Heirloom Headache - 1928 Hupmobile Century 6

For me this project started in 06, though we had been acquainted for near as long as I can remember. As a kid I would play in this car. She would fuel my imagination with thoughts of tommy guns and bank robbery. As I grew older it became a place to stash my adult mags, as no one would every pay her much attention. She had become basically invisable in that garage with the dust laden cover and mounds of 'stuff' stacked around her like so many things collected under 'good intentions'. As a young adult I would sometimes pour oil in the spark plug holes thinking that maybe, just maybe that old engine could be massaged back to life. This car has her secrets, which holds my history, like the clock in the rear view mirror with my grandfathers initials, marking he was here. She had survived the scrap drive of WWII, eighty plus years of southern humidity, three generations my prior to find herself awaiting new life. I can only hope what skills these hands have will prove to be enough.

And now 6 years of procrastinating with a years worth of part time work:

Wet sandblasting things:


I removed the wood from the doors and plan to replace it with steel.
Wood framing from the doors:

Door skins sat in:

I had to back up in an effort to go forward. Originally I was going to leave the top alone, but I decided to ignore my moral compass about cutting up this heirloom, and opted to make it more of what I wanted.

After photochopping 4", I decided to go with a 2" chop, and left the rear window original.

Subtle change, I think it should look nice.

I have finished most of the welding from the chop.

I stopped by 'U yank It' and bought an Explorer 8.8 disc rear. The width is a really great fit for the car.

I wanted to use a 300 six, 5spd, but after setting it in was just too large and took in too much of the firewall, leaving little room for three pedals, so I had to regroup.

I installed a MustangII front (from Fatman). I had cut up two mustang II front ends from salvage yards but the width was too narrow, and I wasnt happy with the results. So I opted to throw some money at it versus pouring in the sweat equity. Sometimes its best just to suck it up.

I bought a Buick Roadmaster. The LT1 powerplant and 4L60E tranmission were fitted in. I retained the fuel injection and rewired the computer for proper placement within the engine bay.

I built a crossmember for the motor mounts and transmission mount:

Mounted the master cylinder on the firewall. Next was to bend up the brake pedal to clear the steering column, and find the ideal spot for comfort.

Cool ride, and cool story.

Steering column was from an 89 Lincoln. It tilts at the wheel. I didnt want all the extra switches/controls as well as the column shift so after studying the column it seemed like a good idea to strip it down to bare basics. I removed the steering lock, ignition switch, column shift, and wiper controls. I now only have the turn signal switch, with high beam control and hazard button while also retaining the tilt of the wheel. The inner contol rod that links up to the steering linkage is tellescopic which makes adjusting to the right length easy to accomplish. I mounted the steering column much like the original, and kept the serial number badge in its original location.

I still have to build a dress ring for the rear of the column to hide the wire plug, but I think it will clean up nicely. Side view of the column:

Column tilted down:

Column tilted up:

Engine harness had to be extended to relocated PCM.

I built the triangulated 4-link, and hung the 8.8 rear. I still have to cut out for drive shaft clearance on the cross member.
Initial set up. Pinion angle on 3 degrees up:

I bought a Manex rear air from 'U yank it' which came out of a limo. I figured for $40 bucks the self contained heat and air was worth a shot. The size is a little more than I could stuff under the dash in its entirety so I decided to cut a hole thru the firewall and recess the double fan motor. It moves some air.

I got it tucked under the dash pretty well. The car orginally had wood sill plates, which Ive redone in steel. I think I will duct a vent into the steel sill plate since its hollow, to channel heat and air to the rear of the car.

Built a cover.

A/C compressor mounted too far outside. Hood bonnet wont clear without mods, so some different brackets are in order.

Started off hangin the compress where I thought it should go, then I made some templates out of paper:

Some tracin, a little torch work and lots of grinding:

Using some 1/2 sch. 40 pipe, I cut a few pieces and mounted them to the block using all-thread. The holes in the a/c, & alt. plates are large enough so the plates are adjustable as to set the correct spacing with aligning the belt.

The belt tensioner wasnt working out well in the original position with the belts new angle, so I decided to move it to the driver side since I had more room to work with.