Anyone have photos of this Early Times Fat Jack '29 roadster? JimA?

I've posted this photo a few times over the last ten years. Still one of my favorites. JimA admitted he's got some other photos of it, but I think they're still packed up like they've been for the last five years.

Jim had some details about it in his "buy me a gold chain" thread when he picked up a tangerine closed cab Model A truck.

Chassis photos will help the most, but others are still wanted.

​

BTW, Jim, did you ever get around to putting an Early Times book together? Or was the TRJ article all we're going to get?

 

BTTT......killer A

 

Looks like a photoshop or painting..

Great stance. I like that a lot.

 

those look like really low-profile tires for the era. how old is that picture? 60's?

btw- the stance and the rims & tires are really dialed in on that car.

 

Nothing like a Full Fendered Roadster..........Nice. .....Bob

 

I think Fathack has a bunch of photos of it since he loves that style car. well see if he chimes in

 

That is a perfect example of why I love Model A's. That is a very nicely done rod. Looks like late 70's early 80's when the resto-rod fad was in. The one dude in the backgorund looks like he is wearing a OP shirt.

 

Tires aren't low profile. They're most likely 135/75-15 tires stretched out on the 6" Buick wheels.

AFAIK, the car was constructed by Fat Jack in the latter '70s and was unveiled around '78. It's apparently still around and in San Diego and hasn't been modified much since it was built.

And yes, Robinson was second only to Braga when it came to '70 low stances.

Not a Photochop. I scanned this out of an old Streetrodder...a long time ago.

 

any idea what the drivetrain was? ifs?

 

My Canon scanner I got for posting pics on the HAMB is sitting here dusty and covered with crap (hasn't been used in 6 years!!!) I don't even know how to work it or have the software anymore as I've been through at least 3 computers since then. I was looking at that E.T. stuff last week.
That car does exist- just as it was.
Can't believe you can reference a post I made at least 5 years ago!!!!

No E.T. book on the horizon. The TRJ piece was cool, but didn't cause any gigantic request for more material- I think we are still 10 years away from that. I've never seen a pic of the chassis of that car. Thanks Jim

 

I think it was a Ford engine with Webers- and HELL NO!!!\

No bags either and they drove it like that!

 

Ford engine, toploader, Webers, Olds rear end. Don't know about the diff.

225s on the back, 135s up front.

Tan vinyl and cordoroy interior with a LaCarerra wheel. IIRC, the gauges were sorta crappy by today's standards. Can't remember the shifter, but it seems like it was a period modern B&M with a plastic bezel or something like it.

Jim, I just KNOW that you're not busy with the new shop opening in a week. If you could ever get around to scanning the photos...or I'll be glad to do it myself. I'll be in LA a dozen times during the next few months.

 

Tell me when and I'll show you my Early Times collection. Thanks Jim

 

Man, I thought I had my wheels tucked in under the fenders!



Aust, more Early Times photos, please...

 

What coop said.

 

I don't usually check this site out, but my father in law does and he brought to my attention that some questions were being asked, some innacurate information had been posted along with photograph inquiries/requests about this "Fat Jack" '29 Ford model A roadster that was built back in the 70's. I know a few things about the car in question (which is why I re-visited this sight) and after glossing the postings over, decided to step up and say a few words on the subject. I've got some pix of the '28, not '29, Ford model A roadster (look at the doors; see any exterior door handles? None present, so it's a '28 not a '29 Ford model A roadster cowl's are a bit different, too.). Definitely one, maybe two pix of the car are in my photo collection. I know I took one at the Goodguy's Spring Nats in Del Mar, CA around '99 or maybe 2000. Car was built by my father, "Fat Jack" Robinson, started around 1976-77 & finished about late 1978. I'm his middle son, and Jim Aust can vouche that what's written here is fact, not fiction (I know Tim @ R&C and worked with its editor over at Petersen Pub. under MacGillivray @ a contemporary truck rag which Jim worked at later on, too...). If you want other earlier pix I don't have any. However, the roadster's current and original owner, Chuck Hoffmann, may have some. If you're patient, I'm sure something can be arranged in much less than 5 years time. Just curious, though-what's the interest in pictures of this roadster my dad built based upon? Do you want other images to ogle, or to use them as a blueprint to follow for a build-up your doing, modernbeat (just curious)? Send a message to me either way, if you like.

