Thread: New Member with questions

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Hi, I'm form Dallas, TX and just got a project 1934 3 window coupe, what would be the best books to get for info, it at the point that I need to start attaching fenders. The car has a lot done but the finders hood and back lower panel will need installed. The car is a glass kit with steel running boards and steel hood.

The car has a 350 motor, 700R4 trans, quick change rear-end, 4 wheel disc brakes, A/C, pw window, pw doors, all gauges, 1200w Sony CD player, 1200 wats, gas tank, wheels & tires, all lights, title steering wheel, other stuff I'm not thinking of, what kind of price would you expect to see for a project with all of this done.

Regards,

Steve

Anyone out there, as Pink would ask, is there a better forum for answers?

what would be the best books to get for info,

what kind of info are you looking for exactly? im new here also and the people on this forum are very knowledgable in just about anything you can fire at em.

Hi there from the Big D myself,I appologize but even though you asked all those questions I still don't know what you are asking

Start by going to library and getting anything by Tex Smith "how to build Ford hotrods" or "how to build traditional hotrods" Tex has written some truly informative and well researched boks on the subject.

Dallas,

This is as good as a place I can think of to get started. This link is to the Street Rodder Magazine book where they built a glass 33/34 with steel hood/fenders.

Good luck...and have fun...thats what this is all about!

http://www.streetrodderweb.com/roadt...is_suspension/

Hey, thanks for the response, I'm needing to learn everything I can as this is not a 1 piece body and I will need to attach the fenders. All of the wiring is done, drive tran is in, brakes are on, gas tank in, window installed, door locks installed, all dash gauges are in. A/C needs to be added, but most of the major stuff is done. I really need to know how the fiberglass get attached to the body.

Regards,

Steve

Generally, even if it is a fiberglass body, fenders and other items like running boards have flanges on them where you have to drill holes and run bolts through to afix them. Sometimes you insert welt between the two to act as a dress up and also insulator. (I've never owned a car with fenders, so I have not done this personally )

While buying someone elses half finished project can be a great way to get a good start and save some money, the one drawback is you sort of have to start without a clear picture of what you have to do to finish it. You just have to start holding things like fenders up against the body and mocking up the car, then you can see what needs to be done to bolt them on. Loosely tape parts on and block them up until you are sure they fit before you start drilling holes. All parts, whether they are glass or steel require a certain amount of finesing to get them to fit properly, and sometimes this can require some compromises just to get them to fit reasonably well.

Most of the knowledge you need will come from just sitting down and studying your car and seeing what looks right.


Don

Thanks Don,

I was thinking do you go with bolts or will pop rivets work, these are the kinds of question as of right now, I'm going to get some books and go to car show to look at some other cars. I am looking it over before I start and get the books I need, reading what I can.

regards,

Steve

Building Hot Rods is much different than building Muscle Cars. There are no hard and fast rules on putting the parts together, therefore there is not really "A" book you can buy that tells you everything you need to know. It is an on-going quest to learn as much as you can from books, magazines, looking at how other Rods are put together as well as the willingness to fabricate, cut and adapt parts as needed. Almost every Hot Rod is put-together differently, I like to look at the way others have done similar projects on their cars then decide for myself which one I like or if I want to do it totally different. IMHO that is what makes this hobby so much fun, because no two Hot Rods are exactly alike!

In your case all we know is that you have a fiberglass body, but we don't know who the manufacturer is or if the fenders are made by the same company as the body which could make a big difference. If you can give us more info, I am sure someone here will have seen or built one similar in the past and can be more help. Knowing what chassis you are using is a help, from the photo It looks like the chassis is finished and that you have a Mustang II IFS setup, which in my book means you need to keep the fenders on the car.

One thing is for sure, just because it is a "kit" it will not go right together and it probably will need some adjustments to fit correctly. My guess is that you will have some work to do to make the glass fenders match up to the steel boards. The price/value of the car when you are finished will depend greatly on how well you can get these pieces to fit!

Hope this helps...

Dave Brisco

Dave,

Understood, the body is a manufacturer that may not be in business any longer. Do you know of any old kits that are not produced any longer, I waiting on the seller to send me all of his paper work. I understand that fitting and getting everything mount is a must.

Here a few more pics maybe someone will see something and know a little more, one I get all of the paper work I should have a better idea of parts.

Regards,

Steve
Thanks to all

I was thinking do you go with bolts or will pop rivets work


No, use bolts and self locking nuts (nylock) where ever possible. I like stainless because it keeps it's finish forever, but they can't really be painted to hide them.

Dave is absolutely right about there being no true guide on how to do each and every application. Every car is different from every other car out there, even though many look the same. You are an artist, and your canvas is your car, you are creating a work of art. Your work of art.


Don

PS: I overengineer everything I build because when you drive your car there are stresses put on it that you can't imagine. You are being smart asking these questions. Keep doing that as often as you need to, we love helping other rodders.

Thanks to all, I'm really excited to get thing going, I will be asking more question I'm sure but I also need to reseach as much as I can.

As soon as I get some paper work I can give more details on the body and other parts.

PS: My other car is attached
Steve

My other car is attached


Oh sure, rub it in. You have a running car and we don't.

I love the body style on those, really pretty car.


Don