Some Project Updates

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Thanks Bob and 36 5-window - thank you! 5th gear is a .72, rear tire is 32” tall and my rear gear is a 3:23. Should put me at around 1800 rpm @ 70. I geared it this way so 3 and 4 are still good for around town. Looking forward to my first road trip to see how she performs ..... a lot different than my flattie roadster, that’s for sure - gotta watch my right foot pressure!!!!!

 

[TomT/Williamsburg]

The front end, save for some bolt checks and aligning the headlights, is done ....

 

[tubman]

Looks good!

 

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Looks good!

Thank you .....

 

[deuce5wndw]

Sweet ride!

 

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Thanks, deuce5wndw ....

 

[Bored&Stroked]

Hey Tom - it is looking great and you'll soon be taking her out on the road. Looks like a really fun car - should be fantastic on the road. Good luck!

 

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Thank you - it’s been a journey....

 

['36 5W]

That Buick fits like it was made for it! Ought to be a terrific road
car w/ your running gear combo.
Be kind w/ those skinny rear tires!

 

[TomT/Williamsburg]

I will TRY and be kind to my rear tires - lol!

Well, I am getting my electrical sorted out and all my lights, signals, accessory stuff - everything works except the horn.

Biggest step - I got fire to the starter! Wooo hooo! I am using a horn button for a start button which took so me fancy wiring and although I tested everything before hand, when she kicked over today I got a thrill let me tell you ..... my pics are not Fordbarn friendly but startup in my garage is not far away ......

 

[flatford8]

I hope you take us along with a video of the first ride!!!....Mark

 

[TomT/Williamsburg]

This site isn’t the easiest to post videos on jurcI will do my best.

Car is all ready for startup .- just waiting for my buddy to arrive who wants to be there when it happens. She’s got gas, antifreeze and we’ve got our fingers crossed.

I worked a whole bunch on my carpeting. Cut new pieces as I learned (the hard way) how not to do it. But it’s looking pretty good now. I used black vinyl to bind it - wasn’t easy working with it but better than regular binding material ....

 

[cmbrucew]

Tom T.
Congratulations!!


You have built a beautiful car you can drive the rest of your life.


Enjoy.


Bruce

 

[zzlegend]

Man,,,,,,you are moving right along Tom. Looking great. Hope i can hear it out here in Cali. when you fire it off. I will turn my speakers, maybe that will help.

 

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Thanks Bruce and ZZ - I will do my best to honor both your requests.....

 

[Tinker]

That jewel green paint on the body is a spot on color.

 

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Thanks Tinker - I had thoughts of painting it black but it’s rare you see a hot rod with a stock/original color combo ....

Getting close to the end of the build - doing interior stuff now. Even though it’s a hot rod I like to have an interior, and let it patina on it’s own. The body came with the original seat with a complete Le Baron Bonney interior installed so I left it that way with just a matter of the floor and kick panels. I am short so I fixed the seat in its back-most position and made it higher. That left room for a tray underneath to hold whatever.

Being short also means I can hardly reach stuff in the deepest recesses of the trunk. So, I raised the floor where the 32 dips down in front of the trunk floor hump and behind it. I used canbinet grade 3/4” maple plywood behind the seat and 1/2” birch at the back. I also put a lip on it to keep things from sliding around into the side panels, leaving some of the hump still showing. I just need to put down a thin layer of foam or Insul and the carpet for a completed look .....

 

[Mike in AZ]

Lots of nice work going on. Looking great. Get ‘er fired up and on the road. Mike

 

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Trunk floor is done ...

 

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Hey Mike - got a rear end leak I’ll be working on tomorrow and a windshield gasket to go really. She’s all ready been fired up and is raring to go - just need to learn how to make a YouTube video and then post my first cruise hopfully next week if the weather clears .....