Thread: '32 Cowl Reshaping

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Originally Posted by NSRA905

The frame is about 5/8" above the eyebrow in the center which is way too much for the seal to do it's job and this is kinda cheating by mounting the lower stanchions alittle low at the ends of the eyebrow.

I taped a 48 inch straigh edge ruler on the windshield, getting it level. then I made sure that the ends were the same distance from the straight edge to the corner of the windshield frame.



The distance measures exactly two inches ( both sides ) ... and as you can clearly see, the windshield fits like it is supposed too.

Bruce--take a photo head on like Randy did and compare. I am curious as we all are.

First of all I want to thank Deuce for going through the work of measuring his windshield frame and posting the pictures!
I did the same with mine and for some reason I get a measurement of 2 5/16" where he got the 2"--so mine has more of an arch than his. That's weird. I purchased mine from Lobecks and they do alot of '32's so I don't understand why there is a difference. Deuce, is your's an original '32 frame or is it a repo? If it's a repo, what brand?
I thought what appeared to be more of an arch in my pictures was just, as comedian Norm Crosby would say, an obstacle conclusion.
I don't need this, it's really discouraging.
Bruce

Originally Posted by NSRA905

I did the same with mine and for some reason I get a measurement of 2 5/16" where he got the 2"--so mine has more of an arch than his. That's weird. I purchased mine from Lobecks.

5/16ths is not enough to fix your problem IMHO

Originally Posted by NSRA905

Deuce, is your's an original '32 frame or is it a repo?
Bruce

I consider that a INSULT
NO REPRODUCTIONS ALLOWED


Most reproduction stuff just does not fit as well as Henry's stuff. I do believe that Walter Twaintwein ( mis-spelled I suspect ) makes the best roadster windshield frames. I have used his in a few friends 32 Ford sedans and Victorias. Fit just like Henrys We got them from Dick Spadaro ... he is close to them ...

As a side note, I helped a friend install a DuVuall style windshield on his 32 roadster 4 or 5 years back. He ordered it from So-Cal Speed Shop in Pomona California. They asked if he had a original 32, a Brookville 32 or a Wescott 32.
Each one required a different windshield frame due to the curvature of the cowl.

Good Luck ...

Can you get a shot from straight on??? I'm with Bob, the center looks really low but it could be the angle of the pic... Also, could be the car was popped from the mold to early and the center drooped.... Seen it happen. With all the changes at Down's, who knows???? 'Glass bodies can be that far off, all it takes is a bit of carelessness or somebody getting in a big hurry....

It looks like they may have pulled that body from the mold while it was still "green" and without proper support the area directly below the windshield has sagged.[/QUOTE]

Damn Dave---This is just like Deja'Vu all over again.

Originally Posted by brianrupnow

It looks like they may have pulled that body from the mold while it was still "green" and without proper support the area directly below the windshield has sagged.

Damn Dave---This is just like Deja'Vu all over again.[/QUOTE]

Yeah Really!!!!! Just please don't ask me how I learned that lesson..........

Minor problem ... the cowl/windshield fit.

Now this is a problem ...





My friend Don Dillard was hit and then forced into a curb today. Steel car with lots of charm. At least the the E-250 Ford van driver had insurance ( company van ).

Now, that's absolutely sickening!!!! I did a search and found his site and saw how the car looked when he got it, etc. Hope he's okay! Makes my problem seem like nothing at all.
Bruce

Originally Posted by Deuce

[ I do believe that Walter Twaintwein ( mis-spelled I suspect ) makes the best roadster windshield frames. I have used his in a few friends 32 Ford sedans and Victorias. Fit just like Henrys We got them from Dick Spadaro ... he is close to them ...

I think you might mean Trautwein, he is the best; TRAUTWEIN PRODUCTS, Phone 518-677-5668

Man, that's a huge shame on Dillards roadster. If I recall correctly the chassis was a temporary one he planned to eventually replace, but all that OEM sheet metal.............

Deuce, gotta ask you--is this the Don Dillard that played baseball? You mention that he's your friend and I see that the ball player was born in SC where you are.

If the body's cowl is the problem, the best solution may be to fabricate a new lower piece to the windshield to match the curve of your cowl. Pain in the a$$, I know. But I would look toward that as a solution to the problem rather than trying to build up the cowl to fit the windshield you have. It would be less work but more expensive as you would have to have it re-plated.

Originally Posted by NSRA905

Deuce, gotta ask you--is this the Don Dillard that played baseball? You mention that he's your friend and I see that the ball player was born in SC where you are.

Not the same Don Dillard.

The roadster owner Don Dillard is younger and lives in California, just outside Los Angeles. We usually eat Mexican @ a little Mexican place just behind the tower @ Pomona Drag Strip. I was in California twice last year. Once for the Grand National Roadster Show and again for the LA Roadster show.



I did meet Don Dillard the Greenville SC native one time. I lived in Greenville back when he first turned PRO and went to the Major Leagues.

Ain't it a b@#$@h for a car to make it 76 years just to have some yokel, probably talking or texting on a cell phone to "do it in" .

Deuce - It looks like your friend has a serious upcoming project for the next few months to return the car to at least driveable shape. I'm not a real fan of the patina look but.......dang

Originally Posted by IC2

I'm not a real fan of the patina look but.......dang

I agree on the " Patina " look but his was REAL ... not new made to look old.



This is how it looked when he got it ...