1/1 hot rod build question

[NerdmanB]

I’m going to be building my first hot rods. 1934 Chevy 5 window coupe. Someone else started it and planned on channeling it . My question is can the body be bolted down solid or should I put in some kind of mounts? Any help will be much appreciated. Brian 

[stitchdup]

@Ace-Garageguy

[webestang]

Frame webbing. https://www.steelerubber.com/body-to-frame-webbing-20-1599-115?srsltid=AfmBOor3goCB3I0L8QSx2qLYs3EfIM8G9drPQJV3gSjgmOIQtWptaEMC

[Mark]

Lots to figure out...is the body stock (GM Fisher bodies were framed in wood through 1935-36) or has the wood been supplemented or totally replaced by steel.  Is the frame going to be stock or heavily modified.  Is any mounting system in place now, if so will it be good enough or will it need to be replaced.  You'll need to get the body and chassis both squared up before thinking about joining them.  Sounds like a bunch of work and planning ahead.

[NerdmanB]

Thanks for replying everyone. Scott I will save that sight. Mark . It is original gm body. The guy that started it removed the floor from fire wall to the rear of the car. There is no interior, almost all the wood is missing. It’s going to be a long project. I’m mostly retired so I have time. I’m sure I will watch a lot of you tube videos. I will post pictures as I go. Looking forward to getting started , but it’s a little too hot in the garage for me right now. Brian 

[Ace-Garageguy]

3 hours ago, stitchdup said:

@Ace-Garageguy

Yeah...well...after thinking about it...it depends entirely on how badly the last guy effed everything up.

Coming along behind somebody else's "custom work" can be one of the most dammnably frustrating experiences you can ever have, and it's far more difficult than starting with an unmolested machine.

If it was me, since the thing was designed to be body-on-frame (bolted with rubber mounts), I'd leave it that way, assuming all the OEM floors and mounts and internal structure is still there...or available.

There's no reason someone couldn't re-engineer everything to make a fully-welded structure, with the body shell adding considerable structural rigidity to the whole mess, making it easier to refine the ride and handling to more contemporary standards.

HOWEVER...that's not an entry-level kind of project, being roughly equivalent to putting a '65 Mustang body shell on a late-model unibody Mustang platform. Possible and really cool if done right, but nothing but pitfalls for anyone who's not a top-tier engineer/fabricator.

Good luck.

[NerdmanB]

Bill I absolutely agree with you. It will be a big project. I do have time to work on it, and a couple guys from work said they will help . It’s something I have wanted to do for a long time. Unfortunately anything in better shape than this is way out of my price range. So I will work with what I have. Appreciate any and all advice. Brian 

[Muncie]

Chevrolet had two series passenger cars in 1934, Master or Standard. The frames were different, and the body mounting may have been different as well. 

A 1934 Chevrolet shop manual will have answers and be useful throughout the project. It looks like the manual is available free online - https://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1934/index.htm

[NerdmanB]

Thank you for the information Steve I will look into that. I sure it will be very helpful. Brian