Model A guys: Why '32 rails as opposed to Model A's?

I don't mind the '32 frame but personally I love the "A" frame. I think the '32 frame is a bit too deep. It looks much better if you channel over it about 3"s. I love the simplicity of the "A" frame. It puts more emphisis on the nice lines of the body.
I can also agree that the '32 is a bit over used so it is nice to see the "A" frame under an "A".


BloodyKnuckles

 

my personal opinion, a true a v8 is built on an a frame. dont get me wrong, the 32 frame is beautiful piece under any a. these are my examples..

 

My opinion.....Its a model A, (it is what it is)therefore im partial to a A frame under a model a. When your building a 32' then use a 32 frame. Im not saying a 32 frame looks bad under an A im just saying i think a car has a much more traditional appearance over its own frame.

 

i would say our minds are on the same track.

 

Gigantor,

Yes, this is my first "A" frame. It was totally stock and I used Dagels Street Rods X member, boxing plates and brake setup. Since I am using a C4 I only have one pedal.
I don't know about a work of art, but it is built to withstand a ton.............and the body/cowl or radiator shell will not flex at all................I wouldn't be afraid to put the motor out of the boat into it and put the pedal to the metal............

 

I've seen a few that looked as if the frame was bent. They were on 32 rails and the body looked tipped forward in relation the the rest of it. If you want a tank, shorten up an AA truck frame, they look as if they could hold up anything, and they are deeper so they cover up more hanging stuff. But like it was mentioned above, if you are building a 32, use a 32: if you are building an A, use an A and brace the crap out of it.

 

David - You know, I was wondering what differences there were between the A frame and the AA frame. I understand that the cowls/cabs are the same size, so they must be pretty similar in width dimensions.

 

It's all preference my man, what ever floats yer boat! I like em all... My personal 29 roadster will stay on its original frame. I want it to have an earlier feel and think the A frame makes it look more bare bone, or a kid with less bread.

I dig a lot of 29's on 32 frames as well, Keith Weezner, Zach's, etc...

This Sedan happens to be the 1st car I ever bought and my very 1st chop. I just bought it back from the guy I sold it too... sat for a bunch of years inside, weird that she is back home. The primered 30 chop was done by someone else, and I hate it.

My customer wants a 32 frame, so thats we she's getting. Luckily I had a 32 frame with out a front crossmember in it, and I saved the K member for a future project.

In the pics you can see that you need to narrow the front crossmember a few inches, we opted for a little channel as I too think the 32 frame is a little wide for a narrow A body. Just my taste. Plus, with this mild 4 inch chop, we need to get her a little lower to give the car some toughness.

Good luck with what ever you do! Its all cool...

 

Man, double A frames are giant, and heavy.

 

Either frame looks good under an A . . . provided it's done right.

AV8's Bluey is probably the most "Done Right" AV8 to ever come down the pike.

Take note as well, the car looks low, but really isn't.
Too low imo is just as bad as too high.

Having the car at a reasonable height means the car is usable in a lot more places.
(Not trying to fire up a low vs not so low argument here. I understand that a lot of guys drive their low runners a lot of places, but I'd bet as well that not many of them have been as many different places as Bluey.)

 

No Surf used a AA frame and it looks right. I'll bet he didn't need to box it either. It actually looks like a Deuce without the relief.

 

i like the looks of the 32 chassis under a 28/29 a ... my coupe has a a chassis (only because the price was right...and i was on a budget) my last sedan had a 32 chassis and it really helped that car out ...i just picked up another 32/a conversion chassis and started throwing some parts on it for a visual...it will be up 3 inch or so all around ...but for now , it's sitting pretty ...just gotta find the right body.... brandon

 

Have a look at my avatar. My A-Bone sits on an A frame that I added new side rails to. You can see how I did it in Tex Smiths 'How To Build Hotrod Chassis'. It was quite alot of work but I was determined to have a stock wheelbase so I could use a stock length hood. Plus I had the frame and just wanted to do it, though I'm not sure If I would do it again.

 

is that the actual car that was in the book?

 

Yes, this is the car in the book. I started it in 1991 and spent about 7 years spare time to complete. Ron Ceridono and Tex Smith checked it out at the March meet some years ago and asked for some build pictures which I sent to them and they used it in their book. I also received a Boyd Coddington Fab Four award in Pleasanton, CA. (2001) Thought that was Kinda Cool!

 

Thanks guys for all the feedback and inspiration. Might try to track down a guy today that I know has a Model A frame or two.

 

Anyone throwing away these bodies let me know.

 

Brandon, that first pic......figure out how to make it sit close to that, and....oh boy, that's what I'm shooting for too (after the '37 of course)!

Looking over this thread, I thought for sure, rap and hip-hop had blurred the whole east vs. west coast style debate (J/K, kinda). Apparently the stuff in the water back there, is still there, ha. Brandon, you are one of the exceptions.
There is that orange 28/9 roadster on the A frame from LA that has been around for years, 16 inch wheels and blackwall bp's, looks really nice.

 

the back is the easy part...still workin' on the front... i have a thom taylor drawn frog follies shirt on now ...and it has a roadster pickup (28/29 on 32's) drawn tt low.....that thing haunts me....along with the phantom black pickup of yours..... brandon

 

here's mine

 

I have a 4 inch channel so I went with model a frame.Plus its alot less cash.

 

I looked at LOTS of model A's over the years before I started on my 29 roadster--and an A on A rails were OK--- I liked the A an 32's much better, like stated before, it cleans up the bottom of the car much better--plus longer wheelbase--add a 32 grille and DAMN it's a nice look!

 

Ditto. Think about why from back in the day. Putting a light stripped model A roadster on a V8 chasis that used to have a 4 door sedan, instant horse power. You get rid of a 4 cyl and inherit a V8