BLACK FRIDAY PURCHASE "The Bird

[Ricks Garage]

I am not done with my 47 Ford p/u but this came along at the right price with free delivery. Plans are to narrow it 20" and pull the cowl back to the rear edge of the door opening, eliminating the door and about 4 foot of floor and rust. MG windshield and a 60 Studebaker LARK nose and grill......

weld on ..........[

 

[Blue]

Can't wait to see this one [P

 

[Camo King]

Super excited about this one!

 

[Country Misfit]

Sounds like a wild project. Can you do a photoshop or draw us a picture and show us what you got in mind?

 

[Yankee Transplant]

I dont even know what your going to do but is this close ?

 

[05snopro440]

Yes! This sounds awesome!

[P

 

[soltz]

[cl[cl[P[cl[cl

 

[Snake Farm]

You talking something along these lines??



Looks like a perfect candidate for something like that!

[P[P[P

 

[Yankee Transplant]

I would ride in this [cl[cl

 

[Country Misfit]

ok,now I see where your going with it.

 

[Camo King]

That's exactly what I was getting at. I'd love to build o e myself someday!!

 

[Bill in SC]

Love these hybrid type builds! Anxious to monitor your progress! We are starting a similar project with a narrowed '53 Caddy rear section with Model A doors and cowl.

Bill in SC

 

[Ricks Garage]

Snake Farm:
Yes, this is very close to what I have in mind for this bird.
A lot of ideas are being worked out.
Carson top that will open with a reverse trunk to allow entry.
Rear air bags to lower it to allow entry.
I am working trying to acquire an engine (429 or 472 Caddy)
I have contacted at least 6 people regarding the width of their advertised rear end and cannot get a response. I am looking for a E150 van rear end 77-86. (looking for a rear end that is over 62" wide backing plate to backing plate)
Most likely will use a back seat from a Lincoln.
When I narrow the dashboard area I will redo the Bird one to fit.

lots of cutting before.... weld on..........[

 

[endicott_jb]

Try finding a 9inch from a 70s f-150 4x4 they're about 63" backing plate to backing plate.

 

[Sam_Fear]

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[Old Iron]

I'm in!!!!!!!!!!! [cl [P

 

[Skip]

Just what I need. More great ideas for my NEXT project.

Maybe I should get the current project running first. Hmmm. Great idea, Skip. Why don't you?




Still working on self motivation. Sigh...

 

[Ricks Garage]

Skip, I have my 47 Ford in the garage and "The Bird" in the driveway covered with a tarp.
I defense, I have been drawing the idea for this T-Bird type build for a long time and it fell into my lap, literally.

I am looking for a wide rear end out of a E150 van. Once I acquire it I can proceed with narrowing the body. I have bought a MGB windshield frame and fender skirts. As a Christmas present to my self I bought a set of wire wheels 14x6 and 15x7. My plasma cutter shut down (its 23 years old) so I have to get another one this week. I then can trim the cowl and center floor area to at least pull them together to check out the length of the passenger compartment. The front end will be designed around a 54 Chevy truck axle with the pads for the leaf springs turned into pads for short coil springs (Bird Manufacturing made some of their T-kits that way) panhard bar and radius rods to hold the axle in place. The extra sheet metal is to blend the Studebaker grill surround to the front of the body. I am leaning towards a big Cadillac engine, using the short headers and run big lake pipes down the sides. Fabbed intake. The headlights will be mounted in the cowl.
Rick[P

weld on..........[

 

[Ricks Garage]

A medical condition has put this project on hold for the last 5 months. I have recovered very well from two surgeries. I'm still searching for a wide rear end....the width of the whole car depends on the rear end. I have located a source for a 401 nailhead and trans (dropped the cadillac search after I found out the cost of parts and rebuild). Found a great Stud Lark grill and surround.
I have the spindles, rotors and coilovers for the front. Now that I have organized the garage I have started to work on my '47 Ford.[cl There is enough room to bring in 1/2 the T-bird body and cowl.


weld on..........[

 

[Torchie]

Glad to hear that you are on the mend.
Hopefully that nailhead is in running condition or the price of that rebuild may put you back on the sick list again..[ddd
What trans did you get with it?
Torchie