Similarities between Vicky & B400? NEVER get around to doing it.  Anyone else like that?

Well this one isn't my idea, so I won't try to tak" />

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Similarities between Vicky & B400?
Posted: February 06 2004 06:41 PM
 
Eric Hibbs (aka 31tudor) [ View ] [ ehibbs@nuteltech.com ] [ Car Ads ] [ Blogs ]
St. George, Utah
(435) 668-1401
 Eric Hibbs
 

I always hate sharing my "prized ideas" afraid that someone's going to beat me to the punch, although in reality I'll NEVER get around to doing it. Anyone else like that?



Well this one isn't my idea, so I won't try to take credit. In the early '90's Barry Lobeck built a killer B400 out of a 'glass Vicky. The photos look really nice (like all of Lobeck's cars!) but I don't have a B400 in my garage to compare dimensions. (dang it!)



Does anyone know how similar the original B400 is to the original Vicky body? I'd love to build one with an actual sliding top and everything! I'm thinking it would cost about $5000 in restoration parts for the top alone (to make it look right), but it'd be cheaper than buying an original car. Another rodded B400 would sure piss off the purists, wouldn't it?

 
 
Comments
 
Posted by gm34  -  02/05/2004 10:00 PM
Just dawned on me, I know a guy near Ogden, Utah, member of the Stags Car Club, who has an old 50's hot rod built in Boise, Id. It is a 32 B400 I even ran across the fellow who built it once at the salt flats. At the time I had a 32 5 window and he was looking at it. I did look at the B400 once or twice. Nother friend came across a dead straight no rust 12,000 mile 32 Vicky, made a streetrod out of it...I just love telling that story to purists. Anyway, I did notice that the bodies look near identical but noticed one difference in the rear. The Vicky rear rolls or protrudes outward from the beltline slightly. The B400 creases in at the belt line, but as I recall the rear from there goes pretty much straight down with distinct rolled in sides. I remember looking at that once and thinking the bodies must be the same but the rear difference was done to improve structural strength of the B400, simply because it has a cloth roof and the cloth runs all the way down to the rear belt line. That would be a very weak point so I simply assumed Ol' Henry made that change to add strength to the rear area. Anyway, I believe that and the roof are the only real noticeable differences. I would also bet there were other little things done to add body strength but not as noticeable, possibly in the quarters and door tops. As I recall hearing, the 32 3 window and Vicky bodies were not actually built by Ford, they were built by another seems it was Windsor Body Company. Then they were delivered to Ford for assembley. If the B 400 was also built by Windsor ( hope that name is right ) then it is near a sure thing they are the same...just different. Hope that helps. If you get in touch with the Stags Car Club in Ogden ( old car clud still nas some of the 1957 original members) they can get all the answers you need. All of them I met were good people.They still drag race a 40 Ford the club built in 1960. Hope this helps.
gm34 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] (location not given)
 
Posted by BigAlBre  -  01/31/2004 09:10 PM
31tudor you should be able to find one at a rod run to get measurements off of... or maybe Down's would have some spec's..(I think they build a glass one)... just a thought...
Big Al sittin back in paradise. [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St Pete Beach, Florida Charter Member since June 1999
 
Posted by 31tudor  -  02/02/2004 11:22 AM

Thanks Al, but I can't remember EVER seeing a B-400 at a show. I've seen just a handful of A-400's, but haven't seen a single one since Americruise in 2001. I already spoke with Downs, and they haven't done one before and don't have any interest in doing one.



I also spoke with Lobecks' V8 shop who built the car in the picture attached above. They said that they had more hours in the body mods than they'd care to admit, and the top didn't even roll down! Yikes, I might be redirecting my interest!
Eric Hibbs [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St. George, Utah Charter Member since January 2002
 
Posted by 31tudor  -  02/06/2004 10:23 AM

I know I've heard the name Mickey Ellis many times in streetrodding circles in Northern Utah. You're right about the club, very friendly and very active members.



The '32 Sedan you're talking about, it's not the one that was called Orange Crate, is it?
Eric Hibbs [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St. George, Utah Charter Member since January 2002
 
Posted by 31tudor  -  02/05/2004 10:56 PM

Awesome info, thanks Gary!!! I live in Utah too, but I'm about 350 miles from Ogden. I get up there occasionally for car shows and work, and make it to an occasional Bonneville meet. I even know a few guys who are in the Stags club... one has the most righteous '29 A pickup you've ever seen!



I'll be up that direction in a few weeks, and will see if I can find any of them while there. Thanks for the tips on the body and the guy in the Stags!
Eric Hibbs [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St. George, Utah Charter Member since January 2002
 
Posted by gm34  -  02/06/2004 12:15 AM

That would be Mickey Ellis, he is a close friend of the B400 owner. They partnered the Bandit 32 Tudor sedan built by Pete and Jake and Pete Eastwood in California.The one they had in Pete And Jakes catalog many years ago. They ran that at drags then a 32 pickup for some time. They are good people, long time streetrodders, and I am sure they will help. That club had some real good people in it.
gm34 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] (location not given)
 
Posted by gm34  -  02/06/2004 06:41 PM
No, it was a highboy like Orange crate but left in primer. Pete and Jake and Eastwood built it about 1982. It was a low buck hot rod, used all their parts and ran strong for a small block. It is probably still around Ogden and still hitting the strip. It has Bandit white lettered on the doors. The 32 pickup looked about the same and had Ellis and Bodily on the doors. That one they sold locally but the bandit and the B400 I would find hard to believe they would part with. Anyway, sure they would help you. See ya.
gm34 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] (location not given)
 
