1935 Ford 5 Window Custom

Hello everyone! (I feel like i'm in the new member sign in again :o) Well...i guess i'll just start from how this project all began. My father passed away when I was 5 years old (24 years ago) and left me with his '35 5window. I remeber him driving it around when i was younger but growing up and being a teenager meant that the car sat in my mom's garage for over 20 years with out being touched.....over the past few years I've done little things here and there to the car, but this past year I've finally dived into this car as a full blown project!!! :D I figured the best place to star was with the motor, so i did a bunch of work to the flatty, but I ended up selling it in exchange for a SBF. I also decided that I wanted to have the car bagged....so the project took a crazy turn....my buddy is helping me with the C notch + 4 link in the rear, Mustang II front end, boxing the frame, and adding new crossmembers. I figured that I should start a build log being that I'm accumulating a bunch of pictures as my car (daddy's dream) is slowly becoming a reality. Here's what my car looked like before anything was done to it:
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...d/DSC00328.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...d/DSC00332.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...d/DSC00331.jpg

Here are some pics of the progress on the c notch and 4 link. I ended up picking up a ranchero 9" rear end also :)
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...1-54-51_50.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v.../IMG956807.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v..._IMG956807.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...-13-05_733.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...-12-50_319.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...0895112141.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...0895112200.jpg

The C notch going in!!!!!!! I have to give big props to my buddy for the crazy welds!!!!
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v..._IMG956807.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v..._IMG956807.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v..._IMG956807.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v..._IMG956807.jpg

Rear end is almost all the way in!!!!!!!
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...-26-20_316.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...-26-06_398.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...-25-56_442.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...-26-30_893.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...-26-50_691.jpg

We've just recently taken the motor out and getting ready for the Mustang II and the rest of the frame work.....I so excited i can't wait untill i can drive it!!!!!!! My goal is to have it done by this up coming summer....
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...-27-13_439.jpg
Here's the motor I picked up last night....got it for $100 bucks!!! :eek:
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...Ford/302_1.jpg

Wow! A lot of nice work in that garage! And a great deal on the sbf! Sorry to hear about your dad but he'll be smiling from above as your cruisin' this summer! Thanks for sharing the pics too!

Wow, neat story, and an amazing survivor car! It's going to be a great ride when you're done! Thanks for the detailed pictures.

Looks good so far! Here are a couple pics of mine. Progress is slower than I'd like at over 4 years, but we'll be cruisin' this spring :toocool:

I noticed something on the back of your frame...are those braces for the bumper? My car was hit I think before my dad even had it and I never knew the frame was supposed to have those braces. I just assumed Ford had the terrible idea to just bolt the bumper straight to the body :eek:. Does anyone know if those braces are available or am I stuck searching for used ones?

http://i831.photobucket.com/albums/z...g/IMG_2781.jpg

http://i831.photobucket.com/albums/z...g/IMG_2786.jpg

Thank you everyone for the kind words and encouragement...every little bit helps especially when you have a project oin your hands that seems like it'll never be done (I'm sure many others can relate :p).

35fordcoupe....those brakets are indeed for the rear bumper. I'd tell you to find a donor car to get new ones, but for all that hassle you should find a good metal guy to weld you up some new ones....probably be cheaper anyway + no rust :)

Can you tell me how thick the metal is and the measurement from the edge of the frame to the edge of the bracket? I'm basically trying to figure out the distance the body hangs over the rear crossmember in the back because things are a bit off from side to side back there. Finding those brackets would help me get everything right otherwise I'll have to make them and try and get the bumper to look straight. Right now my bumper brackets are identical (not bent) and yet the bumper is noticably closer to one fender than the other.

OK sorry, back to you :o:cool:

Heck 35coupe, have you run the tape measure across your diagonals of your chassis to make sure it is square??? I realise that they used to have a bigger tolerances but your chassis shouldn't be that far out. I would be checking every thing again just to be sure,sorry.
Daddys Dream I am so envious of your build and your car as it has history from being your Dads and man that body looks so straight and rust free. My stomach dropped a little when you mentioned that you had sold the flatty as I'm sort of come full circle now and just love a well dressed flatty in a fat fender car. In saying that I also like the idea of airbags and later running gear in a stock looking coupe. Keep the photos and story coming my friend.