I noticed speculation about the details of the model A's make-up, and have some accurate intel to set the record straight. Drivetrain was and is a 327 c.i.d. small block chevy V-8, alum. case Powerglide automatic transmission and a drum-brake equipped 9-inch Ford rear end. True, the front wheels are six-inch wide stock Buick Skylarks w/knock-offs, and the front tires are stretched over them (though just barely). The tires are Michelins on all four corners & the fronts are small p135's (Michelin XZX's or ZX or something along those lines), a VW bug size popular for years in the mid-70's to the early 80's. The sidewall isn't low profile but a 75 or 70 series sidewall meant for a narrower rim width that is stretch out so much it makes it appear to be a shorter sidewalled tire, like a 55 or 60 series. Yes, it did have four Weber carbs on an Ultra Cars & Components intake manifold installed around 1980-81, with matching billet alum. insert valve covers. The intake/carb. setup was removed about 12 years ago & it now again has a 4-bbl. carb. back on top of the long block. Paint, upholstery, drivetrain, just about 95% of everything is original as is was built in the mid-late 70's, including the owner. It's now sitting in a garage, with the paint checked & a wiring malady which has disabled it temporarily making undriveable. However, in it's heyday, it made the round trip drive to the 1980 (or maybe 1981) NSRA Street Rod Nats. in Memphis, TN. before "Power Tours" or "Americruise" were thought of. It was also driven to Merced, CA for the NSRA Western Street Rod Nats. (an early Meadors/NSRA production) on it's maiden voyage and in subsequent years.

A brief overview of the roadster's chassis, body & interior is as follows: Front suspension has a custom tube dropped axle special my dad had special made, Mustang-II ft. disc brakes, buggy spring, English friction shocks, custom hairpins, panhard & sway bar. Rear end assembly has custom ladder bars, panhard bar & sway bar along with coil over shocks & drum brakes. Body is all stock, including bumpers, headlights, taillights, windshield, hood top & sides, etc. all painted in black lacquer or chrome plated. Dash is modified w/Stewart Warner Stage III instruments & Pioneer or Kraco am/fm 8-track head unit mounted in an honest to goodness original billet aluminum dashboard insert machined by Boyd Coddington (very desirable at that time, though a questionable choice for a resto-rod today). It also had a GM-tilt steering column w/cruise control with a custom conical steel tube sheath welded over the interior column.

Lastly, as for this car or any others my father built being only second in their ride height and/or stance in comparison to cars that Braga built, "Fat Jack" sez that ain't so; Larry's cars were all similar and never ran bumpers according to his recollections (he was also from San Bernardino, not San Diego, according to FJ-not that it is important, but I am writing this in the spirit of being accurate). Chuck's car also has much more attention to detail along wth "fit & finish" (I myself cannot recollect a Braga car from my memory, but I'm sure there are those familiar with the '28 from past years that would concur). Anyway, there's a photograph I believe was/is in the Early Times car club meeting room that Aust probably is aware of. It is a close up picture of the front bumper of Hoffmann's '28 model A roadster face to face with the front bumper of then club member Dennis Manifores' blown 392 Chrysler Hemi powered '29 model A Ford. The point is that the front bumper of Chuck's full-fendered A-bone roadster is directly below the front bumper of Dennis's full-fendered A-bone roadster. Enough said. Anymore questions or need for clarity regarding this roadster, post it or contact me and I'll consider it, modernbeat. Hope this cleared some things up for those who were wondering ......

pre48v-8

 

