uncle gave me a 37 ford coupe

[bart78]

I am new on here. I am from Texas and my uncle gave me this 37 ford coupe. I thought I would introduce myself. I know its rough but I think I can work with it.

[Ralph Moore]

It only takes time and money.

[bart78]

What all doors will fit this car? Is it 37-40 coupe? Or will some doors from a sedan work?

[Ray With]

It will be a lot of work but you got a lot to work with and will be a good project

[bart78]

I am going to start working on it when it cools off its just way to hot right now. I have started to look for parts. My uncle backed that baler into the right rear fender and tore it up prety bad. Are 37 coupe rear fenders the only ones that go on it or will others work?

[FlatheadTed]

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Good project ,you will be surprised were the parts turn up from .Ted

[fordscript]

Are you sure its a 37? The rear fenders look like 38 to me, as do the front and inner fenders. Might be an early 38 standard coupe, as there doesn't appear to be any holes for the stainless moldings

[bart78]

My uncle said he thought it was a 37. Could be a 38 I have not looked for any number on the car. Its been to hot and the snakes have been real bad this year.

[bart78]

I have the hood at my house and it looks like a hood from a 37.

[nightride]

Nice coupe to start out with with . I've had some that wernt this good. First thing get some axles under it get it off the ground. What happen to the roof on pasenger side. I got a 37 coupe vintage race car that I built with a flat head in it. Still racing it. I Have a 39 race car also. You got a lot of work to do but you can still find parts

[bart78]

someone needed a flat peice of metal I guess. We have a old chevy truck that the roof is just about the same conture and I am thinking about cutting it out to use it.

[richard crow]

compared to the cars you find in the north east thats mint it looks solid don,t see any rot.

[B-O-B]

First off welcome to the barn. Lot of good advice & help on this site.
Second I would thank unkl for the gift as it looks fine from the drivers side
Third I would buy unkl some new glasses for backing into this jewel.
Keep us posted on your progress & best of luck.
BTW move it away from the bailer.

[hotrodart]

Welcome to Ford Barn!! It's great to see new guys on the board. You have come to the best place to get good info......looks like your project will be great....just needs a bunch of TLC!!....and some parts that you should be able to scrounge off this place.......

[bart78]

Not much rot a bunch of bullet holes. Just going to need a bunch of parts. The baler is not going to move. Once something is parked back behind the barns it never moves. There was a 40 ford conv sitting forever. My uncle traded it for a junky welder that only worked for about 2 uses and the motor quit. Its parked back there allso now.

[bart78]

I am glad someone else looks at the car the way I do. When my wife saw it she asked if I could take it to the scrap yard with the rest of the junk. I told her she was nuts.

[Ol' Ron]

He asked about doors. well ??

[bart78]

I think I have an idea now of what doors will work. 37-40 coupe and the front doors on a 4 door sedan trimed up a bit.

[3738]

I have a 37 and a 38. Doors look the same to me on both.

Can't tell for sure due to the rust in the photo, but the fenders look more like my 38 than the 37. The 37's have more of a "peak" running along the top of the fenders...

[bart78]

The hood that is with the car is a 37 hood from all the pics I have seen. I have not looked for any numbers yet.

[felix37]

Welcome to the barn! Looks as though you have the making of a good project car.I believe fordscript may be right as there is no sharp crease on the top of the front fenders and although the rear fenders are hard to see because of the grass,they do look like 38's. If you could take a picture of the rear of the car it would be obvious by the trunk handle and rear tail lights.

[bart78]

I will try to get out there this week and take more pics. If it is a 38 will I have more options with the rear fenders? I saw somewhere that the 38 coupe can use rear fenders off a sedan. Is that right?

[felix37]

the dash board,if it has one is also a dead give away.

[bart78]

It does not have a dash. Are the hood ornament the same on a 38 as the 37?

[felix37]

believe the top part of the hood ornament on a 38 standard is identical to the 37's? my avatar has a 38 std. and my 37 front ends on it.

[59ab]

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Welcome to the Ford Barn. Nice solid looking coupe!

[bart78]

It might be a 38. I will have to get a better look at every thing on the car. I like the 38 grill better than the 37.

[ford38v8]

Bart, From closer inspection of your coupe, you have a '38 Standard. I am positive.