Hey everyone! So i've got some more pictures to add to the build log...spent a few hours today taking off the fenders and running boards....(I'm going to sell the running boards if anyone is interested...p/m me) Gettin ready for that mustang II to go in. Also made the decision to tub my car mildly. Want to make use of the hp my car will have in the future with wider tires. Just wish that I didn't have to run radials to pull of the look I want ...o well...at least they'll still be white walls... Anyways...here go the flix :rolleyes:
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...-01-48_219.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...-02-03_765.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...-02-21_976.jpg

Can I make an opinionated statement about your build? ..... I will anyway with the risk of being a dick or sounding like one.

Based on the pictures of the '35 ... and the fact that it was your Dad's ride that you ended up with ... the only upgrades I'd be makinging might be the powerplant, trans, cooling system & brakes. Make it safe & drive the wheels off it.

The body on that car is soooooooo nice it's a shame to cut that up. I don't think I'd even change the straight axle set up. Just update it.

Those cars, in that shape, are like hens teeth. I'd give my right nut to have something that clean & original.

I think if the car was a bit more ragged what your doing would be a bit more acceptable but I must say, which is MY OPINION ONLY, your not doing the car right. If your Dad had started these things then by all means finish them.

You can update the rear with better brakes & a super slide set of springs to lower it. Same with the front. But to cut it up in that shape .... not good. To remove those running boards ... sacralege!

No one likes to cut more than I ... ask Don/ITOLDYOUSO ... he'll verify it. Just not a prestine example like that. What would you Dad think??

I know .... it's his car & he can do what he wants but I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking these thoughts .... just the only one willing to write them down.

Again ... just MY opinion about the project.

REGS

Well, now that you've said it, I kinda flinched when I saw it getting cut up too. Especially the Dad history part of it. The car was just soooooo clean and unmolested.

I'm like Paul and don't mind cutting them up, but sometimes one is just so nice it begs for just a clean up and minor mods to make it a safe driver. Like Paul said though, it IS your car and you certainly have the right to do anything you please with it.

Sorry for any negative remarks, no disrespect intended. :)

Don

hey guys...no worries. Just to clarify, no single part of the body is going to be be cut up at all....it's going to be all original. the fenders, running boards, ect. all came off because of the frame work that's going to be done (boxing the frame and Mustang II to name a few). After all that's done, I'll be putting everything back on. Eventually I plan on having a SBF with about 400hp when i can afford it which is the reason for the boxing of the frame and adding new cross members. To make a long story short, my goal with this project is to have a 100% original body, but have all modern suspension, breaks, and motor/trans....o and I WANT IT SLAMMED!!!!!! :cool: I also know that people change...heck i've changed a bunch with regard to my taste in cars....i do have reservations about modifying things to a point to where they can't be changed back which is why the body will stay original. I may choose to run no hood, but i could just put it back on.... Also for the original wheels, I can just add spacers/adapters to the stockies and still run them on my mustang II and 9" with very minor work. Well anyways...here's an updated pick of what was accomplished today. Got the body off finally!
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v..._IMG956807.jpg

I have been following this Thread (I guess lurking would be a better term)-I wish my Car's Body would have been in as good of shape as yours, it's going to save a bunch of time for you.

I'm kinda torn on the modification of such a nice piece, but in the end it is your Car, and I know that if I did a Car and didn't do it the way that I wanted I wouldn't be happy with the end result, so, go for it.

Running a SBF is a great idea-are you going to run a MII or something like a TCI, Fatman or Heidt's Superride? Lots of choices out there-

Great to see another '35 taking shape-I will keep tabs on this Thread for sure-

I think you're right about being on the fence with regard to the modifications that I'm doing ....that's why the car sat for so long.....I didn't know what route I wanted to take withthe build....but now I do (that's why re build log is titled '35 ford Custom).... I'm doing alot of things that will make people cringe a bit but it boils down to the fact that I want my car to look and drive a certain way. As for the front end...i'm going with fatman (bagged)....going to run bysplies ....not radials. For the rear i'm thinking if running radir cheater slicks 9" wide....which means that the car will also be tubbed....but I'm also going to be running fender skirts....best of both worlds deal I guess......id be pretty unhappy with a stock restoration...but still love the classic look so it's tough finding a median between the two....either way i'll keep the pictures coming....thanks for the input (even the negative) because it's pretty easy to loose sight of the final goal sometimes.

