The time has come and you have made the decision to try your hand at building your very own street rod from the ground up. There are any number of ways you could go, but one way is to start with a body of your choice and the appropriate chassis. The commitment here means four to five years of building time for the average rodder who will be building on a budget. In the end, you have a car of your choice and it is detailed, appointed, and represents exactly what you want. No settling here.
Back in the late '60s, your choice was resurrecting old steel or, hopefully, you would find a body that needed little work before prepping for paint. Then along came fiberglass and all of a sudden rodders of all levels of building expertise could build any number of cars. The roadster was the most common choice for fiberglass manufacturers to start with, and then came the coupes, followed by steel. While there are numerous fiberglass alternatives out there (open or closed cars and trucks), the late '70s brought steel reproductions.
Something to remember: You will want to check to see that the body will fit the chassis you have in mind before purchasing it. Many times, going with a body manufacturer's chassis package is a "safer" route, especially if this is your first effort in a complete ground-up build. Once you know what body manufacturer you wish to go with and you have confirmed that it will fit the chassis of your choice, the fun begins. One thing is for sure--don't be in a hurry to purchase accessories (wheels, tires, gauges, or even paint) until you actually need them. Being in the magazine industry, we have seen car owners many times who have purchased the latest wheel/tire combo only to realize styles have changed and so have their likes--and dislikes--when their ride is completed! Be forewarned to purchase only what you need at the time of the build--there is a reason why professional builders have rollers, and dummy engine and tranny combos (wheels/tires and engines/transmissions that are used just for the building process and for no other reason).
Nowadays, there seems to be as many steel body manufacturers as there are fiberglass manufacturers. Each offers advantages to the builder and owner. Both can be equally made into one-of-a-kind street rods that make their owners oh-so happy. Both have shown similar building costs, and where one may prove more cost effective in one area, the other will have a similar advantage in another. When it comes down to it, both can be turned into viable building material with the same end result, as well as being rewarding to build and plenty of fun.Take a look at what is offered here in the 2007 Body Buyer's Guide. There are plenty of options and lots of ideas to help you make the decision on just what you want to drive in for an upcoming summer's worth of fun.
1933 SPEED33 ROADSTER (steel)
American Speed Company has unveiled the latest in steel street rod building material and has funneled its design, engineering, and manufacturing experience to create a new concept--the Speed33. Based upon the 1933 Ford roadster, the Speed33 is equipped with structural components tied to high-quality body panel stampings that stay true to the original design.
The Speed33 features a number of industry firsts, including: the first modern, fully integrated convertible top in a '33; the first full-substructure design for maximum body rigidity; the first integrated windshield stanchion and windshield frame; and the first body design to compensate for both fenderless and full-fendered treatment. Top up or top down, this body is a real beauty! For more information, contact American Speed Company at (734) 246-0330, or visit www.americanspeedcompany.com.
1932 & '34 FORD THREE-WINDOW COUPE & ROADSTER (fiberglass)
Bebop's Glass Works is offering a 1932 roadster body package with a starting price of $5,650. Bebop's also offers a '32 and '34 three-window coupe body package starting at $6,550. All of Bebop's bodies are reinforced with steel and wood, with door, decklid hinges, and latches installed, while the body is finished in a black gelcoat.
There are also fender packages available for all of the cars Bebop's offers. Additionally, there is a rolling chassis package, which starts at $6,800, with chrome upgrade packages available. It should also be noted that Bebop's is preparing a '41 Willys for use in building a street rod. For more information, contact Bebop's Glass Works at (423) 263-9594, or visit www.bebops-glassworks.com.
1932 BROOKVILLE- FORD THREE-WINDOW COUPE (steel)
Build a brand-new Deuce three-window coupe with a totally new All-Steel '32 Ford coupe body and chassis kit from the steel body manufacturers at Brookville Roadster.This fantastic new USA-made, all-steel body is made from the exact same gauge steel as factory original bodies, and features correct specs for fit and finish. You can even use OEM fenders and other sheetmetal, which will fit perfectly. Or better yet, get brand-new steel fenders and other body parts from Brookville.
