Montana Terraplane

My Montana project is now a 1936 Hudson Terraplane.

I first started my rat rod build over 2 years ago with another car. I spent a lot of time cutting the body off the frame and getting it over the custom frame. then I got the call. The guy who gave me the car found out that the guy who gave it to him didn't own it. The real owner had posted it as stolen and even reported it to the sheriff! I tried to buy it but the price was too high. I packed up all the parts and took them back to the field where it has sat for years.

I then found the Terraplane just a couple miles from my house out in the hills. Since the price of scrap was so high, I had to pay for the car. $50! The only problem with it is that many years ago a farmer cut the top off to use the steel for a cab for his jeep. I'll worry about the top once it is running.

Got the rear end and engine from a donor truck with no title. I built the frame from 2 x 4 tubing and have air bags under the back.

I sure enjoy reading threads and comments from real people. I made the mistake of checking out the HAMB site and found them not welcoming and rather stuck up.

I wanted to post pics but only got one to up-load. Here is a link to a PP showing my progress. I hope it works!

https://docs.google.com/a/billingss...eqWzJcy7U06nNUhjlppFN-Nk4YE/edit#slide=id.p13

Thanks for the foto and welcome to the board. Will be watching the progress.

cool

looks like a good start[cl

Later

Couldn't access your pics but I'll be watching this build. Terraplanes are cool.....is the grille there? Lots of folks would kill for one of those grilles

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welcome to rrr, more pics if you have them, sounds like a cool start!

I do have the grill iand it is still in good shape. No deer damage! Sorry the link didn't work. I will keep trying to up-load pics. Any advise on up-loading is appreciated.

Try only 4 at a time, upload then 4 more... thats what I have to do.

I'll try again on the pics. I tried the doc's recommendation and opened it in paint and shrunk it 50%. I'll keep trying till I get it right! The same as mounting the radiator and grill tonight. Got it done, and then don't like it. I will re-do tomorrow. This is what I have so far. Now I will try to up-load pick of the process.

I think I've got it!

Here are pics of the rear end and frame. 4 link and air bags. I built this for the first body, then modified it for the one I am using now.

I think I am doing this all backwards. Oh well. here is the car as I found it in the hills of Montana.

Welcome to the forum. I'd say you are a luck man that the first one didn't work out...that Terraplane is really cool! Keep the pictures coming.

Try this link to see the Power Point of my project. I hope it works!

https://docs.google.com/a/billingss...I48RVp5KjPJs9KxUQ0ONawI98Sk/edit#slide=id.p13

I like the body lines a lot. The Power Point presentation is well done.

That is gonna be a cool ride! When you mentioned the top being cut off I imagined the worst but after checking out your power point pics I see it's not so bad. Makes me think of one of these.......



.....a little Hartz cloth and you're in business! [cl[cl

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Great looking project at a super price. Good luck with the build.

The missing top is not on the top of my build list. Lots of other stuff to do first. I may even put a soft top on it, who knows? I also an happy the first car was reported stolen. The Terraplane is in better shape and I like the looks.

Thought I'd give an up-date on the Terraplane. Going well, but not as fast as I'd like. Engine and trany in, brakes in and plumbed, radiator set, now working on wiring harness. Still need to connect battery, lights, fuel system, and see if she runs!

Cool car!! I was thinking what a cool factory a big old Hudson Twin H six banger would be. Smokey kicked some tail with those Hudsons in the early 50s

progress

glad to see progress

Later

Thats a solid Terraplane, those front fenders looked pretty solid too. The Terraplane has one of my favorite grilles. Keep up the great work.