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Posted: May 13 2007 11:15 AM
 
Dave Jennings (aka DavyJ) [ View ] [ Email ] [ Car Ads ] [ Blogs ]
Niagara Falls, Canada
(905) 374-1128
 Still driving the wife's car, cause I am slow.
 
My darling wife has given me permission to start a new project. i have located 2 choices, both for the same price. The first is a steel 32 5 window, chopped 2", no interior, in primer. Stock frame,32 axle with 48 brakes. 8" maverick rear, 56 olds drivetrain. high boy with bobbed rear fenders. About 300 miles from home. The second choice is a Downs glass 5 window highboy, on a downs chassis, 4" superbell w/discs, small block auto. again no interior.About 600 miles away. Which would you prefer, old school traditional or glass w/ all new parts. I am leaning toward the steel car, but not sure about the old parts. help!
 
 
Comments
 
Posted by gman0046  -  05/13/2007 11:24 AM
It's a No Brainer. Invest in Steel. You can find Cookie Cutters everywhere.
gman0046 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Anchorage, Kentucky
 
Posted by 32Canuck  -  05/13/2007 11:46 AM
I agree with the gman, go with the stel rod. When we get a rattle in our 32 wood framed Chevy I just walk arounf the car with a nail gun, sure tighten's it up in a hurry.
32Canuck [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Victoria BC, Canada Charter Member since December 2006
 
Posted by ORHotrod  -  05/13/2007 11:49 AM
I agree with the gman STEEL is REAL.
Larry [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Salem, Oregon Charter Member since July 2002
 
Posted by buick1  -  05/13/2007 12:37 PM
You knew the answer when you named it your FIRST CHOICE. That was easy, wasn't it.


Dale

Indy
buick1 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Indianapolis, Indiana
 
Posted by da34guy  -  05/13/2007 01:00 PM
How many patch panels have been put in the steel car, how much bondo,what's the condition of all the structual steel and wood? Could cost MEGA BUCK$ to redo an ole 60's 32. I'd really check it out close.

Good Luck Dave.
Don [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Prescott, Arizona Charter Member since October 2001
 
Posted by gman0046  -  05/14/2007 11:25 AM
Without quetion a Steel Duece will be worth more then a glass car in the long run regardless if it has patch panels or not. BTW whats wrong with patch panels if its done right? It's true Steel rusts but fibreglass cracks, I'll take the Steel car anyday. I've owned a glass 32 Ford Downs car and won't do it again. Anybody can own a reproduction Duece. Like Falfa said, I aint anybody. Thats my opinion, I could be wrong.
gman0046 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Anchorage, Kentucky
 
Posted by coupe32  -  05/13/2007 02:52 PM
WOW;;;;;; Sure steel is real, But I been seeing alot of fiberglass cars go for a lot more money then a steel rod. But the question is this how much of its real when it has fiberglass fenders and running boards. ANd everyone knows that 80% of rods have fiberglass fenders and running boards. But I will say this Im a proud owner of a 32 fiberglass coupe. But no matter what you decide of building good luck on the build up..;. BUILD IT AND RUN IT ENJOY the the Thumbs up from other drivers I do.
coupe32 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] nuremberg, Pennsylvannia
 
Posted by DavyJ  -  05/13/2007 03:09 PM
Been doing a lot of research, although the steel car is cool it would cost a great deal to get it where i want. the stock frame would require a k-member, i would need a dropped axle, discs and better than 1932 steering box.The buggy spring in the rear would probably have to go as well. By the time i updated the chassis or bought a stage 3 chassis from someone i am better off starting with new parts. The only drawback to the glass car is it is chopped more than the steel one. i am looking to build a fun car for short trips as we are keeping the wife's 38 sedan for long hauls. I'll let ya know how it works out.
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 da34guy  -  05/13/2007 05:48 PM
DavyJ-

Sure didn't take ya long to figure out that sum of them ole hot rod ain't worth 1/2 what guys are tryin to get out of them.

