, 2013 Share Posted June 21, 2013 Had some time in the shop today, starting to fabricate some needed body mounts. should have pictures up by the weekend. I slight hitch though...... Trying to find the center of the rear wheel opening.....Suggestions?Maybe you could scale this up and find a reasonable approximation to the center of the wheel... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAD THOMAS Posted June 22, 2013 Author Share Posted June 22, 2013 Center line on the frame simple enough, it is complete. The body however is more of a trick. I have found 1 profile view of a brougham and can get a rough approximation based on window opening and window moldings. I have found that all the bodies shared on thing, distance from firewall to center line of rear axle! Ok, so you are wondering, ok? where is this guy going to get the measurements? Luckily I have a friend who has a few Auburns 10 minutes from me so hopefully this weekend I will venture over and get the measurement needed to continue on with body mounts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landman Posted June 22, 2013 Share Posted June 22, 2013 Had some time in the shop today, starting to fabricate some needed body mounts. should have pictures up by the weekend. I slight hitch though...... Trying to find the center of the rear wheel opening.....Suggestions?Chad, once you have located your body mounts, measure from that point on the body to the middle of the wheel opening and transfer that to your frame using the corresponding body mount on the frame as a starting point. If you are looking for the center of the wheel opening on the body , I would check if the wheel well is symmetrical then just find the centre. If it isn't, you may have to add a fender to narrow it down. Hope this makes sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F&J Posted June 22, 2013 Share Posted June 22, 2013 Rear wheel placement on late 20s to early 30s:Many makes of cars had the rear wheel mounted somewhat forward of the center of the fender opening.In custom builds where the car is going to sit lower than stock, or have a fatter tire, that offset looks very wrong. 1932-34 Fords are one of these that look wrong if the car uses wider tires and a lower ride height. On those, 3/4" is what most people move the rear axle centerline backwards.On those modifications, the body always stays in the stock factory position on the original chassis, but the axle itself is what gets moved.I don't know what type of car you are building, so I thought I would mention it, in case you are building a modified car, or using another makers body on a different chassis.If it is the "wrong" body, then you almost need to mock the car up, to see if whatever running boards, and F&R fenders, hood & grille shell/radiator mounts, etc, can work with your final body position. Example would be; Getting the last few parts mounted on the chassis, and finding out that the hood needs to be lengthened, or shortened...not an easy thing to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAD THOMAS Posted June 22, 2013 Author Share Posted June 22, 2013 being a brougham body, the rear wheel opening is at most goes 3/4 around the tire, really just over half way so finding the center line that way is tough. Hopefully tomorrow morning i will venture out and measure my buddies Auburn and figure out the length from cowl to center line of the rear axle. Finished up two body mounts this afternoon, Now I know you are thinking " how can this guy build body mounts not knowing where the body should sit?" Well, I am not doing any "damage" to the chassis, so just extending existing body mounts that will go out far enough to catch the edge of the new body. I did get some metal cut for the rear body mounts but cut them over size and cannot continue until i get the body placed correctly on the chassis. these are the rear mounts and the body is built for a frame that has a kick up to clear the rear axle and my frame does not have that plus my frame is approximately 4 inches narrower than the frame meant for the body. As far as the hood fitting, I dont have one so have to make one anyway, besides I want the wheels to look centered in the rear fenders. anyway, i will get some more pictures up before the weekend is over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F&J Posted June 23, 2013 Share Posted June 23, 2013 Now I know you are thinking I am thinking about the fact that I like where this is going.Ok, I am guessing the body was leftover from a boat tail conversion...but I am wondering how a FWD chassis ended up without a body. But I will follow along, watching this get going.So many old car components are gathering dust and rust, and the parts should be used in some fashion, even if it ends up being a custom build. 20 years from now, maybe nobody will want the parts that are in storage right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAD THOMAS Posted June 23, 2013 Author Share Posted June 23, 2013 ok,the magic number is 85 inches from firewall to center line of rear axle. finished all 4 body mount fabrication. A few more fixes and the chassis will be ready for paint. first 4 pictures are the rear mounts need since the body is designed for a frame with a kick up and that aspect is missing on mine! the last picture is extensions made for the mount just before the rear wheels. Now to weld up to two cracks in the frame ( not structural ) and then tail light stanchions and it is ready for paint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F&J Posted June 23, 2013 Share Posted June 23, 2013 Wow, gas welding with a Henrob style torch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAD THOMAS Posted June 24, 2013 Author Share Posted June 24, 2013 Don't have a mig, and never was any good at stick welding. The Henrob work amazingly well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAD THOMAS Posted July 9, 2013 Author Share Posted July 9, 2013 not much new to add other than i was able to source the rear fenders that match the body and are from THAT body originally. What's the luck in that? also straightened out the battery box and cut new steel for the bottom, just need to weld it in. Plan for this week is to finish cleaning axles and prepping them for paint along with the final drive unit. Need to get this think back on its wheels, complete assembled cars take up so much less room than ones going thru restoration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 Can't wait for updated photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAD THOMAS Posted July 11, 2013 Author Share Posted July 11, 2013 Ok, worked over the battery box a little. removed what was left of the bottom and cut new steel to fitNow need to borrow a welder to weld the bottom in place and fix the crack in the framethe frame should not flex nor crack. Oh well. a quick weld and all is well. Now to get all of this under paint and on its feet in 6 weeks........