[bart78]

Thats cool I like the 38 grill better and it was free witch is the best part. This will be my first car to restore this old. I have grown up around these old fords with my uncle and my grandfather. My grandfather has a giant hoard of model t's.

[ford38v8]

Bart, Look at Felix37's Avatar. This is what your grill will look like. Different from a '37 in that the grill bars above the headlights go all the way back to the cowl. The '38 DeLuxe has a heart-shape grill. Yours is a '38 Standard.

[coupe5w36]

Welcome to the Barn. Looks like a great project, I'm looking forward to progress photos once you get started.

[Planojc]

A good source for parts and advice would be to joining a Early Ford V8 Club. You are located near the Lone Star Club in the Fort Worth, Arlington area and Stacy Brown, who is a member, has Antique Auto Supply.

[bart78]

Thanks guys I will get started on it when it cools off. The first part of july the guy that catches snakes on our place gased under the car and caught five rattle snakes. They are real bad this year and I was told by my uncle that he would not help me load it up until it gets cold.

[B-O-B]

Bart if you google 1938 ford or go to carnut.com you can get lots of ideas & pics.
B-O-B

[bart78]

Thanks I will look at that. I have a prety good idea what I want to do. I want to go back with a flat head. Keep the rest prety much stock. I would like to set it a bit lower. Probably a drop front axle and I have thought about a 4 link rear suspencion. I have a 9 inch out of a old bronco that I was thinking about putting that under it. And I cant decide yet on paint.

[John T]

A 38 Std hood looks similar to a 37 hood.

[bart78]

The hood on the 37 looks like when it rounds off it is just rounded. From pics it looks like it has a different roundnes to it on the sides.

[bart78]

Did these cars come from the factory with pin stripes on the paint. Parts of the car you can see the green paint and yellow pin stripe.

[3738]

A 37 hood just rounds off, the 38 hood rounds of into a "crease or step" then rounds off again...

Regarding pin stripes... yes, ivory painted factory pinstripe on my Blue 37, but my Black 38 has stainless trim instead of a pinstripe

[jack in san diego]

If it has a frame under the body, look for an I.D.# on top of the frame in the area right over where the steering will mount. If you can find those numbers it will be easier to identify. Good luck and welcome to the barn. Jack

[bart78]

from the sound of it the hood is a 37 it just rounds off. And it is the same green as the rest of what green is on the body.

[bart78]

Was there two different greens from 37 to 38 or just one. I just looked at the hood and the green on the under side is different that the body it is lighter. For how long the car has sat it might just aged different.

[bart78]

did all 38's have stainless trim?

[Ben38]

The early ones didn't.

[felix37]

Bart, I myself like the 38' standard grill better than my 37'. The 38 standards were always considered the ugly ducklings, but it is my opinion that they have a better looking grill than the 38' deluxe and you see far less 38' standards out there. no matter what year it turns out to be,It will still be Cool!! still, a look at the rear of the car should answer all questions.

[my4dv8]

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For doors , sedan doors will fit but the top rear edge needs to be radiused down slightly. Sedan doors are flatter along the top edge to match the longer flatter roof line. the coupe roof curves down much sooner. just trim to fit and reweld cuts.

[bart78]

I will get some more pics this weekend. I saw some 37 inner fenders on ebay and they look totaly different. If the car is a 38 that the hood does not go with the car.

[tdlmomowers]

Good luck with your project. If it was mine, I would do it like a Late 50s Modified Stock Car, but street legal. No need to worry about windows or interior uppolstry. Weld in a neat roll cage and a couple bucket seats. Power it up with a small block Ford with open headers, add some wide 5 wheels with Hoosier tires, weld on some nerf bars and go. But, it ain't mine, so you get to decide which way you want to go.

[bart78]

That would be hell to drive here inr the summer like that. It was 106 today here. That is not what it feels like at all. Our weather thing at the house says it feels like 118 right now. Way to hot for a stock car. They look cool, there is a old man out side of town that has a 34 that use to be a old race car and it is bad ass. He is letting it rott. I am going to put a flat head back in it 4 link in the rear and 4 inch drop axle in the front but leave the rest prety stock. The only thing realy different will be a ac. Must have here.

