Rich brought up a good point about this conversion saying that "this should probably go under the build section", so I will do my best to do this in retrospect.
I actually think he wanted me to post it so djfordmanjack could reverse engineer it. :002:
As many of you know, I purchased my '57 "Kustom" with quad headlights, knowing all the time that I would be trying to return it to it's former glory.
Here is what she looked like at the time of her purchase:
(https://i.imgur.com/cbsh04m.jpg)
It's not bad, but she looks soooo much wider than a normal '57 as you can see in this picture next to Ecode70D's beautiful business coupe:
Who is who, lol?
(https://i.imgur.com/3Ry3tL0.jpg)
Before I even took delivery ( it came from N. Carolina), I started looking for OEM headlight doors.
People told me that they were as rare as Hen's teeth, but JPotter came through with an original set, purchased in 1973, for a reasonable price:
(https://i.imgur.com/e8GaETQ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/f8wrzkD.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/3XpvXyU.jpg?1)
So started my search for everything I needed, as always, members on this board were able to supply everything i needed for a reasonable price, and I can't thank you all enough. Without the valuable connections, information as well as parts and info here, this would never have been possible:
(https://i.imgur.com/oUC1VN4.jpg)
Oh yeah, E-Pay helped too:
(https://i.imgur.com/aocseOO.png?2)
(https://i.imgur.com/AilHjgn.jpg)
Well, the owner told me that it was a popular conversion back in the day, and that J C Whitney was a major supplier of the conversion, so it shouldn't be a big deal to change it back. Well, as my luck goes, it wasn't a conversion, it was '58 headlights grafted into the '57. I found this out doing exploratory surgery and found a 1958 Ford part number on the headlight bezel:
(https://i.imgur.com/2ibND8t.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/DLfz5S5.jpg?1)
I should have known it wasn't going to be that easy. Further investigation showed that they were welded in place. They had folded the original fender lip in, (thank God!) and then welded a tab to it to support the new assembly. They then weded everything to the fender, shouldn't be too bad to fix, right?
(https://i.imgur.com/SCo4PFs.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/JnvrCNC.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ezk87fr.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/qojZqrl.jpg)
First a picture of the electrical junction block for future reassembly reference:
(https://i.imgur.com/3A5LnGp.jpg)
And so it began, hours with a cutoff wheel, s-l-o-w-l-y peeling away the layers of the onion to see how it was done while trying to minimize the damage to my original fenders.
After removal of the headlight bucket assembly:
(https://i.imgur.com/HihYjWS.jpg)
Then the cutting:
(https://i.imgur.com/zTupNQ6.jpg)
....some more cutting:
(https://i.imgur.com/X4uHWeY.jpg)
and some more cutting:
(https://i.imgur.com/SmaBoGg.jpg)
Not much "fancy" steel work here, mostly mud:
(http://i.imgur.com/jHkSiuG.jpg) (https://imgur.com/jHkSiuG)
The end resulult:
(https://i.imgur.com/nPewbPg.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ek4m37t.jpg)
At least the filler panel was still bolted together and in good shape:
(http://i.imgur.com/aroZMSF.jpg) (https://imgur.com/aroZMSF)
I was able to use a set of linesmen pliers to slowly work the folded edge back out to it's original shape. Then i could clamp the bucket in place with vise grips for a rough fit:
(https://i.imgur.com/Vr4guJX.jpg)
The originals fit so much better than the aftermaket stuff:
(https://i.imgur.com/iOySWMO.jpg)
Night and day IMO
(https://i.imgur.com/EaOBL37.jpg?1)
More cutting and fitting and removal of the filler panel. I think I like it! :deadhorse:
(https://i.imgur.com/gYN1geF.jpg)
Nicely done Joe............both the posting and the car. You obviously have a gentle touch with a cut off tool. You would have been banging your head against a wall trying to do that with aftermarket panels......glad James was holding them for you all these years, lol.
Also, I guess I missed the fact the ones you removed were oem 58s.....guess that explains all the welding and alterations as opposed to what probably would have been an easier reversal back to singles if it was the J C Whitney conversion kit.
edited.....I do see the buckets.
Thanks Rich, as always, your input and compliments are both welcome and inspiring.
So my buddy who is going to match the paint stopped by to look at it and said it was time to bring it to his shop. He said we could do the final fitting there as it would be easier to align all the panels prior to bonding without moving the car.
After some time trying to align the hood gap, it was clearly that there was an underlying issue. A few measurements later, it became obvious (to him) that the car must have been hit on the drivers side fender at some point in it's 63 year life.
I always had a tighter gap on the passenger side door/fender than the drivers side, as the pictures show:
(https://i.imgur.com/CuOAPvP.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/VoIyXPp.jpg)
It was time to load it on the frame machine and find out for sure....
(https://i.imgur.com/hRipRJy.jpg?1)
Nice progress Joe ! Great to have all of your efforts in a seperate build thread. Much appreciated by me and possibly others later on. Besides that, it is always great to watch such projects grow.
As usual, things have nearly gotten out of hand, with this thought to be 'minor' task.Those NOS headlight bowls worked out great for you, especially since they are RUSTFREE.
