1934 Roadster Progress

[Steve Staysko]

I thought I would give you an update on my 34 roadster restoration progress. The body is now off the frame and the frame is being touchup and prepped for painting. I should have the frame back in my shop late next week and can start reassembling all the mechanical components back on the frame. They should start painting the body late next week and I decided to change my final paint colour to Black. I toiled over the paint colour for days and with my Cordoba Gray paint sample in hand looked at it in various light, in some light I liked the colour in others I hated the colour. To me the paint colour looked like a World War ll military staff car and what I don't want is to walk past the car completed in my garage and regret that I painted it Cordoba Gray. Stay tuned... www.the34fordroadster.com

[V8COOPMAN]

I hate that you've endured all that you have 'cuz of some sorry, Bubba-like, dysfunctional, worthless excuse for a legitimate human being, but that thing is certainly going to be worthy of the "RIGHT" color........lookin' so GOOD! It's been so long ago now that I can't remember the year of the carnage. DD

[roadster36]

Cordoba grey works for me, but I like military vehicles.

[mfagan]

Looking good!! Black is good!

[Steve Staysko]

The one thing I can say about Cordoba Gray is that its a chameleon colour with its ability to change colours and in all three photographs of your cars they are different colours as for me I'd rather be in an F18 I like its colour.

[bluardun]

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Steve, I thought you might raise some ire when you expressed your opinion about Cordoba Gray. But, it's your car...please paint it as you wish, and it will make you happy for years and years.
I understand what you are saying about Cordoba Gray. I find the same problem with the Washington Blue. There seems to be several various ions of the color. Some light, some dark. Not many the same color.
But, it's good we all don't share your sentiments, or all old cars would be black.....like before 1926.
Thanks for your post about your journey with your roadster. I have enjoyed them. It's been a difficult task, but you seem to have done a great job.
Thanks
Bill Herbert

[pooch]

In Oz, we had our early holdens in that colour.

It got nicknamed ....shiny primer.

[mercman from oz]

No matter what colour you decide to paint this car, it is going to be a real beauty. Keep up the great work. Can't wait to see the finished product.

[V8COOPMAN]

Some folks may not remember what lead-up to this "little" update you're finishing-up. Click the link below! DD

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/album.php?albumid=163

[trevo]

Looks like it's going to be a beauty whatever colour go Steve!

[34coupe]

looks really nice! I've been following your build, its been a big help on my 34 roadster project,

[stangblue]

Steve, fit and finish looks remarkable. Remember when stripping the body leave the spare tire off.

[FlatheadTed]

Very nice ,Ted

[fordscript]

looking great Steve. full gloss black, or medium lustre? What color wheels and stripe?

[big job]

breath taking Steve, I got a stroke of jealousy. My boys are also doing a 34.
All I can say is they should have bought a 34 Rolls or Packard ? somebody stole
yrs ago, rear fenders hood, back seat rear gas tank apron & etc etc. Just looking
for a ride before I kick the bucket...My logic; this aint gonna happen.

[Steve Staysko]

Just another update the frame was painted today we'll let it cure for a few days and then I will start reassembling the mechanical components.

[koates]

Steve, Great progress on your roadster, But IMO don't paint it black whatever you do. I have had black cars and they are nice but not a 34 roadster. It will be just a BLACK THING with all that beautiful styling and lines all lost in that black paint and its shadows. Cordoba gray looks really beautiful on those cars and allows you to see all that beautiful detail. DONT do it black, you will be kicking yourself forever after. Regards, Kevin.

[Steve Staysko]

Another update on my progress I've installed the drive train back into the frame and last weekend started to install my Kearney Foundry's 33-34 aluminum heads. The reason the lower row of head studs are missing is because they were too short and there were no threads showing above the nuts when hand tighten down to the head. So I've ordered longer studs so the stud threads will protrude above the nuts. The Kearney Heads are actually thicker that the original heads on the lower row of head studs. Other than that I'm waiting on the return of my rebuilt water pumps from Skip so that I can install the radiator and rad shell.

[Steve Staysko]

The body is almost complete and I'm happy with the door gaps all around and we should be in paint within the next 2 weeks.

[stangblue]

imag0430.jpg (74.5 KB) Steve thought this would help!

[Pete/Ct.]

