T-Bucket build? Or rat style jalopy.

These were the most difficult to "fit" in place. Not gonna win any fit and finish awards, and I'm ok with that.
I gave it a 1/2" bend up top and self tapped it from the inside. The bottom edge just rests against the tub. This took a couple days, a little at a time as this was the last of the 20ga.

Ended up with this panel.

These were made from 14ga, drilled and tapped into the tub.



Next step is rust converter, then primer maybe tomorrow.
Truss head screws look much better. Swapped out the front as well.

 

Nice work. It's really starting to look great.

 

I saw your OP and have always thought it would be much cooler to see a T-bucket with an easy to drive, light on gas four cylinder engine... instead of the typical over-kill massive blown cubic inches that make it hard to keep the tires from burning off and the vehicle roadworthy. Just a thought. I know that a lot of the brand new Pontiac Solstices and Saturn Skys had brand new engines removed by owners so they could do an LS swap... and those engines have to be somewhere. And if you can't help yourself and want to make it scream... I'd bet a turbo could make that four cylinder cook.

 

It's the nostalgia. Flatheads are simple and cool and were still in use when I was a kid.
A 4 cylinder will always sound like a 4 cylinder, no offense.
Plus,
The unmitigated joy of a complete lack of ECM/ECU. No computer. No silly sensors. Tuning is done with hand tools and your ear. Minimal wiring, easy to diagnose.
Battery, generator, points, distributor, plugs, gas, air, compression. That's all that's needed.
I'm not building it to be fast, just a basically stock build that runs smooth, sounds good and maybe doesn't look too bad from a distance.
Besides, these engines and body belonged to my dad and this was to be a father/son project that we never got around to. Sadly, life got in the way. Now I've set my mind to getting it done.

 

That rust converter is some nasty stuff. I wonder if this tub has been treated before. No pics of the mess I woke up to this morning, slimy coating of rust slurry, some dry and cured. Moved it outside and the ambient humidity was enough to make the entire thing "wet" again.I rinsed it off, rubbed it down with a scotch brite pad and it was in good enough shape to primer after hitting it with a weed burner to dry it.
Just an fyi, cover the surface that is being worked over, Pretty sure this is permanent. Good thing my truck covers it and it needs replaced anyway. It was on it's nose during the bulk of the application and the outline is visible.

Primer almost looks good enough to leave as is. Except it will fade to Pepto pink in the sun.


Leaving the patina on the firewall for now.

Still need to address this portion on the upper window frame.

Took 4 cans of primer for two coats on the outside and one on the inside. Not bad for being so rusty.

Next up is this section, which I suspected was the seat.

This pic is the first time I have had it installed correct. I was trying it upside down and backwards for the first couple dozen times.
It's bent all to hell, missing one trim section, but otherwise salvageable. The ride height after upholstery should be perfect.

 

Got the seat pan figured out, and currently using it for a test piece since the surface has the same rough characteristics as the body.
Not sure if I like it, or if I'm doing it right. This is the 2nd attempt, it's easy enough to paint over it and start again. Supposed to look like distressed bare steel. Might need more or less silver.

Another option would be to go with an actual color like red or yellow and streak it with black.

Found a complete engine, trans, radiator, etc, still sitting in the truck in Golden CO. Been sitting for 30 years with no carb (open intake) and the hood down (not a split hood, so there might be a chance). No other information other than make offer. Would be nice to know why it was parked. Still looking.

 

That engine build book is being delivered by bicycle. It left Florida 8 days ago, it's currently in Grand Prairie Texas, estimated to be here by the 18th.
Watching black paint cure today.

Satin finish does not look bad at all, from 10 feet away. Tempted to just leave it, but I'll go ahead and try the silver rub after it cures. Black alone shows every dent, ding, hammer mark, etc. Primer alone hid all that pretty well.

 

I would leave it black but should look good either way. What are you doing to the fire wall? Noticed you didn’t paint that yet.

 

Firewall might be left as is, I kind of like the look. When I do the aluminum rub, it should look right at home.
Otherwise I'll either paint it the same, or maybe a sheet of stainless.

 

I was at a car show years ago and a guy had a rat rod there with the front all open. Car was all faded black and surface rust except the firewall. He painted that part black and white checkerboard in gloss. Actually looked pretty good. Loving the build

 

Honestly I'd love that tub as it is. Except my unskilled ass wouldn't put it back on a drivetrain. I would chain it to the porch and make a swing chair out of it.

 

This is what I am attempting to do with the finish. He just does the frame here. Rat Rod Bob does some really sweet builds, start to finish, in about an hour. Worth the watch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOfpWg2Ybz4

 

Quick sample before I go off to work. People who know me will say I have commitment issues, and they would be correct. I kind of like this look better. Faux patina.

 

It should last another 100 years now, 5th and 6th coat of paint. The sample pic was black base with red rubbed in. Trying that later didn't work out well, so went with red base. International gloss red.

This is where it's currently at. The more it's rubbed, the more red comes thru. Kind of a black cherry look.

The rough rusted surface actually lends well to this process. The smooth fresh metal does not. At all.
Original steel is done pretty quick as the pits hold the paint. The smooth, is a challenge to get the fade and not have it just rub off.

This color combo hides the imperfections quite well.

Book showed up, lots of info, some is actually helpful. Basically a bunch of cool pics to drool over, but not much in the way of actually engine building, or what parts are interchangeable.
Just more of a catalog of recommended manufacturers to buy from. It does have stock specs to measure crank/cam and stuff to see if what you have is worth messing with or yard art.

 

Looking amazing, keep it coming!

 

Very cool look!