Hi boys and girls, thought I'd share a new build that we're been working on for a while now!
A good friend asked me to design and help build him a custom roadster - from the ground up. He loves the simplicity of the traditional '32 Ford styling, but also wants a more ‘road race’ feel incorporated into the body style. Basically, when he's out cruising with his granddaughter, he doesn't want to pull up to another '32 Ford at a red light.
So, incorporating items on his wishlist, here were a few initial concepts we played with. At the top left, a loose thumbnail sketch indicates the basic body shape of a stock '32 Ford. From the top down we have 4 different styles - 'Traditional', 'Newstalgia', 'Speedster' and 'Roadrace'. These sketches just indicate the basic shape of the body and stance. Wheel sizes will probably be around 18” in front and 20” in the rear.
For a while it was a toss up between either the Traditional or the Speedster design. The gentleman really dug both.
However, in the end he chose this one....
...the Speedster.
It's definitely a lot of fun to create a fresh, unique look, while still paying tribute to elements of the '32's fantastic shape.
Top and side two-dimensional full scale drawings of the body and chassis have been created from final renderings. We'll be starting with the body first by creating a wire-frame buck. This will also allow him to see his roadster take shape right before his eyes ... before any sheet metal has even been shaped. If necessary, at this stage, small changes to the body contours can be made.
Fabrication begins. The rails seen here aren't the roaster's actual frame members, but a foundation for the buck. We'll get to the real frame later...
Specific mounting points are being established.
Now we're ready to start bending the rod and flat bar.
Work began on our signature style 'exterior/interior' wire-frame buck for the roadster. When I design and we fabricate them, it's done in such a way that it allows us to create and assemble exterior panels in conjunction with the interior structure...or vice versa.
Steve experiences first hand that much of the bending is done by hand.
Comparing the curves for rear 1/4's hoops.
Hoops tacked in place to indicate the body's extremities over the rear wheels.
Rockers taking shape.
Establishing the front area where the nose will meet the sides.
Checking the elevations of the cutline risers for the doors and engine sides with a temporary shoulder line.
Bending flat bar vertically without twisting or puckering can get a little tricky. It’s started by hand for a more natural curve and then tightened up with a hammer as needed.
Things are shaping up. Stepped back across the shop to check the body's flow.
With the shoulder lines looking 'right', the rear lines are created.
One Speedster buck... done. Now it's onto shaping some panels.
Thanks for looking.
A good friend asked me to design and help build him a custom roadster - from the ground up. He loves the simplicity of the traditional '32 Ford styling, but also wants a more ‘road race’ feel incorporated into the body style. Basically, when he's out cruising with his granddaughter, he doesn't want to pull up to another '32 Ford at a red light.
So, incorporating items on his wishlist, here were a few initial concepts we played with. At the top left, a loose thumbnail sketch indicates the basic body shape of a stock '32 Ford. From the top down we have 4 different styles - 'Traditional', 'Newstalgia', 'Speedster' and 'Roadrace'. These sketches just indicate the basic shape of the body and stance. Wheel sizes will probably be around 18” in front and 20” in the rear.
For a while it was a toss up between either the Traditional or the Speedster design. The gentleman really dug both.
However, in the end he chose this one....
...the Speedster.
It's definitely a lot of fun to create a fresh, unique look, while still paying tribute to elements of the '32's fantastic shape.
Top and side two-dimensional full scale drawings of the body and chassis have been created from final renderings. We'll be starting with the body first by creating a wire-frame buck. This will also allow him to see his roadster take shape right before his eyes ... before any sheet metal has even been shaped. If necessary, at this stage, small changes to the body contours can be made.
Fabrication begins. The rails seen here aren't the roaster's actual frame members, but a foundation for the buck. We'll get to the real frame later...
Specific mounting points are being established.
Now we're ready to start bending the rod and flat bar.
Work began on our signature style 'exterior/interior' wire-frame buck for the roadster. When I design and we fabricate them, it's done in such a way that it allows us to create and assemble exterior panels in conjunction with the interior structure...or vice versa.
Steve experiences first hand that much of the bending is done by hand.
Comparing the curves for rear 1/4's hoops.
Hoops tacked in place to indicate the body's extremities over the rear wheels.
Rockers taking shape.
Establishing the front area where the nose will meet the sides.
Checking the elevations of the cutline risers for the doors and engine sides with a temporary shoulder line.
Bending flat bar vertically without twisting or puckering can get a little tricky. It’s started by hand for a more natural curve and then tightened up with a hammer as needed.
Things are shaping up. Stepped back across the shop to check the body's flow.
With the shoulder lines looking 'right', the rear lines are created.
One Speedster buck... done. Now it's onto shaping some panels.
Thanks for looking.