[Fe26]

Looks like a '38' standard to me also. Sedan front doors will fit, however the top frame (structural part) of the door will fit quite close to the top corner of the body, the very top of the door will need to be shaped to fit the coupe opening.

The actual body is the same for 37 and 38 with the exception of the firewall sides which are a little different to accomodate the '38' deluxe front mudguards (fenders).

You have a lot of scounging and work ahead of you, this isn't for the fainthearted. good luck.

[hombres ruin]

Another saved, good score. Hope it all works out. Good luck

[bart78]

I am going to try and buy as many parts off here as I can. But from what I have seen the grille is prety hard to find. Will someone like bob drake have them.

[jack in san diego]

If your car has a frame, look for numbers on top of frame above where steering mounts. Those numbers will help you identify year of car. Good luck and welcome to the barn. Jack

[jack in san diego]

Welcome to the barn. If your car has a frame, look for numbers stamped on top of the frame in the area where the steering is mounted. Good luck!

[bart78]

It does have a frame. I am going tomarrow and take a look and take some more pics.

[ford38v8]

Bart, some advice about the "number" you will find on the frame: This is the serial number of the engine/transmission, and is the only identification used by DMV's to register our vintage Fords. One of the first things you should do is to establish ownership of the car. Run the number through DMV before you spend money on it. You sure don't want to dump a bunch of money and work on it only to find that someone else may lay claim to your car.

The serial number will be found on the top of the left frame rail, at or near the location of the steering box. It will be a series of numbers beginning and ending with a star*. Being that it will have extensive rust damage, use only a soft bristle brush & WD40 to make it legible.

[bart78]

Thanks for the info I will take that with me tomarrow.

[bart78]

Got this number off the car *54-36326I* will try to get the pics posted today.

[bart78]

here are the other pics

[TonyM]

38 tail lights

[bart78]

After looking up th number its a 38. It only has one place for a tail light. I have no idea why it has a 37 hood. Allso were they 2 tone the body is green and the fenders are black.

[TonyM]

Does your uncle have another old car and does he need another nephew?

TM

[bart78]

He has a few more no more fords just a few old buicks. He use to have some real good cars. had a 40 ford conv. And a few other old fords from the 30's I know one was a 34 5 window.

[Kentf1003]

Welcome to the Barn.

Sure, there's work ahead (pack your lunch). But, what a great model to start with. You have a diamond in the rough.

[ford38v8]

Bart, Your '38 Standard Coupe had a 60 HP engine originally. The serial number is valid, as you discovered, and is about 1/3 through the 1938 production. The body and frame is the same as used for the 85 HP engine, but if any driveline components remain, you will have to replace them if you want to run an 85 HP engine.
You may rejoice that your license lite door somehow escaped being cannibalized, even though it is sometimes hard to find. It is still bright of course, because it is stainless, not chrome. Your bumper brackets also survive, this being equally puzzling, as they literally take a beating and are also kinda hard to find. Your coupe owes it's survival to the fact of it's small engine, as with the large V8, it would have been destroyed on the dirt tracks years ago.

Edit: I should have said that the transmission, if there, would need to be replaced. The differential, while usable, will be a 4.44x1 ratio, worthy only for parades today.

[bart78]

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There is no trans or rear end. I have a 9 inch out of a old bronco I was going to use. I allso have one out of a 51 f1 but i dont know if it will work probably go with the bronco. I have a flathead and trans out of a 47 coupe. and will look for a 4 inch drop front axle. Does Bob drake sale a whole quarter panel for the 38? That baler did a prety good job on the passenger side.

[bart78]

There is allso not anything that looks like there was the stainlees running down the side of the car. I allso saw on craigslist a front end off a 39 sedan and a rearend out of a 39 sedan, they have the brakes and all on them. These will work wont they? And could get the axle droped.

[bart78]

Was told by someone that this was not a 38 they said the wipers were on the top not on the bottom like this one. The things sticking out at the bottom dont turn like wipers and the one hole above the drivers side is not a bullet hole and i have seen pis of some with one wiper.

[TonyM]

Originally Posted by bart78

I have no idea why it has a 37 hood.

The 1938 standard hood looks similar to the 1937 hood.