More progress today!!! Got the front end off...i can't believe how little work it was. I love how old cars are really simple to dissasemble :)
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...-34-02_146.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...-34-26_774.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...-34-39_460.jpg

Some more progress on the frame.....just gotta have the frame media blasted then the new cross members and mustang II go in :D:D:D:D:D:D:D
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v..._IMG956807.jpg

I understand what these guys are saying and do not disagree, but at the same time his dad could very well be excited about these changes if he were still with us. My dad has owned our '35 for over 50 years and most of the time I have to convince him to leave something alone or not shell out more money to modify something, but it has been a Chevy powered hot rod most of its life also not an original car.

I think you will end up with a nice balance of an original looking car with modern additions. I would think more about not using radials with a MII though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 35fordcoupe

I understand what these guys are saying and do not disagree, but at the same time his dad could very well be excited about these changes if he were still with us. My dad has owned our '35 for over 50 years and most of the time I have to convince him to leave something alone or not shell out more money to modify something, but it has been a Chevy powered hot rod most of its life also not an original car.

I think you will end up with a nice balance of an original looking car with modern additions. I would think more about not using radials with a MII though.

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Same If it is touching the road and steering its getting a good upgrade . Original cars are great for parades , but if its 80 years old the metal is fatigued at some point be safe not cool . All that stuff is primitive to today's technology .

I dumped a running original flatty for a modern drive , TCI rear parallel leafs , MII front suspension . I will keep the interior stock looking as with the outside body .


BEFORE
http://inlinethumb23.webshots.com/21...200x200Q85.jpg

NOW
http://inlinethumb57.webshots.com/29...200x200Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb58.webshots.com/10...200x200Q85.jpg

Hey everyone! Got some more work done finally....the four link is tacked in finally!!! just gotta finalize all the measurements and she'll be all welded up! Also got a new crossmember added in....the pics are a little blurry, but it's in a frame table if hadn't noticed by looking at the pics...well here they are...enjoy :)
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...-17-20_983.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...-17-58_158.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...-20-16_694.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...9-18-09_24.jpg

Great build keep us posted awesome fab work!

Hey everyone! So I have some updates on my build. The c-notch and 4link are done now! Really freakin excited. The only thing that has to be done is finishing the welds for the bag plates!
***Here'a a picture of the underside of the frame...notice how the gaps are filled with metal :cool:
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v..._IMG956807.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v..._IMG955249.jpg
***Here's the rear end after it was flipped back over...
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v.../IMG953658.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...5/Attch865.jpg
***Here's the packaging for my Mustang II set up from fat man!!!! That's next!!!!
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v..._IMG956807.jpg

Have some progress on the motor also! So I ended up picking up a 1979 302 ford motor with a c4 trans from craigslist for $100. Turns out the motor checked out good and is a running motor :) The C4 trans was slipping but what the heck for a hunded bucks, i can't complain right :rolleyes: Anyways I found out that the 1979 302 motor was a non roller cam motor. So i went back on to craigslist and found a guy that was willing to trade my slipping c4 trnas for an '86 302 short block!!!! So then i was like "what the heck am i going to do with the '79 motor?" Well turns out a buddy of mine wanted to buy it for $250. So i sold it and used the $250 to buy a T5 WC trans with an aluminum flywheel, clutch, bell housing, and hurst short throw kit :eek:!!!! I can't believe that I got that good of a deal. So all in all I got a motor and trans for free! Wheelin and dealin on Craigslist is the jam :LOL:!!! Here go some pics of the progress on the '86 short block....
***Before:
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...-40-52_629.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...-41-02_996.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...-41-20_699.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...-42-22_481.jpg
***Fresh back from the machine shop....decked and hot tanked!
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...-16-56_528.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...1-17-30_12.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...-17-43_397.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...1-18-13_96.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...-19-02_104.jpg
***and a few pics of it currently! What a difference!
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...-18-08_597.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...-18-33_144.jpg
http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/v...-18-48_926.jpg

The 3 XXX's in the valley are indication of a HO 302

found my pic !

I just found this thread and I must say you are very lucky to have such a nice car and a buddy with a shop like that to work on it in. Do it your way and don't look back.