Thread: new here in need of guidance

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Welcome aboard Joel.

It's good that you start out asking questions, you've got a lot to learn and that's the best first step.

The answer to your question is so multi-faceted that there is no "quick and dirty" way to get there. Just a little hint to give you an idea let's start with a question. What's your vision of the kind of hot rod you want to end up with? The answer to that will start us down the path to answering your opener here. Not trying to make it more complicated, just trying to show you there is no single, best answer.

If you lean toward a traditional hot rod, say with a hopped up 4 banger, then the original frame might be just fine, if it's in good condition. If you want a nitros burning pro mod car, then the answers are radically different. Those ar extremes, but at points in between there are even more options. Couple what you think you want with your skills, equipment inventory, and the size of your wallet, not to mention the amount of time you have, and the possibilities are multiplied. That's not a bad thing that should discourage you, it just tells you that you need to figure some things out so that the folks on the board can help you reach a conclusion that will make your experience a pleasure instead of a disappointment (yes, it often ends up one way or the other).

Just another example. If you want a roadster, you may be better off trading your current body for a roadster body. Based on your description (two doors with a trunk, not rumble) you have what is commonly known as a coupe. The reason that knowing the specific nomenclature is to your benefit is in helping you communicate with those that might be of use to your progress. Now, for '28 you could have three types of coupes, all three having a "canvas top", though each is different, mostly in "how much canvas". There's the regular coupe that has 5 windows (the most desireable and easiest to trade for a roadster), the Special coupe that has 5 windows also but the back of the turret is wood framed and canvas covered (in addition to the very top surface), and then the Sport Coupe that has 3 windows and sort of looks like a convertible with the top up, though it's top doesn't fold down. The special coupes are less desireable because they have more wood, and the back section is often rotted away. The Sport coupes are even less desireable because fewer people like the look of them. These are often converted to roadster looking cars known as "coupesters" when the wooden top structure is removed, but then the door window frames have to be hacked off to complete the look. When all that is done to the minimum effort they look hacked. With considerable metal working they can be made to resemble a real roadster. This is often a bucks down builders choice because the bodies are cheaper.

Anyway, that's a start. If you're up to sticking around and learning there are lots of folks here to help.