Wood to Steel Conversion 32 Chevy Example

[Rattiac]

Mike:::; I know buddy, I know you really, really want me to keep this wood . Im sorry but it's going steel and the first thing Im going to do with this wood is make a BONFIRE . 

[madmike3435]

your killing me..

should I bring the weenies and the marshmallows , you supply the cold milk

mike

[chopper526]

Rattiac, when I built my coupe it was the first time I tried anything on this scale. I didn't have a welder and didn't know how to weld. Most of the wood in my car was gone, and the car had been channeled with no subframe, just a plywood floor. I bought a welder and taught myself to weld. I built a subframe and floor. I took out the remaining wood, chopped the top and fit in a new metal skeleton using 1" square metal tubing. I'm not blowing my own horn, I'm just saying if I can do it so can you!! I think most of the guys here might share a similar story. You are going to have a blast!!!

[TFoch]

Same here, just like Chopper my 33 was my first project.  Most of the wood was gone so I figured it out and got it done.  I took a lot of pics and have them on my build thread if you want to take a look.  You can do it, good luck!

[sixball]

I keep reading these threads and just get more confused. My '26 roadster has a lot of the wood in very good shape and some a mess. I'd like to keep some. It might work to deaden the sound. When I see the beautiful wood in Mike's roadster I want that but I know steel would be easier for me. I'm too much of a junky to burn the 90 year old hardwood. It's got to be good for something knife handles, knobs, buttons, yo-yos, picture frames....? I know I'm nuts. I Have "special" pieces of firewood sitting around That had too much grain to burn and I don't get any cars built.

[62131]

Mike:::; I know buddy, I know you really, really want me to keep this wood . Im sorry but it's going steel and the first thing Im going to do with this wood is make a BONFIRE . 

My I suggest that you try and remove the wood carefully and label it as to what it is. And when you start to fab up your steel parts use them for a pattern. I found that doing this it was easier for me to make some of my inner structure , dash support, a-pillars, b-pillars, these were a real pain to remove those little nails can be tuff to pull. I found it easier to grind the head off. Here's a couple pictures of my A-pillars

[FATnLOW]

I left my good wood in.. Installed steel on floor,A pillars, above windshield steel below roof ....I had some very good wood and left it alone or in Some areas reinforced it with steel plates..make a plan on what you want to do ...change /modify as needed...I found a lot of information on this site, had questions and always got  feedback and different ways to get the task accomplished

[62131]

I found some picture's of my roof and interior panels and my hood sides. I made my hood with removable sides.

[62131]

Here's a few more maybe this will give you some ideals. Hope this helps

[madmike3435]

very nice work on the hood sides.

At least with all that wood removed from the main body, come late fall , car should not produce strange noises in the cold, like mine does.


What your showing shows ability, what I concern myself with is , visitors to this site , seeing this and end up wrecking their car and it ends up a RATTUS RODDUS .

mike       

[sammons]

Mike, I feel to the contary. I think most who visit or join this site are motivated to saving an old GM. I think the site allows the insight to just what is involved to build one of these cool cars. I have talked to a lot of car guys that walk away from these due to the work involved in replacing the structure in one way or the other.

I like this site due to nobody being knocked down over the style or build materials used. Some fellas are confortable with wood working, some with metal.  Every once in a while I will run across a rat rod that was tasefully done and I actually like the way it turned out, (even built safely).  I won't knock anyones style of build, everybodys tastes are different.

I look at your wood working skills and admire it, well done. I do not have the tools or skill set for intricate wood fab. If a guy sees how our cars can be saved, and they feel they may have the ability to go wood or steel.....it might just be the car that didn't get sold to the scrapper for $20 worth of scrap!
Just my 2cents.

[ghost28]

I usually get my old bowties s delapidated, that the wood is not present, and that's the way I like them for my skill set of working with metal. I was never much good in shop class making a cutting board for my mother.

[TFoch]

Well said Sammons

[EDNY]

Want the "thump" when you close doors....closed molecule foam (OEM water resistant type) around the steel framing. I plan on filling my A pillars and door perimeter with the stuff.

[madmike3435]

INTERESTING SOLUTION TO GET RID OF THE **CLANK LIKE A FORD** WHEN YOUR PRE 36 CHEVY IS STEELED OUT, FILL THE VOID WITH  OEM FOAM.

THUD/THUMP IS ALWAYS NICER THAN CLANK.

LET US KNOW THE RESULTS WHEN YOU EVENTUALLY DO IT.

NOT YELLING, JUST LARGER LETTERS,  EASY READING


MIKE