I don't usually check this site out, but my father in law does and he brought to my attention that some questions were being asked, some innacurate information had been posted along with photograph inquiries/requests about this "Fat Jack" '29 Ford model A roadster that was built back in the 70's. I know a few things about the car in question (which is why I re-visited this sight) and after glossing the postings over, decided to step up and say a few words on the subject. I've got some pix of the '28, not '29, Ford model A roadster (look at the doors; see any exterior door handles? None present, so it's a '28 not a '29 Ford model A roadster cowl's are a bit different, too.). Definitely one, maybe two pix of the car are in my photo collection. I know I took one at the Goodguy's Spring Nats in Del Mar, CA around '99 or maybe 2000. Car was built by my father, "Fat Jack" Robinson, started around 1976-77 & finished about late 1978. I'm his middle son, and Jim Aust can vouche that what's written here is fact, not fiction (I know Tim @ R&C and worked with its editor over at Petersen Pub. under MacGillivray @ a contemporary truck rag which Jim worked at later on, too...). If you want other earlier pix I don't have any. However, the roadster's current and original owner, Chuck Hoffmann, may have some. If you're patient, I'm sure something can be arranged in much less than 5 years time. Just curious, though-what's the interest in pictures of this roadster my dad built based upon? Do you want other images to ogle, or to use them as a blueprint to follow for a build-up your doing, modernbeat (just curious)? Send a message to me either way, if you like.

I noticed speculation about the details of the model A's make-up, and have some accurate intel to set the record straight. Drivetrain was and is a 327 c.i.d. small block chevy V-8, alum. case Powerglide automatic transmission and a drum-brake equipped 9-inch Ford rear end. True, the front wheels are six-inch wide stock Buick Skylarks w/knock-offs, and the front tires are stretched over them (though just barely). The tires are Michelins on all four corners & the fronts are small p135's (Michelin XZX's or ZX or something along those lines), a VW bug size popular for years in the mid-70's to the early 80's. The sidewall isn't low profile but a 75 or 70 series sidewall meant for a narrower rim width that is stretch out so much it makes it appear to be a shorter sidewalled tire, like a 55 or 60 series. Yes, it did have four Weber carbs on an Ultra Cars & Components intake manifold installed around 1980-81, with matching billet alum. insert valve covers. The intake/carb. setup was removed about 12 years ago & it now again has a 4-bbl. carb. back on top of the long block. Paint, upholstery, drivetrain, just about 95% of everything is original as is was built in the mid-late 70's, including the owner. It's now sitting in a garage, with the paint checked & a wiring malady which has disabled it temporarily making undriveable. However, in it's heyday, it made the round trip drive to the 1980 (or maybe 1981) NSRA Street Rod Nats. in Memphis, TN. before "Power Tours" or "Americruise" were thought of. It was also driven to Merced, CA for the NSRA Western Street Rod Nats. (an early Meadors/NSRA production) on it's maiden voyage and in subsequent years.

A brief overview of the roadster's chassis, body & interior is as follows: Front suspension has a custom tube dropped axle special my dad had special made, Mustang-II ft. disc brakes, buggy spring, English friction shocks, custom hairpins, panhard & sway bar. Rear end assembly has custom ladder bars, panhard bar & sway bar along with coil over shocks & drum brakes. Body is all stock, including bumpers, headlights, taillights, windshield, hood top & sides, etc. all painted in black lacquer or chrome plated. Dash is modified w/Stewart Warner Stage III instruments & Pioneer or Kraco am/fm 8-track head unit mounted in an honest to goodness original billet aluminum dashboard insert machined by Boyd Coddington (very desirable at that time, though a questionable choice for a resto-rod today). It also had a GM-tilt steering column w/cruise control with a custom conical steel tube sheath welded over the interior column.

