'28 Tudor body

[ScottNW/Ohio]

I've got a late 28 (center e-brake) Tudor body that is VERY rough -
Rat Rod rough, but I'll let it rot in the barn before I'll let that happen.
My son just laughs at me whenever I move stuff out of the way and start looking at it - its pretty rough, any panel that isn't bent is dented.
It sat outside for years and all the wood is gone.
The passenger side door rear post is broken away from the subframe (had been hit in the side - the driver's side rear post is rusted away, along with a lot of the lower sheetmetal. Most of the subrails are still there, but the body is kind of falling down around it.
That being said - is there anyway to find dimentions of what this body should be ?
I'm going to have to fab a lot of body panels, as some of the damage won't be eliminated with just patch panels alone.
I may post pictures later if I can figure out how - but just wondered what the Barners thought - I already know I'm nuts (family has pretty well told me) maybe I should be content with playing with my pickup and start a rock collection ?

 

[Steve Plucker]

I've got a late 28 (center e-brake) Tudor body that is VERY rough -
Rat Rod rough, but I'll let it rot in the barn before I'll let that happen.
My son just laughs at me whenever I move stuff out of the way and start looking at it - its pretty rough, any panel that isn't bent is dented.
It sat outside for years and all the wood is gone.
The passenger side door rear post is broken away from the subframe (had been hit in the side - the driver's side rear post is rusted away, along with a lot of the lower sheetmetal. Most of the subrails are still there, but the body is kind of falling down around it.
That being said - is there anyway to find dimentions of what this body should be ?
I'm going to have to fab a lot of body panels, as some of the damage won't be eliminated with just patch panels alone.
I may post pictures later if I can figure out how - but just wondered what the Barners thought - I already know I'm nuts (family has pretty well told me) maybe I should be content with playing with my pickup and start a rock collection ?

How about letting FLOP deal with it...He for sure will make it good!

Pluck

 

[columbiA]

Model "A" tudors are the most common body style.There are more of them around than any other car of that vintage in the world.Ive seen very nice ones for around 10,000 to $ 12,000.You could not begin to restore a rusted out basket case for the same price.The only basket cases that may be worth restoring would be a rare desireable style such as a cabriolet,convert sedan,station wagon etc.A lot of basket cases are best used as parts cars & be priced accordingly.You could drive over a nice car with a D8 Cat & with enough time & $$$$$$,you could restore it& maybe if it was the only one left in the world it would still be worth it.

 

[Tudortomnz]

I do not think restoring an old vehicle is cost effective; you do it for the challenge & because of some emotive reason eg. nostalgia. So if you want to get this Tudor back on the road,give it a go.
To the suggestion of paying a body pro. to fix it, not everyone has unlimited money .
I really think the old car hobby now is becoming a rich mans game

 

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

I do not think restoring an old vehicle is cost effective; you do it for the challenge & because of some emotive reason eg. nostalgia. So if you want to get this Tudor back on the road,give it a go.
To the suggestion of paying a body pro. to fix it, not everyone has unlimited money .
I really think the old car hobby now is becoming a rich mans game

I see your point however I think what has changed is the car owner, ...not the game. I would venture a guess that if we polled Model-A owners from 30-40 years ago, we would find that over half of them did the restoration on their car(s) themselves. Would you venture a guess on that percentage today?

Being brutally honest, how many hobbyists today even have the mindset and ability to complete a 1500-2000 hour project? The only reason it is a rich man's game is because folks are too "distracted" to learn how and apply a skill to complete it themselves. Restoration for a hobbyist need not be expensive providing that person will be dedicated and resourceful on doing all the tasks themselves. All it takes is 'time'. Granted not everyone has 'time', therefore I am in the business of "selling time" to those who can afford it.

.

 

[ScottNW/Ohio]

Brent, you hit this one right on the head.
It's not that I plan to make this a perfect restoration - it's more of the chalenge, it sits in the barn and 'taunts' me every time I walk by it.
I just hate to see it just rusting away, but I don't want it to be someone's rat rod (which is what everybody else is telling me to do with it)
I think I can fix it - and nobody has "already restored it", so it's not like I have to strip off a bunch of paint to see what mistake lurks below (like my pickup was )
I remember seeing photos of literally piles of junk that Scott Owens would post on the old site - and what they looked like after he waived his majic wand over it - and was amazed at what could be done with a little time and effort.
This thing is not something I would ever think of taking to someone and just writing a check (no offense, Brent - but I couldn't afford it) - and that's no fun anyway.
I thought about just saving the cowl and building a huckster or a station wagon out of it - but not until I waste too much time on rust removal ideas.
Anybody know where or if someone has the door jamb measurements (for a point of reference) to get started on rediculous idea ?

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

Any pictures of this bad body?
For measurements I'd look up someone nearby with a 28-9 Tudor and take measurements in person as well as lots of pictures.

 

[Rowdy]

I agree with Brent on this, most here do not do the majority of their own work as far as restoration. I have seena big decrease in restoration knowledge and displayed skill in the last 10 years on the various Model A websites. I asked a question afew weeks ago about parts interchange as I figured someone on this site had done this at one point, and I got no replies. At times it seems like I am in a different hobbie than the majority of the people here. Also a very skilled person asked about wood patterns and was promptly told to where to go buy the pieces and no one volenteered to loan him the pieces they may have saved from a past retoration. I sure wish more of you would get off the couch and see what you can do yourself. I would bet you would be suprised. Rod

 

[dumb person]

If i had a tudor i would go out and measure it for you but i do not have one to measure.

 

[1oldtimer]

Like this? 1929

 

[Purdy Swoft]

If its in as bad shape as you describe, it may be best to find a better candidate to use. You wouldn't have to scrap the body. It could be used as yard art or a landscape decorator. we've got a few and like them.

 

[ScottNW/Ohio]

Like this? 1929

1oldtimer - YES, that is a BIG help !
Only other measurment missing is the door (latch) post, from the sill to the top of the door opening, as the bottom of the drivers door post is rusted and brolen loose from the sill (subframe) and the car had been hit on the passenger side.
All the wood is gone

 

[Purdy Swoft]

Here is a rough 28 tudor that I could probably fix. I'm not that much of a glutton for punishment anymore.There are better bodies to be had. This one is still a purty decorator.

 

[ScottNW/Ohio]

Pictures (I hope) may have to stand on your head, or turn your screen - "smartphone" is apparently smarter than me








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