I know that you always wanted the original headlights and I am a fan of them too. when other car guys sometimes complain about the 'bug-eyed' look (in their opinion), I even further exeggerated that look on my Country Sedan with using ball shaped translucant Australian truck headlight covers, loving it. But I have to confess, that, while not really attracted by the 58 Fords themselves, I just love quad headlights in a 57 Ford. I think it is mostly because of the Tiago Custom Ranchero... Yes it makes the car look much wider, a bit more sinister and generally lower. Thanx to your efforts, I might one day be able to build something like that from your parts. I now see why there was nothing to save from the lower headlight/fender parts....hahaha
Thanks DJ, and as promised, those '58 lights are yours, I just need to get them over Jay.
On a serious note, I actually like the look of the Australian covers.
Yeah, the metal work wasn't that "impressive", I'm sure you can do a much better job when the time comes.
In the picture below, you can see the fender/hood alignment is really tight, as well as the gap on the filler panel, which showed us that the nose was pushed over almost a 1/2" towards the drivers side. All the other pins showed the frame was straight except from the radiator support forward.
(https://i.imgur.com/zkYElb1.jpg)
If you look closely at the picture, you will see the "fabricated" lines under the headlights were less than perfect.
The car on the frame machine after the first pull, notice the measuring pins on the chassis.
(https://i.imgur.com/hRipRJy.jpg?1)
Further evidence of a minor collision. Note the wrinkled filler panel on the radiator support:
(https://i.imgur.com/0XeAtIE.jpg)
Now, while you are at it, it is totally understandable how you want to get things perfectly aligned. Good thing you have access to such a capable collision shop, especially when it's a friends. loving those frame alignment racks. It is interesting how you also mentioned that your header panel was pulled or off somehow. A 57 (body) frontend is not easy to align.
If you wanted such headlight covers I could try find the shop link on ebay. They are used on heavy rigs in Australia, as some kind of bug, stone and wildlife deflectors. I can easily imagine those road trains in Oz, and how they need to keep their headlights protected from stones and birds aso. They are extremely durable quality and simply attach with the headlight rings. they are also scratch resistant and haven't yellowed or faded in 4 years.
I think I might want to come up with a little tweek concerning that dual headlight assemblies. I think that I will first grind the perimeter of the 58 bezel down as much as can be shaved off while keeping the looks. they need to lose some weight on the lower edge, to better align with the 57 sheetmetal.
Like mentioned before, half fun, half real, I would love to come up with a solution that allows me to both bolt in the 58 and 57 units in my own fenders alternatively.
If I ever get on that project, I will post it here. :002: :003:
Those headllight covers that you speak of used to be sold here in the states as well. I had a set for my 69 Mustang that I would install for road trips because I seemed to always get a headlight broken when doing them. Bought them in an Al's Auto Parts (later Schucks, now O'Reilly's). They may still be available.
Car looks oh so much better with the single eyes! Good for you! :003:
A closeup of the hood/fender/front filler panel alignment prior to pulling the frame.
(https://i.imgur.com/3rpWLdJ.jpg)
They pulled the chassis and I must say I'm very happy, but it didn't start that way.
When they pulled the bumper, you could clearly see the bumper bracket had been bent to realign the bumper. Someone had also hammered the valance somewhat straight under the bumper where it couldn't be seen, but didn't do any body work to it. None of this was noticeable under the car with the old thick undercoating.
Once it was pulled, the hood was able to be squared up, which makes me very happy. It also gave me a better gap on the passenger side door/fender and on the drivers side too. Now, I can adjust the bottom of the fender to line it up better. All told, it was pulled back a little over 3/8".
Here are the pics after the pull:
(https://i.imgur.com/zozPm8t.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/fr2KmmW.jpg)
After spending some time adjusting, getting the headlight doors in and gaps finalized and it's starting to look "normal" again:
(https://i.imgur.com/jrQOh3k.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/9wOqrFo.jpg)
Final door gap is good now:
(https://i.imgur.com/4KI60WP.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/7Xq0rrD.jpg)
Looks like they shimmed the cowl out to get a better gap on the hood, now I need to remove it and get it back closer to the windshield:
(https://i.imgur.com/lb3ap7s.jpg)
Picture of the lower valence damage that needs to get repaired now that it's hammered back into shape:
(https://i.imgur.com/KRIUPEm.jpg)
...and yes DJ, we had to pull the front filler panel down from the middle, as it was rolled back and high. I'm assuming this was done to line up with the fabbed headlights, or possibly from the collision, or both?
Also mocked up a stock grill; true what they say, heavy people shouldn't wear horizontal stripes, she doesn't look nearly as wide...
(https://i.imgur.com/qZDulre.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ksfgCbK.jpg)
Once they ground down the lower valence, they discovered the original seam was still there, just filled with Tiger Hair. All repaired and ready for final coat of primer and displaying the proper seams:
(https://i.imgur.com/mrGgPdt.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/TfpD9M4.jpg)
Also drilled out the welded up holes for the emblem so it can go back to original....
(https://i.imgur.com/GtTmDnN.jpg)
Getting closer, almost ready to go back together and shipped off to the spray booth....
(https://i.imgur.com/P5aSOxU.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/2vqRQL3.jpg)
She's really starting to look like a Lady again:
(https://i.imgur.com/VpW9hkx.jpg)
Headlight bucket assemblies all sand blasted, primed and painted.
