My 1930 Town Sedan Build

[mystic122468]

Well I've started a fun project, it's a 1930 Town Sedan. I picked it up last Thursday (8/4/11) and started on it that Friday (8/5/11). Me and my dad restored a 1928 Tudor a couple of years ago and it's his baby, it hardly ever gets driven...
So i've decided to make mine more of a daily toy, i'm going to leave it looking kind of rustic and mechanically sound.
The car has been sitting for about 25 years under a deck and tarp covered..
I'll post pictures of the progress. Oh ya... Did I mention that I want this on the road by the time I get the title back (about 4 - 6 weeks) AND with a $1000.00 budget??
I'll be doing everything myself (with some help from dad), that will include making my own interior and painting it at home..
So here we go, let the fun begin!!

1st pic is of Dads 1928 Tudor
2nd, 3rd and 4th are of the car before anything was done.

[mystic122468]

Week one is almost up, The top half of the engine was torn down and the valves were cleaned. Distributor was freed up and cleaned, Starter and carb. were both disassembled cleaned and reassembled. It fired up after sitting for nearly 3 decades and the only thing purchased was Gasket compound and carb cleaner. The coil, points and condenser all worked. I used a set of old plugs from dads 28 and borrowed his battery..
The interior and top has been removed and new ribs are being cut for the roof.
The running boards have been removed and new ones are almost done, hopefully the roof will be finished by Sunday..

[Michael in Sedona]

Way to go! Love seeing another one back on the road! Keep us all posted on your progress.

[brianthelion02]

Love them fordors,cant wait to get one!

[1930artdeco]

Yahooo another Briggs bodied TS is on the road! Congrats and keep the pics coming so I can see what mine looks like inside.

Mike

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

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You know, sometimes sheer determination and the willingness to persevere can "win" over someone with a large box full of tools and a pocket full of money. Many folks envy a person like you who can work with your hands and figure out a way to repair what you already have. Then the icing on the cake is doin' it with your Pop! Three cheers to ya from up here in the bleachers!!

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[Terry, NJ]

When I get mine done it'll be one more! I've just about got the first door (R.R.) finished. All new wood, ash too, I might add. Three more to go. By luck I took down an ash tree in my backyard . $40 to mill a 2' X 10' log into usable slabs. Some of the wood was too far gone to use for a pattern so I bought the top and bottom wood ($$OUCH$$) and I'm making the body wood, door wood etc. The engine's going to Schwalm's soon. The frame's almost done, Just fitting up the new SS brake lines. Brakes need replacing. Rear axle should be back soon. and on and on and on! It's never ending! Good luck!
Terry

Originally Posted by 1930artdeco

Yahooo another Briggs bodied TS is on the road! Congrats and keep the pics coming so I can see what mine looks like inside.

Mike

[mystic122468]

Today was a good day! Got the new roof frame, ribs and the mesh installed. I was able to custom make it with 2 x 4s (a job that I don't EVER want to do again!), Dad had a buddy of his plane some into 1 x 1s. everything else was done with a jig saw and belt sander. All the brakes and rods were gone over, needed new wheel bearings lucky NAPA had them in stock..

[Aerocraft]

Hate to mention this but the top "bows" should have an arch in them. The headliner reflects the arched bows as does the top material. Gar Williams

[mystic122468]

Originally Posted by Aerocraft

Hate to mention this but the top "bows" should have an arch in them. The headliner reflects the arched bows as does the top material. Gar Williams

Very true, however i'm going to give the headliner a more modern look. it will be one piece and seamless..

[Rusty Homestead Fl]

I hesitate to say anything about your roof ribs because I know from experience what a job the wood is in the Model A. It looks like you are doing a great job but before you button up the roof maybe someone with more knowlege can give some input here. I don't know if Murray & Briggs are the same but my Murray's ribs (early31) are arched and yours appear to be straight across. If the Briggs are straight then full speed ahead. If not I'd like to know about it now as opposed to later. Like I say, I only know what the Murray has, not the Briggs so I may be a mile off on this thing. It's just something you may want to check into. Have a great time with you and your Dad's project. It's something you'll always treasure.

[Terry, NJ]

I know you wern't asking me, but I'll jump in here. My top bows are arched/curved. Both the new ones from Brattons and the old ones. But then again, There is hardly a staight and parallel peice of wood in the doggone thing. Want some real fun, try making the rear door wood or the centerposts! All the subtle little angles must be duplicated, 1 deg. here 2/3 degrees there. Fortunately I had a Bridgeport at my disposal and vernier caliper to do much of the work with. It was months completing those two pieces. One fordbarner has seen my work on these two pieces and pronounced it good. The rear door hinge post and window piece are next. But I intend to deviate from the original in one or two details. However that 2" X 3/4" pocket hole has me scratching my head. Unless you've done a Fordor you wouldn't know what a lumber yard Henry packed in there, In quantity and complexity!
Terry

Originally Posted by Rusty Homestead Fl

I hesitate to say anything about your roof ribs because I know from experience what a job the wood is in the Model A. It looks like you are doing a great job but before you button up the roof maybe someone with more knowlege can give some input here. I don't know if Murray & Briggs are the same but my Murray's ribs (early31) are arched and yours appear to be straight across. If the Briggs are straight then full speed ahead. If not I'd like to know about it now as opposed to later. Like I say, I only know what the Murray has, not the Briggs so I may be a mile off on this thing. It's just something you may want to check into. Have a great time with you and your Dad's project. It's something you'll always treasure.

[mystic122468]

Well, it's all painted! All that is left is the stripe and painting the wheels..
Hopefully in the next week or so the interior will be back in AND I can take the first ride..

[bogdonj]

damn you work fast!! did you paint the vehicle yourself? haha I thought you were working on a budget of $1000? Hows that budget now?

[Great Lakes Greg]

Must have been a helluva straight car, that paint looks great. Love the black. What is your wheel and strip color?

[glenn in camino]

I'd say your dad's going to be a big help.

[mystic122468]

Originally Posted by bogdonj

damn you work fast!! did you paint the vehicle yourself? haha I thought you were working on a budget of $1000? Hows that budget now?

Yup, I painted it myself.. AND i'm still in budget (so far)

[mystic122468]

Originally Posted by Great Lakes Greg

Must have been a helluva straight car, that paint looks great. Love the black. What is your wheel and strip color?

The stripe and wheels are going to be a light gray, I should have that done this weekend and be able to take a full body shot..
It's not as straight as it looks and there are some character flaws, But it's 81 years old and I plan on driving it often. I won't be so bummed if I get a small scratch that way :-)

[bogdonj]

what did you do to prep it before paint?

[mystic122468]

Originally Posted by bogdonj

what did you do to prep it before paint?

after the body work was done, I Prep-Soled the car, I used High build Primer. Blocked sanded with 320, Prep-Soled again, blew it off, went over it with a tack rag then Painted..