'37 Volkster Coupe - Page 9 - Cut-Weld-Drive Forums

markh · February 3rd, 2011, 08:01 AM

I've considered those headlights. The issue is not so much the lights themselves, it's the mounting in the '37 buckets so I have adjustment. Looked at those Indian headlights, those are COOL.

By the way Fernon, got the upper quarter panel piece added. A slightly bigger piece than you showed in black, but it does the trick for the body line transition up and over the top (there's a very slight red line I drew in over the section I welded in.)

From the rear:

It's hard to tell, but it flows just right.

Now it's time to go focus on the front edge of the rear fenders and get them molded/completed. Can only do so much at a time.

tirezan · February 3rd, 2011, 03:42 PM

You are really pulling this off to the point that I see this car being an historic Volksrod in the future. Your build is turning into a work of art. Outstanding.

JiI · February 3rd, 2011, 04:21 PM

It's not done yet?

Jeff

big daddy chuck · February 4th, 2011, 05:51 AM

Markh

Check out my first post as that company sells a '37 set of buckets already modified to accept the 7" lamps.

http://www.streetrodhq.com/detail/21..._SET_FORD.html

markh · February 4th, 2011, 07:42 AM

Tirezan...thank you. I sure hope it turns out how I envision.
JiI- No, it's not done yet. Trying for the Woodburn Bug-In end of May. Cutting it really close.

Big Daddy Chuck, what I need of their kit is the adjuster. I have good buckets and I really do not want to french the headlights. I need to call them and see if they will sell just the adjusters. I'd hate to throw money at buckets when mine are great.

markh · March 29th, 2011, 08:09 AM

Still raking my brain on which direction to go with tail lights. Now that I'm re-working on re-doing the new rear decklid, I've once again began thinking about the tail light situation.

Opinions or thoughts about frenching two 2-1/2" or 3" rounds just above the round exhaust ports?

Fernon...if you're out there... you said you had a source for flush mounted round lights? I could do LEDs?

I know I keep coming back to the tail lights but I don't want them to be an afterthought.

fernon · March 29th, 2011, 09:20 AM

MarkH, I was wondering when you were going to give into the frenched tail light idea (LOL).

Here are some trailer lights that are priced right, sealed and that are 3-function, plus they have a very shallow profile.

10 LED
http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Ligh...s/STL43RB.html

12 LED
http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Ligh...STL23R24B.html

These guys carry quite a few tail light options for street rods.
http://www.streetrodhq.com/shop/sear...skip=80&Max=40

These are a little pricy but they have the back-up lights built-in.
http://www.uatparts.com/miva/merchan...ory_Code=MAXX2

**norville** · March 29th, 2011, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markh

Still raking my brain on which direction to go with tail lights. Now that I'm re-working on re-doing the new rear decklid, I've once again began thinking about the tail light situation.

Opinions or thoughts about frenching two 2-1/2" or 3" rounds just above the round exhaust ports?

Fernon...if you're out there... you said you had a source for flush mounted round lights? I could do LEDs?

I know I keep coming back to the tail lights but I don't want them to be an afterthought.

you did a great job on the body, I'm just not loving those frenched lights. I've seen to many VW's with glass fenders with that look. How about something low along the bottom edge? Ore the old standby pontiac glass rounds..

**norville** · March 29th, 2011, 11:18 AM

38Chevy454 · March 29th, 2011, 11:20 AM

I think some surface mount longer thin lights that moutn on the peak of the rear fenders would look good. Something sort of like 41 Studebaker, but those are kind of overdone and unoriginal, but still hard to find a good pair for reasonable price. The 40 Ford chevron look tailights could work, although also a bit popular. 49-51 Merc style tailight is horizontal and would have to wrap pretty low around the bottom of the fender, if the curve is even correct? If you have a good swap meet around, just look at what people have and something may jump out and be the one to use. Take some cardboard templates of the fender curvature and see what you find and what may fit good.

detroit73super · March 29th, 2011, 11:34 AM

oh just put elephants feet tail lights on....

PureC4 · March 29th, 2011, 12:20 PM

You are killing me with this build, love it!!! How about flush mounting new beetle tail lights, smoke colored after market style. Big round light over little round exhaust port. What ever you do, I'm sure will be killer....

**Unkl Ian** · March 29th, 2011, 01:45 PM

'56 Chevy bullet lenses.

Budreaux · March 29th, 2011, 02:16 PM

The frenched lights may be over done, but I think this build is a perfect candidate for them. You already have the exhaust coming through the fenders, so I would recommend you mimic that look with two more evenly spaced frenched round lights as close to the diameter of the exhaust outlets as you can find. My $0.02.

markh · March 29th, 2011, 03:03 PM

Thanks for the input guys. Norville, been thinking about the lower strip light as you shown however for driveability, I believe the tail lights need to be at a certain height? Could be wrong but leaning towards something mounted a little higher.