Before:
(https://i.imgur.com/oUC1VN4.jpg)
After:
(https://i.imgur.com/vev5cQm.jpg)
I had to send my front emblem back to Dennis Carpenter as the chrome on the bottom of the "F" was bad, closer examination of the bag explained why...
(https://i.imgur.com/W4Euiu5.jpg)
Ah...she was ALWAYS a Lady Joe...her make-up was just skewed! Now she'll be the belle of the ball! :003:
Amazing what a lousy 3/8 of an inch can do to mess up several feet of anything...car or house etc. Glad for you...there will be a lot of fun in driving this summer!
Thanks, can't wait to get it done and see what it will look like. :toothy9:
Very nice work! I have to agree, the quads needed to go.
I can't believe some of the junk coming out of Carpenters, not sure when they moved over to the dark side but it is beginning to pay out for them now. I would just as soon pay for a proper part then hope the less expensive will look and work OK!
Thanks Bill; as far as Carpenters, I'll let you know later on today as it says my new emblem is out for delivery.
I assembled my headlight buckets and dropped them off along with the bezels today. The SS polished up descent enough.
(https://i.imgur.com/g4Mkafh.jpg)
I also made some aluminum filler plates for the old turn signal holes and popped them in.
(https://i.imgur.com/diubqUt.jpg)
The eyebrows have been fitted and primed:
(https://i.imgur.com/5IJTUmG.jpg)
They had just taken the hood back off when I got there. The fit was still good and now they hope to get some color on it next week.
(https://i.imgur.com/hQ0XzV7.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Hju9UqH.jpg)
Bill, the second attempt by Carpenters was good, I made the UPS guy wait while I opened it, lol.
(https://i.imgur.com/5UcCDRD.jpg)
Lookin' oh so good! that white...is REALLY white!
Joe that's really looking good!
what size & brand are those tires? I'm about to pull the trigger on some WW bias plies.
Thanks for the kind words guys, much appreciated.
Marc, they are BFG SilverTown 7.50 - 14 bias ply.
Thanks Joe. That's the size I'm planning to run. Those have a nice look.
Thanks, when I just bought the set for my '39, I called Coker directly; they were very helpful and shipped them out right away at a really good price too.
(https://i.imgur.com/Bn6ZiEn.jpg)
Rich......I'm glad that you suggested to Joe that he put his cool 57 into a build thread.
Joe...... That was a good move. Now it is all in one place. Fellow members I just want you to know that I drove Joe's 57 Ford. It drives and handles like a brand new car. When it is all done with the new 57 headlight assembly and the other cosmetic work, you are going to be very happy. Jay
Thanks Jay, was nice meeting up with you again, hopefully we can get a cruise night in this summer; maybe we can get DJ to come and pickup those '58 headlights in person! :nutkick:
Before I went by your shop, I finished cleaning up the grill and the wiring harnesses. One step closer...
(https://i.imgur.com/6t8wNlm.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/7CbWcON.jpg?1)
Also test fitted the new nose emblem:
(https://i.imgur.com/UU4rG24.jpg)
Joe
It was nice hooking up with you today also.
You grill looks real nice. Right or wrong, I use a brush and paint the inside of them just to help hold back the rust that likes to form
in hidden places.. Jay
I have a show chrome front and rear bumper for a 57 Fairlane/Fairlane 500, never on car. Make me a offer, but they have to be picked up here (Milford, Connecticut)....Lou
Lou, I sent you a PM
Ditto on painting the back side of the grille. I used por-15, brushed on also. Underside of splashpan was por-15'd before undercoating and paint, it's pretty tough stuff. I think I used por-15 silver to do the backside of the bumper.....not positive on that, but I was getting a little fanatical on por-15-ing for protection on everything not finish painted or normally visible..
I am thinking seriously of POR-15 covering my frame. I can buy a cheap paint gun and spray it on and then if the gun doesn't clean up well enough to other uses...no big deal. There is a treatment to be put on over it,then it's good to go. Cheaper than powder coating and just as durable...maybe more so.
I POR-15 covered the inside of both of the 1/4 panels I replaced on my '69 Fastback Mustang before we welded them on. I am thinking about doing the underside of that car and the Courier as well before painting them. That stuff is hard as nails! :003:
Thanks guys, I've used POR-15 in the past with mixed results. I use to use there Black on the Cobra chassis and on my plow.
I actually sandblasted all the accessories and parts for my 6V92 DDEC's in my boat and used POR-15 White on them. A week later they were not dry, and had to wash them all down and start over with a different product. You know how that stuff dries and you can't pry the cover off the can, you actually destroy the cover trying to remove it, well I left the can open for 3 days, and it never got hard. I brought it back to my paint supplier and they had it under the counter for a month waiting for the Rep to show up and it still stayed liquid.
Ever since then, I have switched to Rust Bullet with great results. I will probably use it on my '57.
I even used it on my '96 bronco when I built it a couple of years ago:
(https://i.imgur.com/NiLFCZd.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/9Lo4SCI.jpg)
Never heard of Rust Bullet. I have never seen it in any paint store either. Where did you find it? Now you have my curiosity up.
https://www.rustbullet.com/automotive-applications/
Quote from: CobraJoe on 2020-06-07 17:12
https://www.rustbullet.com/automotive-applications/
Thanks. I looked it over quickly...will read more in-depth later. Looks good though. :003:
Quote from: mustang6984 on 2020-06-07 14:04
I am thinking seriously of POR-15 covering my frame. I can buy a cheap paint gun and spray it on and then if the gun doesn't clean up well enough to other uses...no big deal. There is a treatment to be put on over it,then it's good to go. Cheaper than powder coating and just as durable...maybe more so.
