Projects Removing the street rod from an A RPU

This is my first build on the Hamb. I'm located down under Downunder, in Tasmania, Australia. I picked up this RPU a few years ago, and put it aside for later on. I've spent some time here and there putting it all together to see what I had and what I needed to get, but hadn't sink my teeth into the build.


Later on is here now, so it's time to tear into this build.
It was built up to this point somewhat as a street rod, with Mitsubishi van ifs, 302 Cleveland and c4 combo.

I tore the front end and motor out, then sold those parts off. Getting it ready for some 'correct parts' to go in their place.

Planning to use a dropped front axle on hairpins, and a 59A flathead/ t5 combo in their place.

 

When people ask what love is I'll refference this post, because you have to love something to put in this much effort, kudos to you

 

That Cleveland was eating up a lot of valuable foot room. Looks better already.

-Abone.

 

Thanks for sharing - fun miles & smiles ahead

 

I really wasn't happy with the direction of previous work, so I was really struggling to love it. I figured there's only one way to be happy with the finished build, which is tear it all out and do it how I really want it.
Thanks for the kind words

 

For me a hotrod has a clutch pedal, but there was no real space available for that third pedal with the Cleveland on board. They're a great engine, but not for this application

 

Removing all those “improvements”?

cool

 

I like the direction this build is embracing!
"Everything old, is new again"
Especially when dealing with the challenge of acquiring the correct parts, in your location!

 

That was one ugly IFS! Not that any are to write home about but daaaaammmmnnn! Good on you for the save and the flatty.

 

That is going to clean up nice. Remembering my buddy Ron Moore's 29 A roadster with a sbc in it and a wheel barrow for the engine recess you had to be selective of what shoes you wore when you drove it. That foot space is of high value.
I'm amazed that it doesn't look like that who ever stuck that ugly suspension under it didn't booger up the frame at all, just welded on a couple of brackets that need to be removed and ground smooth.

Keep us posted on this one, it sounds like it is going to be fun.

 

That front end is the *II of Australia (or 1 of them) they were thrown at nearly everything over here, even some fender less cars unfortunately.

@GTHOtrod nice work is you user name a indicaton of the engine's origin's?? Will follow along with interest

 

You're gonna keep the Falcon hubcap air cleaner top, aren't you?

 

The front end has gone off to a new home to be inserted under the front of a fibreglass fenderless A roadster‍♂️
The user name was certainly inspired by the Cleveland powered GTHO

Here's a better shot of the 'Falcon' air cleaner. Velocity stack, 9x5 element and the trusty Falcon cap on top

 

Great start! RPU are great looking cars. I imagine it’s breathing easier with all that weight gone.

 

That R.P.U. has been waiting a long time for you to get the cool back into it!

 

Definitely off to a good start! I was somewhat surprised how many of those front ends I saw on Model A's down there last year. Anyway, I will be following along and look forward to where you go with it.

Had to go do some geography research to figure out where you actually were. I suppose the closest I was to you was in Melbourne.

 

Cool project and great start!

 

I will have to take a look under Mitsubishi vans when I go overseas.

 

Cutting the body apart to re align, and generally just make it all fit a bit nicer.
Picked up an original firewall, so I can replace the 6" recessed firewall.
Then spent Saturday de rusting and peeping the bed panels for a coat of red oxide.

 

Got a coat of red oxide on all the bed panels today.

 

I interesting, the rear cab panels look completly different to my stock 29 RPU. Yours does not have the profile for the wood belt rail.

 

I've got a lot of work to do to get the cab to where I'll be happy with it.
I'll get the bed fitting nicely, then shorten the cab up to suit. Seems about an inch too long and this point. I could mod the bed, but I need to redo the rear wall of the cab anyway, so I'll go that way

 

Got the bed****embled, and sitting where it needs to be.
Now I can shorten up the cab to suit. I'll only be shortening it by around 3/4" so interior room won't suffer.

 

Looking good

 

Yeah, that came out nice...

 

Would be a good time to lengthen the cab a few inches, and mount the bed a few inches back…for some precious interior room! Trust me.

 

God yes, those*****ers are very small. I’m only 5’ 10” and 160# and it’s tight. If I had the skills or the cash I would shorten the bed 6”-10” and extend the cab to match. They look really really good with the box shortened 10”. Since we are in dreamland I would put the extra length in the doors for easier in and out.

 

Guys, he's REMOVING the street rod from the truck. not adding it back in.

love the progress man, you've got the right ideas, just keep on moving!