Bullet style tail lights have crossed my mind as well as vertically mounting caddy tail lights up the fender line. Even considered the round Pontiacs. Ford Chevrons.?? Hmmm...

We have the big Portland Swap meet coming up this weekend and I hope to find something that will really click.

Frenched tail lights are probably overdone... but I'm liking the repetition in line with the exhaust ports.

Spent countless hours looking at various tail light options. Driving me nuts. I'm going to need some serious therapy if I don't decide soon.

Palepainter · March 29th, 2011, 03:44 PM

Mark, You can use that technique in the video to make lens shapes too if you can't find a dimension you like

. The car is looking great. Freeking ton of body work, but that is what keeps us old farts in shape. Great job.

markh · April 4th, 2011, 10:10 PM

Looks like Unkl Ian wins a prize!

Went with '56 Chevy LED bullet taillights. Had to french them but they turned out. Updating build thread with how I frenched them. Almost a step by step.

Budreaux · April 5th, 2011, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markh

Went with '56 Chevy LED bullet taillights. Had to french them but they turned out. Updating build thread with how I frenched them. Almost a step by step.

Looking forward to that. I am still contemplating how I want to do my light treatment when I get there and I've not read any how-to's on frenching yet, so I'm anxious to see it done.

fernon · April 5th, 2011, 05:58 AM

MarkH,
Great job on the lights, definitely the way to go. Are you going to double stack them like we talked about. Looking good as always. Keep up the great work.

markh · April 5th, 2011, 07:41 AM

Updated my build thread with my how-to on the frenched tail lights:
http://www.volksrods.com/forum/showt...055#post506055

Thank Fernon. I'm pretty happy with the single tail. It would be a lot faster to do another now that I have my hole template. I'll just keep it handy in the event I change my mind.

These took 3-hours to cut and weld in...plus a couple of hours of head scratching before the work began.

As a side note, I have the suicide doors about ready for high build primer and all of the mechanics are in the doors..the saftey latches and the door popper solenoids, cables and pulleys. Still need to adjust the window regulators as they are a little too angled.

The B-pillar reinforcement and pan reinforcements are almost done. Will try and check these two items off my to-do list this coming weekend. Stay tuned.

Mikelrome · April 5th, 2011, 07:57 AM

Hey Man, My chop had frenched lights. I had to drill a hole on the bottom to let water drain. When I washed it they filled with water.

markh · May 15th, 2011, 01:14 PM

Ok, having a little freak out moment...

Spent a couple hours finishing up the gas tank support and firewall panel on the Volkster today when my uncle dropped in with an observation.

I've been moving forward with the plan to relocate the gast tank back to the parcel tray area. My plans have been to ensure the tank area is completely seperate from the engine bay, but still allow the tank the breathing room it needs by cutting a large hole underneath for routing fule line and "venting".

So my uncle's concerning observation was about gas vapors being so close to the motor.

I respond with my initial thinking, "Hey, Henry Ford did it similar with the model A putting the gas tank in the front cowl?"

He replies, "Most modern cars are designed with their fuel tanks located as FAR away from the motor as possible and they must do that for a reason."

My question (and I'm afraid I know the answer)...I'm seriously thinking he might have a point? Does he?

So let's say it's a valid concern (gas vapors) and the ghia tank is not a good idea....would I be able use this newly created "compartment" for any type of safe fuel storage device? fuel cell of any type?

Lastly, if having the gas tank (of any type) that near the motor, what other considerations do I need to account for to make it safe?

Ok..lastly, CAN I run the fuel tank as I have it configured?

Mark

**Unkl Ian** · May 15th, 2011, 01:18 PM

Modern cars don't worry about gas vapors,
the pollution control stuff takes care of that.

Tank location is influenced by the space available,
and crumple zones.

**tattooed_pariah** · May 15th, 2011, 01:24 PM

my uneducated two cents..

I would be concerned about the heat transfer from the motor causing expansion or heating vapors when you're tank isn't full.. a full tank is less dangerous than a 1/4 tank in a car fires.. believe me, I know..

And on the subject of fire.. just in case of bad luck, if your engine does catch fire, how comfortable are you going to be sitting about 2 feet in front of a gas tank with an engine fire about a foot behind it?

btrghia · May 15th, 2011, 03:39 PM

you have a firewall seperateing the tank and engine. I think you will be fine. Look at the VW busses the gas tank is right in front of the engine with no firewall.