I POR-15 covered the inside of both of the 1/4 panels I replaced on my '69 Fastback Mustang before we welded them on. I am thinking about doing the underside of that car and the Courier as well before painting them. That stuff is hard as nails! :003:
Spraying POR 15 is a very dangerous thing to do unless you have the best respirator system available. Think about this........IF you breathe it and it gets into your lungs it will set up and harden just like it will on your frame. Bottom line, very dangerous if not properly equipped.
Very appropriate warning !
These chemicals react with rust.
Now, our blood contains a mixture of ferrum and oxygene, which, basically, is rust ! I believe that is why this kind of stuff also sticks like crazy to our skin.
POR-15 used to have a warning "Do Not Spray" on the quart cans. Haven't purchased any for a few years now.
Found a way to keep un-used POR-15. Clean the lid and grove really well with thinner, use a small piece of saran wrap over the can then put the cap back on. Tap down tight. You'll need a new piece of saran wrap each time you open the can.
IMHO the best under body treatment after all work is completed is epoxy primer, urethane sealer, urethane color followed by spray on bed liner. You can now get it in tintable.
Quote from: KYBlueOval on 2020-06-08 04:22
Spraying POR 15 is a very dangerous thing to do unless you have the best respirator system available. Think about this........IF you breathe it and it gets into your lungs it will set up and harden just like it will on your frame. Bottom line, very dangerous if not properly equipped.
Yea...I know. I have a double filter mask that seals off nose and mouth. Plus when I shoot I wear eye goggles. But even still...I might rent a shoot suit with a hood and air supply if I spray it.
I found that if I add some Argon from my welder into the partially closed can, it last a lot longer.
Supposed to be heading into the spray booth today, he sent me this picture:
(https://i.imgur.com/R4GFTHt.jpg)
Quote from: CobraJoe on 2020-06-08 14:36
I found that if I add some Argon from my welder into the partially closed can, it last a lot longer.
X 2
Dang Joe...she already is looking better!
Joe, that headlight panel just doesn't look right to me. It may be the lighting, or maybe I just interpreted the blend wrong when I did mine. I'm talking about the area where the seam is, at the high point on the side. It looks like to me he has an "extra" surface there making almost a flat spot on the seam where it should be (according to me, lol) bulbous. It was carried around to the fender just before to concave.
I'll try to post a pic of mine, but I'm getting alot of unwanted reflections. I may be the wrong one on this, but to me yours just doesn't flow right. Sorry.......not what you wanted to hear I'm sure
As I said, I could be wrong on this. My repro headlight surrounds were pretty bad and took hour and hours just to get them usable, and I certainly was going for the "is this gonna work ok/look ok rather than trying to get it factory correct.
The po on yours may have done some alterations to the fender area I'm talking about to make the '58 stuff work.
And I want to emphasize, it may me the pic/shadows cast by an overhead sun that make it look like it does to me. It would be interesting to compare closeups of other cars as well. :003:
Thanx Rich, not sure, but everyone I have seen, looks the same:
(https://i.imgur.com/EWtdVok.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/AcBVH5F.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/urmiaA3.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/bIHYP1G.jpg)
thanks for sharing the photos of the headlight changes from 4 back to 2. I love seeing the progress and seeing it come together.
My pleasure, apparently we are all sick with our little car porn fetish. :002:
Looks like yours is right and mine is ??. Oh well, I'll just say mine was one of those minor improvements, lol. It was probably the lighting on the matte finish primer that made me notice it on yours. sorry for the shakeup. I'm actually relieved for you since it probably got painted today.
No Rich, the correct terminology is "yours is custom" :003:
Those 4 pics you posted......the only one that has the bumper on straight is the white convert. I saw a car identical to that one for sale at the Goodguys in Phoenix about 4 years ago. The for sale sign stated it was a museum car..so, maybe the same one.
They didn't get to splash any color on my car today; it is prepped and taped and ready to go, but they had a job that needed to go out today, so I got bumped until tomorrow. No big deal.
They painted the splash pan though. I took a couple of pictures of it, but I can't get the color to show correctly for some reason. Anyways, he called me at work and asked if I wanted a gloss or a matte finish on it, I know it's wrong, but I opted for the gloss.
(https://i.imgur.com/nRhZqCR.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Npsj6ug.jpg)
First rule of ownership...if YOU like it...then it is NOT wrong. Looks fine! go with it and enjoy it! :006: :003:
Well, he squirted it this morning and I must say, I AM STOKED! My buddy matched the paint better than I could have ever hoped for. Keep in mind that he blended the panel on both the white and the red and he did not have a paint code to go by. My car came from the factory in Raven black.
Some pics:
(https://i.imgur.com/c51cMvT.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/WMViL1j.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/q23AhEC.jpg)
Rich, here is the side shot of the headlight door and fender transition, not sure if it is correct, but I do like it:
(https://i.imgur.com/t38m1tm.jpg)
...and a little closer, if that helps:
(https://i.imgur.com/3KbuUem.jpg)
Oh very Very VERY nice! I addition to paying him...you giving him a a nice hefty steak and a bottle of his favorite beverage? That is one fine looking job!
