Trying to save a 40 Ford convertible

[felix 40]

This is a 40 Ford convert project I picked up a couple years ago.its basically a complete car, but the original floor was rusted away.The quarters and cowl needed to be grafted to a new floor, It came with a rust free Alabama coupe floor.
1/8" formed angle reinforcements were made using remnants from the bottoms of the convert quarters for patterns.
the remnants of cowl on the coupe floor were removed and convert cowl was the grafted to the coupe floor,then the angle pcs were welded to the cowl and under the rockers to just behind the doors.
the remnants of Qrtrs attached to the coupe floor were cleaned up and the convert qrtrs were preped and grafted to the coupe floor.
the original hinges were straightened and reamed for mercury hinge pins.
the doors needed some minor repair.
I'll try and update pics as I progress

[felix 40]

more pics, the shell is tacked together,with the doors and decklid fit, patches to fill rust holes in quarters and cowl need to be formed fit and tacked in place, then weld it up and grind!

[deuce_roadster]

That is a LOT of work. I did a 40 convert that was all apart but didn't have rust issues and know what you are dealing with. My avatar roadster sat in the rain for 30+ years and I had to weld about 10" of new metal all around it, there were no floor or subrails so I feel your pain in that area too.
It is rewarding when you get it done knowing how bad it was in the beginning. Great job.

[Sixseven]

You're a brave man that hopefully has some time on your hands. I agree with Deuce Roadster - get it done and it will make you proud.

[A bones]

Thank you for pix. Keep moving along. It's looking real good from here.

[flatmotor40]

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I did mine a few years ago and I used Bradley floors.But I had the whole car dipped and started lie that.Had a set of NOS frt fenders with this car.They make a lot of parts for the 40 now.body parts I mean.Just enjoy working in shop.Had to ask Ken/Alabama a lot of question.

[mhsprecher]

Good job. Given the quality of your other projects from your profile, you will have another very nice car when you are finished.

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

I wish I had your ability, my 40 coupe was about in that condition when I built it over 40 years ago, it was easy to channel, no floors or rocker panels. Walt

[glennpm]

Nice job you're doing!

[my2nd40]

I've been right where you are. This is one I've worked on off and on for the last 10 years. The floor pan and much of the rear quarters were salvaged from a two door sedan. I at least have it running now, but still much to do. Good luck and keep posting the pictures!

[felix 40]

Thanks for the words of encouragement! I feel like I'm on the right track.
Pictures of your cars and projects are greatly appreciated.
my2nd40's convert looks beautiful!

[trainguy]

It is great how you are saving a piece of history for future generations.You seam to be doing a first class job and are hopefully keeping it as Henry made it.You will have a great car when it is completed. Phil

[corvette8n]

Looks like you have the talent and equipment to "get er done", good job.

[Ken/Alabama]

Looks like the mate to what I started with ! Keep up the good work , you'll get there. Took me 6 yrs. This is when I got it and as it is today.

[Bob NH]

Must feel pretty good knowing most every thing Henry ever built will be back on the road eventually given the fine talent and determination that happens on here ! Gotta love it.

[TJ]

Kudos to you. That's one big project and it looks like you are doing an excellent job.

[oz40]

Congrats on the build Felix 40.
Its looking good.

[deuce_roadster]

Ken--can't tell what that blue vehicle is but the 40 convert puzzle I assembled for a guy arrived as pieces in the back of an El Camano! Been there!!

[Ken/Alabama]

Originally Posted by deuce_roadster

Ken--can't tell what that blue vehicle is but the 40 convert puzzle I assembled for a guy arrived as pieces in the back of an El Camano! Been there!!

That was my Dads 69 Dodge pickup. He bought it new and I drove it for years after he passed away in 1990. That picture was in June of 90 before he died in Nov. that was a good truck !

[swoopNZ]

That's how they were made in the first place back in 1940.
Just a bunch of panels welded together.

[Mike in AZ]

looking good....keep up the good work....what about parts from Dennis Carpenter or will parts from the coupe fit the 'Vert?....Mike

[Tom/SC]

Good job saving a treasure from the past! Keep up the good work. My 39 had to have extensive floor work during restoration.

[supereal]

Be sure to square up the body and install several temporary cross braces as you repair it. Otherwise, getting the doors to close and getting the top to fit will be next to impossible.

[Ol' Ron]

God bless people like you. You've got more guts than Dick Tracy.

[FlatheadTed]

Your doing a great job ,Ted

[mercman from oz]

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You are certainly doing a great job with this project car that many people would have given up on. Keep up the good work.

