Scratch Building a Coupe

Rat Rods Rule

Help Support Rat Rods Rule:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
yes they are I have a bunch already that's what will hook on the end of the pvc tube
 
Real Hot day here in NE only worked a few hours on the inside framing for the dash. I located and installed the lower attachment bars for the bottom lip of the dash... got some snaps...
 

Attachments

  • HPIM5776.jpg
    HPIM5776.jpg
    92.3 KB · Views: 15
  • HPIM5777.jpg
    HPIM5777.jpg
    71.4 KB · Views: 19
  • HPIM5775.jpg
    HPIM5775.jpg
    86.1 KB · Views: 16
Note# I plan on using a gauge cluster from the Merkur, however it has a curved face on the front. I will attempt to remove that and make a flat face with a plexi glass cover for it. I will probably use some red wood strips I have on hand to frame the Gauge cluster. If I break it I also have a 1975 Mustang 11 gauge cluster I can try if I smash that I'm cooked ill have to buy all separate speedos gauges etc
 
Started to fabricate the steering column and bearings in the tube. I had to machine out special bearings front and rear to keep the steering shaft stable. I spent most of the day machining these. I did get them fitted to the tube I got free from our local dump. Now I have to re-locate the tube about 2 inches higher for more knee room. So tomorrow I will dissect the overhead brake and clutch assembly to raise the tube that holds the steering shaft. I will cut out the old attachment points and make newer ones higher up. All in all the steering was rigid with my locating bearings i made, It will be stronger yet when I bracket the tube to the fire wall and brace the brake and clutch assembly to the dash. I think it will be okay for a home made system once all brackets and braces are finished. I noticed the clutch pedal needs to be moved to the drivers left I will cut it and move it later same for the brake pedal. I will weld the bearings or bushings in place when i am ready to finalize the positioning of everything. Have some snaps..
 

Attachments

  • HPIM5778.jpg
    HPIM5778.jpg
    99.5 KB · Views: 18
  • HPIM5779.jpg
    HPIM5779.jpg
    102.1 KB · Views: 16
  • HPIM5780.jpg
    HPIM5780.jpg
    30.4 KB · Views: 15
  • HPIM5782.jpg
    HPIM5782.jpg
    36.5 KB · Views: 14
  • HPIM5783.jpg
    HPIM5783.jpg
    65.5 KB · Views: 15
Still working on the steering column tube. I found out after relocating the attachment points , so I could raise the wheel a little it changed the angle of the shaft near the frame and it rubs. So I have to add 4 inches more to the steering shaft to lengthen it. This will also give me more tube on the D part to slide deeper into the shaft.. I didn’t have any 3/4 inch rod Ill get some tomorrow. I added the grease fitting and done some welding on the front and rear bushings to keep them in place. I also added some mid way spacers to keep the 2 different size tubes aligned with each other. I also machine out a slip bushing to hold the 1 inch ball bearing on the front of the shaft near the wheel. I also machined a steel cap with two bolt holes to cap the wheel so it cant draw out unless you take out the bolts. That's about it. got some snaps
 

Attachments

  • HPIM5790.jpg
    HPIM5790.jpg
    64.9 KB · Views: 10
  • HPIM5793.jpg
    HPIM5793.jpg
    36.5 KB · Views: 9
  • HPIM5789.jpg
    HPIM5789.jpg
    33 KB · Views: 9
  • HPIM5787.jpg
    HPIM5787.jpg
    38.3 KB · Views: 10
  • HPIM5786.jpg
    HPIM5786.jpg
    98.6 KB · Views: 10
  • HPIM5785.jpg
    HPIM5785.jpg
    24 KB · Views: 9
Still working on the steering I finally have it all in and welded not coming out now. I did get another 2 inches on height of the steering wheel. I went a bought a piece of 2/4 solid steel rod and added 11 inches to my steering shaft, As it can be shortened by sliding it farther into the D shape on the slip joint. I have to add some braces on each side of the overhead brake system to stop any sideways movement of the post. All in all its a lot better than what I had still a little cramped, this car is for a small guy like me. Im 128 Lbs and 5feet 9 inches. Now I can get after the rest of the floors and dash.. have some snaps
 

