Maybe you've seen my hiboy. Well, even with the top on it is WINDY if you are driving 200+ miles. But that's just an excuse -- mostly I want another project.

So I'm thinking about adding to the garage with an enclosed car (lift-off top is okay as long as it has windows & provides good sealing against the weather). This also means heat, cool, ps etc. I'm thinking about a Mustang II setup, either springs or airbags.

This is a budget-based decision. No $50+K trailer queens as it will get a lot of road miles. I'd like to keep it near $30K finished, and quality of fit and 'glass layup, hinges, ease of assembly, price, & durability are all important.

I'd deeply appreciate any views you have to share about each of these body mfrs.

Thanks in advance.

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I was looking into getting a Coast to Coast, The whole package was going to run 19K. I didn't want to spend that much. So i didn't order it.
Just about all C2C, Downs, Wild will run about the same. give or take a couple grand.
On everyone i looked into. the doors, trunk were hung. Window motors were in. and a rolling chassis.

Rick
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awsum34

Nothing better than a good friends,good beer and street rods

Hi Bill, I love your roadster. I think my next rod will be a hi-boy.......anyway, I build a '33 coupe out of a Downs body and I love it. The body was very well reinforced and strong (my estimation). Doors hung, deck lid hinged, power window installed, windshield and rear window were also installed. I have had the car on the road for 5 years and am impressed with the body. I have found no cracks and no rattles (for a rod not having rattles is point of pride). After the body was mounted and sealed on the underside, there were no water leaks even when driving in the rain.
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RICH

Rich your '34 is a beautiful ride. Love it. I came THIS close to getting a Minotti-bodied '34 last summer -- $17K plus my $8 Harley. A knockout pearl orange, leather corvette seats etc. But the strange thing is when I started reaching for the checkbook I couldn't bring myself to buy a car someone else had built. Weird, I guess.

Anyway, the ideal would be to find a project car rather than have to buy everything new.

I called all three companies and Wild wants $22K for a not-quite rolling setup (no rearend or rear brakes), and you've seen the $15.9K offer C2C has in Street Rodder, "the world's street rodding authority" (yeah sure), and C2C has some big builders that love 'em. Downs would be a couple grand more than C2C but still less than Wild.
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What about the Minotti 37? They make a beauitful 37 coupe and now a real folding top 37 convert. The convert is way to expensive for what your looking for but the coupe is ruuning in line, price wise, with Downs and in my opinion a better quality body.

When my buddy Wayne Blackstocks last Minotti 37 came out of the truck upon delivery, we all commented on the PERFECT fit of the body pieces. It was not a rolling chassis because I remember there were about 6 of us that carried it off the truck and into the garage. I believe it was in the $8K price range. I was blow away by the quality and comparing that to dad's 37 Downs body, well there is just no comparsion. Minotti just takes the cake.

I personally know a couple of average folks, not professional builders, that have done or are doing C2C and they weren't/aren't happy campers. One buddy is so feed up it's sitting half finished.

As far as Wild goes, I would find someone who has actually done one, and hear what they have to say about it. You can't judge whats going to be delivered to you based on the prototype that they are dragging around at shows. They could change things based on production and costs that would adversely effect what is actually delivered to customers. I personally do not know anyone who has done one nor have I seen one in person in its raw state.

If your really considering one, I will try and shmooze the owner of one, if there is one, at the Detroit Autorama next weekend, for info. I'll even ask if he's willing to talk to you via phone or e-mail with questions you might have.
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Your "top-less" cruzn buddy, Denise

www.loboys.com

Denise, I've heard the same things about Minotti. I saw a Minotti-bodied '37 Ford at the Reno Hot August Nights last August that blew me a way. And that's what started me on the '37 Ford gig.

Unfortunately, according to my call to them last week, Minotti is no longer in the body-selling business. They are doing turn-key high-dollar cars now, working one-on-one with buyers for whom price is (apparently) no object, and are out of the mass market body business.

If anyone knows differently I'd like to know.

p.s. I lust for oridinal Fomoco. I like the '36 or '37 5-window (roomier than the '36 3-window), but love a 3-4" chop so unless I find a real steel one already chopped it's way beyond me. The '37 glass bodies are phantom 3-windows with a 5-window's roominess (Ford never made them that way) ... that's why I'm looking at 'glass bodies.
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Bill, if you want a chopped '36 3 window I think Wescotts has 'em. Might wanna check into it.

