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Featured Projects Finally got myself an "A"

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by VALVE FLOAT, Nov 6, 2025 at 8:59 AM.

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  1. VALVE FLOAT
    Joined: Nov 19, 2024
    Posts: 15

    VALVE FLOAT
    Member

    Finally scored my own Model A, I've loved these cars for as long as I have been into cars, My Dad built his Model A when he was in his 20s and now, I've got my own to build in my 20s.

    I first saw this car in a small garage surrounded by a few Mustangs about 6 years ago now, only like 10 miles from my place. I tried to buy it then and no cigar, typical "I'm going to get it back on the road one day" story. Flash forward to mid-September of this year, at this point I'm basically running the local cruise ins and car meets in my area while also juggling work, and building hot rods on the side, and I've just about given up on the car realizing that its destiny was to be sold at an estate auction since the man didn't want to let it go.

    But to my surprise, Mr. Woody shows up to my early morning cruise in one Saturday and asks if I'm still interested in his old Ford, I'm sure everyone knows the answer to that question... After the cruise in we head right for his little shop on the hill, and I make a deal with him on the spot. Here are some shot of how the car sat for those 6 or so years.
    20250921_143230.jpg Took a few hours to move all of the cars out of the way and all of the shelving that was stacked around it.
    20250921_141037.jpg
    The car had obviously been gone through once in its life, a little rough around the edges but good drivers quality, already had a set of 1935 Ford wires installed , Albeit yellow, I could see the vision.

    The car came with a few cylinder heads, generators, brake parts, and another full set of 35 wires, once the car was drug out I got to work getting it running to see if I could drive it home.
    20251004_141221.jpg
    Cleaning some ignition parts and a bit of starter fluid had the car running, runs like a sewing machine in typical banger fashion, and the car made it home all 10 miles with only issue being this was my first time driving a stock A.
    20251004_145537.jpg

    First wash, car cleaned up really well, decided to start with the basics, adjust the brakes, change fluids, make sure it charges, clean the tank, all that jazz to get it ready for its first cruise in the upcoming weekend.
    20251017_222159.jpg

    late night scramble after the distributor bushing decided that it wasn't going to do its job anymore. Also removed the front bumper and spare tire to get the look I wanted, better than grandpas run-about, still hate the yellow wheels but they held air so..

    20251018_071854.jpg
    Picked up the Girlfriend and off we went that next morning. My cruise in usually gets around 40 or so cars, but most of them wouldn't fit in well in the HAMB, other than this awesome 1952 Chevrolet with an early 327 30/30 cam, 4 speed, and BIG Olds rear, real old hotrod from the 60s, owner bought the car in 1971.
    20251018_080352.jpg

    Few weeks later, I sent my other set of wires off to a buddy of mine to have powder coated black and ordered tires, went with Excelsior 5.00-16 and Forerunner 7.50-16, turned out great. My 1955 Olds Holiday mild-kustom daily driver in the background.

    20251105_120411.jpg

    And here they are on the '31... as it sits as of yesterday, next step is swapping to a reverse eye front spring to get the nose lower, and start hunting for an 8BA to start building.

    20251106_071110.jpg 20251106_071058.jpg 20251106_071121.jpg

    Stay tuned. Should I put the outer trim rings back on the new wheels? My Dad says yes, I say no and now I'm torn!
     
  2. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,830

    guthriesmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Very cool! Neat little A you have there and an even better story! Congrats! :cool:
     
  3. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 20,074

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    Awesome!

    got a link to those rear tires? Don’t think I’ve seen them before.
     
  4. 51504bat
    Joined: May 22, 2010
    Posts: 5,596

    51504bat
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Judging by the plate on the Chevy you posted a picture of you're in Florida? Might help to confirm and add your location in case someone in your neck of the woods has an 8ba available. Just a thought
     
  5. VALVE FLOAT
    Joined: Nov 19, 2024
    Posts: 15

    VALVE FLOAT
    Member

    Good idea, I am in north Florida, little town called McAlpin.
     
  6. VALVE FLOAT
    Joined: Nov 19, 2024
    Posts: 15

    VALVE FLOAT
    Member

    https://ebay.us/m/2s8BR8 These are the set that I bought.
     
    deadbeat, 51504bat and Tim like this.
  7. 51504bat
    Joined: May 22, 2010
    Posts: 5,596

    51504bat
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Add it to your profile
     
  8. ironandsteele
    Joined: Apr 25, 2006
    Posts: 6,151

    ironandsteele
    Member

    Really******in car, congratulations on finally getting it. I love 30/31 Model A Coupes, they are just so cool. Good luck on your build and keep the updates coming.






