'40 Ford convertable salvage

Back into the salvage stash.
This pile has some work started. I'll be trying to use the  parts that the PO had gathered.
Engine is not the flathead. What is there looks pretty good. I have found some headers and valve covers in the salvage yard that I'll be using.


First thing was to rig up the front axle (I don't have a dropped one in the salvage yard. I use one of those on almost every old rod I build) that will be low enough. I may even channel this baby to LOOK as if it'll need air bags.



PO had a nice set of big & littles, so I'll have to modify the axle ends to get them tucked inside the fenders.

The skeleton is looking good already Clay. Looking forward to more of this build.

Have the rear end narrowed and placed. No running boards means I'll be having to fill and bob the fenders.(never mind the chopped '49 back there. Something to play with while waiting for glue to dry, may end up as a background photo piece).


The '40 may end up something like this.

Nice start Clay.

Clay: Not what I would do to a 40 Ford, but I'm sure when you get done it will be beautiful and unique.

Filled the gap from the missing running boards with rocker panels.
Looks a lot less gawky.

First coat of primer on the rockers.
Guess what ? Found a little baggie that had the Carson top that I'll use. And there were the running boards that woulda saved me a lot of work! I thought they would have been part of the fender assembly and that the PO had removed them ! Also found the dropped axle.
I looked up the fender skirts that had come with the 40 sedan. They'll be used .
If I had of had the instructions I mighta looked for those parts. I'm just too used to plugging along with salvage stuff.

So you are going to ad the running boards now?

I like the look you gave it without the running boards. Now that you got all that work done I would keep going with it.

Nice start Clay. I had been considering leaving the running boards of mine, but you beat me to it.

Shelby wrote:I like the look you gave it without the running boards. Now that you got all that work done I would keep going with it.

Oh, yeah, I'll be leaving them off and keep the rocker panels. Looked dorky with the gap between the fenders.

Today's hurdle was to see if I can get the frame and interior tub to work all together. I removed the inner wheel wells from the sub-flooring (one less piece to sandwich in there) and attached them directly to the  floor plate. They'll only show at the ends of the rear seat.

Since it's soooo low, if the foto with the rear skirt is part of the plan, I vote YES!  Thanx for the updates!

Ditto, what Harron said.

Suppose I ought to catch up on the updates.
I've been working on the floorboard section to get some more clearance. I cut out the  floor mat section to get a bit more clearance from the frame.



I cut off the tranny tunnel/hump, laid a new floor board, and replaced the tranny/hump. I gained the thickness of the floor plate plastic.





All this, and still had clearance issues. SO, being as how the top of the transmission was already shaved some by PO.  I, being the  less than conscientious rivet counter that I am, carved some more off the top.
 I have the interior parts airbrushed with cheap WalMart folkart paint, and the bodywork ready for a white primer basecoat. Plan on getting more fotos of that today to get caught up.

I just wonder how much just sectioning the interior shell and, if necessary, making a larger trans/driveshaft tunnel would alleviate much of the problem.  Moderate suspension lowering then would be easier.  Just a thought.  Thanx for all the work, a lot considering.

The interior side panels are separate, and I will be attaching them directly on the interior sides of the body shell. The dashboard will have to be fitted between them. That'll have to be after the body is completely painted and ready to set down over the chassis.
Meanwhile, the engine is now attached and it's up on wheels.

Nice job Clay, LOVE the stance !

Looks great Clay.

It's coming. Evidently, the paint fairy is having her 'period' !