Posted by tlp1968  -  03/17/2008 10:38 AM
This was the discussion I found about B400's maybe does not have all the info you were looking for but I thought it might hold some important names etc.
StreetRodding.com Marketing Director [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Springfield,, Illinois Charter Member since August 2003
 
Posted by BigAlBre  -  03/17/2008 11:46 AM
Hmmmmmmm maybe I'll turn the 36 into a B600 Woody see what you guys started
Big Al sittin back in paradise. [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St Pete Beach, Florida Charter Member since June 1999
 
Posted by PurpleFlameGuy  -  03/17/2008 03:02 PM
Eric,

My friend Bruce West, The guy who sold Lance his original steel B-400 built a B-400 copy out of a 2 sedan. He had the original body to copy, this car was made more than 20 years ago. He is good friends with Barry Lobeck, They are both in their 70's. In fact he just sold his last bodies to Lobeck, they were in dry storage for 30 plys years, 3 window,2 door sedan,and 4-door sedan, All 100% original and rust free. I know one of the bodies is going for a project Lobeck is doing for George Poett.

What dimensions do you need? I know in this copy the only way you can tell in inside the car, in the rear sides below the windows, the small areas where the sedan steel is still there, but from the outside and even inside if you don't know what you are looking for you would never tell. Any measurements you need I should be able to get, Maybe even pics, but this guy is private, and may not let me take pics. Later, Den
PurpleFlameGuy [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Boyertown, Pennsylvannia Charter Member since April 2001
 
Posted by 31tudor  -  03/17/2008 03:15 PM
Thanks Den, but I actually started this thread more than four years ago. Since then I've learned a TON about the elusive B400's and know that unless I learn to metal shape I'll never be able to afford one!


Anyone wanna donate one to my charity? Don't forget to stuff it with cash so I can afford to build it!
Eric Hibbs [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St. George, Utah Charter Member since January 2002
 
Posted by J & P StreetRods  -  03/18/2008 12:50 AM
Den,


Who is Lance? and do you know how I may contact him? Do you know if he has the steel B400?


Thank's, Joe
J & P StreetRods [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] San Jose, California
 
Posted by J & P StreetRods  -  03/18/2008 12:54 AM
Anyone that has information on real B400's please send to me.


Thank you in advance.


Joe
J & P StreetRods [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] San Jose, California
 
Posted by 31tudor  -  03/18/2008 11:52 AM
KOOOOOOOOOOL T JOE!
Eric Hibbs [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St. George, Utah Charter Member since January 2002
 
Posted by J & P StreetRods  -  03/19/2008 01:13 AM
Thank's Eric.


Hey, do you know who Lance is that PurpleFlameGuy mentioned?


Joe
J & P StreetRods [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] San Jose, California
 
Posted by J & P StreetRods  -  03/22/2008 12:29 AM
Eric,
Check this bike out that I built 38 years ago. It only has about 2000 miles on it and starts right up everytime I ride it. It looks just like the day I finished building it..

Joe
J & P StreetRods [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] San Jose, California
 
Posted by 31tudor  -  03/19/2008 12:37 PM
That's a wild scooter man, makes me miss mine! Is that a chopped Honda?
Eric Hibbs [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St. George, Utah Charter Member since January 2002
 
Posted by cat7195  -  03/19/2008 06:55 PM
Here's a article and pics of one under restro http://www.reitersmetalcraft.com/projects/B400/index.htm

http://www.reitersmetalcraft.com/projects/B400Part2/index.htm
cat7195 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Houston, Texas
 
Posted by 31tudor  -  03/19/2008 07:04 PM
SCHWING!!!
Eric Hibbs [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St. George, Utah Charter Member since January 2002
 
Posted by DavyJ  -  03/19/2008 09:22 PM
Eric, that sure looks like a Triumph to me! As for that B400 project.........WOW
Still driving the wife's car, cause I am slow. [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Niagara Falls, Canada Charter Member since February 2005
 
Posted by J & P StreetRods  -  03/22/2008 12:29 AM
Eric,

It is a 1965 Triumph 650 Bonneville..

Joe
J & P StreetRods [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] San Jose, California
 
Posted by 31tudor  -  03/20/2008 12:09 AM
Good call Davy, sorry Joe! I know Harley's, and I know one Yamaha cuz this one was mine...
Eric Hibbs [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St. George, Utah Charter Member since January 2002
 
Posted by J & P StreetRods  -  03/20/2008 10:21 PM
My Triumph does have a Harley Sportster front end.
J & P StreetRods [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] San Jose, California
 
Posted by J & P StreetRods  -  03/24/2008 11:42 AM
Den,


Who is Lance? and do you know how I may contact him? Do you know if he has the steel B400?

thank's in advance...
J & P StreetRods [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] San Jose, California
 
Posted by PurpleFlameGuy  -  03/24/2008 01:25 PM
Jerry, I know he will not sell his steel B-400 at any price. I just spoke with him last week and he does not want to be contacted about the car. Sorry, Den
PurpleFlameGuy [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Boyertown, Pennsylvannia Charter Member since April 2001
 
Posted by DavyJ  -  03/24/2008 09:45 PM
Eric, I just happen to be lucky enough to remember a few Triumph bikes in my garage. That Yamaha of yours looks like a nice comfort cruiser, bet its fun out in the desert.
Still driving the wife's car, cause I am slow. [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Niagara Falls, Canada Charter Member since February 2005
 
Posted by J & P StreetRods  -  03/29/2008 12:39 AM
Den, The next time you talk to Lance let him know if he is ever thinking of selling his B400 to let me know. My email address is: pamreinkevip@yahoo.com

Thank you,
Joe.
J & P StreetRods [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] San Jose, California
 
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