The Ford Barn

Chris Marshall · 05-28-2016, 10:22 AM

I'm building a 32 roadster that was disassembled in '57. The body has been moved around a lot since then without benefit of being bolted to a frame. I'm looking for the measurement between the top iron tabs to be sure the rear quarters just behind the doors are not bowed out.

Another idea would be any means to check trueness of the rear door jambs from the subrails to the top of the door jamb.

I'm not sure that there is any problem, but I'd like to be sure.

A couple pics of the roadster:

woodiewagon46 · 05-28-2016, 11:24 AM

You are probably going to get several measurements, but I get 49 and 3/4" inside to inside the tabs. These bodes tend to flex a little.

DavidG · 05-28-2016, 01:31 PM

Mine's 50 3/16.

woodiewagon46 · 05-28-2016, 01:46 PM

Chris, I double checked with a "stick" ruler and got the same, 49 and 3/4". I am going to take a ride to a friend's house and measure his. Give me about half an hour.

Andy · 05-28-2016, 02:10 PM

I used the fit of the doors at the B piller. If it fits at the top and bottom, you are good. That is assuming you have a floor in it!
A lot were pushed out from people sitting on the back of the seat. The tops of the quarters move out then and there is a gap at the bottom.

woodiewagon46 · 05-28-2016, 02:16 PM

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I kind of knew this was going to happen. Just got back from measuring another roadster my friend owns, his measures 50" exactly. Get a few more measurements and average them out I guess.

Flatout · 05-28-2016, 03:02 PM

My original measures 50 3/16".

BoxCar Tom · 05-28-2016, 05:00 PM

Regardless of the measurement, it could be dead on exact 50 3/16" and yet the the body could be bowed out on one side and bowed in on the other. Instead, lLook down the length of the body on each side, just above the cowl, door and 1/4 panel for a continuous pleasing curve. Maybe make a template and check it against the other side to make sure the body is symmetrical.

DavidG · 05-28-2016, 07:28 PM

Good advice, Tom!

Chris Marshall · 05-29-2016, 08:09 AM

Thanks all for taking the time to help. We're seeing the exact problem that Andy describes - the door bottoms gap outward at the bottom of the "B" pillar.

Besides people sitting on the back - this body has had things stacked on it over the years.

I like the template idea also to be sure both sides are consistent.

Appreciate all the measurements!

05-28-2016, 10:22 AM	#1
Chris Marshall Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Overbrook, Ks Posts: 158	Need a 32 roadster measurement I'm building a 32 roadster that was disassembled in '57. The body has been moved around a lot since then without benefit of being bolted to a frame. I'm looking for the measurement between the top iron tabs to be sure the rear quarters just behind the doors are not bowed out. Another idea would be any means to check trueness of the rear door jambs from the subrails to the top of the door jamb. I'm not sure that there is any problem, but I'd like to be sure. A couple pics of the roadster:

05-28-2016, 11:24 AM	#2
woodiewagon46 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Island,NY Posts: 1,555	Re: Need a 32 roadster measurement You are probably going to get several measurements, but I get 49 and 3/4" inside to inside the tabs. These bodes tend to flex a little.

05-28-2016, 01:31 PM	#3
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,101	Re: Need a 32 roadster measurement Mine's 50 3/16.

05-28-2016, 01:46 PM	#4
woodiewagon46 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Island,NY Posts: 1,555	Re: Need a 32 roadster measurement Chris, I double checked with a "stick" ruler and got the same, 49 and 3/4". I am going to take a ride to a friend's house and measure his. Give me about half an hour.

05-28-2016, 02:10 PM	#5
Andy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kerrville, Tx Posts: 2,769	Re: Need a 32 roadster measurement I used the fit of the doors at the B piller. If it fits at the top and bottom, you are good. That is assuming you have a floor in it! A lot were pushed out from people sitting on the back of the seat. The tops of the quarters move out then and there is a gap at the bottom.

05-28-2016, 02:16 PM	#6
woodiewagon46 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Island,NY Posts: 1,555	Re: Need a 32 roadster measurement Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I kind of knew this was going to happen. Just got back from measuring another roadster my friend owns, his measures 50" exactly. Get a few more measurements and average them out I guess.

05-28-2016, 03:02 PM	#7
Flatout Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Damascus Oregon Posts: 160	Re: Need a 32 roadster measurement My original measures 50 3/16".

05-28-2016, 05:00 PM	#8
BoxCar Tom Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Basking Ridge, NJ Posts: 590	Re: Need a 32 roadster measurement Regardless of the measurement, it could be dead on exact 50 3/16" and yet the the body could be bowed out on one side and bowed in on the other. Instead, lLook down the length of the body on each side, just above the cowl, door and 1/4 panel for a continuous pleasing curve. Maybe make a template and check it against the other side to make sure the body is symmetrical.

05-28-2016, 07:28 PM	#9
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,101	Re: Need a 32 roadster measurement Good advice, Tom!

05-29-2016, 08:09 AM	#10
Chris Marshall Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Overbrook, Ks Posts: 158	Re: Need a 32 roadster measurement Thanks all for taking the time to help. We're seeing the exact problem that Andy describes - the door bottoms gap outward at the bottom of the "B" pillar. Besides people sitting on the back - this body has had things stacked on it over the years. I like the template idea also to be sure both sides are consistent. Appreciate all the measurements!