Attachments

  • HPIM5794.jpg
    HPIM5794.jpg
    48.4 KB · Views: 9
  • HPIM5795.jpg
    HPIM5795.jpg
    49.8 KB · Views: 8
  • HPIM5796.jpg
    HPIM5796.jpg
    42.1 KB · Views: 9
  • HPIM5798.jpg
    HPIM5798.jpg
    107.9 KB · Views: 13
  • HPIM5797.jpg
    HPIM5797.jpg
    81.8 KB · Views: 12
  • HPIM5799.jpg
    HPIM5799.jpg
    108 KB · Views: 12
  • HPIM5800.jpg
    HPIM5800.jpg
    101.5 KB · Views: 12
  • HPIM5802.jpg
    HPIM5802.jpg
    70.6 KB · Views: 12
  • HPIM5801.jpg
    HPIM5801.jpg
    102.9 KB · Views: 11
I don't eat junk foods. I read labels and stay away from high fat and calories. My Dr told me to keep off the belly fat that helps Blood sugar to rise when you let the belly go wild. Plus I exercise splitting wood work outside. If you let your mind think of all foods as a Poison you will tend to eat less of it. That's how I have trained my mind about food. You only need enough to get through the day. Then you get ready for the next day. I eat one meal a day late afternoon usually. My Dr says nothing wrong with me at this point healthy old fart. I also have 5 small gardens with Vegetables. I also Deer hunt and only eat venison it has virtually no domestic fats that kill people and make obese. Its more healthy for you. We put away enough veggies for the winter it lasts until mid march or longer of the following year. Story in 1973 I weighed 183 lbs and went Deer hunting. That day I went to bend over in 2 feet of snow to inspect a Deer track and fell flat on my face in the show. I was to heavy for my frame. I said to myself I will fix this and never be this fat ever again. And to this day I stuck to my Guns and I feel great all the time. End of short story..
 
Last edited:
Okay so much for sizes......... today I added just one brace to the steering assembly, and that did the trick. A properly placed brace does both compression and pull. It does not move now. I added the braces needed for the floor area and also fabricated a bracket placed in the center of my seat area for safety belt release mechanisms. I’m all set for that and I almost forgot to add them. Going slow helps me make less mistakes. And I am prone to make many. Tomorrow I will fit some sheet steel to the seat area so I can progress to the wooden seats. Have some snaps then I'm going to have dinner, heheeh
 

Attachments

  • HPIM5804.jpg
    HPIM5804.jpg
    89.4 KB · Views: 15
  • HPIM5807.jpg
    HPIM5807.jpg
    108.6 KB · Views: 17
  • HPIM5806.jpg
    HPIM5806.jpg
    93.7 KB · Views: 15
  • HPIM5803.jpg
    HPIM5803.jpg
    83.6 KB · Views: 15
  • HPIM5805.jpg
    HPIM5805.jpg
    90.5 KB · Views: 14
Last edited:
Photo note# the 1st photo shows the brace its on the right side going up on an angle to the wind shield tube and goes back to the overhead brake and clutch assembly housing. realy rigid now
 
Sort of a goof off day rained real hard off and on all day. We were close to drought so I am glad we got the rain. I fooled around cutting some floor sheet steel all in one piece. I have to mark my tube lines on the sheet and get some plug holes to weld through. I also re fitted the back sheet metal piece I roughed out from appliance metal i got from our dump. I almost got ahead of myself here, I have to paint what gets covered and will not be able to reach when this job is done. Plus I have to move the rear shocks outboard one more hole to give me more back room. These 2 pieces are 90% of all the sheet metal inside the drivers compartment. The head liner can be made from door veneer thin plywood. I once saw a guy use cardboard for a head liner he coated the card board with some kind of clear glue and then painted over it. It looked nice as I remember however that was when I was a kid and I thought everything was nice back then. I will get some paint and take care of what gets covered up now. I think ill stay with the Dark grey scheme for the insides with Brown trim here and there. Anyway I have some snaps..
 

