The project is a '27 Model T coupe, unchopped and full-fendered. It is currently a work in progress, but will be something genuinely unique by the time it is finished-definitely a hot rod, but probably with elements of elegance.
And as with any project car, the work being done is a continuing series of design decisions-the most recent being where to mount a gas tank that would be practical and complementary to the style of the car. A tank in the trunk would've been a simple solution, but would've limited the gas tank capacity and encroached on the available space in the already small trunk.
The car owner, Zulu, suggested the idea of mounting a custom-built fuel tank underneath the deck, Deuce style. Ryan Rivers, at Hollywood Hot Rods, where the Model T is being built, came up with a way to make the idea work.
Ryan started with cardboard cutouts of the parts he needed to build, which included the tank itself, a pair of sheetmetal end pieces resembling frame horn covers, and sheetmetal panels to blend the rear fenders to the tank assembly.
There was quite a bit of sheetmetal skill involved, not only in designing and fabricating the various pieces needed, but also in fitting each piece through a series of unrelated dimensions and curves.
The T coupe's flat top made it easy to work on this project; instead of putting the body on a lift, Ryan flipped it on its lid. Access to the underside of the deck was simple, but the installation was done upside down. Flip the magazine around if it makes some of the photos easier to understand, but remember to flip it again when you're done.
The end result blends together really well, looks like it belongs (even more so after it gets a little paint on it), and adds a distinct element to an already unusual hot rod.