There is a really nice photo of a 1938 Ford Standard Coupe on page 199 of the 1932-1938 Ford Production Book by DeAngelis and Francis.

TonyM.

[ford38v8]

Bart, Pay no attention to your "someone". He can't tell windshield wipers from windshield cranks.

[bart78]

I wont I prety much figured they were not from what they looked like. Going to order drake catalog tonight so I can look for some sheetmetal. The hood look kinda alike, but the 37 rounds off smooth and the 38 has like a rounded step.

[TonyM]

One wiper and 1937 type hood.

TM.

[bart78]

All the 38 standards I have seen have a differant hood. Maybe its an early one and they used up 37 parts. The car allso does not have the stainless on the sides like the others.

[bart78]

Does bob drake make a whole quarter panel for the 38 like the 40 he has on his web sight?

[ford38v8]

A likely reason for the '37 hood would be that the '38 hood had been damaged by the hood prop unique to '37 & 38. The prop is a ratchet type, requiring the hood to be lifted slightly before lowering it to close. Gas jockeys never got the hang of it and most hoods broke at the weakest point, right at the prop. Your '37 hood may have been intended as a replacement which never got installed due to the difference between the two hoods. Examine the hood you have, and if it is not broken at the driver side near the rear, then you have a very valuable part to barter for parts you do need.

[bart78]

You can tell that at some time that someone patched something on the drivers side other than that its in real good shape.

[bart78]

Thanks guys for the help finding help around here will not happen for cars like this. The only thing people are interested in around here is all their diesels. Not many old cars being redone around here.

[bart78]

Will a stock floor pan work with me going to use a trans out of a 47 ford that the motor and trans I have came out of or will I have to change it?

[ford38v8]

It will fit, but yours has 3 on the floor, a '47 is 3 on the tree. Best that you trade the later tranny for an earlier floor shift. A '39 is best, as '38 and '37 synchros aren't as smooth.

[bart78]

I will look for one. That trans will bolt right up to the motor I have?

[ford38v8]

Right up.

[bart78]

Thanks. Just trying to make a list of things that I might have from some other old fords I have.

[ford38v8]

Not being a hotrodder, I'm not sure how to go from the floor shifter to the open driveline if you use the 9".

Anyone?

[bart78]

I found on craigs list a guy that has a full 39 sedan rear end and a full 39 front end suspencion and all. He wants 150.00 each. Tryed to call this morning did not get a answer. Thought about getting them and just getting the fron axle droped and lower the rear. He allso has a 39 flathead a trans for 300 says it turns over.

[ford38v8]

Craigslist... beware. See the stuff in person and see the engine run if you can. $300 for the engine is core price, so pull the heads and examine head surface for cracks.

Sounds like you're getting excited here, so it's best to join up with a Mentor from the EFV8CA. Join the National, and join a local Regional Group near you. The old guys will gather round like flies on cowpies when you tell them you want to build a car. The join-up cost is nothin' to the money you'll save benefitting from other's "been-there-done-that."

[bart78]

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I will look into that. There really is not anyone in my are that even messes with these cars. The closest place that would have anyone is probably an hour or so. But i will see what I ca find. Thank you for being so helpfull.

[Tinker]

I remember seeing this posted on the hamb. Did you pull it out of the field yet?

[bart78]

Not yet. Just waiting for it to cool down. Its been so hot here they are saying 107 all week. Plus the snakes are real bad this year. When It cools down some I will get it. Just looking for parts.

[HotRod40Deluxe]

Originally Posted by bart78

What all doors will fit this car? Is it 37-40 coupe? Or will some doors from a sedan work?

Bart,
1937-40 coupe doors are identical as far as the exterior skin, hinge locations, latch and dovetail locations but with the exception of the outside door handle mounting area, which is basically the same for 1937-39. More differences are on the inner door surface re; window regulator mounting hole locations, inner garnish moldings, etc. but can all be found and used. 1940 had vent windows which required provisions and mounting brackets for the vent division bar.

1937-40 sedan delivery and fordor sedan front doors seem identical, but they have a little more lip at the very top-rear corner to match the longer roof line, however I've seen modified sedan delivery and fordor doors be made to work on coupes just fine. 1937-40 tudor sedan doors are out, as they are considerably longer horizontally.

