Beware, typical newbie question to follow... So I've been looking for the "right" car to build for a while now and had settled on building an A hotrod. I'm just getting into hotrodding but have always loved the look of the traditional hotrods and decided a couple years ago it was time to build one. (Wife and I had daughter number 2 right after I made that decision so needless to say, there went what free time I had...) Until I found the right car, I've been reading every Model A build up on here and everything else I can find on As. Not that building any car is easy, but I kind of figured a Model A would be a great car to start with. Like several others on here, I've been building my own off road cars for years but don't have any sheetmetal experience. So building a fenderless, hoodless car would minimize my crappy sheetmetal work... Here's where it gets interesting. I heard of a guy that had a bunch of Model As stashed away and got his phone number through a mutual friend. I started calling him over a year ago asking if he was interested in selling one. Every time I called, he kept telling me to call back in two months. So I did. I kept calling until a couple weeks ago he finally agreed to let me come out and meet him and take a look. He turned out to be a real nice guy and did in fact have a few Model As. He's got stories for every single one. I could have sat and talked to him all day! What a cool guy. Well, he's got a bunch of other cars and this one caught my eye... I've been so focused on Model As I haven't even thought about building something else. But a 40 Ford Deluxe Coupe? Hmmm, might be worth looking at. We haven't talked prices yet (and I'm not going to ask the "how much is it worth?" question). And since the general consensus is you don't chop 40 Ford coupes, I wouldn't have to worry about screwing that up. There's obviously rust above the running boards behind both doors among other places but the overall body seemed to be in pretty good shape. Now it's time for the stupid question: Are there as many resources for the 40's as there are for Model As? (i.e. parts, patch panels, etc.) I haven't even begun to look into these so as stupid as it sounds and at the risk of being called a total idiot, I don't know what I'd be getting myself into...(oh boy, here it comes...) Thanks and I look forward to getting hammered.
It may be just my personal opinion but a 40 coupe is one of the few cars that looks better when it isn't chopped. And as you can see by my avator I drive chopped. A 40 is one of those cars that is really hard to chop just right and most of the chopped ones aren't "just right".
A or a 40, you can't go wrong I think that parts would be readlily available for either, but a 40 will be more exspensive. Also rememeber there is twice as much car to a 40 as a model A. Not trying to talk you out of anthing, just helpful hints. I own both, a Model A coupe and 39 coupe. I think the 40 would be the better choice because they are more valuable and harder to find...I think you could come up with a model A body about any time you want. 40 coupe, could takes years to find another in that shape. Good luck!!!
Agreed 100%, I wouldn't be chopping it. Believe me, I completely realize I would totally "f" it up if I tried. And you're not kidding, it is the motherload!
To me it s a matter of personal prefrence to go A or 40. However it s way harder to find a 40 in that shape than an A. There are parts out there for them, maybe not AS many as for A´s and they will cost you a bit more. Any thoughs on engine, transmission etc if you go for the 40?
I'd get the 40. Bob Drake, Bitchin Products have some sheet metal for 40s. I'm sure there are others and you can always make patch panels.
Holy effing crap...was that yard at the end of a rainbow? Keep us posted and tell him you have a few friends who are interested in chipping in and helping him clean up his yard so the neighbors won't complain...
Forget about what is the rarer car, or $$$$$$$. What makes your balls tingle???????????? If you get an A, you will be searching for parts for the next year at least, to make it a hot rod. If you get the 40, you can do stages at a time, and see things getting better and better. Do the running gear, then learn a bit about body work.....you know stages. One tip though if you choose the 40, being a newbie, your taste will change over time, dont do anything dramatic to the car unless you are 100% sure you will like it in 2 years..................or anything you cant reverse.
Get the 40--lots of stuff available as all have said--a little more costly to do but worth a whole lot more if done correctly--as many have said--don't change much on the 40 as far a trim, body lines, etc. but then I'm kinda partial to 40's
Thanks for the input guys. Yep, it's definitely more car than an A. So, I said I wouldn't ask what it's worth, but...I've been looking for comparable project cars to get an idea of the going price but can't find anything. Everything for sale is already built and going for crazy money. I know it's tough to tell from just the few pics but if anyone wants to throw some general figures out there that would be a huge help. I didn't look too close at the interior or trunk to see if the floor is rotted out, but I wouldn't be surprised. It does looks like there's rust above the running board behind both doors. Thanks again!
I'd go with the 40. Much more room, you can fit the kids in nicely. It also has a trunk, something nice to have if you take the car out of town. Worth a whole lot more when you go to sell it. Might not be as "hot roddy" as an A, but especially with a family, alot more user friendly.
Look at one of the Jalopyrama threads. There's a black 40 with flames that'll really get ya juiced on the 40!
I am totally bias on this one. I say the 40 all the way. But, going with one of the A's gives you a lot more options on the way you want to build it, i.e. fenderless, full fendered, partial fendered. Panels are easier to work with due to leas convex curves etc., Frame is much more straight forward. Depending on the drive line you use for the 40 will determine how much frame and suspension work you have ahead of you. Basically the same goes for the A. Again determining on the style you seek to achieve. For the family, the sedan would be great with a small carry all trailer like I had behind you. With the coupe, Opera seats dropping from the side quarters work well leaving lots of trunk room. Now that I have helped make your decision tougher, let me know if I can be of any other assistance.
I like A's better myself, but if you're liking that '40, I say get it. If you fixed that sucker up you could sell it and buy any A you wanted!
"I think you could come up with a model A body about any time you want. 40 coupe, could takes years to find another in that shape." What Chris said !! And a word of advice, when you someday decide to sell it... don't.
If you can build an "A" you can build a '40. Take cosmetics out of the equation & the construction methods are all the same. People that say "Start with a T or A & work your way up." I say start with the car you want. The fact that it is the car you want will see you through to the end. The '40 would open all kinds of bolt in suspension & driveline options. Get a Chassis Engineering catalog or check their website. Bullet proof & bolt in. Vaphead is a dealer. Get it running & driving & run it as/is while you learn welding & body work on junk panels from the salvage yard. You've already proved that you're patient & persistent. You have what it takes. Buy the '40. Buy the '40. Buy the '40. JH
I love As and I would go with that 40, if he has been holding on to these all these years he will still have an A for you after you get done building that 40. Buy the 40, offer him 4000 for it and drive the crap out of it after you get it running. Also have a plan, get it running first, then get an interior, then some body work stuff done.
The 40 it is!!! At least I'll see if we can make a deal. The only problem I see is if that red, flaky stuff all over the car is actually "red gold" and it's out of my price range. Remember, I'm new so I'm not all that familiar with those fancy types of paint jobs... Thanks again! By the way, that is a 32 grill shell on the A pickup, right???
Well, spoke to the owner today and he wants $10K for the 40...When I heard that, I didn't even ask what he wanted for the Model As... And the search continues.
WHAT? I can buy a great turn key, flamed 40 Deluxe coupe from Jim Inglese for 23 and change. Cheaper then buying the one shown for 10 and building it. Unless you've got a full shop at your disposal.
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