Thanks Hugh, yeah, he really does some nice work. I like it when you can't tell something "happened". Hopefully I'll get it back tomorrow and i can start putting it back together.
I really can't complain, if I told you what he charged me, you'd swear I was a liar. :038:
Nah...I wouldn't. Friends do things for crazy deals. I know...been on both sides of that equation. It is always good to be in a relationship of friendship where people can do things like that.
looks great, Joe! I'm impressed with his bodywork and color matching..can't tell where he stopped! Good ol' Yankee Craftsmanship, and at good speed.
Looks good, looking forward to pictures of it finished.
Thanks guys, looking forward to getting it to my shop and wrapping it up. Not sure if it will happen today, supposed to have some T-storms.
I must say I wasn't to optimistic once I found the chassis had to be pulled, also, wasn't sure if I was getting in over my head financially. In the end it all worked out. I can't thank him enough for helping me out.
That looks absolutely stunning !!! All of you did a great job on this project !!! :004:
Good news, my car is done...bad news, my car is not done. bawl
I went by after work to pay him and pick up my '57. It was done and it looked great.
(https://i.imgur.com/pKrX917.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Hg6LYNH.jpg)
At first glance it looked good, but then he showed me my new hood ornament. He lifted off the custom piece that was on there and placed the original on the hood and it was a 1/4" narrower all the way around. Unfortunately, the custom piece had worn through the paint and now I have decided to repaint the hood.
One step forward....two steps back :BangHead:
You want some of these trout swimming in this pond of drool at my feet? :003: Damn that looks so sweet.
As for the hood...you've come this far...may as well finish it up and get it back together as a rolling car show! He'll have it all done by the time you are ready to put the hood on. Lookin' good pisan! :005:
Well, at least something went right, went I got home, I had a package from UPS. I opened it and it was an OG horn emblem that I had ordered a while back.
(https://i.imgur.com/FaUcquV.jpg)
I had bought it to replace my "custom" horn emblem:
(https://i.imgur.com/puzF3dO.jpg)
It was a chrome bullet cut down to fit the outside diameter of the raised center on my Master Guide Power Steering Horn Ring:
(https://i.imgur.com/D9Ub4ew.jpg)
It looks nice and keeps getting me one step closer to what it should look like.
(https://i.imgur.com/j3MKnkB.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/zwsEQC4.jpg)
Steering wheel looks much better. I don't like a lot of the 50's and 60's "custom" stuff. Bullets, spinners, and 59Cad bullet tailights are some of the stuff I don't like.
I'm confused with your hood ornament statement. What is it exactly you're calling a "custom" hood ornament. Are you meaning Ford's hood ornament for the Custom models, or was there something else on there?
If that guy was as slow as most shops, I'd be more upset about his painting the hood, lol.........some shops I'd be thinking, crap, there's another 3 months.
Quote from: RICH MUISE on 2020-06-11 17:13
If that guy was as slow as most shops, I'd be more upset about his painting the hood, lol.........some shops I'd be thinking, crap, there's another 3 months.
That's why I am going to paint my own. I am slow...but still faster than most shops. And I work a heck of a lot cheaper too! LOL!!!
Quote from: RICH MUISE on 2020-06-11 17:13
I'm confused with your hood ornament statement. What is it exactly you're calling a "custom" hood ornament. Are you meaning Ford's hood ornament for the Custom models, or was there something else on there?
If that guy was as slow as most shops, I'd be more upset about his painting the hood, lol.........some shops I'd be thinking, crap, there's another 3 months.
Rich, this "thing" :
(https://i.imgur.com/k084g4M.jpg)
....and if everything goes right, might be painted tomorrow. the reason i say might, is he has a few guys taking the day off tomorrow, so it could be tight. Fingers crossed.
UGH! The original part looks much better indeed! Nice choice to switch! :002:
Well, the good news is that my buddy painted the hood, bad news is that the painted lifted in one spot, so he needs to refinish it. So I decided to take the car to my shop last night and them walk a mile back to his shop to get my truck, God knows i need the exercise.
I started on it first thing this morning and got the grill installed:
(https://i.imgur.com/v0FMWuN.jpg)
Then I ran up to Lowe's to get some Speed Clips for the headlight doors so I could screw the headlight buckets
in the same way the factory did. These things aren't at the local body supply places anymore because no one uses them, I happened to find them at Lowe's one day while looking for some hardware.
(https://i.imgur.com/SBSCtfc.jpg)
Once you slide them over the headlight doors, you can screw the buckets in place, quick and easy:
(https://i.imgur.com/tL7WEsI.jpg)
Then I snaked the harness through the hole into the fender and over to the junction box.
(https://i.imgur.com/xJIxNOh.jpg)
I was lucky, the harness had the factory grommet and it was still in good shape. Then I plugged in the sealed beam and installed the retainer and the trim ring.
(https://i.imgur.com/RmehWxf.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/VcWq1Oj.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/nm4I0oX.jpg)
Now i can drive it up there Monday and hopefully install the hood.
I also installed my horn ring, much better look with the original emblem IMO.
(https://i.imgur.com/HT4YryR.jpg)
Ah...she looks more lady-like now! And yes...the horn looks MUCH better! Congrats! :006:
First class, Joe!
