Another Build Thread - My '32

[J. Robinson]

Hi Dick! Glad to see you here. Are you registered as a member? The pics won't come up unless you are signed in as a member (it's free).
The rear end I'm using right now is just an open differential, no posi, no locker, just a stock 9-inch chunk I got from a wrecked truck several years ago. For the steering I'm using a Vega box and cross-steering. My '31 is cross-steered and I like the way it handles, so after inability to find a rack that would work the way I wanted, I opted to go more traditional. I found a brand new Vega box online and it fits in the available space. I plan to put an electric power steering column in the car eventually.


Firebird - Our kitchen is small galley style. There is no room for an island, but I added several outlets. The kitchen is divided up on four 20 amp circuits. The 'fridge, range hood, and one extra outlet are on one circuit, the dishwasher, garbage disposal, and lights over the sink are on one circuit, the other 5 outlets on one circuit, and all the lighting in the ceiling, above and below and inside the cabinets on one. I used 12 AWG on all of it.

[J. Robinson]

Good news! The kitchen is done.
Better news - I sold my Track-T so I finally have the $$$ to get a body. I have been looking online and there are several places that build Deuce 3-window bodies. I know Bebops has a good reputation and a friend of mine has a Deuce with one of their 3-window bodies. It looks really nice to me, so that's a possibility. Has anyone here seen any bodies from County Line Rods in South Carolina or from Hotroddaveg in Illinois? TRC in Georgia has the original Downs molds and the pictures on their site look good. Anybody seen their stuff in person? Hotroddaveg has a special going on right now and he's about a thousand dollars below everyone else; the others are all just under $8,000 which is about my budget for this body. I'm in central Florida and don't want to drive all over the country to get a body, so distance from here is a factor...

[firebird77clone]

I'm jealous of your T's new owner.
How many miles and smiles did you put on it?

[rspears]

Jim,
I'd say to contact N&N in Arkansas, but Duane sold his molds to some guy that I think was from Oklahoma, and I've heard nothing else about him. I've heard good things about Russ Nomore Bodies out of Chatham, LA. Their website is pretty impressive and they're relatively close for you from Florida - https://www.russnomorestreetrods.com/323window.php

[jerry clayton]

I've got 3 Downs bodies and the fitment and gaps are great------But-I also had them built/assbled on my frames and not just some build jig-------2 are roadsters and one 33 cabrilet----------but of course it isn't just about the molds-----its about dozens of other things in how something fiberglass turns out-all the goo------


You can see some views of some of them in my photo gallery

[J. Robinson]

Firebird77 - I rolled a bit over 2400 miles since I got the speedo working. Probably put 200-250 miles on before that. It's a fun car to drive and draws attention wherever it goes. I probably would have driven it a lot more, but my wife has a lot of trouble climbing in and out of it (back problems), so we drive my coupe to most of the cruise-ins we attend. I hope the new owner enjoys it as much as I have. It's going to San Antonio, Texas.


Roger and Jerry - Thanks for the tips. I will look at both of their sites. I'm anxious to get back on this project!

[rspears]

Roger and Jerry - Thanks for the tips. I will look at both of their sites. I'm anxious to get back on this project!

Jim, regarding Downs you need to look at what they've done in the past ten years as opposed to what they made earlier. Recall that their transition to new ownership (Legendary?) didn't go so well, and the Downs family went to court to claw back the physical parts of the business. There's a pretty good run down on that story over on The HAMB - https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...siness.349041/

[J. Robinson]

Roger - I looked at the link you sent for the HAMB. The newest post was in 2010. I wonder how their stuff is doing now (quality wise)? Anyway, I have looked online at bodies from TRC in Lula, Georgia. The website says they are using the original refurbished molds from Downs. I don't know if that's good or bad. I haven't put any money down anywhere yet, so I'm still researching. Whatever I learn I'll post it here...

