- Joined
- Apr 29, 2014
- Messages
- 620
- Reaction score
- 111
- Location
- Ozarks
- My Car
- I have a low rust/lots of dents '71 sportsroof.
I received a request for more info about the old roadster I’m building so here’s the scoop on it. I don’t call it a ’32 because although it’s real steel it’s not original. The same goes for the frame rails. Maybe I spent too much time in my working roles as an engineer with a lot of years involved contracts but my eye roll back when people leave out the terms replica, tribute or clone when they refer to their stuff that is not original. I’m also building a Factory Five roadster but I try not to call it a Cobra. I’m fortunate have the owner of THE CALIFORNIA KID as a friend. I’d feel like a jerk calling my car a ’32 when he mentions his ’34 (or any of his other cool stuff). Enough of replica etiquette here's the build.
I started with a pair of reproduction frame rails and front cross member. Using up to three digital protractors simultaneously it was pretty easy to set it up and get it reasonably square. The initial welds were like those in body work, quick and small to minimize shifting. Once some of the added bracing was in it was OK to speed up the welding. The worst diagonal measurements come in at within 1/8” of being equal. Someone who builds chassis using a jig told that his stuff is basically perfect because of the jig. I asked what is it once his frames are pulled out of the jig, “I assume it must be the same”. Maybe they are and maybe they aren’t. I’m pleased with my results. I still need to add more stiffeners and then box the main rails but it’s good enough to move on to other details.
Front suspension is standard Pete and Jakes chromed Super Bell I beam with a 4” drop and polished Wilwoods. I used basic three link principles out back with a nine inch and more Wilwood stuff.
From three separate frame rails to where it is now took about 80 hours. It was the first chassis I built from bare rails so I wasn’t too concerned with time. A second set of hands would have save a bunch of time. I used a cherry picker to get the body on and off but the balance was not good so that went slower than it should have.
When I stared the project I planned to use a 406 sbc with about 500 HP and a TKO 600. That engine has since gone into a Camaro and I came across a standard bore 428 SCJ with over the counter Ford high compression pistons and a tunnel wedge. The shear beauty of that piece has me rethinking the sbc plans but the ease of packaging the chebbie is temping. We’ll see.
The larger than life guy hanging out with the roller is my late friend Norm. He was a legend in the hot rod community and the push behind building this. “YOU NEED A “32” was something I heard a lot, followed by “so we can go drinking in it.” I missed his deadline but did take him out for drinks (and food) on too many occasions to count. We all miss you Norm! It will feel like you’re with whenever this car is on the road.
I started with a pair of reproduction frame rails and front cross member. Using up to three digital protractors simultaneously it was pretty easy to set it up and get it reasonably square. The initial welds were like those in body work, quick and small to minimize shifting. Once some of the added bracing was in it was OK to speed up the welding. The worst diagonal measurements come in at within 1/8” of being equal. Someone who builds chassis using a jig told that his stuff is basically perfect because of the jig. I asked what is it once his frames are pulled out of the jig, “I assume it must be the same”. Maybe they are and maybe they aren’t. I’m pleased with my results. I still need to add more stiffeners and then box the main rails but it’s good enough to move on to other details.
Front suspension is standard Pete and Jakes chromed Super Bell I beam with a 4” drop and polished Wilwoods. I used basic three link principles out back with a nine inch and more Wilwood stuff.
From three separate frame rails to where it is now took about 80 hours. It was the first chassis I built from bare rails so I wasn’t too concerned with time. A second set of hands would have save a bunch of time. I used a cherry picker to get the body on and off but the balance was not good so that went slower than it should have.
When I stared the project I planned to use a 406 sbc with about 500 HP and a TKO 600. That engine has since gone into a Camaro and I came across a standard bore 428 SCJ with over the counter Ford high compression pistons and a tunnel wedge. The shear beauty of that piece has me rethinking the sbc plans but the ease of packaging the chebbie is temping. We’ll see.
The larger than life guy hanging out with the roller is my late friend Norm. He was a legend in the hot rod community and the push behind building this. “YOU NEED A “32” was something I heard a lot, followed by “so we can go drinking in it.” I missed his deadline but did take him out for drinks (and food) on too many occasions to count. We all miss you Norm! It will feel like you’re with whenever this car is on the road.
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