1938 Chev

Lightspeed Mike · http://lightspeedmetaldesign.com/

RE: 1938 Chev

Lightspeed Mike · http://lightspeedmetaldesign.com/

Needed a break from the mud so I built a heat shield for the right exhaust manifold out of stainless.

Lightspeed Mike · http://lightspeedmetaldesign.com/

I managed to get the car outside, on it's suspension and fire it up for the first time. It moves under it's own power!!! That was certainly a victory.

I needed to get it out side to sandblast the trunk gutter. Found some new holes. Cut it out and welded in some new metal.

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

Some guys get all the skills. Explains why some people have none. Looking great Mike. Hoping to see you driving this summer.

Lightspeed Mike · http://lightspeedmetaldesign.com/

A couple of small things that I've wanted to get done but hadn't quite figured out got figured out and done.

Trunk prop.

I wanted some extra storage under the seats like some of the newer mini vans. I looked to see if anything was available, nope. Unless you have a Jeep and want to pay a lot.

Back to the drawing board. I designed a pull out drawer that would bolt to the seat tracks. Ordered some sliders from Amazon. Got the sheet metal out.

Bent up and welded the corners.

Together and installed.

I plan to put an aluminum front and pull on it yet.

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

Cool idea for the drawers. Looking great 👍👍

Lightspeed Mike · http://lightspeedmetaldesign.com/

I shot a little bit of epoxy primer today. Was the body work worthy of primer? Nope. It looks like 100, 100 body work. 100 feet at 100kph. I given up hope of a shiny car. I really really dislike body work. I'm thoroughly convinced that bodymen must hate them selves.

parklane · St.Thomas On Rod-side member

don't stop now, you're gettin down to the shorter strokes.

Lightspeed Mike · http://lightspeedmetaldesign.com/

I should have known this, just because everyone does something one way, doesn't mean it's the best way.

Before installing the Specialty power window wiper kit I looked at other peoples 1938 Chev's and manufacturers stuff to see where they put the wiper pivot. Specialty power window even makes a bezel to install them into the factory location. So I did the same.

I go to put in the wipers arms and found it probably the worst location possible. I would get maybe half of the window wiped. The wiper would park in a bad location too. So playing with the wiper I moved it over 3" to the outside. Way better. Now just reweld , grind , repair mistake etc. Sigh.

rochie · London On, ELTA Member

Nicely done Mike!!! Wipers can be tricky.

Lightspeed Mike · http://lightspeedmetaldesign.com/

A trip to the wreckers netted me a few pieces including a coolant overflow jug. So convenient, I didn't even have to remove it. Found it lying on the ground next to car. A quick bracket, paint, mounted, done.

I also managed to scoop up a couple of extra computers for the engine. I reflashed them, now I have backups, sweet.

Lightspeed Mike · http://lightspeedmetaldesign.com/

I have wondered what to do for some proper headlights ever since I started this project. The options are not very good. The buckets are excellent, trim rings really good, glass really good but the reflectors ok. After a bit of research I decided to go projectors. A trip to the wreckers scored a set of HID's from a 2004 Nissan Maxima. It was the only car in the yard with them. Got them home, one bulb and ballast toast. No big deal, aftermarket has me covered. I took them apart, only thing I really needed was the projector assembly.

After a couple of tries I got the first mounting plate done. This will hold the projector housing. The ring on the left holds it to the headlight bucket.

The black things are for holding the adjuster screws holders. (salvaged from the headlight)

First bracket attached to the projector.

Second bracket with the adjuster screws mounted into place.

Put the two together.

Installed.

Let there be light!!

wuga · Prince Edward County Ont

I know somebody wants to say it, what a bright idea. Actually beautiful execution.
Warren

parklane · St.Thomas On Rod-side member

Excellent workmanship as always, Mike. Well done!!

123pugsy · Tin basher Metal shaping guy

Very slick.

Lightspeed Mike · http://lightspeedmetaldesign.com/

Thanks guys.
I got the rest of my electronics for the lights in today. Will get them wired this week.

Chris Stapley · Nov 9, 2021

Awesome job on the lights Mikey, they're worthy of Lightspeed.... get block sanding... I fixed my own electrical ,haha....

Lightspeed Mike · http://lightspeedmetaldesign.com/

Chris Stapley wrote:
Awesome job on the lights Mike, they're worthy of Lightspeed.... get block sanding... I fixed my own electrical ,haha....

Nope, I've given up on body work. Won't do it anymore. I don't know people do it. Bodymen must hate themselves.

Lightspeed Mike · http://lightspeedmetaldesign.com/

I unstraighted some tubing, glued it together using a bunch of angry pixies out of a big blue box and threw it at my car.
This is the result, not sure if it's classified as vandalism or not.

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

That I have to say looks really cool

Lightspeed Mike · http://lightspeedmetaldesign.com/

I added some dome caps to ends of the tubing to finish it off and put extensions on the horizontal bar.

I really liked the ends I made, video coming soon.