Thanks guys! Anxious to get the hood back on and the eyebrows installed and drive it.
At least I have the '39 so I'm not Jonesing too bad. :025:
Very nice Joe! Looking like it should.
Worked late last night, so I didn't have a chance to get up to the shop to put my hood back on.
(https://i.imgur.com/k1MNCDi.jpg)
Got out a little early today and got her done:
(https://i.imgur.com/C35PKBl.jpg)
We got the the "eyebrows" in place, just need to let the urethane dry over night and shes done. I'll pick her up tomorrow. This job involves a lot of walking back and forth to each others shop. :walk:
WOW! Just plain WOW! :blob3:
Those are fantastic gaps around the hood, Joe ! Obviously well worth all the work you put into it !
They are aren't they? I think his putting that girl on the frame machine for a little tweak worked wonders! Makes me think I might want to do the same before setting final gaps. Mine having originally been a fish & wildlife car...who knows what sort of abuse it took!
Joe...you have got to be excited as a 5 year old waiting for mom & dad to get out of bed on Christmas morning! She sure looks purrty!
That is just outstanding Joe. Very nice!
I was thinking the same thing..........wanna come out to Texas and get mine straightened out?
Thanks guys, I'll help all of you out, but i don't take the show on the road, so you'll have to come to MA. There's plenty of room in my shop, lol.
Seriously though, I'm extremely happy to go from this: :gross:
(https://i.imgur.com/1K39cEz.jpg?1)
To this: :109:
(https://i.imgur.com/wJY0iNk.jpg)
It's now, becoming the car I always wanted. :040:
Looks so sweet!
WOW! Joe I haven't been on for about a week and a lot has happened. Your car is stunning and I'm glad that you went with the argent
valance panel.
How did you make out with that grill piece between the back of the hood and the windshield? It covers the windshield wiper cable assembly. (can't remember what it's called) You were talking to me about it when you dropped off the 58 headlights and tubular grill.
Jay
All the work and effort sure paid off, looks stunning. I bet it can't wait to see it's self in a mirror :003:
Yes, that looks just as Henry Ford intended. Good work!
Quote from: hiball3985 on 2020-06-17 06:48
All the work and effort sure paid off, looks stunning. I bet it can't wait to see it's self in a mirror :003:
Jim I sure am glad that you are normal just like me because my car likes to look at it's self in the mirror and it also talks to me. They have feelings.
Quote from: Ecode70D on 2020-06-17 11:00
Jim I sure am glad that you are normal just like me because my car likes to look at it's self in the mirror and it also talks to me. They have feelings.
Of course they talk to us. Sometimes mine nag me...which is why we always refer to them as "she"... :006:
LOL, THANKS GUYS. :thumbsup:
Jay, I never did anything with the cowl, still need to move it back a 1/8". Maybe this weekend, but right now, I WANT TO DRIVE IT! :snoopy2:
:burnout: Fill the tank and drive until you have to refill...then turn around and come back. LOL!!! When the day comes that I can finally drive mine again...that is my game plan. :burnout:
That's the plan Jim. :roadrunner:
Picked it up after work today and the "eyebrows" were on; definitely finishes it off:
(https://i.imgur.com/2etj2Ts.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/DZiZbt5.jpg)
All tucked away until the weekend...
(https://i.imgur.com/7IipbXi.jpg)
Thanks for following along :cya:
P.S. Hopefully we will get to watch them getting "reinstalled" in DJ's ride someday. :001:
Honestly, Joe, you got me thinking. with that last post and the direct comparison of before/after. I can now clearly see your motivation to convert it back to the 57 look, because after all, this is what we love about our 57 Fords, actuall being 57 Fords ! No doubt. that is just really gorgeous and a pretty face. loving it myself. so....cutting up for quad headlights...hmmmm ??? Not going to happen.
Good thing is, that on my project car the headlight panels need welding work anyways, so... In any case I would want to come up with a bolt on solution where I can easily go back to the og. 57 headlights anytime.
So now I am wondering about the 'other end'. As we know cars have 2 ends. and now the frontend on yours is all stock. The rear ...?? ....just saying... :002: :003:
Honestly DJ, I really don't mind the Pontiac bumpers, the step-n-tow style stock bumper always looked bulky to me. I will however be cutting the trunk key latch and emblem back in.
Now I hadn't expected that! But I must say that I do like the Pontiac bumpers and the rolled pan as well. ( If I had to make a decision on your car I would probably use a 57 Custom rear bumper without the bulky overriders)
I always admire this 57.
(https://up.picr.de/38812782xq.jpg)
Quote from: mustang6984 on 2020-06-17 11:02
Of course they talk to us. Sometimes mine nag me...which is why we always refer to them as "she"... :006:
I've always referred to my cars as she's too, even when I've cussed at them :003:
58 Fairlane rear bumpers were IMHO much better suited and looking then the huge 57 500 bumper!
Quote from: djfordmanjack on 2020-06-18 05:23
Now I hadn't expected that! But I must say that I do like the Pontiac bumpers and the rolled pan as well. ( If I had to make a decision on your car I would probably use a 57 Custom rear bumper without the bulky overriders)
I always admire this 57.
(https://up.picr.de/38812782xq.jpg)
Hey, it's close: :blowup1:
(https://i.imgur.com/zxuUpWA.jpg)
Yep, you need another back bumper. I'd look into shortening/tucking a Custom bumper and reworking so it doesn't have the weird upwards angle when it wraps around to the side.
