Hello, these are some of the pictures of my unfinished '57 Custom.
Here is another from my files that I couldn't find.
Sweet ride! As a matter of fact it looks like you have a whole garage of sweet rides!
Thanks,
Tim :unitedstates:
" As a matter of fact it looks like you have a whole garage of sweet rides!"
Tim :unitedstates:
[/quote]
Tim
The other cars are the reason why I always referred to the 57 as my "late model car" and it never got finished after about 10 years. Over the years, I only worked on it a little bit at a time in between working on my 34 Fords.
Now that the others are all done, the 57 is on the front burner. I would very much like to paint it this coming summer and bolt all of the parts back on it.
Thanks for your comment.
Jay A
Jay,
If those 34's are examples of your "finished" work, Your 57' will be gorgous! Nice job!
Thanks.
Tim :unitedstates:
I agree. Your 34's are beautiful. And the 57 I am sure will be just as nice
I love it. That `57 has a fine body, awesome combo of E-code and 70D...so cool. Keep us updated with pics.
This one was taken just after it was taken off the stands and getting ready to drive out into the daylight for the first time in more years than I care to remember.
Computers are more daunting to me than rebuilding a transmission, an engine or making a steel panel from scratch.
Here it goes I hope that it works!
Jay A
Jay, great looking car and as rare find. Would it possible to get some pictures of the package tray and rear interior area? I am converting my 70A to a 70D and some good pictures would sure help. Thanks Glen
Ditto on what Glen asked. I meant to ask before about the package tray. You had mentioned you replaced the seat that someone had installed with a shelf, but I wasn't sure if you meant you somehow found an oem shelf, or fabricated one. These things are so rare, I don't believe I've ever even seen a picture of an oem shelf to use as a model.
You have to be one of the luckiest people to walk the planet, what a great find.
There is a little information in the assemble/sealant manual for 70D. You already have the 70D specific rear side window seal, hardware and glass.
Richard
At the time years ago I didn't know what the panel/back tray was supposed to look like so I borrowed an OEM back panel and very carefully copied it to the exact tolerances as close as I could get. So that's what I used in my car after I took the incorrect back seat out. Both the original and the copy fit my car perfectly. The owner or the original couldn't believe how it came out.
Glen
I have pictures of the back area and the original panel that I copied, and will be happy to send them as soon as I find them in this new computer of mine. In my pictures please note that I did not use the original push in buttons to secure the side panels. I have to take those panels off after the car is painted so that I can install the outside quarter panel stainless. The temporary screws are easier to take off than the push in buttons. When the push ins are removed, you have a tendency make little marks on the new panel. The very back panel is held on with screws. (Go figure?) If I had to do it again, there are a few thing that I would change that would never get noticed. All of the back panels are plain without door panel material on them. I can be reached at 1508 866 2671. There is a lot to explain.
Gasman926
The quarter windows will have to come out for painting also. Let me know what that sealer is. My original rubbers are nice and supple so I will be using them instead of the reproduction. ones.
Thank all of you for your comments.
JA
I'm not a glass guy. In the dealership, I changed Ford pickup rear windows for sliders. Every thing was new, the glass was not being saved and production was of the essence. If I broke a window, it did not matter...had several used ones in inventory. On the '57s, the glass is on my dime and the gasket is cheaper than the glass. I cut the gasket to insure safe removal of the glass. It would be nice to have good original glass but it all shows age. The business coupe, rear side glass was thicker than the replacement glass.
I'll try again to post some more pictures. I hope I can do it again.
This time they will be of the stock 57 package tray/pan that I copied. I don't have it anymore because I returned it . It was several years ago that I borrowed this pan.
Will someone please tell me how to view the pics before posting them after I click to choose file.
My daughter showed me yesterday, but I forgot.
JA
" If I broke a window, it did not matter...had several used ones in inventory. On the '57s, the glass is on my dime and the gasket is cheaper than the glass. I cut the gasket to insure safe removal of the glass. It would be nice to have good original glass but it all shows age. The business coupe, rear side glass was thicker than the replacement glass."
gassman826
I had to remove the front and rear glass from my car so that I could install the new headliner and get some fresh paint the ridge. I cut them out and used new rubbers. Everything went together with no problem except my wife was missing a piece of the cloths line.
The side rear glass came out easier than the front and rear windshield. All I did was unbolt the screws that hold the bracket in place against the rubber and they came right out.
Can you tell us the factory options on this car in three words or less?Nice find!
F7ord
I can't do in three words or less.
Three speed non overdrive
Power brakes with the small standard shift Stainless Steel brake pedal cover
4:11 rear
dual quad 312
Colonial white color
business coupe
I put on T Bird rocker covers that it didn't come with
Radio delete
Clock delete
right sun visor delete
No right arm rest
Don't know if it came with left arm rest, but I ordered one in the kit from ABC upholstery
(I'll have to research that before I install it)
That's all I can think of right now.
JA
I like the no right arm rest.Power brakes is an odd one for sure with this striped down 57.
Quote from: F570RD
I like the no right arm rest.Power brakes is an odd one for sure with this striped down 57.