Re The Glass 5 window--If your tall , 5 windows are small inside like a roadster. That's why U see more glass 3 windows.

They're bigger inside by 5 ".
Don [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Prescott, Arizona Charter Member since October 2001
 
Posted by flagator79  -  05/13/2007 07:10 PM
I can attest to inside room in a 3 window. I am 6'2" and around 300 lbs and have plenty of room in my steel 3 window (with the exception of the front fenders and one back one). Also, at the end of the day, if what you have brings you pleasure then you are where you need to be. I love mine and really enjoy the pictures that I can see of all of those who visit and belong to this site. It is incredible the beauty and variety of our cars.


Skeet - gotta go - Addison, my grand daughter, wants to look at the hot rods varoom, varoom
FlaGator79 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] West Monroe, Louisianna Charter Member since December 2005
 
Posted by dixie  -  05/13/2007 07:54 PM
Well well my lil old glass downs body ant cracked all over so what can i say,as for all that 56 running gear if its not new i'd vote no steele.
jim grace [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] dade city, Florida Charter Member since January 2006
 
Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  05/14/2007 12:27 PM
it's all one song..................
dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003
 
Posted by 29robert  -  05/14/2007 02:10 PM
What are you comfortable workin on - glass or steel? How much work do you want to do yourself? Sounds like one of the cars is much further along than the other. Just be sure you're havin fun. There's a lot of talk about resale value between glass and steel, but are you buildin it just for resale or for yourself to drive? Only you can know figure that one out.
29robert [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] La Verne, California Charter Member since November 2004
 
Posted by DavyJ  -  05/14/2007 08:42 PM
This one is to be a keeper, My thought has always leaned toward a real low, full fendered 5 window. Both these cars still require work, the steel one mainly because my driving habits would not be satisfied with a stock frame and steering etc. steel vs fiberglass does not really make a difference in my books, the prep work and paint work are not that different. Now finding out that a 3 window has 5" more interior might change my mind. i have now put a call in to my local Bear fiberglass dealer, $13,500 cdn ($11,500 usd) can get me a complete 3 window with fenders, running boards and front and rear aprons. A stage 3 chassis runs about $9,000 cdn ( 7,750 usd) So i could put together a new car for about the same price as I was looking at the others. Then it would be all mine. Since there are my kids cars in the garage i would not be without a ride at any time so there is no rush.
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 carpro1946  -  05/14/2007 09:08 PM
Guarantee you that you better try a 5 window before you buy one. Lots harder to get in and out of if you are big. I'm 6'3" 290 and I have a hell of a time getting in a 5 window, thats why I have a 3 window.
carpro1946 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] hebron, Maryland Charter Member since March 2003
 
Posted by primed34  -  05/14/2007 10:12 PM
Harder to get in five window but better side vision than a three window. Try both on for size.
primed34 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Paris, (unknown state)
 
Posted by da34guy  -  05/15/2007 08:58 AM
Davyj---Now yer on the right track.

Build a new 1 yerself, then U'll know whatcha got in the end.

Good choice in bodies, U won't be sorry usin a BEAR BODY
Don [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Prescott, Arizona Charter Member since October 2001
 
Posted by 3340  -  05/15/2007 11:44 AM
Steel Is Real For Me, My Opinion Is Every Thing Is Available To Rebuild That Steel Body ,And Resale Would Bring Back Much More,Watch The Auctions(Barret Jackson) Just My Opinion.
wayne ludwig [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Toledo, Ohio Charter Member since November 2001
 
Posted by DavyJ  -  05/19/2007 05:34 PM
Well the deal is done. A new Pete and Jakes frame should be delivered in about 6 weeks. The Bear body and fenders will take 5 > 6 month's. Now I have to get cracking and rebuild the '69 Z-28 350/350 that has been under my workbench for the last 15 years. Should make for a great winters work. "Horton Street Rods" in Milton On. was able to set me up with everything to get it done.

Thanks for all the suggestions and ideas.

Dave.
Still driving the wife's car, cause I am slow. [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Niagara Falls, Canada Charter Member since February 2005
 
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