[felix 40]

Well... all I can say is its been a long time & I'm finally making progress again..Its been a rough year and a half (My Dad passed & I've had some nagging health issues). It feels good to be working on the Convert again, Its kind of a tribute to my old man. He pretty much got me into the hobby.
The last month I've been welding & grinding the rear quarters and cowl. I still have to fix holes in the firewall. I'll be posting more pics & updates in the near future.

[felix 40]

A few more pics...

[cas3]

nice looking welds, are you a tig welder guy or wire feed?

[felix 40]

Ive been using Mig on this project.but I'm mainly a Tig Guy

[19Fordy]

felix: You deserve tons of credit for saving your 40.
You have the patience of a toothache.

[RalphM]

Compared to what you’ve done already, repairing holes in firewall will be a cakewalk. I just did a 47 firewall and the Bob Drake kit of prepunched discs were a big help.

[glennpm]

You're doing a great job bringing it back. Good welding!

[melisahe]

Really nice work. Keep going and you will be done in before you know it.

['36 5W]

Welcome back! Life gets in the way at times; most of us have empathy in that Dept.
I'll 2nd the motion on your metal skills. Is that an EMS tail-pan? How much "encouragement" did it require?

Good to see a convert. being saved; your dad would be proud.

[flathead48]

Truly a credit to the hobby, thanks for the pics

[Purdy Swoft]

I wish I had kept the one that I had.

[felix 40]

Thanks for all the kind words..It really adds to the motivation!
I tried to get 1 of the metal hole repair kits from Drake but they were out of them, I guess I'll have to do it the old fashioned way..
The tailpan is from Drake & it was a quick install .Its a Quality piece.
I hope to finish the cowl & firewall this weekend ..then I'll shim the body, fit the doors.& start bolting on sheetmetal. It will start to look like a car!

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Very nice work - I would not even have known where to start with what you started with!

[felix 40]

Heres a few more pics, Firewall is repaired ..only a couple more welds and finish grind the inside of the shell, then the next pics I post should be hanging fenders & hood

[felix 40]

Does anyone have patterns for the wood that goes behind the back seat? I was able to get the piece that goes on the floor across the car from Roy Nacewicz in Mi but he didnt have the other pcs. Any help would be greatly appreciated..

[Ken/Alabama]

The only piece of wood that I remember that's behind the rear seat is the one that goes from side to side and the rear seat backrest hooks over the top of it . Can't remember the dimensions but it's made from hardwood. The bottom of the back rest is held with bolts 1/4" I think and there should be two or three tabs sticking up that they bolt to. Been a while, goin on memory here.

[felix 40]

Yep. thats the piece I'm looking for ..I've seen pictures on the web, it looks like there are a couple gussets that attach to the side pcs where the rams for the top go up thru. it would be nice to have dimension and hole locations of the wood. think it would be easy to make the wood,then I could verify I have the shell assembled correctly. thanks!

[deuce_roadster]

Felix, PM me your email address and I will send you some pictures and measurements of the wood pieces.
Mike aka deuce_roadster

[felix 40]

Hey! Makin some progress..Many thanks to Deuce Roadster sending me Pics and info. Its starting to look like a car, Initial fit up is revealing alot more metal work.

[JSeery]

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Looking good to me!

[felix 40]

I haven't posted in awhile, I'm making a little progress getting the wood installed and fitting some of the interior pcs. I got a pair of skirts ,I had to see what they'd look like! Here's a few pics

[deuce_roadster]

Those skirts look like they belong there! You are making great progress!

[Woodie1]

Nice work Felix. It's getting there.

[Charlie ny]

Could that trunk fit any better, great work !!
Charlie ny

[felix 40]

Thanks for the kind words! I thought I would have the metal work done by spring, I dont think I'm gonna make the deadline. I have to remind myself ,Its just a hobby.

[funrunr]

WOW! That is some great progress along with metal work. I wish I had a fraction of those welding skills. Keep up the good work. Look back at your pictures if you need inspiration.

[Bored&Stroked]

Very nice work! Take your time, don't stress over the dates and just complete it like you want too. You'll have a VERY nice car in the end.

[fcompoccio]

I'm building a 40 convertible also. Have a rolling chassis and a body. Nothing else. Learning as I go from parts supplier catalogs. Building it custom wit the latest stuff. Like like to know where you are at in progress. I need to see alot on the top frame mine is missing parts. I'm a retired mechanic with little knowledge about the 40 Ford.

[GB SISSON]

Gol dangit Felix. That is such a great job! The '40 convertible is a VERY handsome vehicle from any angle. Really fun to see a build thread here and I look forward to following it for the rest of the ride. You have a beautiful shop and you keep it with room to move. I tend to fill mine up with parts and clutter and then have to work in a narrow alley alongside. Keep it up! Dangit, that's cool!