Also whatever you choose, if you want some pencil to paper action, get with me...I'll take care of ya and slap some ideas down. Just E-Mail and we'll get things rolling.
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D.S.R.A- Lower Susquehanna Chapter N.S.R.A Member
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EdCroozers new found Nephew, Delivery35's long lost son & MrWillys Younger brother from another mother..Amateur Rod & Custom Illustrator/Designer

http://adcache.collectorcartraderonline.com/10/8/8/37386088.htm
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awsum34

Nothing better than a good friends,good beer and street rods

also: http:/adcache.collectorcartraderonline.com/10/8/37386182.htm
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awsum34

Nothing better than a good friends,good beer and street rods

try this agian; http://adcache.collectorcartraderonline.com/10/8/2/37386182.htm
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awsum34

Nothing better than a good friends,good beer and street rods

Denise,What would he sell the half finished car for?If there is any interest in the C2C cars,let me know and I can give ya the number of a guy who's done 3 of them and they've all made mags.

....when I started reaching for the checkbook I couldn't bring myself to buy a car someone else had built. Weird, I guess. Your quote Bill........I understand what you are saying....If you are going to drive this "thing" down the road at speed, I want to know that every nut and bolt is tightened correctly and seccured.

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RICH

Bill, If I were you I'd go after a Wild Rod '37 or Downs IMHO.

Last month I got the chance to check out a Wild Rod upclose and personal and it by far is better than the Coast to Coast, and I've seen many Downs cars come out great! C to C has little to no reinforcement..Wild Rod didn't go crazy to where its TOO strong, they nailed it just enough to hold the thing together right with tubing that runs through the cowl down the doors through the top (the coupe & pickup model..they do have a lift-off topped roadster like C to C) and through the trunk surround. Wild Rod looks way better too...C to C exadurated the '39 grille to the point it looks stupid.
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D.S.R.A- Lower Susquehanna Chapter N.S.R.A Member
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EdCroozers new found Nephew, Delivery35's long lost son & MrWillys Younger brother from another mother..Amateur Rod & Custom Illustrator/Designer

I agree with Grant about the Wild Rod. I looked at both very closely last August at the Nationals, and I was much more impressed by the Wild Rod package than C2C. I liked it so much, I almost wanted one! But if you are going to put a lot of miles on one, I think I would opt for a closed car rather than a cabriolet type, simply because of tightness. What about a Downs body '37 as opposed to Minotti? I thought they looked pretty good, but I did not go over it with a real critical eye as I prefer pre-'34 rods.
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Lynn
'32 3W

I've been wondering, "Whatever happened to the subjects that tested Preparations A through G?"

Hey thanks for all the comments, gang. If I DO go ahead with this ... and if I DON'T find a project car ... then it will be with Downs.
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Dooce, I see where you have decided on a Downs body car. I noticed no-one told you that the 37 Minotti mold has been broken and there will be no more 37 coupes. But I do know of a 37 Minotti coupe that is more less a rolling project if they haven't sold it yet or started building it.

Try www.hotrodcity50s.com and you can take a look at the car. Never know it might be just what your looking for.

Good luck,
Dave

Is Minoti out of the body for sale business all together or just the 37?I heard they were only going to build bodies for the turn-key cars they sell.I had hoped to someday build one of thier 33 3-W coupes...sounds like I might be too late!
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Daryle "It's what we learn after we think we know it all that really counts!"

I've known a few people who got a C2C setup and sent it back due to poor quality and fit. Best to do some research with people who have built them before making your final choice.
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Boyd who?
1948 Chevy 1/2 ton (driver)
Some people march to a different drummer. I like to polka.

Had a friend blow his top (literally) off the car heading to a show. C to C's latching system that holds the top to the front windshield frame inside the car apparently sucks..this is just 1 of many flaws..
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D.S.R.A- Lower Susquehanna Chapter N.S.R.A Member
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EdCroozers new found Nephew, Delivery35's long lost son & MrWillys Younger brother from another mother..Amateur Rod & Custom Illustrator/Designer