     
  9. ModelAMitch
    Joined: Jul 8, 2022
    Posts: 288

    ModelAMitch
    Member

    Awesome start, car looks great with the new tires and wheels combo. Keep the updates coming, looking forward to seeing your progress.
     
  10. winduptoy
    Joined: Feb 19, 2013
    Posts: 4,122

    winduptoy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    you can't beat an A banger in my book.....well you can...and beat it and beat it and still drive it more....
    think yours is about perfect as it gets for starts.....and your changes are spot on in my book....hoping you keep it full fendered ...
    second vote for beauty rings
     
  11. rob-redm
    Joined: Nov 15, 2005
    Posts: 6,546

    rob-redm
    Member

    Congrats !... looks like a dropped axle is the future...
     
    VALVE FLOAT and Tow Truck Tom like this.
  12. A Boner
    Joined: Dec 25, 2004
    Posts: 8,149

    A Boner
    Member

    Hang the rear bumper on your shop wall!
    Nice coupe!
     
  13. Steves46
    Joined: Sep 23, 2008
    Posts: 565

    Steves46
    Member
    from Florida

    Great looking Coupe and they are a blast to have and drive! Noticed the Florida Blue Classic Vehicle Tag. You do know you can get a Horseless Carriage Plate at a 1 time cost for around $45 and no more annual registration fees. Will be following this thread.
     
  14. VALVE FLOAT
    Joined: Nov 19, 2024
    Posts: 15

    VALVE FLOAT
    Member

    I am currently hunting for a 1931 Florida plate to register it to.
     
    winduptoy and Tow Truck Tom like this.
  15. VALVE FLOAT
    Joined: Nov 19, 2024
    Posts: 15

    VALVE FLOAT
    Member

    I wish banger speed parts were more obtainable, because I would just hotrod the banger and call it a day.
     
  16. drdave
    Joined: Jan 3, 2006
    Posts: 5,228

    drdave
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Congratulations! Great looking little car!
     
  17. rwrj
    Joined: Jan 30, 2009
    Posts: 863

    rwrj
    Member
    from SW Ga

    Dang. McAlpin’s not too far from me. Nice car.
     
    winduptoy and VALVE FLOAT like this.
  18. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,830

    guthriesmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    You are talking to the guy with lots of hot rod banger parts. @winduptoy has some cool hot rod bangers in Model A’s and drives them all over.
     
  19. VALVE FLOAT
    Joined: Nov 19, 2024
    Posts: 15

    VALVE FLOAT
    Member

    That is awesome, I would love to find an aluminum head and cool manifold for my banger, they are awesome little engines.
     
  20. brady1929
    Joined: Sep 30, 2006
    Posts: 9,613

    brady1929
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Congrats, good job.
     
    winduptoy and VALVE FLOAT like this.
  21. Grumpy ole A
    Joined: Jun 22, 2023
    Posts: 293

    Grumpy ole A
    Member

    Aluminum heads are available from most of the model A suppliers, as well as down draft intakes.
     
  22. Ducbsa
    Joined: Jan 1, 2009
    Posts: 103

    Ducbsa
    Member
    from Virginia

    Google "model a speed parts"
     
    winduptoy, Deutscher and VALVE FLOAT like this.
  23. Bugguts
    Joined: Aug 13, 2011
    Posts: 990

    Bugguts
    Member

    Great looking car to start with!
    Your changes so far are spot on.
    Subscribed for more.
     
    winduptoy and VALVE FLOAT like this.
  24. Black_Sheep
    Joined: May 22, 2010
    Posts: 1,507

    Black_Sheep
    Member

    Great looking car made even better with the minor changes you've made. Congrats...
     
    winduptoy, pineknot4 and VALVE FLOAT like this.
  25. Congrats! Looks great
     
    winduptoy and VALVE FLOAT like this.
  26. spudshaft
    Joined: Feb 28, 2003
    Posts: 693

    spudshaft
    Member

    Car looks great. Enjoy it.
     
    winduptoy and VALVE FLOAT like this.
  27. swade41
    Joined: Apr 6, 2004
    Posts: 14,408

    swade41
    Member
    from Buffalo,NY

    Nice score, what did your dad think of it ?
     
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  28. VALVE FLOAT
    Joined: Nov 19, 2024
    Posts: 15

    VALVE FLOAT
    Member

    He is just as excited as I am, His car isn't very HAMB friendly being that its more of a "billet rod" from the 90s. Chopped and channeled, IFS, 427 Chevy with All the chrome, but its funny that they are almost the same color.
     
  29. Outback
    Joined: Mar 4, 2005
    Posts: 3,332

    Outback
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from NE Vic

    4 for Gow 8 for show! Cool coupe
     
    winduptoy and Deutscher like this.

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