Attachments

  • HPIM5808.jpg
    HPIM5808.jpg
    81.2 KB · Views: 10
  • HPIM5809.jpg
    HPIM5809.jpg
    79.8 KB · Views: 10
  • HPIM5810.jpg
    HPIM5810.jpg
    84 KB · Views: 10
  • HPIM5811.jpg
    HPIM5811.jpg
    65.7 KB · Views: 8
  • HPIM5812.jpg
    HPIM5812.jpg
    48.3 KB · Views: 7
  • HPIM5813.jpg
    HPIM5813.jpg
    60.8 KB · Views: 8
Exciting day watching paint dry. I had to quit wet paint where I need to be next time.Brush painting rattle cans to much over spray to breathe. All this will be covered up when its all said and done. The humidity is starting to rust the new metal so I need to get some kind of protective paint on them.Black will be the under carriage and frame. Grey will be what you can see in the cock pit. This will take a while as I have to sit in where the paint is now for the next round. I guess this is moving forward then I can button up the sheet steel with screws and washers. snaps coming
 

Attachments

  • HPIM5814.jpg
    HPIM5814.jpg
    94.7 KB · Views: 11
  • HPIM5815.jpg
    HPIM5815.jpg
    127.1 KB · Views: 12
  • HPIM5816.jpg
    HPIM5816.jpg
    119.6 KB · Views: 11
More paint and got the floor piece attatched. Now i acn move to other areas like the back rest which I painted today. These are just sheet meatal points to screw on ply wood etc for the seats. Sheet metal accepts self tapping screws nice and thats what I will use during this portion of the build. Got some snaps...
 

Attachments

  • HPIM5819.jpg
    HPIM5819.jpg
    143 KB · Views: 13
  • HPIM5826.jpg
    HPIM5826.jpg
    77.9 KB · Views: 12
  • HPIM5825.jpg
    HPIM5825.jpg
    80.1 KB · Views: 12
  • HPIM5824.jpg
    HPIM5824.jpg
    96.5 KB · Views: 12
  • HPIM5823.jpg
    HPIM5823.jpg
    84.2 KB · Views: 12
  • HPIM5822.jpg
    HPIM5822.jpg
    90.4 KB · Views: 11
  • HPIM5821.jpg
    HPIM5821.jpg
    104.7 KB · Views: 13
  • HPIM5820.jpg
    HPIM5820.jpg
    100.9 KB · Views: 12
More paint and I fitted the back sheet metal and screwed in a few places. I will finish the screws tomorrow. I have to go slow I am getting close to fitting the seat belts from the 1986 Merkur. I measured all the positions that was in the Merkur and I will resemble that fairly close. I will have to make some removable panel pieces in the back and or sides to do maintenance on the shocks etc. Most of the rest will be done with that 3/16 veneer that bends easy and attached with self tapping screws. I will wait and see if paint will look ok on the wood or if I will have to apply upholstery to them. I once sealed the wood with 3 or 4 coats of satin polyurethane and then shot the paint over that it came out okay. we will see. The seats will cover 90% of all this anyway, I wanted a double fire wall behind the seats and I have that now. One wall in the trunk and one wall here in the cockpit area. I'll have to play around with the seat belts and see what I can come up with. I have some photos.. Photo 4 was suppose to be turned clockwise 90 degrees but it didn't work so bend your neck a little.
 

Attachments

  • HPIM5827.jpg
    HPIM5827.jpg
    120.9 KB · Views: 12
  • HPIM5828.jpg
    HPIM5828.jpg
    112 KB · Views: 11
  • HPIM5829.jpg
    HPIM5829.jpg
    56.7 KB · Views: 11
  • HPIM5830.jpg
    HPIM5830.jpg
    59 KB · Views: 9
  • HPIM5831.jpg
    HPIM5831.jpg
    70 KB · Views: 9
Always overwhelmed when i look at the amount of fabrication here
smiley-shocked019.gif
I don't know tho, you could not pay me enough to back to points ignitions. Did you have a sketch of how this will look or is it only in your head? Thanks for the continuing updates.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top