Interest in new restoration project thread?

[zoegrant]

definitely count me in....

[tubman]

Nah, not interested.

Just kidding, I just don't want your head to get too big. Let's get on with it!

[Mart]

Of course it's easy for us to say. it's no effort at all on our part but lots of work on Mikes part. Taking pictures, writing the text, getting the images cropped and edited, getting them uploaded (Not great on the barn). PhotoBucket used to be ideal but not any more.
It's a lot of work. I know. I've done it.

But Mike, we would all appreciate any progress reports you can make for us. maybe a weekly update? Week 1, week 2 etc.?

Thanks for at least thinking about doing it.

Mart.

[rich b]

Yes, sir.

[JM 35 Sedan]

My hand is raised..... meaning "heck yeah"!!
We can always learn from others, IF we have a mind too.

[Russ/40]

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My '40 could use some freshening up. Go ahead and motivate me.....

[40ford]

Kube,are you still considering the restoration thread on a 40?

['36 5W]

Ditto here; subscribed!

[RobR'35]

I'm interested for sure.

[Charlie ny]

Mike,
By all means step back into it. Your convertible restoration was a classic.....the
'issue' where you described fitting the trunk lid encouraged my buddy with a 40 coupe to
pie cut his lid as you did , to get it to lay down right and lock up with a clunk. I'm
hoping to get a piece of whatever is on your to do list.
Charlie ny

[GB SISSON]

Like so many others, I look forward to this thread!

[Tinker]

Geez... I opened this thread hoping to see a project. But no!


Get to it Mike "Mr. Kube" posting! we love your work!


Hope all is well!


.

[48-710]

I'm also in. Lights,action,camera.

[turnpikecrusier]

I'll be following this with great interest, especially the hood installation.

[sidevalve8ba]

Count me in!

[Kube]

Good morning gentleman.

Life is finally settling back down in to my normal. My normal equates to working 18+ hours a day and loving it. Businesses, horses (eleven of them) writing my book and well, life, kinda gets in the way of restoration threads.
I'll start this thread with the hopeful understanding that these restorations are a hobby / passion for me. It takes me about twelve to fourteen months to complete a full restoration.
It can fairly be argued that there as many approaches to a restoration as there are projects. My approach is just one and there's little doubt not the best one by far. I continue to learn day after day and on occasion wonder how and why "I didn't think of that" much earlier in life.
Anyway, feel free to express advice, raise queries, heck, (positive) criticize.

As a bit of overlook, I tend to inspect the vehicle closely and take many photos prior to disassembly. As many of these as I've done, I forget stuff. Oh, this is #17 - all were either '39 or '40 Fords with the exception of two Buicks, a '31 and a '38 (sorry guys).
I then disassemble the car down to the very last nut and bolt. I don't tend to label and bag as much as I used to as I for the most part know exactly "what bolt goes where".

The next step is to take a written inventory of any and all parts I feel I may need for the completion of the project. I use as few reproduction parts as possible but some (repop) parts I find necessary and / or prudent to utilize.
I promptly seek and purchase all pieces I think I may need. I don't care to be held up simply because I can't locate a certain required piece on any day.

I do tend to work on a number of assemblies simultaneously. Why? Well, I tend to get "burned out" if I spend countless hours / days working on (example) on fender.
I tend to complete the chassis first as heck, it's the foundation of all to come afterward.

While finishing the frame, I will also finish each subassembly. As an example, the brake backing plates will be fully restored and assembled. Another example? The brake / clutch pedal assembly will be fully restored. All of these subassemblies will have their respective fasteners placed with them in storage. And yes, I keep a very accurate inventory of what part is in what box and on what shelf.
I believe you can picture how a chassis comes together easily for me. It so much fun (yeah, a sickness) to be able to work hours upon hours assembling the chassis with no interruptions as all the required pieces are finished, in a box, awaiting installation. Another benefit of this approach is when the chassis is assembled, it is all very fresh and pristine at the same moment.
Okay, thanks for putting up with me thus far.
Oh, I am 100% certain my restorations are not for everyone. They are without argument "over restored". However, only in the fit and finish are they over restored.
Correct? I will discuss with anyone - anything, that they may feel is incorrect. Like I'd mentioned earlier, I continue to learn.

[Kube]

Here's a couple of phots of the car I'd received. Upon initial inspection, it appeared to be beautiful. Isn't that often the case upon initial inspections?

[Kube]

Then I disassemble the entire car. Many of the small pieces get media blasted ASAP. Some will get powder finished, many more will be painted.
The body, fenders, doors, etc. get sent out for plastic media blasting. Why?
Plastic will not warp any sheet metal surface and unlike acid dipping, it will not come back to haunt you years later.
Also, unlike acid dipping, heavy rust will not be removed with plastic beads. This is of no concern to me as I repair / replace and compromised sheet metal.
The frame will get sand blasted - quite aggressively.

[19Fordy]

Thanks for posting the start of your new restoration.It will be a great documentation for the owner as well as other interested folks. The time and effort you take to do this is much appreciated. Be sure and take photos of "the small stuff" as that's often taken for granted as stuff folks already know. Will be following you. Love the way you lay the parts out so neatly for photos. I hope you will be able to feature this as part of your book. It would be a wonderful eye-opener. Thanks. Jim

[Kube]

As I'd said earlier, there always are "surprises" not seen upon initial inspection. This car was no different than any previously restored.
While the body shell, doors, hood, etc. are as beautiful as I'd thought, the floor, well, not so much.
I can't quite grasp what happened to necessitate the repair but I can tell you it was done poorly at best. My guess is it was done decades ago when a coupe like this had very little value.