Car turned out amazing, Some things not to my taste, but Nice to see a 57 Ford on the show.
Was a 57 restored on a current episode?
It was a 2 part show, (I think). I caught the last part of the first one last night and recorded the second part. I have been waiting a while for this to come on, I saw a preview last year. Few of their cars are to my taste as well, but I am probably in a small minority.
Overall it looked pretty nice, didn't care for the front valance and modified Camaro bumpers.
I agree with the Camaro bumpers. I mean I don't like how big the rear Fairlane bumper is.... But the front isn't that bad.
I have been trying to figure out why they cut the hell out ofnthr firewall for a 390? I didn't cut mine at all. AND the guy said he used to have a 427 in it too. Really showed their lack of skills. Bitching rides became the new Foose. Everything looks the same
Super looking car.
It is an example of a Mustang II front end NOT being the answer to ALL upgrades. And don't take a Ford to Chevy guys.
Hated the bumpers. Should have used a custom rear bumper, then smoothed, trimmed, and tucked them. I really liked the wheels even though I'm not a fan of big wheels. Those whitewall wheels hide their height. Cool car!!!!
Wasn't crazy about it. Bumpers didn't look right, front valance sucked. Did like the wheels. The green-ish accent color really didn't look good at all. But, to each his own. The owner laid down some serious money for that and he liked it so that's what counts.
The reason they had problems with the FE engine was the completely new frame they put under the car. The suspension, steering............ I am one who prefers the original bumpers, yes even the humongous rear Fairlane bumper. They could have done something with those to pull them in tighter maybe even use a 58 rear tightened up. But that is my preference not everyone's.
They could have saved a lot of fab by leaving it on the stock chassis. FE and trans would have dropped right in, then update suspension. Been there, done that.
I hated the new bumpers. It left the back of the car looking totally unbalanced, and I think the stock front bumper looks great, but I agree tightening it up and removing the bolts would look even better.
I loved that one of the guys said the FE was much cooler than any LS motor, I certainly agree.
Hated the back bumper!! It really made the body work look way to tall. Since it was a "custom car", I may have tried using a front bumper for the bulk. I don't know, I'm not a "custom car" builder so what do I know....?!?! ......I know I hated the back bumper.....
Part of the FE fitment problems was the adapter plate and 4L60 GM trans.
and the oil pan. Not sure why they thought they had to build around the oil pan? Drama? There is plenty of room for a front sump with the MII suspension, given it was a MII styled front suspension it could have been a rear steer set up and not been a problem.
Agree the front and rear bumper treatment was awful. It just did not "streamline" the profile, made the front and back of the car look "boxy" IMHO. A modified front and a modified 58 rear would have cleaned up the looks considerably.
Quote from: Ford Blue blood on 2017-10-06 08:39
... A modified front and a modified 58 rear would have cleaned up the looks considerably.
One can't help but think Kindig probably doesn't know what a '58 Ford even looks like.
Quote from: billd5string on 2017-10-06 10:36
One can't help but think Kindig probably doesn't know what a '58 Ford even looks like.
That's funny!
It would take one of us "old guys".
The original idea behind Hotrodding and Customizing was to improve on what the factory did. It seems to me that these hackers on TV ( Bitchen rides, Foose, Fast & loud, etc) change parts for the sake of changing parts and nothing more. On top of that they got the balls to call the car restored. Then again I don't see the point of putting a 100 grand into a 50 grand car to make it worth $20,000 when their finished, guess I just don't understand the new math.
I agree with most everyone about this car. Didn't like the bumper redo. What is wrong with a 57 Ford frame? NOTHING! Especially a convertible.Could have cut a lot of expense, and time with stock frame, and Ford transmission.Beefing up stock control arms is all that's needed on a 57 frame. Bottom ball joint mounting is weak but easy to fix. Front mount on lower control arm is also weak and also easy to beef up and still look good.All said, it isn't the Kendig way. A library of off the shelf custom parts is the way more and more shops are going to. Order the part, and follow directions.I like to scrounge and engineer from the boneyard. Time allows me to do it this way,but not most shops have the time I do to put into parts not meant for my car, but are going on it anyway. Even some GM parts are perfect fits. (55-57 chevy electric wiper motors). Does anyone like the front bumper the late Bo Huff put on his 57 Ranchero? I do. It looked right, but heavy. It's from a 57 Desoto. I like the 57 Ford front bumper , but really like the one dressed up with a V- bar and side wings.
Did anyone else notice the drivers side front wheel wobbles like its bent during the test drive when looking at the car head on?
Yes!