[cboy]

Just found a donor vehicle yesterday so it looks like "Shoestring - II" is officially underway. Actually, I intend to spend a bit larger budget on this one (like a real interior and a real paint job) but I'll still be shooting for a max of $7-10K.

I've had a long time desire to build a '33 coupe and Malc's avatar (a cartoon rendition of the Defibrulator) is about as cool as they come in terms of what I was looking for. Malc was kind enough to share his art work with me so this will become the starting point for designing the scratch built body. (Hope I can do it justice Malc.)



And I couldn't be happier with the donor that is now sitting in my garage. It's a '79 F-100 with a 302 and 3-speed. And virtually everything still works on the truck. Not bad for $150. Only drawback is the F-100 did not come with a 9" rear - but that is a small price to pay for getting a solid running donor to start a project with.





Since the HR.Com software does not yet allow us to divide our journals into separate project sections I've decided not to clutter up my existing roadster journal with this new project. I WILL, however, be keeping my own photo journal along the way and hopefully, in the not too distant future, Jon will have the new software up and running and I can then publish the entire project as a separate journal.

The plan is to build about the same basic chassis as the roadster with a few upgrades/improvements. The best part is the '79 Fords used a rear steer setup with their twin-I beams rather than the front steer set up I used on the roadster. This means I can under-sling the frame rather than use the Z'd frame approach. It also simplifies and improves the steering box location. Should end up looking a little more traditional than the rat.

The BIG challenge for me on on this project will be the body. It is the first one I've tackled with a top and full size doors (with working windows). I wake up at night now wondering how in the heck I'm going to do that.

So anyhow, here's how it all starts. Malc's artwork and a "slightly rusted" donor.

[Arrowhead]

Can't wait to see your progress. Your projects have been an inspiration to many. Best of luck!

[redlightning]

GO CBOY GO! Did you wind up keeping shoestring one or is she gone?

[home brew]

Looking forward to this build! Always wanted to see a step by step build of a "cartoon" hot rod. I am sure that with your creativity you will figure out the solutions to all those concerns.

[dinger]

Git r going! I bugged the heqq out of Street Rod Builder to do an article on the last one, never so much as a F-U or thank you from them. If it can be done, you can do it! Make up a parts list, maybe we can get a support group going. Dan

[cboy]

Originally Posted by redlightning

Did you wind up keeping shoestring one or is she gone?

It's still in the shop...waiting for me to get off my butt and list it on Ebay.

[cboy]

Originally Posted by dinger

Make up a parts list, maybe we can get a support group going.

1) Blower
2) Blower
3) Blower
4) Blower
5) Blower
6) Oh, and maybe a...blower

[klassik100]

[QUOTE=cboy]
The BIG challenge for me on on this project will be the body. It is the first one I've tackled with a top and full size doors (with working windows). I wake up at night now wondering how in the heck I'm going to do that./QUOTE]


Two words Cboy Hammer form.

Make the door frames out of separate hammer forms and join them together.

Working windows arent all that hard to do, just look at the donor truck and see how they work then copy it.

That or go for electric windows, even easier.

And KEEP US POSTED

Craig

[klassik100]

The roof and the quarters are going to be the hardest.

Craig

[Nightfire]

I cant wait!
Dumb question, are you gonna leave the sides pretty "flat" or make a pretty accurate replica with rounded corners and the roof dripline etc.


Mike

[pasadenahotrod]

Why not take a shot at a fiberglass body?? Buy some big foam blocks, sit 'em up on your chassis, cut and grind everything that doesn't look like a cartoon car away, surface finish, determine parting lines, shoot it with loud release, shoot it with gel coat, lay up the glass, parting line flanges and stiffeners. Pull it apart, fix any hiccups, surface finish, mould release, gelcoat, lay it up. Let it cure, pull the mould apart, BINGO, something to sell to finance the rest of the project! CARTOON BODIES! the latest fad!
(Of course, you'll still have to cut out the doors, make up jambs and sills, and so on, but that's the challenge isn't it?)

[Brian_B]

WOW....A cartoon car. I spent a long time reading the complete journal on the last one. Can't wait to see this one happen.

[cboy]

Originally Posted by Nightfire

...are you gonna leave the sides pretty "flat" or make a pretty accurate replica with rounded corners and the roof dripline etc...

Well, I HOPE to end up pretty close to Malc's drawing...which means it will also be pretty close to the original Defibrillator. I'll be doing more of the accent lines (like around the door and roof line) and recessed areas (like around the rear tires) than I did on the roadster. I'm also anticipating that I'll put a little greater crown into the sides than I did with the roadster. I guess the short answer is I'm going to try to get it as accurate as I possibly can and improve a bit on the techniques I used for the rat.

[cboy]

Originally Posted by pasadenahotrod

Why not take a shot at a fiberglass body??

I have. And my experience is that for ME, scratch built glass bodies are more difficult and more time consuming than steel bodies. That's not to say steel is preferable for ALL builders. It's just a matter of personal skills, abilities, and comfort levels. Some do better working with glass. Some prefer steel.

BTW, I'd love to see a few journals of complete scratch builds using the glass process you outlined in your post (or any process for that matter). I think it would be quite helpful for others who would like to tackle this type of project.

[McLeay F1]

hey cboy i am sure it will turn out fine and building out of steel is the best
wish i could give you a hand you will probably finish yours before I finish mine
cam