[Bob Parmenter]

Jim, you're an experienced guy and know how to think things through, but (you could see that coming eh?) I'll just throw out something to think about. Like it or not, our little slice of the car loving world is shrinking which is altering what we've become used to. Some long time shows are going through turmoil, some just shutting down. Likewise for parts suppliers. What was good yesterday may not be the same today, whether a respected brand or not. It's always been important to go to a glass body manufacturer or dealer to verify the quality (imo) but even more so today. The poor businessmen in the industry will go down fast, the better ones will make rolling changes as necessary to survive. Glass cars sell cheap today because with fewer buyers they come in second to steel cars (not arguing against a glass car, just noting there are reasons for concern). We're at the beginning of that strange market situation where it's a buyers market that drives down the price of a "finished" car (even worse for "projects"), but the cost to manufacture the components is constantly creeping up...…...not a good scenario for those feisty entrepreneurs. All I'm saying is that our hot rod world is changing differently than it has been the past few decades and CYA is more critical than ever.

[shine]

for the most part a business is started and built over a 40 year time span. after that it is sold for retirement or even worse passed down to kids who may or may not have the drive and passion to continue. many fail within a few years due to bad management and basically spending into bankruptcy . i have seen it first hand. starting with nothing and becoming successful is far different than growing up enjoying that success .
first thing i learned in school was the # 1 reason for small business failure was treating the money like it was yours .

[shine]

don "da34guy" has a handle on deuce bodies. he's built all of them .

[rspears]

Roger - I looked at the link you sent for the HAMB. The newest post was in 2010. I wonder how their stuff is doing now (quality wise)? Anyway, I have looked online at bodies from TRC in Lula, Georgia. The website says they are using the original refurbished molds from Downs. I don't know if that's good or bad. I haven't put any money down anywhere yet, so I'm still researching. Whatever I learn I'll post it here...

Jim - Yeah, that's why I said you need to look at the past 10 years. It looked like in 2008 "Legendary" defaulted on the note held by the Downs family, and Jamie Downs (the son - noting Shine's comment here) took them to court and was awarded all of the hardware - mainly the molds, but also other tools of the trade that had been sold by Dad. The next year Legendary declared bankruptcy to get away from their remaining debt load.
I agree with Uncle Bob, I'd make a trip to visit before plunking down $8K or more for a body, especially today. When was looking, I first focused on N&N because of the "Budget Build" article in the old Street Rod Builder magazine spanning two or three issues over a six month period, where they stated that they found N&N to be the best value they had found on a roller package. Then I talked to Duane several times, met him at the NSRA Oklahoma City event and we walked around with him pointing out cars that were his bodies, and also pointing out what others did differently, and why he did what he did. I developed a strong trust bond with him, and felt secure buying from him.
Sorry to say that I believe Uncle Bob's scenario is on target. The market segment is changing quickly, and looking out for yourself is a must.

[J. Robinson]

Thank you all for the input. It's exactly what I asked for. I am a fabricator; this Deuce is the 25th or 26th chassis (I lost count) that I have built since 1968, but it's my first '32 and my first fiberglass body that isn't either a '23 or '27 T. I appreciate all your insights.

I have seen Bebops bodies in their display at the Turkey Run and a friend of mine has a 3-window with a Bebops body. They look really nice to me and they have a good reputation; maybe that's where I should go. TRC and County Line both look good on their websites, but I've not seen them in person. They are 8 - 10 hours away, so visiting them beforehand is a problem. That's another reason I have asked for input - hopefully some of you all have seen some of these other bodies up close and can give your impressions. Thank you all.

[shine]

(the son - noting Shine's comment here)
what the hell does that mean . why do you always try to start a pissing match with people ? unlike you i have done this for a living not a hobby and have witnessed many aftermarket mfg and suppliers go south after being turned over to kids or being sold off .

[stovens]

Jim I bought fender parts and running boards from Bebops for the 48 ford about 6-7 years ago now, their fit was great, and the quality and strength odf the glass impressive, plus you can call them and get great assistance from knowledgeable people! Hope that helps.