I have been lucky enough to purchase one of my dream cars, this Model A Sedan Delivery. Only have the body, which is in fair condition, which you can see by the photos... Worst part, is there is NO WOOD left inside other then the original top wood.... SO, here I am, wondering what to do, new wood is by NO MEANS cheap and I don't think I have the skill to fake it and try to make my own.... So my delima is which direction to do, Fenderless on a 32 Ch***is, Full fendered on some sort of Model A Ch***is, steel brace the whole inside, combine wood and steel to build some sort of frame work to brace the body and mount to the ch***is of choice ?? Will a stock A metal subframe from like a Sedan adapte to this body ??? I know I am rambling, but just looking to hear from you out there in HAMB LAND !!! Let me know your thoughts, both good and not so good, willing to listen to all of you !!!
I think it’d be best as a full fenders on a model A based ch***is. It has a much longer overhang than an A sedan. A sedan subframe could be a start, it’s probably good up until just past the doors. You’d have to fab the rest to fit the body. I’d start with a AA ch***is, it’s much beefier, swap in a p***enger car front crossmember. Cut the frame to length. With the longer overhang of the sedan delivery body, you may be able to mount up some parallel leaf springs in the back (not the AA ones).
Model A frame, box it in, add an extension to the rear of the frame if needed. If it is needed I'd bet it's less than 12 inch- hence why I'd use a stock frame and just add a short extension. Inside I'd do what ever was easiest and cost effective, thin wall 1" square tube can be bent easy, just add a little heat and it would be easy to weld a body interior frame together to mount the body too. And easy to weld brackets etc to, too mount interior panels etc to screw too. . ..
I have no practical experience, but know what I like, and that includes sedan deliveries. Save the 32 frame for something else, full fendered not chopped and stance works for me. Make it rigid with a combination of wood and metal as your skill level dictates. If the frame and drivetrain are safe, all you need to do is keep the body from distorting and blowing off.
I think that is what is called a "drop floor" delivery. They sat on a stock frame originally. The extension is behind the rear crossmember. Full fendered on a stock/repro frame would be my vote.
Looking at my Model A book, Henry's Lady, I would say it is not what rodders refer to as a sedan delivery, which has a short area behind rear axle, similar to a sedan (named by Ford as panel delivery models 79-A and 79-B). It is more likely it is what Ford calls a Deluxe Delivery, with the long area behind the rear axle. Known as Ford Deluxe Delivery model 130-B with either drop floor or standard. It looks like all the above use the 103 1/2" wheelbase ch***is. I hope this helps with the identification. Nice acquisition.
PHIL....Thanks for answering some questions that have been mulling around in my mind....Apprecaite you time and expertise
Not exactly the same thing, but may be of some help. I built my old Sedan Deliv. from a '31 Slantwindow Fordor Sedan but you should get the idea. I did have plans to run full fenders, but it looked too cool without them...the rest is history...they look good fenderless. Also, I built it on a Model A frame and then bought a pair of ASC '32 rails, cut and contoured them to exactly follow the '31 body curves, and mounted them out-rigger style to the Model A frame...so it actually had 2 frames under it.
WOWZER !!!! Job well done my friend, I appreciate your input, the Fendered or Fenderless is a true battle....THANKS ONE MORE TIME !!!!!