Lastly, as for this car or any others my father built being only second in their ride height and/or stance in comparison to cars that Braga built, "Fat Jack" sez that ain't so; Larry's cars were all similar and never ran bumpers according to his recollections (he was also from San Bernardino, not San Diego, according to FJ-not that it is important, but I am writing this in the spirit of being accurate). Chuck's car also has much more attention to detail along wth "fit & finish" (I myself cannot recollect a Braga car from my memory, but I'm sure there are those familiar with the '28 from past years that would concur). Anyway, there's a photograph I believe was/is in the Early Times car club meeting room that Aust probably is aware of. It is a close up picture of the front bumper of Hoffmann's '28 model A roadster face to face with the front bumper of then club member Dennis Manifores' blown 392 Chrysler Hemi powered '29 model A Ford. The point is that the front bumper of Chuck's full-fendered A-bone roadster is directly below the front bumper of Dennis's full-fendered A-bone roadster. Enough said. Anymore questions or need for clarity regarding this roadster, post it or contact me and I'll consider it, modernbeat. Hope this cleared some things up for those who were wondering ......

pre48v-8

 

pre48v-8,

thanks for the post.

there's a wealth of recorded history about the origination of hot rodding the 40's and 50's, but not much has been written about hot rodding's re-birth after the muscle cars.

if you have anything else to post about cars your father built or those from his peers, i'd be very interested to read it!


thanks,
ed

 

pre48v-8,

I was looking for chassis photos to see if I there were any tips I could use in my own build. Either build-up photos, or photos of the chassis on a lift. Do you know if the car has a flat floor? Or is the engine/trans raised and does the floor have a tunnel? Shifter on the column or floor?

I like a number of things about this specific car your dad built, and understand that some of the things he did were in vogue at the time, but not favored today (Kraco 8-track, oy vey!).

Thanks for setting the record straight on the drivetrain and interior details. I know Braga did a number of subtle body mods to his cars.

I think I've seen that bumper-to-bumper photo duplicated in a sidebar in R&C or an early '80s Streetrodder.

 

Pre48V-8, great car, thanks for posting the info. How does a 28 roadster cowl differ from a 29 roadster cowl?

 

Really do love that look -

After a quick google - here's a similar fendered I found - really does look good - Not Fat Jack, but still a great car..

 

Though I appreciate Pre48s post, I find it defensive,paranoid and slighlty arrogant

"I'll consider it" WTF?

We just wanted to know about a cool car your dad built not the location of the freakin Holy Grail! Lighten up francis....................hehehehe

 

That's all true- and a good example of why an Early Times book from me- someone who was not there first hand really isn't a good idea. If you get the facts wrong- you end up pissing off the people you were trying to accurately document.

 

Easy there Trent. It's his first post on the HAMB and he really doesn't know "us" or how things work around here and was probably just thinking "why" is this post on the HAMB.

It's guys like this that we want to encourage to post here on the HAMB, not make them defensive about their wording.

 

I'd guess that he's not as versed as getting his tone across as some of the veterans and digital-age kids.

So, do some interviews. I mainly just covet the photos. Good captions and stories would be gravy.

 

Point taken.

 

I agree. I felt/heard what he was refering to, but also know that tone and or meaning are easily mis-understood around here, thats why we have all the cutsy faces.

 

You guys are GHEY, hahahahaa.

Aust, I'm with Modernbeat, do interviews and give your "take" on the subject, and illustrations (don't forget the illustrations!). I just want an all inclusive ET reference book. 10 years too soon? Maybe, but it would be a shame to wait for the general STREET RODDING crowd to catch up. We still have '86 IROC teal '37 fords on the street for Pete's sake! ha

Pre48-V8, you are a lucky mofo. Growing up around all that and all..... Thanks for the info in regards to the A. I get confused easily, are you saying you are John or ......?

For the record, (who cares, right?) I liked the original billet steamrollers on the yellow F-100. The new hoopties are a little, well HOOPTIE-ish.

 

You are making my point- Teal came out on the '91 Camaros- how do I know? I had the first one in California. Details
I'm working on some ideas to reignite my passion on getting the E.T. book finished, but after my good friend and number one member card carrying E.T. member Bill Booth passed away the spark for that story went weak. He was the one really cheering me on and helping me with the important info from the early days.
That's really more than I can say- every time I discuss this topic on the HAMB I eventually get a call from my dad that one or more of the members are pissed at me (again).

 

My lack of accuracy in regards to teal Camaros only displays my disinterest for the issue in general. Hey, at least I spelled Camaro right.