Featured Projects 1929 Ford Roadster

So, this just happened.
A 1929 roadster found its way home to my garage.
Pretty solid car, came from Texas to Sweden in 2021.
Then in 2022 a friend of mine bought it and today I bought it from him.

My plan is fenderless, body brush painted black and I will most likely keep the 4-banger for now.
Not much else to report at this time but I will keep posting when progress is made.

And we all like pictures so here's two for you.
Need to find a 28-29 grille shell but that's not a big deal, we have a lot of model A parts here in Sweden.

 

That’s a nice ride, that you bought. I look forward to your next update.

 

That's a solid start!

 

Looks great. Have fun.

 

Great starting point

 

Thanks for the nice comments.

 

I've had 5 Model A's one stocker, two with flathead V8's , one with a hopped up B motor and I'm working on a 29 roadster pickup with a mild banger in it. Rebuilt stock block, Snyder's 5:5 to 1 high compression head, Burns intake with a Holley 94 and a 50's Mallory dual point distributor. Banger powered Model A's are great as long you are okay with running 50-55 mph, I like cruising secondary roads so it works for me.

 

A bunch of parts fell off the car and just like that another roadster is being ruined.
But it already looks more like a hot rod.





And a question for the model A gurus:
As you can see the floor needs repairing so the seat riser must come out first, do I need to brace the body in any way before removing the riser?
My guess is no since I can't see that it has any structural purpose but I better ask first.

 

It would not hurt to at least cross brace the back door jambs and the cowl, You should also remove the splash aprons so the body bolts must be removed to do that. There is wood that runs along the frame that will be needing possible replacement depending on the past history of the car. that will also enable easier removal of the running boars brackets from the frame. Another way is just torch them off with an acetylene torch. The wood front floorboards once removed as they just sit in place then remove the rivets that hold the seat riser. Replace the floor under the riser and the riser. Remove the bracing and done.

 

A bunch of parts fell off the car


Looks like a good start for this?

 

Thanks Joey, I'm very happy to finally have a real deal roadster.

Thank you.
The aprons and running board brackets are coming off too but I was going to leave them on 'til I have a more solid floor but maybe that's not possible?

 

Thank you.
The aprons and running board brackets are coming off too but I was going to leave them on 'til I have a more solid floor but maybe that's not possible?[/QUOTE]

Easiest to do them all at one time. Just torch them off or a cut off disc in a die grinder if you don't want to remove the body bolts.

 

I'll have to think about what to do.
If I cut them off I can't sell them but if I start removing body bolts I might get a body shimming/alignment issue to deal with.

But I guess the 40's way to do it is just to cut them

 

Its actually quite easy to undo the bolts and slide them out.

 

I might give it a try then.

 

Ummm, hang on. IF you have clean good bolts holding the body to the frame that might be true. I had to cut the bolts off to get them out, and then remove the aprons. It was a PITA, but it is worth it, IMHO.
Cheers!

 

After looking more carefully I realized that I'm missing most of the wood blocks between frame and subframe.
So, new wood block kit and bolts ordered and then I removed some body bolts and pulled the splash apron on the drivers side. The other side is coming off tomorrow.

I don't really know what I'm doing but I'm enjoying the process and looking forward of the work ahead to bring this thing back to life.

 

Looking good. Now the running board brackets are assessable to grind the rivets off and, WALA HOT ROD!

 

You're doin' great, @Mikko_ Keep at it! It's a great looking Hot Rod!

 

Thanks guys.

The splash apron on the other side is also off, running board brackets next.

 

Mikko, a lot of guys like the fenderless look with splash aprons. Good you didn't carve them up getting them out. You may find the fancy strikes you to put them back on later.



You can remove that seat riser without worrying about bracing the body. Depending on your height you may not even want to put it back in.

 

Cool

 

@trevorsworth Thanks, I thought about keeping the aprons but for now I prefer the look without them.

Regarding the seat riser I haven't yet decided if I keep it as is, section it or leave it out completely.
I'm not the biggest guy, 5'9" and about 165lbs.

 

Easiest and cleanest way is to grind the rivet heads flush with the bracket then punch them out with a drift punch. You got this Mikko.

 

I try my best to take everything apart so that all is intact. You never now when you or someone else may need what you deem as scrap.
It's not the 40's anymore, they cut them off, because there are more readily available. If it was the 40's I'd take $10 and go down the street, and buy a roadster body.

 

That was the plan.
Some of the rivets were replaced by bolts so that makes it even easier.

They are off and intact for someone else to use

 

OLD SCHOOL HOT ROD!

 

Hot rodding in progress.
After I made a bunch of noise and sparks all the running board brackets are off the frame.

Also started on getting the seat riser out, it's loose but something is still holding it in there.
I'll be back at it tomorrow.

 

Cool car! I’ll be following along! I love the look of cars with the splash aprons! Mine will be going under the knife someday!