Another Build Thread - My '32

[J. Robinson]

Well, I finally made some real progress. I spent a few afternoons putting some order in the messy shop so I have room to work now. I started playing with some poster board and illustration sheets several months ago, but never finalized the design for my console. Now, needing someplace to mount my backup camera monitor, I decided I needed to finish the design so I could translate it into a permanent structure. At one point I was ready to throw the whole mess out and mount the monitor above the windshield. I looked at that possibility and held the monitor screen up there, but it just wasn't going to work well there. Finally, I looked on Fat Cat Rods website in the interior pictures to see where they mount their rear-view monitors. They mount them in a console under the dash, so...

Bound with new determination to make it work and with ideas from those pictures, I revamped my old illustration board mockup and finally got a design that should work. The console should give me space for the monitor screen, a radio, and a place to mount the toggles for the power windows, fan override switch, and auxiliary lights.

Using the old mockup, I added side panels that reach all the way to the firewall and adjusted the location of the hole for the shifter. I then discovered that the addition of the full side panels made it impossible to remove/replace the thing in one piece, even with the shifter lever removed. So, the bottom piece and the under-dash unit will need to be in separate pieces. OK, so be it. (First pic)

I cut the mockup apart and used the pieces as patterns to make the permanent structure. (Pics 2 & 3) The face and sides are made from Luan plywood, the flattop / cup holder piece is made from a piece of 1 x 10 lumber, and the curved back piece is made from .025 aluminum (scrap leftover from one of my Electrathon cars). The under-dash section goes right in place with the shifter lever removed and the bottom section fits snugly to it. I'll use some aluminum angle to make mounts for it and after it's upholstered the seam should be barely noticeable.

[40FordDeluxe]

Nice work on your console Jim.

[J. Robinson]

Thank you, Ryan.

I've been working on the Deuce, slowly, but haven't done much that's "picture-worthy". I've been diddling with the console and playing with the rear-view camera wiring. I have finally arrived at what I think is a reasonably comfortable layout. I have mounted the rear-view monitor as high as possible on the console. Directly below the monitor are 7 switches. The two on the ends and the one in the center are double-pole double-throw switches. The ends run the power windows and the center one operates the exhaust cut-outs. One of the other toggles turns the rear-view camera on and off and another is the fan override switch. The other two toggles are unused right now, but they will allow the addition of other accessories later. I have all the console wiring routed through a 12-wire marine plug so console removal for future service is simplified.

This thing will get upholstery and a switch plate before it's all done, but that will come later.

[rspears]

Good to see the progress, Jim. What feels like baby steps add up, and all of a sudden it's time to check things out with a drive around the block!!

[J. Robinson]

Ah, how right you are, Roger. The day after my last post I set the console in the car, plugged it in, and everything works as it's supposed to. Small victories are what keeps us going in this hobby... er sport... uh endeavor... whatever it is. Anyway, on Wednesday, with everything important hooked up and working, I took the car down off the dollies, fired it up and moved it out of the shop under its own power. This was a relief because I had no idea if the transmission was any good! It was given to me with the engine, but neither I nor the giver have any idea of its history. My wife heard the big-block rumbling and came out to see what was up. I handed her my phone and she shot the following pics of me driving up the street and back... twice.

Finally!! What a relief... It has taken me much longer than expected to reach this point - the first test-drive. I didn't go far enough or fast enough for the transmission to get through all four gears, but I'm encouraged that it's probably OK. The carburetor needs to be adjusted (or possibly replaced), the timing needs to be set correctly, and the brakes need adjusting, but I'm pleased. I still need to install the third brake light, horns, rear view mirrors, windshield wiper, and charge the A/C system, but there is "light at the end of the tunnel" now.

[40FordDeluxe]

That's awesome Jim! That had to be a great feeling! Are you going to paint it now or just prime it and drive it some this summer?

[rspears]

Indeed great news, and it looks great! The stance is perfect, and it screams Hot Rod!! Congrats!!

[stovens]

Nice Jim .Hey I was having carb problems for last few years but was turned on to this product Star Tron Enzyme formula fuel tank cleaner. Even if your tank is clean adding literally a very small amount stabilizes gas for two years. As gas flows thru carb it cleans them, too. This stuff is great! It was designed for boats that sat around for years.
get this specific type.

[Hotrod46]

Very nice looking car, Jim. The proportions are right.

Did you have grin in your face? I'm sure you did and you earned it!

[johnboy]

:

Finally!! What a relief... It has taken me much longer than expected to reach this point - the first test-drive. :

It always does for me too!
I was going to have a retaining wall built and backfilled before Christmas.
I haven't got even the wall itself done so far.

:, but there is "light at the end of the tunnel" now.

Keep watching it mate; I've found that sometimes it's a bloody great train coming straight at you!

[Bob Parmenter]

Now that's progress Jim!

Thanks Steve, that stuff is just what I need to clean the fuel system on a '32 sedan that recently fell in my lap.

[rspears]

Now that's progress Jim!

Thanks Steve, that stuff is just what I need to clean the fuel system on a '32 sedan that recently fell in my lap.

Uncle Bob, you know the old adage, "Without pictures....."

We'll be looking forward to seeing a new thread pop up!

[Dave Severson]

The first test ride is always great, starts the justification for all those shop hours!

[Driver50x]

Wow, beautiful car Jim! It looked even better than I thought it would. The wheels, tires, and stance look absolutely perfect to my eyes. And the big block is a thing of beauty. You just don’t see that too often in a car like that. Thanks for sharing the console pics. I needed to see that. I’m going to build a similar one for my ‘47 Chevy. I want to add a few things to the interior- without molesting the original dashboard.






.

[falconvan]

That's one sexy beast, Jim. I think I need to kick back and smoke a cigarette from just from looking at it.