HR40D

[HotRod40Deluxe]

Originally Posted by bart78

What all doors will fit this car? Is it 37-40 coupe? Or will some doors from a sedan work?

Bart,
1937-40 coupe doors are identical as far as the exterior skin, hinge locations, latch and dovetail locations but with the exception of the outside door handle mounting area, which is basically the same for 1937-39. More differences are on the inner door surface re; window regulator mounting hole locations, inner garnish moldings, etc. but can all be found and used. 1940 had vent windows which required provisions and mounting brackets for the vent division bar.

1937-40 sedan delivery and fordor sedan front doors seem identical, but they have a little more lip at the very top-rear corner to match the longer roof line, however I've seen modified sedan delivery and fordor doors be made to work on coupes just fine. 1937-40 tudor sedan doors are out, as they are considerably longer horizontally.

HR40D

[Tinker]

Originally Posted by bart78

Not yet. Just waiting for it to cool down. Its been so hot here they are saying 107 all week. Plus the snakes are real bad this year. When It cools down some I will get it. Just looking for parts.

Yep, hot here too. Winter will be here soon enough. In tx, like fl, that is the time to get out and work.

Good luck with your car and watch out for them snakes!

[bart78]

Will do, this morning I was out there and he was showing me all the 37 parts he had been buying because he allways thought it was a 37. Whats bad about the parts the barn they were in burnt and they were all in it. There is nothing there to use any more because it real hot. I was hopeing there would be some stuff to use or trade or sale. There was all kinds of stuff doors 37 hood sides all the stainless for a 37 all the window molding stuff the wind sheild and trim stuff for it. There was allso a new rad and a few other parts. Sad to see that stuff either melted or full of hole there was a little left of a 37 grille but not much.

[fordscript]

An interesting thread, by the look of the photo from the front, it would appear that this is a right-hand drive car. The bottom of the firewall shows the half-circle cut out for the steering column on the right side, and the left side is straight (apparently). Also the number plate bracket holes are on the right side. Definitley a 38 standard, the rear photo confirms this.

[bart78]

There is still a clutch and brake on the left side.

[bart78]

Can someone tell me if a front end off a 39 sedan a nd the rear end out of a 39 sedan will work on my coupe. I would think it would but wanted to check before I made a offer on them. I plan on getting the front axle dropped.

[ford38v8]

Bart, Yes, it's a pretty straight bolt-up. You will need to change out the clutch/brake to that of the '39, and run brake lines, as the '38 was cable and the '39 was juice. Originals are pricy, so also consider repops.

[bart78]

thanks i will make him an offer. To lower the rear a bit I can remove a few leafs cant I ? I dont want to make a lowrider but would like it to sit a bit lower.

[biggeorge]

HotRod40Deluxe is dead on with the info on the doors. I have 39 four door doors on my 40 coupe and they fit great after you trim the rear edge at the top of the door. The 39 front and rear should slide right under that frame as the frames are the same from 1935-1940 (almost).

[Randy Williams]

Hi Bart, It looks like you have 38 ford coupe check out the fire wall 37 and 38 are different. You do have a 38 fire wall and the rear fenders look like 38's. The front fenders are hard to tell apart except for the extra bolt hole on 38's.

[bart78]

I was allways told the car was a 37. My uncle got it long before I was born. I am 32 he said he has had it for 40 years and just never got to it. Now I am on the hunt for parts. I am going this weekend to look at a front end a nd rear end off a 39 sedan. And I found a grill on ebay.

[bart78]

Are th rear fenders the same on the standard as the delux?

[3738]

Standard has tail light only on the driver's fender, none on the passenger side.

[bart78]

Thanks Hope yall dont mind me asking questions like this. These older cars are new to me.

[ford38v8]

Bart, just don't expect a timely answer from us if you ask us how long the rattler bite is gonna hurt.

[bart78]

I have a few friends that can tell you how long a rattler bite hurts, they are every where here. This year is the worst its so dry here they are all looking for water and stay around the houses. Thanks for the help

[B-O-B]

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Just watched rattlesnake republic on the tube last night. Boy those boys are something else. One guy getsin a bathtub with over 100 rattlers to set a new record. They were hunting & selling rattlers for $4.00 a pound. Is this anywhere close to your place Bart?

