I have some pics of my '51 F1 project in progress in my gallery. They are actually about a month and a half old. Sorry I am behind. I have already gotten the frame, firewall, and interior painted and the motor back in. I have the bed and back fendors in sealer now to, but here are the details.
I know some guys will not like this, but I shaved the drip rails and did away with the vent glass. I built up a lip over the window that is smooth and keeps the rain out for the most part hopefully. I just love that smooth look with the full glass. Put an 89 Lincoln 8.8 rear end (not 9 inch like I wanted, but price was right) I flipped the rear end and C-Notched the frame and I clipped it with an MII I got from Jim Weimer with drop spendles. And I cleaned up the motor mounts PO did. It sits really low now which is something else you either love or hate. I love it. The motor is a '72 390 out of a pickup bored 40 over with a crane street comp cam and lifters, holley aluminum street dominator 4 barrel intake (I got at a swap for 100 bucks) and a holley 750, Mallory distributor and coil I traded some tires for, MT valve covers (still looking for those cal custom or offy's that I am willing to pay what they are asking for them), the motor has had almost everything replaced either by the guy I bought it from or me. I am thinking I am about 4-6 weeks from having it rollin if all goes well. I am about to be into the body work again, but I have the worst part of it (back fenders) done.

 

Eric -

I agree with you about the drip rails. Looks really nice. I saw a 54 last weekend with the drip rails removed also and it looked super. The one piece side glass looks really clean too and works well with the smooth cab. Be sure to add AC, though. Those texas summers without vent wings could be brutal.

Love the 390. I always liked that motor and your sounds really nice.

Keep the gallery updated for us.

Mongo likeee!

 

You know I was just thinking about that the other day. I am going to be getting it done right at the worst time of the year to drive a hot rod with no A/C. But you think I am not gonna suffer to drive this thing. You know I will suffer, hehehehe. Plus they have this cool cruise in a town called Vernon in August (worst heat of course) I want to get it done for. I have heard that cruise is really cool. They shut down the streets and it is nothing, but hot rods, customs, bikes, cruising and hanging out. I should have had it running and most of the kinks worked out by then. Knock on wood.

 

Galaxy,
Awesome progress!! I hope you get it together in time to make the cruise!

I, on the other hand, haven't made a bit of forward progress on my truck in over a week. Dang family chores.........ah well, at least the little woman is happy and we all know that that is a step in the right direction........LOL

Bobby

 

Thanks Bobby,

Yea I know how it is. It seems like there is always something that comes between me and getting my truck done. I have just been lucky lately and have been able to work around it and get stuff done hehehe. But yea you are right. Best to keep her happy. Makes life a lot simpler hehehe. I fitted up some headers I bought from a buddy and considering nothing on my truck is stock they are not gonna need to much modification which is nice. I hope to get a couple of the tubes moved and get them installed and then get the front tin back on to finish up the body work. It is tough enough to get the headers on without the front end body parts mounted so I want to do that before I get that stuff back on if I can.

 

Man, that's some lightening fast work you're doing there. Wish I could manage similar leaps and bounds on my truck....

Looks good.

 

Thanks Rob, Yea I have been on a mission. It is all I think about night and day. Your truck is really neat too. Hey I am 16 miles NW of Fort Worth. Maybe I will see you at a show or something some day.

 

Galaxy500

Wow, man being my first post, I have to say your truck is looking great. I picked up a 51 Ford F1 chopped with the original flathead a couple of weeks ago. Can't wait to start getting my hands dirty. I'd like to see some more pics of the truck if they're available. Thanks!

 

Yeah, that would be great. Fatfords lives just west of Fort Worth and I'm up in Keller. Maybe we could all hit a swap meet together or something.

 

Rob,
Wow, I worked in Keller for 8 years. We now moved to Alliance Gateway over off 170, but I am in Keller every day just about. Small world. I actually live in Azle. When I get my truck done, I will be driving it to work once or twice a week. I will have to let you check it out some day. I don't think I will be going to the swap this weekend, but I always make Decatur and I usually make the ones at Lagrave Field. Me and some buddies usually setup and sell parts and/or cars or trucks if we have em at the time. I saw a guy at the Pate swap over at the speedway that had a really nice dark red 51 or 52. I wonder if that guy is on the board.

Project 51,
I have had good intentions of getting more recent picks of it, but I just have not gotten it done. It actually looks quite a bit different now. I will get some and post them soon hopefully.

 

OK sorry for the delay in the update. Summer time and lots going on. I have some more recent pics of the 51. Got the motor in and the front sheet metal back on. Doing the body work up there now. I am on the home stretch now as far as body work goes. (Thank god, that is the worst part for me) Then I will paint it, wire, plumb, and button everything up. Then hopefully see how far I can lay a scratch with that 390. Pics are in the 06-30-05 update gallery.

**Edit Oh yea and I put a pic of my cousin's 30 coupe in there as well with my 51 in the background. Just thought it was kind of a cool pic. They should be seen together quite a bit in the near future hopefully. We are both planning on keeping them for a while.

 

You know Eric, I always love to see the before and after pictures. You've done a great job getting everything prepared and redone. Right now, you have to admit the body looks kinda crappy with the various body colors and stuff. Then, like magic, a couple coats of paint and it looks like a million bucks. A very nice truck - I hope you really enjoy driving it with the new paint and all the hard work.

 

Yea George it looks wierd all the different colors. I can't wait to see it all one color again. I really enjoy working on it, but the body work is really tough sometimes. I am motivated by being able to drive it one of these days, but occationally it is hard to get out there and sand on it when it is 100 degrees. lol

 

It's lookin good! Keep up the good work! FYI, I'd sure love to see some closeup shots of the drip rails, c-notch, and MII front?......

 

Wow Galaxy, your truck is coming along great! Mind if I ask what your suspension setup is? (both front and rear) Your truck sits at a perfect height. THANKS!