1942 Ford project

Hi everybody,

i‘m Michu from germany, i watch the CCC for quite a while now and it inspired me a lot. It inspired me that much that i started a project again. I dream about a late ’40s style Custom for over 15 years and have inhaled every book and information that is available. In the past i had some projects (’41 and ’46 Ford) that i never got on the street, because they where in too bad condition and i‘m really no expert in body work or restoring cars and don‘t have the money to have it done by a professional. So some years ago i sold my projects and sadly nearly all parts i‘ve collected.

But the dream is still there and now i have a project again, a stock ’42 Ford wich i will turn slowly but consequent into a late ’40s style Custom, i want to do it as period correct as possible with attention to the detail. I decided that i‘m going to build it like it could have been driven around in California in 1948/49. It will be some kind of backyard build because i have to do most things the learning by doing way, but of course i will plan every modification carefully and i think i‘m in the right place here to ask questions. I just started with a sunken license plate, first i was a bit afraid of cutting into the trunk, but i‘m happy with the result.

I will attach some before/after pictures of what i have done until now. First i had removed many stuff from the Ford that doesn‘t fit my plans, also i mounted 16“ wheels with ripple disk hubcaps, it think this fits just barely the 1948/49 theme as is the sunken license plate, just before this stuff was out of fashion in the very early 50s. Recently a buddy of mine and me swapped dashboards, i like the ’41 dash more and he likes the ’42/’48 dash more, so we‘re both happy now, i also found a chrome radio face plate for it. I know, the older dash is not really an update for the car but some early ’42 models where equipped with ’41 stuff at the factory, so i think it‘s ok. And i feel the ’41 dash harmonizes very well with the mercury steering wheel. Other parts already waiting to be installed are a set of ’48 Pontiac taillights and a set of 112s. Further plans are a very subtle hood peak, ’41 style skirts and a bit more far in the future a top chop, i already study all pictures that i‘m able to find.

But next on the list is to have the Ford inspected and registered and then i need to lower it. In the front i want a dropped axle and in the back a straight crossmember with longer shackles to get the right stance. And now i have a few questions, if you don‘t mind. Do i have to replace the crossmember with a straight u-beam or is it recommended to rework the original unit? And i think c-ing the frame is neccessary too? And what else do i need for the front except the dropped axle itself? I‘d be very pleased about every information! Thanks a lot!