[bart78]

They are in deep south TX. I have seen the show allso I think a couple of the guys were from al liitle north of us. We are between Ft worth and abaline. They hunt the snake all over. Whats bad is the snake around here dont rattle anymore because it gives the away to the pigs and they eat the snakes. That is whats real bad around here. The pigs are all over now. They mess everything up. Me and a few friends hunt them most of the year we kill hundreds every year and cant make a dent. They are so bad that they will eat baby calves as soon as they hit the ground. The dairys around here have a big problem with that.

[George G]

Originally Posted by bart78

I was allways told the car was a 37. My uncle got it long before I was born. I am 32 he said he has had it for 40 years and just never got to it. Now I am on the hunt for parts. I am going this weekend to look at a front end a nd rear end off a 39 sedan. And I found a grill on ebay.

The hunt for parts is the most fun.....

[TonyM]

Bart,

The avatar looks great.

T

[bart78]

Thanks. Found a guy that his uncle has a 38 standard two door sedan That the roof of his barn fell on. He said the roof of the car is bad but the rest of the car is in good shape. The car was rebuilt in the late 70's and in 86 the roof fell on it. The city he lives in they are makeing him clean his place up. I am hopeing to make a deal with him.

[Fe26]

Originally Posted by Randy Williams

Hi Bart, It looks like you have 38 ford coupe check out the fire wall 37 and 38 are different. You do have a 38 fire wall and the rear fenders look like 38's. The front fenders are hard to tell apart except for the extra bolt hole on 38's.

I'm interested to know what the differences are in the firewall, I know the cowl sides where the front guards (fenders) bolt on are different, but I always thought the actual firewall was the same. Thanks.

[Firepower flyer]

Here's a pic of my dads 38 std along with my 36 Dodge.I really like the 38 Ford coupes you just don't see alot of them.Good luck with the build.
Joe

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[bart78]

Thanks I will need it got a bunch of work to do. I just hope I can get the 38 standard sedan from that guy that would make it a whole lot easier. The roof is crushed he said but every thing else is good.

[TonyM]

http://www.earlyfordv8.org/early-for...ieds.cfm?t=For Sale&c=Automobiles&id=3972
http://www.earlyfordv8.org/early-for...ieds.cfm?t=For Sale&c=Automobiles&id=3972
Bart78,
Here is a link for a guy with a 1938 Ford Parts Car.

TonyM

Dog gone it, the link won't work. The car is on the EFV-8 classifieds.

[dude]

Originally Posted by bart78

They are in deep south TX. I have seen the show allso I think a couple of the guys were from al liitle north of us. We are between Ft worth and abaline. They hunt the snake all over. Whats bad is the snake around here dont rattle anymore because it gives the away to the pigs and they eat the snakes. That is whats real bad around here. The pigs are all over now. They mess everything up. Me and a few friends hunt them most of the year we kill hundreds every year and cant make a dent. They are so bad that they will eat baby calves as soon as they hit the ground. The dairys around here have a big problem with that.

I'd be for moving dude. I hate snakes..(Indiana)

[bart78]

I have found some cars that I am still trying to talk the old folks that have them out of them. They have some 37 sedans. I plan on doing it a s a 37 and not a 38 standard. I like them better.

[swoopNZ]

Send a picture of the rear - easy to tell then what year it is.

[john hamilton]

As long as it's just sitting there get some of the rust inhibitor and just paint it on. It comes in gallon jugs and, by the time you're ready to start work, most of the rust will be killed off. Be sure to let it run down in cracks like between fenders and body.

The brand of the stuff I have is Rust Cure.

[bart78]

It may not look like it but there is not much where the rust has gotten real bad. It's been sitting as long as I have been alive I don't think another couple of months will hurt. My wife wanted to move to town so we baught a new place and now I have to build a new shop. Our lot is very big but I have been fighting with the city about a curb cut on the back side of my lot. We have a street in front and back of us. The city says I can build up to a 40x50 on my lot because we have so much room. I hate living in town. It sucks having people tell you what you can or can't do. But I guess it keeps the crap from being built.

[bart78]

Anyone know where any doors are? Even 4 door sedan front doors. Saw some in the classafieds but he wont ship. All the sedans I have found are all have 2 doors.