OK, I am posting this because I truely apprfeciate the people on this forum. As many of you know I am just starting this 38 Plymouth business coupe. I have just bought a drop out 5.7. HEMI from a 2005 truck. I am using FATMAN fabrications for a cross member and may just buy their whole system to avoid issues. I want todrop the front and make it low, but not crazy low. I cant afford to build a 50K hotrod, its not going to happen. This is a project to see what I can do on a small budget. Its not going to be a ratrod, its a full fendered car, It will have the newer 5 speed automatic and be an EFI car.

I am having rrbrucea do several artpeices for me for show boards and the shop. He is looking forward to this one because its not built yet. This allows us to use some freedom and experement with different things.

Thus far we know for sure that its going to be
5.7 HEMI- Need advise on some different valve covers or painting the plastic ones, which I hate

cars is going to be the new Viper "SNAKESKIN GREEN" tHE CAR NEEDS A NAME FOR THE SHOW BOARD???????

I NEED TO DECIDE ON RIMS, TIRES,
EXHAUST, Thinking about a side exhaust in front of the back wheel??????

I need to decide on front and real valances and fab work/ look or exhaust cut outs and tail lights, ect.

Once we have decided on items, Bruce will do the art work and once its finished,I will build the car to look like the art work?????

I am new to the Rod thing, so this is very fun for me. Its going to take sometime to get it done, as I have two in the shop that need to be finished and get out of the way.But I fully plan on buying the paint this srping/summer and getting the inside and jams painted. I am going to fab some stuff into the dash and also fab the 'CHRYSLER FIRPOWER" embossed logos froma set of damaged 392 HEMI valve covers and mod them into the hood or hood sides.

I also am considering some graphics on the car, front, sides, ect?NOT sure, what do you think.

I am working on a new website that does not have the mopar name in it toavoid conflict with mopar and once its up, I will detail the entire build on there.

I REALLY want your opinions on anything!! In my life, I am into the whole nostalgia hting, gas pumps, coke machines, ect, so these types of cars fit right in

any suggestion, wild ideas, ect. PLEASE step up. Gary, (Directsubjection) picked the color that I had never seen until MATS and I instantly fell in love with it.

Dave

one more,

the color

Dave wheels are a personal taste thing, you will need to deiced just what you like but in my opinion, I would use 15" wheels but if you feel the need to go larger dont go over 17".
that color is great and should look beautiful on that shape car.
I wouldn't get to carried away with graphics as that color stands out as is. maybe something subtle like pinstripes.

I think the fatman frontend is a good way to go and the 8 3/4 rear works out good too.
the 5.7 hemi and 5 speed auto will make the car a great driver friendly car.
I would see if you can get some newer rear springs for the rear, something wider than the 1 3/4" stock ones.
maybe something from a mini truck(thats what I use) Ron....

I'd go quasi-old school, wide white and cheater slicks in back on body colored painted wheels with smoothie trim rings and hubcaps....maybe a very subtle pinstripe (blue?) right at the beltline....

I went to Google images and grabbed a few 38s for you. Take a look at
http://s293.photobucket.com/albums/mm49/rodstrace/38/
I can't figure out how to change colors, so maybe someone can grab one of those and paint the Viper color on it.

I'd go with at least 15s. 14s look lost in the wheelwells. For something vintage, go with steelies with rings and caps, halibrands or American Racing(the new salt flats are tasty), or maybe Radirs if you want something different.

http://www.roadsters.com/wheels/
Ought to keep you busy with stuff that isn't on the new cars.
http://www.kars.com/showcase/halibrand/sprint.html
http://www.radirwheels.com/contents.htm
http://www.newstalgiawheel.com/wheel_detail.asp?subcat3=1011106

The car looks good without the bumper, but I prefer one.
I'm also not a fan of the modern engine covers. They sure don't fit into a vintage era either.
Best bet is to figure out what YOU like, and see if it all fits into a specific era. Postwar, Mid-50s, Early 60s, 70s Resto rod, 80s Easter egg/billet/dechroming, 90s super smooth, 2000s big wheel, etc.
The engine is late, but can be dressed to look earlier and it doesn't show anyway.

Most successful cars don't mix and match different eras. You see a postwar bootleg car with billet and it's jarring.

more info
http://www.allpar.com/history/plymouth/1938.html
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/search.php?searchid=2472126


Radir with a slick

I can suggest you NOT run the exhaust out in front of the rear tires if you plan on driving it much. I made that mistake on my 39. Even with thrush turbo mufflers it was loud enough you couldn't talk at a normal voice with the person sitting next to you. Sad part was sitting at idle while standing outside the car, you couldn't hardly even hear the thing running. I know I'm getting old, but even my son comented about the exhaust. Gene

I prefer loud pipes. But its what the owner decides. You can always change the muffler too. As for the wheel size If your going with the green you could go with same color steelies or 16" torque thrust but Its what style you like. Good luck

All I can say is that I am STOKED to start sketching on this one... sure you want to do that Cuda drawing first?

Thanks for the advise thus far, please keep your minds thinking about it. Bruce is going to do this one first for me, as I am having him do many different pieces.

I need advise on tail lights and, exhaust, ect still need adise on tires and rims. I am more than likley going with soem sort of TQ looking either chrome or the like, ones like John posted above.

Dave

OK, did some work on the 67 Power wagon and needed to do a lot more but the 38 kept calling out to me.

So I decided if I was goig to build it and needed concept ideas, then I must reassemble it, since I was not the one to take it apart.

So, what ya think, pretty straight car huh!
After I put it back together, finget tight new botls that is, I cut out the 'CHRYSLER FIRE POWER" out of a valve cover, (damaged 392 HMEI set) and do you like the placement? subtle but will be nice-I think, what you guys think???

Dave

scroll down for a few pics.
Dave

another

I am trying to decide what to use and what not to use, gas filler, rear tail lights, ect, but I LOVE all the stock stuff, am I nuts, or am I sane, its JUST SO DAMN COOL. I love this car 100 times more than any car I have, yes including the cuda vert. Live these lines, they 'TALK TO ME" Especially later after I have a crown royal or two

Do they make a filler door that will fit on this and look better. The only thing that really needs to be replaced are the running boards. They could be fixed but need some help.

Dave

"CHRYSLER FIRE POWER" placement???? in this area look good?

Dave

closer version

from the front

gas filler hole, what do to with this, do they make a rounded filler neck that will fit this???

Dave

even the radio is cool, If I cant use it on the car, I will use it in the shop, paint it and make it COOL.

Dave

The stock guage cluster has a space for two 5 inch gauses. Just happend to have two thta are going in other cars for reference. Need to find a bezel if they made a stock one, looks like on fit into this section???? Ron what ya think, can I find one or make one?

Dave