I thought the extensions would make it flow better but I'm not sure yet.

wuga · Prince Edward County Ont

Looks great! Ties the front end together. Neat little video. How are the caps tied to the bars? Got to drop by before Christmas. So many great innovations in this car.

Warren

Lightspeed Mike · http://lightspeedmetaldesign.com/

wuga wrote:
Looks great! Ties the front end together. Neat little video. How are the caps tied to the bars? Got to drop by before Christmas. So many great innovations in this car.

Warren

Thanks, the caps are welded on the ends of the tube.

You're welcome over any time, just give me a call.

rochie · London On, ELTA Member

Mike I don't know if you're looking for chrome for the grille and surf bar, but we have a guy down here just off the 401 who does great work and really reasonable. His only draw back is length, nothing over 48 inches. Let me know if you want his number.

Lightspeed Mike · http://lightspeedmetaldesign.com/

rochie wrote:
Mike I don't know if you're looking for chrome for the grille and surf bar, but we have a guy down here just off the 401 who does great work and really reasonable. His only draw back is length, nothing over 48 inches. Let me know if you want his number.

Hi Rochie, yes I would. I have been thinking about getting the grille and bumpers chromed, PM me his contact info. Thanks.

123pugsy · Tin basher Metal shaping guy

Post it up so we all can see it please.

Lightspeed Mike · http://lightspeedmetaldesign.com/

Made up some nerf type bumpers for the rear. 1.5" tubing, made up dies to stamp the domes for the top. It took a couple of attempts to get them right.

Hopefully the inspectors will be happy enough with them for bumpers. I'll probably remove them after safety.

Lightspeed Mike · http://lightspeedmetaldesign.com/

Update on the hood hitch/mount/latch assembly.

After putting the car back together, it wouldn't consistently latch properly and I was concerned about it not latching securely in case of a wreck.

Back to the drawing board.

Eliminating one of the front hinge arms made so that it would pop up and slide forward.

Replacing the rear mounted hinges with a bracket that hooked the tie bar across the hood made the landing and securing much more reliable and consistent.

Just enough room to tuck a bear claw latch in the hinge up front to latch and secure.

Release actuated by a bicycle cable run to the interior release handle.

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

Leave it to you to solve all the problems. Let's put Mike in the prime ministers office, lol.

Lightspeed Mike · http://lightspeedmetaldesign.com/

Since the vent windows have been eliminated the original garnish moldings won't fit. I thought about modifying to make them fit but the metal is very thin, I figured I just ruin a perfectly good set.
Starting with some .0937" 5052 I bent up a profile that would mimic the original.

Trimmed it to fit the bottom. The curve fit snugly over the door panel.

Bent up some more aluminum to fill the gaps around, trying to keep a nice profile around the window.

The shrinker/strencher really works nice for this. Although there is a limit before it breaks, for that it's cutting and welding.

Pieced together, initial grinding done. Just another 100 hours or so of trimming and finishing. Then off to the other side.

58chev · Etobicoke On Rod-side Member

Nice job on the trim work.

Lightspeed Mike · http://lightspeedmetaldesign.com/

58chev wrote:
Nice job on the trim work.

Thanks.

Lightspeed Mike · http://lightspeedmetaldesign.com/

Got the door panels roughed in with arm rests/door pulls. Bought a stereo, Kenwood deck and JJ Audio speakers, 6.5" in the doors and 6X9 in the rear.

Slowly plugging away at it still, just want to get it enough together to drive it this year.

58chev · Etobicoke On Rod-side Member

Coming along nicely, Mike.

Lightspeed Mike · http://lightspeedmetaldesign.com/

Painted up the grill and some other trims and brackets.

Lightspeed Mike · http://lightspeedmetaldesign.com/

Made a small purchase for the car the other day.

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

Oh so cool, congratulations Mike. Should be able to cruise with you soon, I hope

Lightspeed Mike · http://lightspeedmetaldesign.com/

I've put over 3000km on it since getting it on the road. A few minor issues, as to be expected. I hadn't installed an interior light, it's one of those things you don't think about until you don't have one. Then it's really annoying.
I found this 1994 to 2000 ish Mustang interior/map light combo at the wreckers. Problem with it is that it runs 2 power wires and one ground. Normally GM grounds the interior to turn them on. I ended up grounding the light and put power to the map light circuit. To run the dome I had to put a relay in the system to turn the door jam ground switch into a power to the dome.

Like everything else in this build, I even had to customize the door jam switches. These were a GM style from Dorman. They proved to be to long, and I promptly broke them after installing and closing the door. The solution, disassemble, and make a new body out of a 5/16" bolt, with a recess for the button to go into.

Very happy with the results. I can see my interior at night now. I would still like to put some small lights in for the foot wells.

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

A bolt, that is amazingly creative.

Lightspeed Mike · http://lightspeedmetaldesign.com/

I managed to put 5000 km om it last year. Drove great, a few bugs to work out.
Torn it apart to start painting, got the dash painted and reassembled, very happy with the result.

Marten · Kemptville Ont Carpenter/Renovations

I'd be happy with that as well. Great work