Every body panel or component is totally interchangeable with an original 75-year-old Ford body built by Detroit. They feature all proper braces and brackets, and work equally well in street rods or restored cars. Brookville also offers its own chassis to ensure proper fit and function for its all-steel bodies. Choose from an economy All-Steel '32 Ford body and chassis kit with limited accessories, or a fully-loaded kit with fenders, hood, grille, and just about everything you need for a great head start on a steel '32 Ford three-window coupe. For more information, contact Brookville Roadster at (937) 833-4605, or visit www.brookvilleroadster.com.
1932 FORD RUNNING BOARDS (steel)
Bob Drake Reproductions Inc. now makes superb-quality pairs of the 1932 Ford running boards for cars and pickups. Every detail is factory correct, including the high-grade rubber molded to the heavy-gauge steel insert. Underside braces are spot welded in exact locations with all mounting holes pre-installed. Every one of the over 15,000 pyramids molded into each board is perfectly recreated with outer border ribs to match.
The top inner lip is perfectly curved for a super-clean fit against your frame. These beauties were designed to give your Deuce that factory-new look with durability for years of everyday use. Look for the Bob Drake logo stamped into the underside braces to ensure you get our top-notch, show-quality boards, priced at $475 a pair. For more information, contact Bob Drake Reproductions at (800) 221-3673 (FORD), or visit www.bobdrake.com.
CLASSIC FIBERGLASS BODY PARTS (fiberglass)
Fairlane Company of Milford, Michigan, recently acquired Fender Plus Company of Grand Ledge, Michigan. Fender Plus is a unique company that produces fiberglass Ford and Mercury Classic body parts from 1949 to 1956. "Acquiring Fender Plus extends our existing line of classic auto parts. We can now offer Ford and Mercury body parts from 1935 through 1956," commented John Garshott Jr., president of Fairlane.
"This is an exciting addition to our classic car line. We are the only firm now producing 1954-55 and 1956 fiberglass front fenders and hoods for these classic cars. Our customers will enjoy our expanded product line." Fairlane is a leading producer of fiberglass body parts for classic cars and trucks. For more information, contact Fairlane Company at (248) 676-9293, or visit www.fairlanecompanymi.com.
1936 FORD ROADSTER (fiberglass)
Featured in high-gloss Crimson Red gelcoat are J.B. Donaldson's 1936 Ford roadster body package and Stage III fender package on rolling Stage III chassis. Hood and hood sides (not shown) are provided in this package.Each body package comes with doors hinged and latched, decklid hinged, steel reinforcing, and complete floor. Floor bottom surface is finished in satin black at no extra charge. Bronze door hinges with stainless steel pins and bear jaw-style door latches are standard. Recessed firewall in body color is standard. You may choose from a wide variety of high-gloss gelcoat colors at no extra charge.
Stage III fender packages consist of front and rear fenders, smoothie running boards, hood and hood sides, and dropped headlight shells, which are furnished in your choice of a wide variety of high-gloss gelcoat colors. A plain steel grille is provided as well. Individual parts are available in high-gloss black gelcoat; call for pricing. For more information, contact J.B. Donaldson at (602) 278-4505, or visit www.jbdonaldsonco.com or www.jbdonaldsonUSA.com.
1928-29 ROADSTER PICKUP BODY (steel)
Last Refuge is offering its steel, fully jig-assembled '28-29 roadster pickup body for $3,999. The sides feature a curved design--a unique look that allows for more shoulder room. The cab has also been stretched, lengthening it to a roomy 39 1/2 inches from the '32-style dash to the back 'rail. Bear claw door latches come standard, and you have a choice of channeled or un-channeled body, and flat or recessed firewall.
Last Refuge Hotrod's steel roadster body is also available as a package deal! Get either the body with Last Refuge's own Model A bed with tailgate and Model A frame ($4,999) or the new pinched and narrowed '32 frame ($5,998). Custom chassis and builder's packages are now available. All parts are made on steel CNC molds and have crisp contours and shape lines. Stamped parts are laser-trimmed for clean edges and reliable fits. Last Refuge also offers several types of early Ford- and Chevy-style pickup bed kits. For more information, contact Last Refuge Hotrod at (888) 565-0122, or visit www.lastrefugehotrod.com.
