1940 Ford Alley - chopped vs stock

Sad to say that every couple years 

the 40's come out for a photo-op,

which means one still isn't running,

and the kids and I push one up and down the alley.

This past year not much was done,

other than some paint and tire changes.

The green 40 drove so smooth up to Ventura,

Jaxon and I imagined chasing each other next year.

Which means I better get in my a$$.

And his a$$ thinking he's gonna chase or be chased.

Ok next year...

TP

56 shades of gray

One thing college teaches is how to procrastinate.

A skill mastered through years of practice.

Some procrastinators are busy screwing off,

putting fun before work,

then finding themselves scrambling to meet a deadline.

Many fall flat on there face.

A conscious procrastinator is a little different.

A game plan is formed with the deadline as a goal,

work starts at the exact last moment needed for completion,

with very little time for wild cards.

The difference is the weeks prior to liftoff,

the project seed is planted,

queued up for it's turn.

Subconsciously each step is mentally mapped out.

Momentum is built up,

winding tight like a spring.

With such meticulous planning,

of course there's time to finish a couple unrelated projects.

A boat...

a bike...

With little room for error,

the trigger is pulled.

Oh holey chit.

What the frick is this?

This is not what I signed up for.

Plan A - boom...

Plan B - boom...

Now we're working on the fly.

Oh jeez...when's the deadline?

Time to get out the 34 watt bulb.

Ok no problem.

The other side looks way easier.

Maybe there's time for a bike ride.

Yeah that'll help clear my head a little.

OMFG.

This side is even worse.

Holey chit...

Let's do this.

Same as before only opposite.

Well that took a little longer than I thought.

What day is it again? 

Monday?

Oh no.

Tuesday?

When's the deadline?

Uh Yeah yeah no problem ,Mario.

The truck will be done tomorrow...

Now the last part.

This was plan A.

Easy.

Oh Hey Mike! 

Hey Uncle Steve! 

Hey Dino!

Hey Dad!

Hey Honey!

Yeah Mario's sposta pick up the truck at 4.

What time is it?

Uh oh...

Hammer hammer file file...

Hate to do it,

but this things gotta be smooth.

Only a skim coat...

Ahhh...

Just enough time to seal up the inside.

I love ospho on my fingers.

Let's go cruising!

Blow all this dust out on the road.

Where's my glasses?

Hey Mario,

Oh you won't be here til 7?

Good,

the paint fumes won't be so strong.

Tequila shot time...

Hey Mario!

Nah it was easy...

How to - shaving drip rails on a1956 Ford F100...

Or how to - make a ford look like a chevy.

TP

Torn - 1939 vs 1941

Decisions...decisions...

The early imaginations of the 40 project

are so close to what it's turned out to be,

it's like the Iron Giant movie -

Blown out parts slowly reassembling themselves back to a machine.

Go watch it if you don't know what I'm talkin' about.

Seriously!

You may have noticed a change to the dark side,

an unintentional green black fauxtina,

the outcome of hours of sanding by our oldest - Jaxon.

His determination at finishing the once rusty 40,

or at least snapping me out of the current build block,

is the catalyst I need. 

A small detail that has veered from the path 

are the tail lights.

I'd imagined Valley Custom inspired 1941 studebakers.

After 6 years of searching,

settling on repop 1939 teardrops.

A perfect fit on a 1939/1940 Ford fender!

By luck or the saved search feature,

an original pair of 41 studebaker is now in our possession.

Beat up but very rare to have complete lens, frames and housings.

At the Grand National Roadster Show,

I saw this one sedan with the modification.

I really like the flow.

However,

does it draw a line between a custom and hot rod!?

(We had the same thought Timm!)

I really like the minimalist styling as it is now,

and am torn on whether or not to change.

The 39's would be perfect with nerf bars,

but there is a bumper planned.

Maybe that is the place to start,

mount the bumper and take it from there...

Ay wey.

TP

More GNRS 2015...

Out of all the cars at the GNRS,

Jaxon's pick was this  stock 1937? Lincoln Zephyr.

Which was surprising out of all the customs and hot rods.

High end taste.

This one still had the v-12.

Probably sounded like a sewing machine.

Trick running-board shape.

Super cool tail light. 

There was a customized zephyr in one of the rooms,

and the builder(s) had removed all this stuff.

This 36 was kinda cool too.

I liked the custom trim.

This chopped 36 reminded me of my old unfinished project.

This 3-window 36 had a mean profile.

One of the best cars was out in the lot.

A real 1947 ex-race 1932 ford roadster.

Would love to see the back in the day pics.

There were some interesting mods,

like that deep belly pan.

And the front nose piece.

Funky but understandable on a dry-lakes racer.

Even better with a running Elco Twin spark plugged flathead.

On a driving non-trailered car!!

I think this was a 409.

Must be a handful to drive this roadster.

Another rare flathead mod,

a Riley conversion.

Lotsa 4-bangers.

Shoulda brought the Cradle Robber up!

Always liked the 5-spoke look on 40's.

I'll be on the hunt for a set at the big-3.

Or some slots I'd run those.

These were 14's though I'd like 15's.

An overly nice 29 coupe.

Wouldn't want to drive it!

Thought this was our uncle Steve's roadster!

So similar!

One of the neatest props was this lowrider trike.

I may have to copy this...

TP