Thread: American Graffiti Coupe, My Version

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Finally got my new toy picked up. I hope to have this finished in about three years. I know I will have a lot of questions during this build, I've never tried something this big before. I've worked on cars as a hobby for a long time. I was in high school when the movie came out and have wanted a car like this ever since. I'm going to build my version of the car, not a clone. As you can already see I will have a Ford motor in mine.

Exciting times, Donnie!! I recall the day I brought my roller home for the '33, and how much fun I had figuring things out day by day. I predict you're going to have a blast with this build!!

Good plan on the build it your way, already plenty of Graffiti clones around! Got to let us in on more about the engine, there's a few of us Ford Freaks on here!!!!!!!
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Great start, all the pieces look really first rate!

Geee another guy putting a Ford in a Ford. What is the world coming to.
Great looking project

Originally Posted by cffisher

Geee another guy putting a Ford in a Ford. What is the world coming to.
Great looking project

All is right with the world tonite!!! The blue oval is riding high!!

Cool project, I'll be watching every step of the way..

Very cool ride! Garage looks nice, too.

Heck, what is this new trend, placing a Ford engine in a Ford vehicle, you guys know that us old blokes don't like change too much.... What is going to happen with all those Corvette engines now, go find a home back in all those engineless Corvette's if you Ford guys get this new trend to take off.


Actually, I'm just joking as that little Ford would look the part with a set of 4 Webers on top. I too will look forward to following along with your build.

Where did you get it?

Donnie, really glad that this ended as it did, and not as ugly as it seemed it was going. It's hard to fathom a year for a premium roller!! Hope that you find everything to your satisfaction, because I'd think that based on their track record getting anything else from them has a chance somewhere between slim and none. For those who may not have followed - Timeless Rod and Customs

Thanks for the link, Roger.

Dave
The motor is a 302 that I estimate to have about 400 HP. I build this motor about 4 years ago and had it in an 85 mustang that we use for drag racing. It ran 11:60's with different, intake, heads and cam. I'm a true blue Ford guy, but have no problem with any one who put the other brand of engine in theirs, it's all Rot Rodding. When it comes to muscle cars I couldn't pick a favorite.

Lynn/Rodger
I did get it from Timeless Rods and Customs in Lula Ga. I think it did take longer then it should have, and when I went there in January to check on it I was very disappointed in the lack of progress that had been made. But I do have to say that after that trip we developed much more acceptable communication. I insisted on weekly updates with pictures, and they did add several items at their cost to make things right (they did this on their own, I didn't ask for anything). So I would recommend them to anyone, ONLY if you develop good communication with them from the beginning.

I want to get the motor and transmission in as soon as possible, it will look more like a Hot Rod then. But I think I need to get the fuel line and steering column in first, it would be easier. Is there anything else that anyone may think I need to do first. One of the things that Timeless did was paint the underneath and firewall so I hope I won't have to take the body off for paint.

The first question I have is for anyone who has started with just a body. How did you do the steering column? It looks like I will have to build some kind of support under the dash for the column to mount to.

[QUOTE=racerx1699;520151]I want to get the motor and transmission in as soon as possible, it will look more like a Hot Rod then. But I think I need to get the fuel line and steering column in first, it would be easier. Is there anything else that anyone may think I need to do first. One of the things that Timeless did was paint the underneath and firewall so I hope I won't have to take the body off for paint.

Hi Donny, neat car looks like its off to a good start. As for your question on the steering column on mine I built a small framework under the dash out of 1-1/4'x 3/16" thick square tube to bolt the column to and made that frame go to the fire wall with flat plates 3x3" welded to the framework and the fire wall. Then on the bottom where the shaft goes threw the floorboard I put a bearing block on the steering shaft with carridge bolts . Sorta like what you would see on a pto shaft for a grain truck or farm impliment. The neat thing is that the bearing block will swivel for what ever angle your shaft hit the floorboard.

IMHO... motor and trans go in first. then do your brakes and steering.. then the exhaust, cooling... etc.

For a support to the steering column, I spanned across the body, just above the bottom edge of the dash with a piece of square tubing which I welded a couple of flanges to so I could screw into the structure. this carries the column nicely and provides the dash a good support as well.