HOODS: STOCK OR CUSTOM (steel)
For over 30 years, Rootlieb Inc. has been building hoods for both the restorer and the hot rod enthusiast. Stock hoods are built to exacting standards to satisfy the most demanding of judged competition. Hot rod hoods come in many styles, from the early day hot rodding style to patterns supplied by customers. They also take cars in for custom builds.
One- or three-piece top panels as well as four-piece stock-type hoods can be stretched to any length. With over 75 louver dies, different patterns are available. Rootlieb also works with customers and its own louver design, as well as offering special highboy side panels to better fit non-fendered cars, especially 1932 Fords. For a more information, contact Rootlieb at (209) 632-2203, or visit www.rootlieb.com.
1932 BROOKVILLE-FORD ROADSTER (steel)
Build a brand-new Deuce roadster with a totally new All-Steel '32 Ford body and chassis kit from the steel body manufacturers at Brookville Roadster.All-Steel-brand roadster bodies are USA-made from the same gauge steel as original Ford factory bodies. Every body panel or component is totally interchangeable with an original 75-year-old Ford body built by Detroit. They feature all proper braces and brackets, and work equally well in street rods or restored cars.
Brookville also offers its own chassis to ensure proper fit and function for its all-steel bodies.Choose from an economy All-Steel '32 Ford body and chassis kit with limited accessories, or a fully-loaded kit with fenders, hood, grille, and just about everything you need for a great head start on a steel '32 Ford roadster. For more information, contact Brookville Roadster at (937) 833-4605, or visit www.brookvilleroadster.com.
1934 PICKUP (fiberglass)
Russ Nomore Streetrods introduces its 1934 pickup. The doors are hung using exposed hinges and feature Russ Nomore's unique door design, which utilizes a pocket to accept Russ Nomore's 'glass package. The cab is stretched 4 inches and has a 3-inch roof chop. The doors are flush-fit, unlike Henry's overlapping design, and the firewall is smooth and can be adjusted during construction for additional engine clearance. It comes standard with a filled cowl, but for those guys who want the old-school look, it can be built with a functional cowl.
It incorporates a fiberglass inner structure system that consists of a defroster plenum, door reinforcement headers, windshield wiper header, and roof inner structure. This system increases body strength, allows for defroster hose connections, and makes upholstery panel attachment easy. There are fender packages and a rolling package also available. For more information, contact Russ Nomore Streetrods at (318) 249-2000, or e-mail russno@bayou.com.
XL27 BODIES (steel)
The new XL27 by Shadow Rods is a '27 roadster, redesigned to fit '32 frames, both original and aftermarket. The XL27 body is 3 inches taller and has doors and cabin that are 4 inches longer. Produced to current OEM specifications, this 19-gauge galvannealed steel body features a stamped inner structure, stainless steel door hinges, bear claw door latches, and 11-gauge upper and lower seat supports. Trunk models include all the great features as the above model with an added trunk for storage space.
This spacious trunk compartment features a parameter water trough system designed to accommodate a modern bulb seal (sold separately). It also includes a chrome-plated, cable-operated trunk lid striker and latch assembly. Cowl vent also available. For more information, contact Shadow Rods at (989) 754-1927, or visit www.shadowrods.com.
1932 FORD THREE-WINDOW COUPE (fiberglass)
Skinny's Garage LLC offers a Coast to Coast Street Rod fiberglass manufactured body to build that brand-new Deuce of which you've been dreaming. Also choose from body and frame combos to complete rollers, and turnkey cars are also an option. Skinny's Garage also offers 1937-39 Ford roadsters, convertibles, and a 1933 Ford roadster.
If you're looking for a different project, how about the all-new 1932 roadster with power windows and a hideaway top, all manufactured by Coast to Coast Street Rod. For more information, contact Skinny's Garage at (517) 673-4134.