My dream car in the right color, Black, good luck. Pete/Ct.

[FlatheadTed]

Wow real nice you are about six months ahead of me on my build ,Ted

[Steve Staysko]

I just received my rebuilt water pumps back from Skips www.fordcollector.com they are excellent and I though that I would attach a few photos of how I received them and then all painted up nice and pretty.

[Steve Staysko]

I set up the brakes on the weekend it was such a nice day I rolled the car outside jacked it up and spent 5 hours setting up the brakes. Arched the shoes to the drum, new NOS brake springs, set up all the brake rods from the equalizer to the brake drums and repacked the wheel bearings.

[Steve Staysko]

Just a quick update running gear is almost completely assembled and David Rehor's 1932 book came in handy when I needed the torqueing sequence for the cylinder head nuts. We will be installing the body on the frame next week and will again update with a few photos.

[trevo]

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Excellant restoration go Steve and the colour well does it matter it's a 34 Roadster!!

[Fordors]

A beautiful restoration so far Steve. I do have a question, but it's not related to the car. Where did you purchase the hardbound copy of David Rehor's book, I was unaware it was available that way.

[tony starr]

looking really good, nice job.

-

[Steve Staysko]

Originally Posted by Fordors

A beautiful restoration so far Steve. I do have a question, but it's not related to the car. Where did you purchase the hardbound copy of David Rehor's book, I was unaware it was available that way.

I bought David Rehor's hard covered book about 5 years ago from the Early V8 Club of America

[Steve Staysko]

The roadster body is now painted underneath and inside. The plan is to now mount the body to the frame once mounted to the frame final alignment checks then paint the outside of the body this will lessin any chances of scratching the outside of the body unless I scratch it by accident which won't happen…..

[Steve Staysko]

We moved the completed drivetrain back to the body shop today. Then the body was mounted to the frame. Next is to permanently set the door and hood alignments and mask off for final painting of the outside of the body. That is really all that we have left to do everything else has been painted. I still have lots to do on my end but I look forward to the chalange!

[Tim Brown]

Wow! Its looking really good Steve. Thanks for the pictures...

[mercman from oz]

Your 34 Roadster is coming along nicely. Keep up the good work.

[Steve Staysko]

I had my wife help me out today. I was bolting the seats back into the body just to check the fit I looked at the inside of the trunk opening and thought to myself I'm not putting this 6' 3" 240 pound frame into that hole I must say she fit in there like a glove..... Notice that I made her take her shoes off before she entered the inner sanctum....

[TonyM]

I love Cordoba Grey, but you can never go wrong with Henry Ford Black.

Looks good. Great work. Good luck with the project.

[Steve Staysko]

I ordered a fabric diferential cover from Laberon Bonney and was very disappointed with the quality. I don't know who stitched the fabric to the wire frame but he must have been in a hurry for the fit in the rear differential hole was awful. I then took the whole thing apart, bought new fabric and started over I thought I would share the finished product and now I'm happy with the fit. I did make one change I didn't like the look of the white fabric on the inside of the trunk so I glue a circlular piece on top just to finish it off you'll never see it its hidden under the rumble set.

[johnboy34]

You finished that real nice, good job. Just curious though, in extreme suspension travel won't the top of differential hit it, needing it to have some room to give or stretch? I also agree the lack of quality on their product was appalling. John

[Mart]

Could it be that the cover had that extra fabric in it for extra "give" if the axle came right up. The original fabric probably had no stretch to it so would have to have extra to allow some "give".

Just thinking aloud. (I can't think why someone would put that fold in there unless it was on purpose).

That said, you have made a very tidy job. The body looks fantastic. (As does the axle and other parts.

Mart.

[Steve Staysko]

There is about 3/4" of stretch in the new fabric and I'm not at all worried about extreme suspension travel I have no plans of driving the car on roads that would cause the suspension to move that much.

[rotorwrench]

A lot of the old materials used back in the day were just a pyroxylin coated cloth. The stuff was not very pliable since it was basically just lacquer painted cloth. It may have also been one of the rubber coated materials that they used for topping on some cars. Either way, it wouldn't have been very pliable but it would keep the weather out.

