Thread: 1933 Ford Coupe Body

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I have finally finished a couple of projects and would like to start on a nostalgic 33 Ford 3 window coupe. Who makes the best body? Strong, free of stress cracking and squeaking? What is stronger/better, the wood, steel, or all composite reinforced bodies? Who can provide a stock appearing firewall? If there is not a stock firewall available on one of the high quality bodies, can someone tell me where I can get a piece of engine turned stainless or aluminum sheet to laminate over the smooth firewall? Also, the powertrain is ready, it's a Chevy 328 (350 crank in a 350 4 bolt block sleeved to a 283 bore) with small Edelbrock E-Tec heads and a Demon tripower with a TKO 600 trans. My other question in how effecient is a champ or a V8 quickchange vs. a 9" with a locker? Which takes more power to drive? I have always used Ford 9" rears in the past? Thanks.

Read this thread. Just about everything said there about bodies addresses your first question.

If I were building one today, I would use N&N. If price is no object, then Wescott.

Laminating metal onto a 33/34 firewall strikes me as a pretty serious chore. The shape of the firewall is very complex.

I don't think you're going to notice a power difference among the rear axles you mentioned. If you're going for the look - quick change. Otherwise, 9".

N&N --- Hands down the best on the market for the bucks.

Thanks for the advice. Anyone have any info on the rear end question?

[QUOTE=Henry Rifle
....snip...I don't think you're going to notice a power difference among the rear axles you mentioned. If you're going for the look - quick change. Otherwise, 9".[/QUOTE]

I think Jack nailed the rear end question.

In the quickchange, what's the real difference between straight cut and spiral or helical gears?

Noise level is the most noticeable difference, I think. Straight cut gears will whine more, or at least that is my understanding. (and that isn't ALL bad! )

Don

Jack wrote:

Laminating metal onto a 33/34 firewall strikes me as a pretty serious chore. The shape of the firewall is very complex.

Met a guy at a local car show recently that had a 32 3WC, chopped, channeled, flattie powered, flat black, steel wheels, pure old school look.
Car was a beauty. It wasn't until he opened the trunk that I realized that it was a glass car. He had molded in a steel 32 firewall into the body that looked like a factory build. Don't know if doing that with a 33 would be that much more difficult, but the final results were amazing.

Next time I go to that show I will have to take some photos of that car to share.

I shopped and compared all mfgrs.before I bought my 34.The firewall looks like a 34 steel(ribs and all).I had one fender that was a little thin at the rear outside,after bracing that was not a problem.The painter was impressed how little he had to prep the car before painting.I think the grill is about all that is different from the 33 vs 34.The price was also impressive.

Has anyone on the forum used the Rod Shop bodies? They were located in Indiana,Pa.but I think they have either been bought out or moved.

Bob, I really would appreciate it if you could get some pictures to see how it was done.
Don, whose body did you use?
Thanks

Originally Posted by Don Dalton

I shopped and compared all mfgrs.before I bought my 34.The firewall looks like a 34 steel(ribs and all).I had one fender that was a little thin at the rear outside,after bracing that was not a problem.The painter was impressed how little he had to prep the car before painting.I think the grill is about all that is different from the 33 vs 34.The price was also impressive.

Has anyone on the forum used the Rod Shop bodies? They were located in Indiana,Pa.but I think they have either been bought out or moved.

Is the Rod Shop who you used? I looked them up and they are in Norfolk VA, and do not offer a '33/'34.. I checked your myspace and your car appears to be a Street Beast.

Originally Posted by Matt167

Is the Rod Shop who you used? I looked them up and they are in Norfolk VA, and do not offer a '33/'34.. I checked your myspace and your car appears to be a Street Beast.

Ouch, that's gotta hurt. Matt, after looking at Don's pictures, I noticed several things that rules out a Street Beast, 1-chassis, 2-firewall, 3-dash, 4-bumper mounting. But what do I know, I'm a rookie at this.

Mike

Originally Posted by Matt167

Is the Rod Shop who you used? I looked them up and they are in Norfolk VA, and do not offer a '33/'34.. I checked your myspace and your car appears to be a Street Beast.

Wrong,Wrong,Wrong;
Street Beast is a bad word in my opinion.My chassis is custom built set up for 700r4 and 400 + HP.engine. Street Beast is a 1 piece body,you didn't study my Pics. very well.
This is the link of the present owners and they do offer a 33,34 3/w cpe.
www.streetrodz.com

Originally Posted by Mike52

Ouch, that's gotta hurt. Matt, after looking at Don's pictures, I noticed several things that rules out a Street Beast, 1-chassis, 2-firewall, 3-dash, 4-bumper mounting. But what do I know, I'm a rookie at this.

Mike

Mike,I'm thick skinned.It hurt a little considering my time and effort building the car,not to mention the $$$$'s.

Oh pretty good rookie observation.

Sorry .. I actully studied the pictures very well, and did see the seperate fenders and body, but then looking at a couple of the pictures from the front view, the fenders appeared to be one peice ( below the center of the grille ), that is what made me think, Street Beast... and yea, looking at the pictures again, the dash is way diffrent than what Street Beast uses... I really did not mean it as an insult, your car is really nice. Again, I'm sorry