1929 MODEL A TWO-DOOR SEDAN (fiberglass)
The Bruiser Enterprises LLC division of Street Rod Engineering Inc. has announced its 5-inch chopped fiberglass 1929 Model A two-door sedan body. In addition to the 5-inch chopped top, this body has a ribbed, filled roof and recessed firewall, as well as reworked upper body moldings to give you the low, custom look right from the start.As with Bruiser's original stock-height body, this body features high-quality, hand-laid composite fiberglass construction and is available in various stages, from the base "finish-it-yourself" model to a complete finished body with hung and latched doors, power-window regulators, '32 Ford-style dash, full steel and wood inner structure, and full floor.
Bare frames are also available to complete rolling chassis to give you a complete body/chassis package from one source. For more information, contact Bruiser Enterprises at (928) 855-5616, or visit www.bruiserbodies.com.
SUPERIOR (fiberglass)
Molalla, Oregon-based Superior Glass Works originated about 20 years ago, producing and manufacturing all of its bodies and chassis out of the same facility and first manufacturing the 1937 Chevy cabriolet. Superior Glass Works is proud to manufacture hand-laid fiberglass bodies structured with steel and wood. Its product line of Chevys and Fords include automobiles, race cars, and Funny Cars. The company also manufactures stock and 2-inches-wider rear fenders, front fenders, hoods, running boards, and much more, and all its products are exact replicas of the originals.
Superior Glass Works has all accessories to fit your needs, and its facility can accommodate whatever you want, whether you are starting a new project or finishing up a previous one. For more information, contact Superior Glass Works at (503) 829-9634, or visit www.superiorglassworks.com.
BROOKVILLE-FORD MODEL A EXTENDED-CAB PICKUP BODY KIT (steel)
Keep on truckin' with an All-Steel-brand Model A roadster pickup body and chassis kit from the steel body manufacturers at Brookville Roadster. Forget about rusted, dented, and mangled original old steel. Now you can get a brand-new, USA-made steel body and chassis for America's favorite little street rod pickup in either stock length or extended-cab versions. All-Steel-brand roadster pickup bodies are made from the same gauge steel as original Ford factory bodies. Every body panel or component is totally interchangeable with an original 76-plus-year-old Ford body built in Detroit.
They feature all proper braces and brackets, and work equally well in street rods or restored cars. Brookville also offers its own chassis to ensure proper fit and function for its all-steel bodies. Choose from a regular Model A roadster pickup body and chassis kit or Brookville's exclusive extended-cab model, with more leg room and a very trick appearance. For more information, contact Brookville Roadster at (937) 833-4605, or visit www.brookvilleroadster.com.
1936 FORD CABRIOLET (fiberglass)
Unique Motorcars, after-manufacturer of Cobra relicars since 1977 and winner of numerous awards, has entered the street rod marketplace. In 2001, Unique finally made a step in that direction and, after long discussions, a decision was made to produce a fiberglass reproduction of the 1936 Ford cabriolet. After three years of extensive development, Unique Motorcars is excited to introduce its hand-laminated fiberglass '36 cabriolet body package. According to Unique, "We have tooled and retooled our molds to offer the consumer the finest fiberglass reproduction available."
Unique uses laser-cut steel plate and preformed square steel tubing in place of wood to reinforce the body. This makes a stronger, longer-lasting reinforcement. Unique also offers '36 front fenders using '37 headlights and an altered '40 Ford dash to fit the body. Unique Motorcars has always been known for fit and finish, and the company is confident this body will be recognized for its quality and ease of assembly. For more information, contact Unique Motorcars at (256) 546-3708, or visit www.uniquemotorcars.com.
1934 FORD UTE ROADSTER PICKUP BODY (steel)
After the release of the all-steel 1934 Ford roadster pickup body, Roadster Ute Inc. and Vision Rod & Customs of Georgia have teamed up to provide a rolling body and chassis package. The companies can also provide the body alone, to a turnkey car and everything in between. The body package consists of an all-steel body, new '34 Ford frame, front and rear suspension, fenders and running boards, new aluminum radiator, and new chrome grille.
Each chassis can be custom built to suit any engine/suspension combination required, using only the finest parts available in the industry.Bodies are in stock and ready for delivery and arrive "paint-ready with no metalwork required," according to the manufacturer. For more information, contact Vision Rod & Customs at (706) 348-8485 or (770) 654-1861, or visit www.roadsterute.com.