[Steve Staysko]

I finally started the engine, I took a video of it running with my cellphone and thought I would share.

https://youtu.be/4JWwrSfkEf8

[Steve Staysko]

We painted the 34 body underside, inside the body and cowl firewall then mounted the body back onto the frame. This allowed me to work through any mechanical issues without having to work around and over the fenders. I test drove the car and it ran like a dream the only issue that I discovered was a slight vibration at 60 MPH so I will need to have all the wheels balanced. I will probably have them high speed balanced right on the car.

[Steve Staysko]

The 34 went back to the paint shop and the outside was painted, then clear coated, wet sanded and finally polished.

[Steve Staysko]

After 3 days of polishing I must say that I'm quit happy with the end results and now we can complete the assemble.

[Steve Staysko]

Now for the best picture of the day my selfie taken in the drives side rear panel and I must say I could shave in that panel.....

[V8COOPMAN]

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Agreed.......shaving before would have been near-impossible! Looks beautiful!! DD

[WRA]

The website has some of the best photos posted on the web. Great reference for bodywork. The info on the floor replacement was second to none. Fantastic job!!!

[Steve Staysko]

Another update today the doors were mounted to the body they fit like a glove and the dash was installed, tomorrow we install the rear fenders and running boards. I will post more pictures as we proceed and I must admit that I have numerous updates that I need to post to my website. They will be posted shortly just as soon as my business life gets out of the way!

[Flowmeister]

So nice! Hope to see it in person some day.

[BABAR40]

Beautiful, just beautiful. Nice going Steve!

[Chris]

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful roadster! I can't wait to paint mine someday

[Steve Staysko]

Just a few more assemble photos from today and we should be complete within the next 2 weeks.

[Lawson Cox]

Absolutely beautiful.

[RalphM]

Fantastic! Looks like black chrome.

[aonemarine]

ten million birds are just waiting to get the first shot at that beauty.
(morbid sense of humor) LOL

[Seth Swoboda]

Great job. Looking forward to seeing the final product.

[Steve Staysko]

Birds and Bugs

Originally Posted by aonemarine

ten million birds are just waiting to get the first shot at that beauty.
(morbid sense of humor) LOL

[Steve Staysko]

Were slowly making progress as of today both running boards were installed and now comes the difficult task of installing the front fenders. So far we haven't scratched any of the pieces that have been install "touch wood"...

[Steve Staysko]

The process that we used to paint the car was 2 coats of Dupont CroMax Black Water Borne Base paint, then applied 3 coats of Dupont 8700 Clear Urethane. The clear coat Urethane was then wet sanded with 1500 grit sandpaper and then rewet sanded with 2000 grit sandpaper. We then used the 3M Perfect-It Paint Finishing System starting with the Rubbing compound and buffing to remove the sanding scratches, the next step was the machine polishing compound to remove the swirl marks and we finally used the swirl eliminator ultrafine polish which eliminates the very fine swirl marks and "presto a really shiny black paint job"

[Mart]

Steve, the car looks great. It's a credit to you.

Mart.

[Henry Hopper]

Don't be afraid to drive it when it's finished.I try to get as good a final job done by its debut and then any nicks and scratches are just wear and tear and become the " character" of the car.I know some people are paranoid about even a speck of dirt on their finished car and never use them.

That roadster is a true credit to you....enjoy.

[Brendan]

Looks good! could you post a link to your web site?

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Very, very nice - it is just great to see the rebirth of another flathead powered car .... keep up the good work!

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Brendan

Looks good! could you post a link to your web site?

Brendan.......Here i'tis! DD

www.the34fordroadster.com

[Mart]

http://www.the34fordroadster.com/

[Steve Staysko]

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Just a few more updates and tomorrow we will install the fenders. My new Lebaron Bonney interior has shipped and this weekend I will to take a short road trip to my Babb Montana postal address for pickup. Its just so much easier to ship to a U.S.A postal address than dealing with shipping to Canada "Go Figure".

[Milt/Las Vegas]

Originally Posted by koates

Steve, Great progress on your roadster, But IMO don't paint it black whatever you do. I have had black cars and they are nice but not a 34 roadster. It will be just a BLACK THING with all that beautiful styling and lines all lost in that black paint and its shadows. Cordoba gray looks really beautiful on those cars and allows you to see all that beautiful detail. DONT do it black, you will be kicking yourself forever after. Regards, Kevin.

