New build thread; 48 Plymouth

[falconvan]

Here's how the decklid is going to lay out; pretty much stock except I'm recessing the license plate. One the bodywork is done here and the drivers door gets a little more work, we're going to paint everything from the firewall back.

[stovens]

Nice touch. Really sets off the rear lid. Little stuff like this really is worth the big amount of time it takes to do it!

[Dave Severson]

Lookin' good Falcon!!! Just isn't a Hot Rod without a frenched plate!!!

[Mike P]

I definitely like that deck lid, just the right touch.

[Mike P]

Hey Falconvan, I was just looking over your thread (again LOL). I noticed the brake pedal on page 26, I'm going to be changing out the pedal on my 37 and that sure looks like what I'll be hunting for. Is it original to the car or off someting else?

[falconvan]

Mike, the pedal assembly itself came from an early 80's Chevy truck. I cut it down and made the dash mount a little different. The pad is from the 48 Plymouth; I cut the Chevy pad off and welded on a tab so I could bolt the Plymouth pad on. I got a few laying around if you need one.

[Mike P]

Thanks, actually I thnk I ming know where a couple of those pads are now that I know what it is. If I can't locate one I'll sure let you know.

[RadRidesByDan]

Amazing work......its come a long way and it looks great.....Keep up the good work....

[lamin8r]

Yup,,I think it looks kool..Coming along nicely..Recessed plate does the job...Subtle....

[falconvan]

Thanks! I thought about shaving everything off the lid but decided to go this route. Got some time in on this one the last few days. I did the last bit of patching on the drivers door along with cutting out the braces so I can work on the one piece windows. I also picked up this for a front seat. I need to make some stands but it's in way better shape that the original. The frame on the original is so rusted Im afraid it would disintegrate if I had it blasted. Kyle is working on wrapping up the deck lid; it's been a ton of work to get it right but it's getting closer. I pray to God no one ever hits this thing in the rear!

[OSK]

Looks like your moving right along on your project too, i'll bet that things gunna be one helluva rod when your all said n done!

[falconvan]

Thanks, I wish it was going faster but the guy who's been doing the bodywork for me has moved a couple hours away so it has slowed quite a bit. The plan was to get the paint on the main body so I can start reassembling while he worked on the front fenders and hood. I really don't want to have to go to someone else as he's giving me a killer deal so for now I'm waiting it out to see if his schedule gets better. He works on it when he's in town but it's been tough for him to get here lately. I've been working on it for four years so a little longer isn't too big of an issue...for now.

[falconvan]

I guess it's time to get back to the 48; she's been feeling neglected. Here's where I left off last time. My next step is to get the vent window eliminator kit and the power windows installed. I bought a kit from Hagan to do the vent widows. Basically it's just four pieces of track with 4 pins and some misc hardware. You could probably built one out of Home Depot parts and do just as well. Also, I did not follow Hagan's directions to a T. They called for replacing the rear track but it was the same dimensions as the original so I just used the factory rear track. Didnt see much sense in making more work than necessary.
In a nutshell, you cut out a window pattern from thin plywood ( I used some leftover underlayment), then cut out another piece 1/4" longer as a locator for the front track, use a pin to secure the top of the front track, and adjustable bracket for the bottom, and finally weld in a small filler piece. It took about 4 hours to get it all lined up and welded; and the plywood widow mock up slides nicely up and down in it. Next step will be to install the power window on this side and then do it all again on the other side.

[falconvan]

A few more.....

[falconvan]

Last few.... feels good to be back on this one. We had a great holiday today; 60 degrees and sunny so I took the 49 out for a while this morning. I think its dialed in pretty good; it drives out really nice for a 63 year old beater.