/quote]
F57ORD
I did actually see one just like mine on a 57 custom 4 door. It was an old Maine police car that had the dual quad package and standard shift with power brakes. It had the same strange 2 piece brake swing arm, small brake pedal with stainless cover on it and the vacuum tank under the left front fender.
I will be the first to admit that it does look odd to look inside and see two mismatched (but OEM) pedals under the dash. The clutch pedal is all rubber and the brake is rubber with stainless steel around it.
You can be sure that the guys at the car cruises will be giving the business this summer (If I get it done) for having mismatched pedals.
JA
That tray looks awesome Jay. You know, an oem tray if you can find one, will sell for more than a buildable Custom a lot of times. The last one I saw went for over $2500 and thats been a few years...very scarce part. Your reproduction looks outstanding. Very nice work. What did you use, 16 or 18 gauge, or heavier?
SSSSSSH! Don't say that so loud or I'll never be able to afford one. Don't doubt the one in my car was sold off prior to my buying it.
Zap- :unitedstates:
JPotter and Zap
Thanks for the comment on the tray.
I was never able to find a tray and didn't even know what one was supposed to look like until I borrowed the one that I copied. It is 16 gauge. I even made the lower supports. I'm thankful because I was blessed with hands that can make things/parts that I need. See picture. Looks like the whole thing needs to be repainted and I haven't even started to drive the car yet.
JA
Tray looks great, and would love to have one, but reality is that I have grandkids so will settle for a fold down wagon backseat. Had a regular back seat in my first bc in high school for similar reasons. while I was in the Navy my mom cleaned out the basement and the tray got tossed along with a lot of other 57 stuff.
But definitely do not want to ride around all the time with an upright seat back showing. Will camo the seat back with some sort of metal and find someone to do roll some beadwork on it.
Zap- :unitedstates:
Thanks for the pictures of the package tray, they give me hope that I can come up with something that will look close the factory.
[quoteThanks for the pictures of the package tray, they give me hope that I can come up with something that will look close the factory.quote]
Glen
I think that I still have the buck I used so I can give you some measurements when you get ready to make one.
JA
Send those measurements my way too if you don't mind, Jay. I was going to make one out of 3/4 marine pllywood and cover it with carpet, but this is much, much cooler. If you can send me some pics of the buck you made too, that would also be great.
I am glad that when folks join on here, that they are not like some places, and want to keep all the info to themselves. You have no problem sharing what you know. You guys are what make this club and forum as good as it is, and as far as I'm concerned, you're the best on the internet or anywhere else.
Quote from: JPotter57 on 2013-01-09 12:51
I am glad that when folks join on here, that they are not like some places, and want to keep all the info to themselves. You have no problem sharing what you know. You guys are what make this club and forum as good as it is, and as far as I'm concerned, you're the best on the internet or anywhere else.
Agreed !
Zap- :unitedstates:
"Send those measurements my way too if you don't mind, Jay. I was going to make one out of 3/4 marine pllywood and cover it with carpet, but this is much, much cooler. If you can send me some pics of the buck you made too, that would also be great."
Jpotter57 (I kinda figured out from what some of the guys that on the forum call you your name is James )
Well anyways I'll send you The pictures of the back area of my car as soon as my new computer decides to let me back it so I can send messages.
I started out this project with the same thoughts as you. I bought a piece of 3/4" marine plywood and was going to cover it with carpet or rubber rug material. I placed the original on the plywood traced it and it out. Well it was not that simple. When I put the plywood in place, it did not conform to the back of the floor where it rolls up. That's when I decided to use is as a buck instead and hammer the sheet metal around it. This gave me a piece of steel that gently rolled up in the back to conform to the roll in the floor. In the back on that upward roll of the floor, it is held to the floor with sheet metal screws. The front and middle has brackets /spacers to keep it up off the floor to about the top of the drive shaft tunnel.
If I had to do it again I would make some changes. I would make it about 2" narrower. The actual 70D cardboard side panels sit on the right and left edge of the tray in two channels. I made them also, and you can see them in the pictures. They do not go all the way down to the floor. It is a bear to get this all lined up with the rear inside garnish molding. I was lucky because I had original cardboard as patterns.
Maybe this is an easier way to say it. If I had to do it again,
1 I would make it out of steel
2 The tray would be about 2" narrower
3 The cardboard side panels would go all the way to the floor and not stop on top of the tray.
4 No one will ever notice the change if the tray is snug against the side of cardboard instead of on top of it.
5 If someone gets in into trouble, I would be happy to explain this on the phone.
Jay A
.
I am glad that when folks join on here, that they are not like some places, and want to keep all the info to themselves. You have no problem sharing what you know. You guys are what make this club and forum as good as it is, and as far as I'm concerned, you're the best on the internet or anywhere else.
[/quote]
LOL...very diplomatic alternative to begging, James. well done.
I think that it would be easier if I try to start a new thread dedicated to the package tray of the 70D.
I'll post pictures that I do have now and can access now.
New pictures of the buck and the measurements will probably take a couple of days depending on how long it will take for my computer to allow me to sign in. For some reason , It will not accept my password.
I still have to figure out how to download pictures into this new computer
I seem to have more trouble with a computer than than I do making/restoring a car part.