@hellerlj Model A sedan delivery... rake Hello, I have owned a Flathead powered 1940 Ford Sedan Delivery when I was a teenager still in high school. It was supposed to be my ultimate hot rod with a 348 motor that was completely built by a friend I had known since 7th grade. When I heard+saw the sedan delivery rolling into the teenage drive-in restaurant parking lot, it had my name on it. A fast sounding motor and a cool surf vehicle all rolled into one. As being a teenager and having my own paid for hot rod, it was such a cool event and following 6 years of putting on thousands of mile all over So Cal coastlines and down into Baja, Mexico. All of this time, it provided reliability, security and privacy when we needed it. One time we were in the back of the flathead sedan delivery parked on a side street near the camp Pendleton surf spot. The residential street is the closest public parking area back then to the long walk (about a mile) to get to the premier surf spot in California. Our sedan delivery was stopped and parked legally on the curb. We were quiet and had flashlights to see our magazines and other things in the darken outside time period. We closed the roof to floor curtain covers so the back area was totally private. It was dark and quiet. So, we soon fell fast asleep. About two hours later, a knock on the door happened and we were surprised. It was the CHP patrol car waking everyone up that parked along this empty darkened street. the other cars on the street, neighbors and others were legally parked. But, the CHP had orders to get the “surfers” out of there and off of the street parking areas. So, we peeked out and saw a 56 Chevy station wagon with pulled curtains being rousted and told to go to the state park camping site about two miles down the road. Not that they would have places to park and camp, but at least those “surfers” would not be sleeping in a public neighborhood. The CHP kept knocking on our sedan delivery, but as long as we stayed quiet, his flashlight could not see through the thick curtains and the CHP officer did not know if anyone was inside. the back window also had a curtain covering 100% of the view inside. so, we were relatively safe from prying eyes. Soon the 56 Chevy station wagon and occupants left and we were the last vehicle left. Since the CHP could not legally enter the parked car and no one answered the knocking…duh! They left for the late night. We fell back asleep until our alarm went off at 3:00 a.m. to start our long walk down the camp Pendleton military base dirt trail that led all the way to the ocean and surf breaks. Then on the sand, we had to walk another mile down the beach to get to our favorite spot, called “lowers.” Jnaki So, the solid panel side provided safety and security for us. But, in the long run, when my wife and I bought a 327 powered similar 40 Ford Sedan Delivery, we drove it thousands of miles unhindered as it was a project we brought to life after many months of hard work. But, it drove like a dream and handled so well that my wife was the number 1 driver most of the time. she drove it everywhere. But, one time, she mentioned that she could not drive it at night. Why? Due to the lack of vision outside of the right rear panel area it was hard to judge the actions going on that side of the sedan delivery. So, use the outside mirror. We had a new, clear vision original mirror purchased at Ford Parts Obsolete. No one put larger van mirrors outside of hot rod sedan delivery vehicles. We were stuck with the small roud mirror. It got so dark and blind, that it began to get to me also. I did a lot of afternoon photo shoots to get a good direct sun, but not blazing. But also, when it ran into the night, we opted for some sunset shots, too. But the long drive home always had a blind spot o the right rear area. Now, to the other blind spot side: A window insert for the provided space, similar to a two door sedan from the factory. (p***enger side rear panel only…) The totally blind rear spot will not be so evident in parking and driving. Your sedan delivery will look like a sedan on one side and a panel truck on the driver’s side. If you want privacy, light darkening shades are available and also magnetic curtain patterns make it and easy application for total privacy. YRMV Note: a great sample of a sedan delivery set up this way.
The full-fendered vs. fenderless decision is yours but I'll throw a couple idea starters your way. This is an "A" similar to yours, with a history - built in the 70s by an MSRA member from Brainerd MN. It turned up at the Toppers show in Fargo with a new caretaker - owner of a funeral home! (I have no idea if they're using it for business purposes.....! ) If I could come up with quality interior wood, that's the way I'd go even tho it's spendy. As far as ch***is, as others have suggested I'd be looking for a suitable "A" frame. Trust the input from folks with experience in those cars. At least this will give you an idea of how a full-fendered build could look and hopefully will lead you in that direction! Neat project, best of luck with it.
Great truck! It looks like you have also posted your find over on the Fordbarn, and got a great reply from Brent Terry. Those pictures are eye opening! If it was mine, I would build it fendered with extended frame. Fab up an inner square tube support and skin it, like Brent suggested. Hope that you keep us posted on your progress, it’s a rare truck.
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