Also can't figure why they mounted yours and the other one so high........there's nothing but sheetmetal there, no heavy bracing to the frame, so almost useless protection wise.
Other than that they look ok, sorry to downgrade your beautiful ride.
No offense taken. Those rear bumpers are the main reason I bought that car as I never cared for the stock rear bumpers; knowing all along that I would change the headlights.
Here are some better photos:
(https://i.imgur.com/tbPM3Cf.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/zjeDzRy.jpg)
Wow Joe.... you will have to excuse me.. been away from the board for sometime... but the the transformation is incredible..... I do like many customs but an original look can't be beat.
Beautiful work and Outstanding ride.
Thanks Jeff! Almost done, just need to cut in the trunk lock and rear emblem and I'll be happy. :002:
Rolling the pans on our '57's is difficult to do correctly, imho. Until you posted those last pics, I thought your po had taken the usual easy way to do it, but I'm really pleasantly surprised by what I'm looking at this morning. Going to have to retract what I said earlier, again, seems to be getting a habit for me now with you, lol.
I love the raised rib look he achieved without actually having one.........seems like a continuation/follow thru of the tailight/fin view from the back.
Thanks Rich...I was starting to take it personally and thinking maybe you just didn't like me. (http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/tongue/tongue0015.gif) (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-character-smileys.php)
I like the look...the stock 500 bumper is just way too big........although....I would have centered the bumpers between the bottom of the trunk and the bottom of the roll pan.
I had to pick up some parts a little North of me after work today, so I took advantage of my time and stopped in to visit 57 member John Viera and got to see his beautiful wife, shop as well as his Fords. I must say, very impressive and I'm glad I went, and as an added bonus; I was able to stop and have a beer with a good friend in these crazy times. It actual made things seem normal for a little while.
I was anxious to get home as I knew I had a UPS delivery from another 57 member, Djfordmanjack.
I cut open the box to unwrap the beautiful trunk emblem he so graciously supplied for me.....
I must say it is gorgeous, but as usual, my luck with Dennis Carpenter is not good these days. (http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/sad/sad0049.gif) (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-character-smileys.php)
(https://i.imgur.com/KDg2gs1.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/njDDfQY.jpg)
I called their return number for a RMA#, but they were closed, there goes my weekend plans of installing my trunk lock and emblem. (http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/sad/sad0147.gif) (http://www.mysmiley.net)
Bummer on the broken part. I guess I've been lucky. Nice you got to spend some time with another forum member though!
OMG.... :'(
that is annoying to say the least....Don't even know what to say, but I guess sh** happens. Oh my !
Hopefully they will have another one sent out asap. Sorry for the unconvenience, Joe.
Thanks DJ, but it's not your fault, just really crappy packaging. The single piece of bubble wrap and a small piece of filler paper is to blame. If you look at the picture of the box in the second picture, it looks like it took a karate chop....
Now that's a lot of bad luck indeed. Did you remember when I said ' if anything should go wrong, we can return it to DC...' Now, I shouldn't have said that for bad luck in the beginning, but now became very true. Glad that you will get a replacement quickly hopefully. I cannot understand why they didnt use a cardboard tube or heavy cardboard or plywood backing. I mean, it is obvious that this is a delicate part to ship.... oh boy !
Like everything else with these suppliers, cheap, cheap, cheap with everything! The flat rate shipping really gets under my skin. Sold as a "money saving innovation", bull hockey. Cost less to bilk us on sending a $2.98 part for $10.00 shipping. I had order the door handle pads, not sure how I over-sighted them with initial "soft goods" order but I did. Got them in a 6 X 6 X 10 box with the large "bubble" packing material. Ten bucks? They could have been sent in an envelope with two stamps.....and life goes on.
Very Sorry Joe..... Happens a lot.
Quote from: Jeff Norwell on 2020-06-25 07:14
Very Sorry Joe..... Happens a lot.
Especially to me....
Carpenter was good about it, they are sending me a new one and told me to toss the broken one, wasn't worth the freight to send it back. :iamwithstupid:
Joe, I am really glad the replacement was easy to get from DC! As much as it sucks in the first time, a large company like them are easy to deal with complaints.
Before tossing the broken one in the bin, you might give it to Jay to hang on his wall next to the grille :002:
....actually have it glued together for my toolbox. :002:
that is a real cool idea ! :001: Awesome ! :004:
Quote from: CobraJoe on 2020-06-26 05:11
....actually have it glued together for my toolbox. :002:
Nice idea indeed. I have a broken Courier tag.
Think I'll do the same thing. Thanks for the idea Joe! :003:
(http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/animated/anim_19.gif) (http://www.mysmiley.net)
Here you go DJ
(https://i.imgur.com/8AXvd01.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/UL8CMfc.jpg)
In my quest to return my rear deck lid into something that resembles stock, I purchased a NOS trunk lock and cylinder:
(https://i.imgur.com/TJUyTyR.jpg?1)
However, there are a few pieces I need if anyone has them and would like to sell them, please let me know. They are the 4 pieces circled in red below:
(https://i.imgur.com/PsicVi6.jpg)
Thanks
Quote from: CobraJoe on 2020-06-27 10:19
Here you go DJ
Is that an XJ6 I see?
