Dodge roadster

This may end up being thrown away or sold off but I thought I'd start a build thread just in case it actually goes somewhere. When I was scrapping the last 48 Dodge sedan I parted out, I was cutting up the remains of the body and started seeing something. I shoved the cowl together with the rear clip and started seeing the possibility of a roadster. Flipper's Rufus thread has kept the spark going so I collected a few parts and did a few things on it. I've got a Model A frame with the front axle; 29, I think. I've also got a 96 Firebird rearend from a scrapped wreck, a 68 model 250 inline six, an early Saginaw 3 speed with an old hurst shifter, the steering column/box/wheel from the 48 Dodge along with the hood and plenty of misc. I cut 8" off of the bottom on one side; still have to do the other. When I get some things done in the garage and get some more room I'll try and piece the body parts together to see what it's looking like.

Last few...

Fenders or no fenders on the rear?

Good question; I've got a set so we'll see when we get there.

that rear end is real wide so you would have to narrow it or better off maybe finding another?

Looks like a car is there! All the basic parts, just assembly.:)

You may be right; I plan on narrowing the body to try and get it somewhere in the width dimensions of a model A tub so it will work on the frame I have. Anyone know what a Model A rearend measures out at?

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Originally Posted by stovens

Looks like a car is there! All the basic parts, just assembly.:)

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HMMMM....the bolt holes dont seem to line up for some reason.:LOL:

Yeah! That'll add some work!:eek:
I was just pulling your leg. My truck is fully assembled, and is still a ton of work. But I like your idea!:cool:

Even when they're done, they're never done. My problem is that I cant throw anything away that could possibly turn into a vehicle. I could have nothing but a coffee can full of rusty bolts and I'd see a potential project in it.

looks like alot of interesting parts there. could turn into a beautiful project.

Thanks Barb, I certainly hope it does. Or at least something that moves on it's own. I can do beautiful later if I get functional first.:)

MMMMMMMMMM, I vaguely remember seeing that 6 cylinder somewhere......

For a great deal on a used engine, check out Joe's Garage in scenic Cahokia, Il, where they always treat the customer right.:)

Do you still have any roof pieces? Adding a roof might be fun.

http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06...lago_t150c.jpg

http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/r...ttiCoupe-1.jpg



http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/r...asel/img05.jpg

I sure dont, just some front and rear fenders plus the trunklid. I was looking at the HAMB at Plowboy's Lunar Lander. Lot's of good ideas there.

I finished cutting down the other side of the car and started piecing the tub together and I'm pretty happy how it came out. I narrowed the rear clip 7" and everything seemed to fall right into place. I think I'm going to go with building the tub first and then building a frame for it instead of trying to make the tub to fit the model A frame.

Here's one with the dash sitting in place.

Somebody on the HAMB did a photo shop of the rear of this for me; I think this is what I'm going for.

I got a bunch of free unistrut from a demo job they did at my building so I bought some casters and built a body cart to get this stabilized and mobile. At least it's up off the ground so I wont have to bend over to work on it.

Lookin' good Falcon!!!! That's really the fun way to build a Hot Rod....Just keep doing whatever it is that trips your trigger, then change it all a couple times or three, and when it's done it'll be unique and never mistaken for one of them 1-800-Hot-Rods cars!!!!!

Or, like a sign a buddy (??) gave me once;

Unique is what we seek, but bizarre is what we are!!!!!

It'll be one of a kind; that's for sure. I think getting the back to look right will be the youghest. I think I've got a good plan for shortening the wheel wells and how to do the front. Aint nothing but time and MIG wire!

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Originally Posted by falconvan

I think I'm going to go with building the tub first and then building a frame for it instead of trying to make the tub to fit the model A frame.

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Many years ago, I learned that this is how the guys who build purpose-built race cars such as formula cars do it. They locate all the components where they want them in space, then build the frame to "connect the dots".

Cool! Sounds like I'm in good company. I can always make a good meat smoker out of it if worse comes to worse.

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Originally Posted by falconvan

cool! Sounds like i'm in good company. I can always make a good meat smoker out of it if worse comes to worse.

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roflmao :lol:

I narrowed the decklid and started tacking it into place to try and get a better visual. About halfway up the decklid it starts to rise in the middle toward the rear window; I think if I can get rid of that and keep the curve of the lower half of the decklid going, it'll transition smooth enough to remove the c pillars and the rear shelf. I want a nice smooth curve going right up to the area behind the passenger compartment. Here's another thought; I was looking at the center section of the front doors laid together. It measures pretty close to the width behind where the seat will be. If I cut that section out of the doors, I might be able to do something with it. I dont know, just thinking out loud right now.

I changed my mind on this one. It's on Ebay right now with no reserve. I've got a clear title for it and will make someone a really good deal on it.

Sometimes you just have to thin out the herd. I recently sold my 39 Dodge pickup project on Ebay too because I realized my heart wasn't really in it.......plus it freed up a whole bunch of room in the shop.:D:D

Now you can concentrate on your other project.

Don

That's what I figured Joe,
if I finished every car i ever started, I'd need the parking lot at Yankee stadium to hold 'em all. Some good ideas just never make it to the finish line.