[DrBailey]

I have been building a 1950 Ford chopped top for a very long time, I bought the car and chopped the top 17 years ago. Because of my business it was impossible to get the car completed. I retired this past February,so I have stayed busy on the car and I think it will be done Spring of 2011
So I cant show the car as a finished product, but I can show the customized dash.
My first goal was to install gauges that I bought at-least 15 years ago for this car.
I will show the original dash after sandblasting and steps there on.
Because of the difference in size of speedometers I had to make a plate to mount the new speedo..
I did some cutting and welding to make mounting holes for the small gauges.
The original dash had a clock in the center of the dash, I made that existing hole a little bit larger, just large enough to except the matching tachometer.
I intend to build a console to come down from the dash to the shifter area. Because of that ,I welded the radio hole shut and also the other small holes and did some body work .The radio and CB will be mounted in the console.
The dash is done, all gauges mounted and wired in. the color on the dash is also the color that the car will be.Im thinking that the console and the rest of the interior will be a buckskin color. Im sorry, the dash is all thats a finished product.
The dash is a old school look, and thats the way I want the Ford to look, A child hood dream to me and I think Im going to get it done.

 

[Mark / Ohio]

I have been building a 1950 Ford chopped top for a very long time, I bought the car and chopped the top 17 years ago. Because of my business it was impossible to get the car completed. I retired this past February,so I have stayed busy on the car and I think it will be done Spring of 2011
So I cant show the car as a finished product, but I can show the customized dash....

Very cool Doc!!

Ok guys, Doc needs some competition here.

Let's see what the rest of you have been up to! Don't be shy. What might not seem like much to you could be something pretty exciting to other members without the particular skills or time to pull it off.

 

[Mark777]

...
The dash is done, all gauges mounted and wired in. the color on the dash is also the color that the car will be.Im thinking that the console and the rest of the interior will be a buckskin color. Im sorry, the dash is all thats a finished product.
The dash is a old school look, and thats the way I want the Ford to look, A child hood dream to me and I think Im going to get it done.

Wow, Doc!

I love it and I'm lovin the color too.

Being from the same line of work I'm guessing you have about 80-100 hours in the dash remodel . The labor is always the hardest part of a job to capture in a build process...I'm very impressed with your final results.

Great work and nice job

Mark

 

[DrBailey]

Wow, Doc!

I love it and I'm lovin the color too.

Being from the same line of work I'm guessing you have about 80-100 hours in the dash remodel . The labor is always the hardest part of a job to capture in a build process...I'm very impressed with your final results.

Great work and nice job

Mark

Actually Mark, I have about 20 hours from sand blast to new paint. then this past Monday I wired the gauges and AC controls up.

I should get the wiring on the entire car done today or tomorrow.

 

[junebug1701]

Looks sweet, Doc! But what's up with the GM steering column on a Ford?

 

[DrBailey]

GM column merges well with Rebel after market wiring kit.
junebug, there is nothing on this car that is original.
Top is chopped, bumpers removed, hood and grill completly altered and customized, chevy camaro front frame section, and rear end. The front and side glass is all cut 4.5 inches shorter then factory, wipers vacuum motor has been replaced with electric.
Electric windows, electric door locks, Southern Air and heater,and on and on. I might put Desoto seats in it
What Im saying is , 100% a custom car.

 

[Ken N Tx]

I got to see the project in person!!

 

[Brad]

Looking pretty good along side that machine!

 

[Mark / Ohio]

So did you offer to give Doc any help on the project or just stand there smoking up his shop and play supervisor the whole time?

 

[DrBailey]

So did you offer to give Doc any help on the project or just stand there smoking up his shop and play supervisor the whole time?

Thats funny! Ken didnt want to come in the shop while smoking, I talked him into coming in.

 

[Mark / Ohio]

Thats funny! Ken didnt want to come in the shop while smoking, I talked him into coming in.

The smoke patina will add value to your antiques.

I too am still guilty of burning a few little cigars daily myself.

 

[Ingersoll444]

SO I forgot to ask.... When can i drop off my LTD convertible to you Don?

 

[DrBailey]

SO I forgot to ask.... When can i drop off my LTD convertible to you Don?

lets see,,, I will be done with the 50 about mid Spring, I will need 6 months rest, any time after that.

 

[Mark / Ohio]

Once you get Paul taken care of I have a 79 Toronado that the paint is getting a little thin on.

Speaking of which, do you have any suggestions for a place to look for replacement door/side window/trunk rubber gasket material?

 

[DrBailey]

Once you get Paul taken care of I have a 79 Toronado that the paint is getting a little thin on.

Speaking of which, do you have any suggestions for a place to look for replacement door/side window/trunk rubber gasket material?

Mark check into JC Whitney,

HST MATERIALS COMPANY STICK ON REPLACEMENT SPONGE RUBBER WEATHERSTRIPPING - JCWhitney

also look here
http://www.yearone.com/

as a rule , nothing is reasonably priced for any seal rubbers.

 

[Mark / Ohio]

Thanks Doc!

Looks like JC Whitney has them. I used to get catalogs from them years ago but had forgot about them. For some reason I was thinking they had went out of business. I signed up for an email newsletter and two free catalogs.

Not cheap for a piece of rubber, but it would be nice to drive down the road without it sounding like the window was cracked open a tad or go through the automated car wash without holding a towel up to the window.

If I go to restoring it I'll to need to find a rear bumper and the plastic squirts that fills the gap between it and the car body too. Even with only 49K miles and always been garaged the old road salt, rust, and age have taken hold.

 

[Ingersoll444]

Mark check into JC Whitney,

HST MATERIALS COMPANY STICK ON REPLACEMENT SPONGE RUBBER WEATHERSTRIPPING - JCWhitney

also look here
http://www.yearone.com/

as a rule , nothing is reasonably priced for any seal rubbers.

Your not kidding!!!!! They came out with repos of all the convertable top weather strips for my LTD. Only sold as a set, and its about $600!!!!

 

[Brad]

If anyone needs some info/help with JC Whitney, let me know. I live about 6 miles from their warehouse.

 

[Ken N Tx]

So did you offer to give Doc any help on the project or just stand there smoking up his shop and play supervisor the whole time?

Even the ladies came in!! (after I smoked)..

.

Doc is as tall as I am!! He grew some during retirement!!!

 

[Brad]

Nice looking shop he's got there. Looks like a good time was had by all.