Yours is prettier than mine! And I think mine is beautiful!

Nate - Madison, Wisconsin

 

56 Ford Customline Sedan

 

Thats where I am at now, instead of investing in Paint, I am investing in the drivetrain, braking etc, frame and body are solid, just not very pretty.

 I'm on a Lowwwww Budget

Actually for most of us older folks that was the reality of our cars in the 60's. Make em run, worry about the pretty part later. So I wouldn't call it a "Rat Rod" just another Y-Block in process. Chuck in NH

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Mike,

I agree, but I need an excuse to not go broke at this point in my life...I figure if I get it running and driving, then as life goes on I can do more when I have the time and money..(I know..you never have extra time or money).

I'm really afraid if I dig in too far now, I risk have a long interruption (18 years roughly) while the car is in peices and the car ends up a loss or have to sell becuase I lose my storage, and I lose pieces, etc. I feel if I keep it together and can drive it, then it will be easier to keep with me.

Maybe rat rod is the wrong term..I won't have a chain steering wheel and seats made from welded together lawn chairs...by rat rod I basically meant leave the body work alone for now, just get the mechanicals and interior in comfortable reliable shape.

Nate - Madison, Wisconsin

 

56 Ford Customline Sedan

 

Rat Rods are a Passing Fad, anything worth keeping is worth fixing, (unlike my first marriage). if you restore it, you'll appreciate it more, especially since it has family history.

Mike

 I'm on a Lowwwww Budget

Big6ft6

The crossmember on my '56 was rusted out and found the place in Ok, its Goodell Fabrications

in Coweta, Ok, 918,486-6498. Fit perfect, $299. He has them for 55 & 56 Fords and Mercs. I

did mine in July so the price should still be good. Ask for Gary, he is very nice to deal with and

even called me back to make sure everything fit and that I was happy with it. Good Luck with

your project and new wife.

Location:Washington,Ia

If your crossmember isn't too bad they can be repaired,but most of them are so bad they have to be replaced.There is a company in Oklahoma that makes new ones.They are sold direct by him and through some of the vendors that specialize in the old Ford parts.Last one I bought was $275,but that's been a few years ago.

 

Paul,

Boonville,MO

Ol' Ford,

Yes, that is rusted pretty good..I can actually stick my finger into one of the holes and pull out rusted material.  I need to get my welder fixed so I can attack these things! 

Nate - Madison, Wisconsin

 

56 Ford Customline Sedan

 

Take a good look at the front crossmember under the radiator. This is where the lower a-frames bolt on. These are notorious for rusting out. No matter what the body or interior looks like you need a good frame.

Ol'ford nutCentral Iowa

56 Vic w/292 & 4 spd.

Wow, john your car looks gorgeous! Mine isn't even close to that nice..mine has the "barn" paint job...faded green from sun and has a permanent dust finish

The speaker cover was painted, but my dash doesn't appear to be painted..or maybe it was, but my uncle accidentally removed some of the paint when getting rid of the dash pad.  He used some type of adhesive to glue the carpet to the dash, but it doesn't appear to be too bad..I can pull the stuck carpet pad pieces off with my fingers leaving little behind.

The worst part is the seats...they are like dust machines..the foam had desintigrated and if you touch the seat particles of dry-rotted fabric and foam lanuch into the air like an earosol can.  I wonder what is the cheapest way to cover the seats if I rip all the original stuff off.  the hardware holding the seats down is rusted tight to the car...so removing the seast might be a challenge..but nothing is impossible with an angle grinder.

Nate - Madison, Wisconsin

 

56 Ford Customline Sedan