John :canada:
(https://i.imgur.com/8AXvd01.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/UL8CMfc.jpg)
Nope, XJ12, 34K and it's for sale. It was my dad's, hasn't been on the road since 1980.
sweet !
One of my friends has 2 XJ6 convertables. his black one and a metallic blue for his wife.
That emblem looks real cool on the , well , small 'toolbox' .....hahaha :003:
Thanks DJ (http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/confused/confused0082.gif) (http://www.mysmiley.net)
JViera gave me a coil spring spacer that he had left over from his '57 that he didn't use so I could raise my ride height.
I copied it from a piece of plate steel that I cut out with a cutoff wheel. I didn't want to use the plasma cutter because I thought it might get too hard to face off on the lathe.
(https://i.imgur.com/i2mDvFF.jpg)
In the end, I ended up cutting the center out with the plasma cutter anyways, as I didn't have a bi-metal hole saw big enough and it still cut fine on the lathe.
(https://i.imgur.com/XMk1eSx.jpg)
It was 1/16" thicker but I didn't face it off as the drivers side was a 5/8" lower than the passenger side. All said and done, it was 1/8"-1/4" difference between the two and the ride height was much better.
Before:
(https://i.imgur.com/6ZsjZgn.jpg)
After:
(https://i.imgur.com/ngZ7rSF.jpg)
Nice sign in the background here... :006:
I've got one of the old building signs in my garage at home too....
(https://i.imgur.com/14EDvz8.jpg)
So...was Nor'East you? Were you building for FFC buyers? Once I get settled in MO I'd like to buy one, build it, sell it then start building for FFC buyers who have no idea how. I went to the build school in MI back in '06.
Of course they weren't building the '34's then...which is what I would like to have for myself. :002:
Yes, I built around 52 total. Dave and Marc Smith were good friends and I used to spend a lot of time in their shop and Dave used to hang out at my shop also.
A pic of me and my partner:
(https://i.imgur.com/20SBI6E.jpg)
I built and owned the prototype Daytona Coupe and also built the prototype Spec racer, the one that appeared in Car & Driver.
(https://i.imgur.com/VexD7dz.jpg)
Me:
(https://i.imgur.com/vpYvGRm.jpg)
Some pics at my shop:
(https://i.imgur.com/8a3msYv.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/qafUxuh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ClxrutJ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/miulkXf.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/RdAPyQ1.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/y4Q28uI.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/XMkxKil.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/KiFHfM5.png)
SWEET! I'd be happy to build one or two a year. Come summer...I wanna drive...a LOT!
This is what you get when a bunch of guys get together for a couple of days in shop full of tools and car parts! :003:
Holes drilled; anxiously waiting for my emblem to show up:
(https://i.imgur.com/fNmkPdA.jpg)
Dennis Carpenter shipped it out on the 24th and I still haven't received it yet. Tracking number shows it moving at a snail's pace, no wonder the US Postal Service can't survive.
June 24, 2020, 11:27 am
Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item
CONCORD, NC 28027
June 26, 2020, 8:22 am
Arrived at USPS Regional Destination Facility
SPRINGFIELD MA NETWORK DISTRIBUTION CENTER (90 miles from my home, in my state)
June 30, 2020, 3:18 am
Arrived at USPS Regional Destination Facility
PROVIDENCE RI DISTRIBUTION CENTER (30 miles from my home, in the next state)
June 30, 2020, 8:52 pm
Departed USPS Regional Facility
PROVIDENCE RI DISTRIBUTION CENTER
July 1, 2020
In Transit to Next Facility
Your package is moving within the USPS network and is on track to be delivered to its final destination. It is currently in transit to the next facility.
Hopefully, if this one ever arrives, it is in one piece. :deadhorse:
I bought an item on eBay on 6/9. It shipped USPS on the 15th from Houston to Baton Rouge, less than 300 miles on I10. The package went to Dallas, Memphis, Oxford, MS, finally into Baton Rouge. That took until 6/24. Now 17 texts later that usually say "in transit to the next facility", I STILL do not have the package. The last text was 6/27 "in transit to the next facility". Original scheduled delivery date 6/18.
GOOD LUCK!
Joe, those are great looking cars you build, must be a labor of love.
Oh Joe.. a Daytona Coupe..... so lovely.
Thanks Les & Jeff; the Roadster and the Coupe outside my shop were mine. I built a 427 w/ Webers for the roadster and a nice zero clearance 347 Stroker for the coupe.
I also built my own molds and made rear quarter panels for the roadsters to make the FFR's more closely resemble the originals.
(https://i.imgur.com/o9VvHOx.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/hKYJfoo.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ZhpMd9M.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/SbRGoJN.jpg)
Well, my trunk emblem finally showed up today and, it survived the trip. I just threw it on and I like it, and I know Rosie definitely does.
Thanks again DJ!!!!
(https://i.imgur.com/UEOTQid.jpg)
Hurrrah !!! Finally!!!!!! :001:
Don't forget to put the sealed nuts on, or next time you go out for a trip, you need to start looking for a another new emblem again.... :003:
Yeah, I put some Dum-Dum on the threads. :iamwithstupid:
The Lady looks real fine with all her baubles in place Joe! :003:
Your roadster mods look great, and so does the '57 trunk emblem. Nice work!!!