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexRiv_63 Posted July 12, 2013 Share Posted July 12, 2013 Very good thread and very good work. Keep the suspense coming! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAD THOMAS Posted July 13, 2013 Author Share Posted July 13, 2013 finished sandblasting the front axle last night. Need to do some more cleaning on the rear axle today. Got most of it with wire wheel but areas really need blasting. Then on to prepping final drive unit. Seeing paint in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAD THOMAS Posted July 15, 2013 Author Share Posted July 15, 2013 finished both axles and made up tail light mounts.In the last picture you see is a piece of 1/4 plate steel with 4 ovals cut. the frame should have a tail light mount that stands 1/2" tall but is was cut off years ago. So, weld 2 pieces of 1/4" together, drill and tap them and now I just need to weld them on. The nub sticking out to the left is where the rear bumper mount is supposed to go, need to fabricate that piece as well but it can wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAD THOMAS Posted July 19, 2013 Author Share Posted July 19, 2013 question for the masses.BlackSafety RedRegal RedWhich one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 If you are talking body color....Regal Red. Of course, wherever an opinion is offered, there is no correct answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAD THOMAS Posted July 19, 2013 Author Share Posted July 19, 2013 Chassis color. body is long ways off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAD THOMAS Posted July 21, 2013 Author Share Posted July 21, 2013 Not much progress this weekend. borrowed a welder with extension cord only to find out I don't have an outlet. Not a big deal, wiring is run and just put into a junction box. Did have time to make the brackets to mount the frame on a spit, hopefully that will happen this next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest teq56 Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 (edited) Wow... those frame spits look very hefty! Strong enough to hold a Duesenberg frame for sure! Heehee.....Looks like they were built for one! LOL Where did you get those from?You must also have a really good friend to borrow the welder from? Lucky you. Edited July 22, 2013 by teq56 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unimogjohn Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 Chad, thank god, a garage that looks like mine. Here I thought I was the only one.Great thread and am enjoying the journey. But where is the car? I can hardly wait. The suspense is killing me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAD THOMAS Posted July 22, 2013 Author Share Posted July 22, 2013 (edited) John,the car is in the center, covered by an old ugly comforter left over from the first marriage. At least something good came out of that! I have to get it back up on wheels so I have room to move around. of course I could also get rid of stuff and that would free up some room as well. TEQ,yes, borrowed the welder from an excellent friend. LMS. I cannot for the life of me what LMS was supposed to mean! Edited July 23, 2013 by CHAD THOMAS Forgot what it meant! (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAD THOMAS Posted July 23, 2013 Author Share Posted July 23, 2013 OK,Short update. Yesterday had a couple of hours so pulled the frame out and mounted it to the spit. Now that entails placing the body up on stands again to roll the frame out from underneath. No small feat. Tonight wired up an outlet so I could use the borrowed welder and then proceeded to weld up a few cracks.....Now let me tell, I have heard it over and over that any idiot can use a mig welder! Happy to report I am NOT any idiot!!!! I cannot weld with it worth a crap! But I got it done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAD THOMAS Posted September 24, 2013 Author Share Posted September 24, 2013 WOW, It has been a while since I updated so let me give some background.......Left for a 10 day vacation the first week in August and upon return had to finish up the car. My fabbed up body mounts were wrong, body placement was wrong, front suspension was a bear to install and just general problems to overcome to get it loaded on a trailer for a show as just a roller. ALL very well worthwhile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAD THOMAS Posted September 24, 2013 Author Share Posted September 24, 2013 OK, So I am working alone. I have a 2 car garage with 3 cars in it. Had to pull the body back off the frame to put the frame on the spit to paint. Now sorry this picture is not a true profile but it will show a couple of issues. the biggest one being the body is set to high on the frame as the hood should be parallel with the top of the cowl. Mine is not:(. Noticed it when I finished up the hood moments before putting on the trailer to leave, OH WELL! I had several suggestions on how to fix and I have in mind the way I will do it which was not suggested by anyone! Taking it did provide much needed inspiration as well as offers of help with parts and anyone who knows these cars knows you do not run down to NAPA and pick up any parts! Hopefully engine work will begin soon as the next step is to make it run. The rear axle/ body is not correct yet but I have ideas that do not include moving the body. Waiting to get the engine done and in place to see how much interior room I will loose with the body moved forward another inch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAD THOMAS Posted September 24, 2013 Author Share Posted September 24, 2013 And I have a good set of Whitewalls for it, but I really think it needs blackwalls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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