I disagree keep it black,single stage with no brown in the paint.

[Steve Staysko]

Another up date for those that are following my restoration.

[Steve Staysko]

And over the top down and the front fenders will go on tomorrow.....

[Steve Staysko]

The front fenders will be installed tomorrow and I will post pictures.

[VeryTangled]

Hi Everyone, Steve, I keep saying to myself that I'm seeing a brand new 1934 Roadster being born. Actually it will probably be nicer than new with that beautiful work you did on the paint job, frame, and mechanicals. You started with a beautiful car and it looks like you're taking your time and really making it like you want it. I applaud!

Can you tell me what tires you have on it now? Are those the ones you're going to have on it when finished? I really like their look.

A request: Can you take some photos when you put the side-curtain mounts into the doors?

I'm curious about where the rods go in, and where the snaps attach to the doors and the hardware used. The arrangement is very similar to my '36 Phaeton, which has ten pieces of curtain to put on. Those places are solid on my car, but I've seen ones where there was a lot of wobble at those places, and have always wondered how that stuff goes together and how one would try to fix issues.

I used the satellites to look at Babb, what a place that must be to live. At least they have mail and beverages.

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I sure hope to get to see your car in person some day.

[Steve Staysko]

Originally Posted by VeryTangled

Hi Everyone, Steve, I keep saying to myself that I'm seeing a brand new 1934 Roadster being born. Actually it will probably be nicer than new with that beautiful work you did on the paint job, frame, and mechanicals. You started with a beautiful car and it looks like you're taking your time and really making it like you want it. I applaud!

Can you tell me what tires you have on it now? Are those the ones you're going to have on it when finished? I really like their look.

The tires are Coker Firestone 4-Ply 3" White Wall 5.25-5.50-17

A request: Can you take some photos when you put the side-curtain mounts into the doors?

I will take some photos of the area for you.

I'm curious about where the rods go in, and where the snaps attach to the doors and the hardware used. The arrangement is very similar to my '36 Phaeton, which has ten pieces of curtain to put on. Those places are solid on my car, but I've seen ones where there was a lot of wobble at those places, and have always wondered how that stuff goes together and how one would try to fix issues.

I have all the hardware for the side curtains but I haven't had the curtains made yet I was waiting until I completed the car. I do have the Leberon Bonney side curtian patterns which I still need to mockup to the car and then send the patterns back so they can manufacture them specifically for my car.

I used the satellites to look at Babb, what a place that must be to live. At least they have mail and beverages.

[COLOR="red"]Yes there Isn't much in Babb, Montana its about an 1 1/2 hour drive for me to the U.S.A boarder as of yesterday my interior shipment was in Spokane so it shipped from Amesbury, MA to Spokane and then back to Montana. Hopefully I will receive notification that it has arrived today./COLOR]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I sure hope to get to see your car in person some day.

[COLOR="Red"]The car will be completed by the end of next week and I've been asked to display the car for one day on September 3rd during the International Mustang meet in Calgary at the Grey Eagle Resort./COLOR]

[VeryTangled]

Thanks again Steve for sharing, and for the excellent answer. Now get back to work!

[Ron Pilger]

Hi Steve: Have you dared keep track of how man total man-hours have been invested in such a glorious rebirth? Truly exceptional auto!

[Steve Staysko]

Ron yes I've tracked every hour since I started and you asked so I will posted them when I'm done.

Originally Posted by Ron Pilger

Hi Steve: Have you dared keep track of how man total man-hours have been invested in such a glorious rebirth? Truly exceptional auto!

[Steve Staysko]

Well I said that we would be mounting the fenders next but we changed our mind it made more sense to completly assemble and set the hood up first without having to reach over the fenders. So these photos are the results of the last few days work. I did pickup the interior today from my U.S.A postal box and we will start installing the interior tomorrow. I will post pictures of the installation as we progress with the interior.

[Steve Staysko]

We now have both fenders loosely install we need to make a few adjustments, install the fender welting and then tighten everything up! I decided to place insulation in the doors because I really didn't like the tinny sound when the door closed and it helped considerably. I'm also working on installing the new fabric on the drivers seats and it took me a few hours just to pull out the hundreds of staples from the old seats "It was like a song that never ends"....

[Lawson Cox]

Aren't you going to pin stripe the belt molding?? Maybe that's one of the final things.

