Project Schism - another offbeat '23 Ford T

[toddshotrods]

Years ago, when I was busy dreaming up things to do to my then-Camaro-project, Bill Howell urged me to just get the thing on the road and drive it. It turned out to be awesome advice, in a couple of ways. After three years of existence primarily as a shop project, I had a blast the whole summer of 2007 driving my unfinished, primered, project car! I did a couple local shows, but mostly just drove the darn thing, gaining perspective on what I really wanted to do with it when Ohio winter forced it back in the shop.

The funny part is I ultimately realized I didn't even like the car! I bought it (a 79 "California car") to sort of re-live my 2nd-gen "high school sweetheart" 70 Camaro (an Ohio rust bucket). After another summer of love, I realized that those memories were best left... as memories...

Fast forward to this year, and the Schism project, and I've finally realized that I started building this car as a budget driver - and how far I have strayed from that premise. That's because I actually like the car - in the shop, as a project. It definitely trips my creative switch. Good exercise, but I started hearing Bill's "voice" again, and thinking about how I didn't like the Camaro, after all that time (pretty much gave it away to unburden myself).

Hence, I am on a mission to "Just Drive It" in 2013, before I go any further off the deep end in design - to find out if I like being in it. Number one priority is finding the things that would hinder that mission, and eliminating them. The first step was returning to the cheapo fiberglass body, because my carbon fiber one-off is going to be a serious investment of time and money. I've also conceded to the fact that my nearly half-century old azz is not crazy about the idea of being pelted by pebbles and sprayed with random liquids, so the doors are staying on it.




The one thing that I do want to keep is the roof because, as any of you Goodguys (Columbus) alumni surely realize, it gets a little warm here in the summer. Even if I move somewhere where the sun has less rage, I'm pretty convinced I'll spend a lot more time in it with some shade overhead. The buggy style rag top is underway.

The funny thing about this is when I mocked these pieces up on the car I thought it was way too tall (against the backdrop of the other roadster and the bike). A quick check with the tape measure brought me back to reality - it will stand 41" tall, with the composite skin!



I love the rear window. I am not really a Ferd guy, but this makes me want to etch the Ford script logo on the glass.




Tunnel vision! Should be fun at triple digits...