FNG from Nampa, ID with a 1939 Plymouth
Greetings all. My Father-In-Law recently gave us his 1939 Plymouth business coupe that originally belonged to his Great Uncle who bought it in 1939. It is a 4th generation family heirloom. It has the flat head 6 and 3 speed on the floor and it needs a lot of work...
The pressure is on to return it to its former glory (and then some) before the big C finally wins the war with my FIL.
I always wanted a project car for me and my boys... but this one wouldn't have been my first choice... or second... or at all. But hey, we work with what we are given, right? And given it was, so despite the long list of "needs", the beginning structure was free.
So far, I've blasted and re-coated the rear axle, replaced the shocks and springs, rebuilt the rear brakes, and upgraded the fronts to discs (well, in process). I had all the front suspension blasted and powdercoated (semi-gloss black), as well as the inner fender/engine compartment panels.
I've begun stripping the frame of dirt, rust, grease, and paint and re-coating it with Eastwood Chassis Black(which matches the powdercoat perfectly).
It was stored for a very long time with minimal maintenance so I don't even know if the thing runs or not though her Dad swears that it ran great last time he drove it. Fantastic... except that was, oh... 10 years ago? The engine will turn over but the electrical system is so shot that I don't dare actually try to start the thing for fear of it going up in smoke.
I have a Painless wiring harness for it which will go in as soon as I have the other components needed for the 12V conversion.
This project has some serious challenges and specific goals. My wife wants it to look "just like it did in 1939". That goes for interior and exterior so no upgrades there.... but... (and here's where you hot rodders will smile) she said (and I quote): " I don't care what you do under the hood". :cool:
It was, for the most part, all there but I am on the prowl for: front sway bar (eliminator) with links and mounts, front nose emblem, ciggy lighter assembly, and the bubble instrument cluster glass.
It will also need: all new glass, new trunk pan, new headliner and carpet, some dent and ding body work, new exhaust, and fresh paint. (and 100 other things I don't know about yet)
I am not aiming for a concourse restoration. This car is neither rare nor valuable though its sentimental value is immeasurable. I am aiming for a period correct exterior and interior appearance with enough out of sight improvements to make it a worthy hot rod/cruiser.
I apologize if I rambled. :o
Almost forgot a picture, shame on me:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net...41141587_n.jpg