[RobR'35]

Ur whole project is premium!
Nice to see!

[Steve Staysko]

Lawson yes the pin striper did the hood sides but he didn't have time to do the 3 stripes on the belt moulding he will complete the job once we've completely done assemble. Unfortunately I will have to remove the spare tire carrier so that nothing impedes the flow of his paint brush.

Originally Posted by Lawson Cox

Aren't you going to pin stripe the belt molding?? Maybe that's one of the final things.

[31pickemup]

Man awesome build! My biggest issue is rebuilding my front cowl supports

[31pickemup]

Mine that I just started

[Steve Staysko]

If you go to the following link I address the front cowl supports and have instructions on how to fabricate the L bracket and the templates are to scale.

http://www.the34fordroadster.com/ed-...mplates-notes/

Originally Posted by 31pickemup

Man awesome build! My biggest issue is rebuilding my front cowl supports

[Steve Staysko]

That's a fine looking 34 roadster body what are your plans for the build and if I can help in any way send me an email.

Originally Posted by 31pickemup

Mine that I just started

[31pickemup]

Man thanks a lot. You're pictures are already helping greatly. Roadsters are foreign to me and trying to figure out where everything goes can be a task. My plans are for a pre-war build. 37 or 40 flathead with a 37 Lasalle converted to torque tube and a 1939 banjo. 40 brakes etc. All early stuff.

[Steve Staysko]

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Well I did not make it to the car show this weekend I thought I could finish the 34 but there are still too many details that need to be addressed I'm close but I figure that I need at least another week or more to complete. Started to install the interior first reupholstering the front seats and then installed part of the cars interior its very tedious and time consuming. The Lebaron Bonney interior package is very good quality however the written installation instructions can be confusing they sure could use a technical writer for a rewrite. I found a few of their utube video's which helped clear up most of the confusion.

[RalphM]

That sure is looking great!
Looks like your doing a nice job in the upholstery as well.

[Steve Staysko]

I took my 34 to the pinstripers yesterday so that he can complete the pinstriping on the body belt line. I will leave the car at his shop for a few days and pick it up midweek. I wanted to take a few photos of him pinstriping so he did a very quick mock demo of what it will look like and then he wiped the pinstriping paint off. I will post a few photo's when the striping is complete. I liked his workbench what do you think if I had him paint a few skulls on my headlight buckets...

[DavidG]

Looking great!

[Steve Staysko]

My pin-stripping is now complete and I must say I'm very pleased with the outcome and it makes the car now look complete. I now need to see why my break lights won't work they were working and now there not. I think there is a problem with the break light switch so I will remove it and have a look or just replace it with my spare switch.

[DavidG]

Super duper!

[David J]

Prettiest car and model of all time IMHO . AND the right color . Good job bud .

[Mart]

Pretty snazzy!

[Chris]

Beautiful

[mercman from oz]

Absolutely stunning. You have really excelled yourself with this top quality restoration. Old Henry would be proud.
Congratulations on a wonderful job.

[johnboy34]

She a beaut for sure! Nicely done.

[Steve Staysko]

It was such a warm 70F day with no wind that I put the top down went for a cruise and just had to share....

[Henry Hopper]

Rightly proud......a superb car.

[Brendan]

Looks good!

[Sal]

The car is spectacular, good luck with it. Hope fully morons won't run in to it.

[vilanar]

Absolutely stunning Roadster ! Awesome work.

[Steve Staysko]

I have not posted in a while so I thought I would give you an up date on my 34 with a few photos and a video of my car on the rotating table display. Last week I entered my roadster in the 2017 Calgary World of Wheels I won first place in the antique car catagory and won the most outstanding restored vehicle in the show.

https://youtu.be/wadcMWxynYk

[DavidG]

Steve,

Looks great!

[mercman from oz]

Congratulations, you have done an exceptional job restoring this beauty.

[koates]

Steve, That car is a real jewel and a big credit to your craftsmanship. Too perfect to drive it on the road now. You will have to buy another one to drive. Regards, Kevin.

[Angledrive]

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Well deserved award

[Byron Warwick]

And That is why the call the '34 Roadster the prettiest of all roadsters. Lovely work, Steve. Byron.

[Mike in AZ]

beautiful job....congratulations....Mike