The '36 Ford Coupe Rebuild
 

- UPDATED 8/24/2017

This is covering close to 6 months so it will take me a couple of posts to get up to speed on it. I'm just finally getting off my dead butt and getting this posted.

First a little background on the car. When I was just a young punk and dating my wife, my future father in law had this '36 Ford 5 window Coupe sitting behind the corncrib. I kept hitting on him about selling it to me but he said that the brakes were bad on it and he was afraid to sell it to anyone for fear they would try driving it with the bad brakes and get in an accident. I purchased a complete '39 Ford hydraulic brake system off of a local hot rodder, loaded it in my car and drove out to the farm to show it to him. I told him if he would sell me the car I would install the hydraulic brake system on it before it was ever driven. A couple of weeks later he gave me the car. I didn't do anything with it for a year or so then decided over the winter to start the build. I put a Buick 322ci V-8 in it and retained the stock Ford transmission and rear end. That was in the winter of 1961-62. Yes, next summer I will have owned the '36 Ford for 50 years!

The first picture is the only picture I have of the car when I first got it. The second picture is in 1963 just after we painted it Metallic Blue. In 1968 I updated it and installed a 327ci Chevy small block, Muncie M-21 4 speed, and painted it a Plum color. (Third Picture) In about 1985 the paint was getting bad so I primered it and put the Outlaw style wheels on it. (Fourth picture)

LockDoc

Re: The '36 Ford Coupe Rebuild
 

Roll forward to 2009. My friend Ron had finished his '40 Ford coupe and was looking for something to work on. He asked me if he could take the '36 up to his place and start rebuilding it. I said no problem but I was working on the Red/White'71 Chevy 4x4 and wouldn't be able to help him until I got it finished. He said that wasn't a problem and took the car to his place. As you can see by the following pictures he completely dismantled the car, replaced every piece of metal that was even remotely rusty and replaced the front floorboard that I had cut out and replaced with fiberglass. I completely cleaned and undercoated the underside of the body and the body was finally ready to go to my friend Gary's for finish bodywork and paint.

LockDoc

Re: The '36 Ford Coupe Rebuild
 

-
Here are some pictures taken at Gary's of the body in different stages of prep for paint and final clear coat. Just like with the Red & White '71 4x4 I had to sand my a$$ off while Gary sat around and drank beer and watched me. The muscle on my right arm looks like Popeye's…

I am working on the frame and will post some pics of it in a day or two.

LockDoc

Re: The '36 Ford Coupe Rebuild
 

That looks great! I love a good story behind a car or truck.
Is that the same metallic blue you had it in pic#2, 1963?

Re: The '36 Ford Coupe Rebuild
 

First, congratulations on keeping it so long (and thanks for saving it from the scrap yard).

Second, the bodywork looks great, now it's ready for another 75 years, probably longer since I know it'll probably never spend any time in the snow again.

What are the plans for the drivetrain this time around, I think nostalgia with the 327/M21 would be cool, but a LS would be cool too.

Re: The '36 Ford Coupe Rebuild
 

Thanks, and yes, I am painting it the same color as it was when I first built it.

LockDoc

Re: The '36 Ford Coupe Rebuild
 

Thanks Z. Drive train will remain the same. I rebuilt the 327 two years ago so I need to use it.

LockDoc

Re: The '36 Ford Coupe Rebuild
 

Awesome progress on the Coupe Leon, this will be a blast from the past for you and Pat. Keep us posted on your progress.

Running the wide whites like in '63?

Re: The '36 Ford Coupe Rebuild
 

I will be haunted by this thread :lol: Its an awesome car !
My pick if I ever get to do a rod. Ever since I built a yellow 36(vert) model as a youngster.

Re: The '36 Ford Coupe Rebuild
 

I love this car! The first rebuild with the black steelies and white walls looks great. Very fitting tribute for it's almost-50th-anniversary with you at the wheel.

Re: The '36 Ford Coupe Rebuild
 

Thanks Nate. Yes, It will have the black steel wheels & 2" whitewalls again.

LockDoc

Re: The '36 Ford Coupe Rebuild
 

Thanks LEEVON. That's the way it will be again.

LockDoc

Re: The '36 Ford Coupe Rebuild
 

great lookig start,bet u cant wait to get her together and turn the key

Re: The '36 Ford Coupe Rebuild
 

Thanks Cliff. Pat & I are really looking forward to driving it again.

LockDoc

Re: The '36 Ford Coupe Rebuild
 

Leon, that is a great story about the car. Glad you still have it, and glad you got that brake system working on it. LOL. Beautiful car, can not wait to see it done.

Re: The '36 Ford Coupe Rebuild
 

That's an awesome car Leon! Can't wait to see it finished!

Re: The '36 Ford Coupe Rebuild
 

Leon, that is awesome! I'm so jealous! I am hoping I can get the 40 repainted before spring, but I doubt it will happen with as many irons are in the fire right now. That car will be attending some cruise nights I'm guessing real soon. :lol:

Re: The '36 Ford Coupe Rebuild
 

Looks great!
Did you guys make your oun floor pans using a bead roller? I'm getting ready to do the floors on the Biscayne and was thinking of making them myself.

Re: The '36 Ford Coupe Rebuild
 

Thanks guys, I hope to have some pics of the frame up before too long. I picked up the POR-15 for it today.

Kyle: The floor pans are repo's. I have access to the tools to make them but I was still working on the Red/White '71 4x4 when Ron needed them so I just bought them. I think it would be a blast to make them at home though.

LockDoc

Re: The '36 Ford Coupe Rebuild
 

Leon, I never saw it the first time, but in your 2nd pic, I see a parts car for me. Please go back to the future and grab that for me, would you? :lol:

Re: The '36 Ford Coupe Rebuild
 

Car's lookin' Great !! Leon ;)

Re: The '36 Ford Coupe Rebuild
 

The 40's owners name was Hughie Snook He lived across the tracks from my grandparents. That was the only car he owned for many years. Don't think I didn't try to buy it...:)

LockDoc

Re: The '36 Ford Coupe Rebuild
 

Thanks Bob. You need to run over to Gary's one of these Saturdays when we're workin' on it.

LockDoc

Re: The '36 Ford Coupe Rebuild
 

As soon as I can I will get ahold of you on a Sat. been pretty busy on Sat lately but I would love to see it ! Keep up the great work !!

Re: The '36 Ford Coupe Rebuild
 

What a great car and what a great story, thanks for sharing ...

-Steve