Projects "A" Model build for my mom

O.K......so its LONG over due.This is my thread on a model A build I have been working on for my mom.Ill warn you guys now,I get pic happy and very wordy at times.(all the time).Also,it takes me forever to type,I'm a horrible speller (thank goodness for spell check),and I dont know all that much about building a hot rod from the ground up.So here goes..........

Several years ago I bought a 28-29 tudoor that was pretty rough,and had been taken apart.I had no idea where to start.I own a body shop,so paint and body is my bread and*****er,but all the other stuff is new to me.I have found over the years the work is not the problem,but finding the time and space in my shop is!

I figured I would start with the frame.I knew nothing about building frames,but right about the same time I found the H.A.M.B.Here is what I started with.......

 

About the time I started on the frame,it just so happened to be tech week here on the H.A.M.B.I came across a thread by redbeard,I think it was "One for the ladies" or some thing like that.I read it from start to finish,after reading it,I thought"well that looks easy enough"....hahaha....easier said than done.

So I stole a few tricks from some guys on here and went to work!

 

I started on the taper on the front because it looked to be the easiest place to start.These pics are nothing new to you guys.Everyone does it about the same way I guess.This build was going to require a long wheel base,and LOW stance.I was originally going to run a Buick straight eight in this thing,so I was gonna need some extra room up front,but**** you will see further on in the build,things change.....lol

 

Mock up pic with another old body that was hanging around the shop and the Buick motor I was going to run........

Ill post more after lunch.

 

After tapering the frame ends,I laid the two frame sticks on top of the old frame and found out where to cut the new frame to get the same wedge effect as the stock one.Then back to my tape on the floor....lol.

 

It was right about then I realized I still had no clue how to build a hot rod frame.So I worked on making so patches for the body for a while.Heres a few pics.......

 

Keep it up man.

 

so what did you do with the frame....?

 

Funny you should ask Hotrod33,

While toiling over the best way to do this and that,I started looking on the H.A.M.B....and what do you know?I found the thread to end all threads on building frames.It was conveniently****led "How to build an early hot rod frame",I would post a link but I have no clue how to do that.After reading all of it,I sent a PM to the thread starter,Brianangus.

For those of you who don't know him,let me say he is the man.Basically,if it weren't for Brian,I would have some junk**** frame...lol.Come to find out,there is all kinds of science to this frame building stuff.

Brian and I talked back and forth for quite a while.He asked all kinds of technical questions,and I sent him measurement after measurement.I told him of all the parts I had amassed,got hip part #,you name it.

I would like to say I didnt build this frame,Brian actually did.I just cut the metal and did the welding...lol Again..a BIG THANK YOU to the H.A.M.B.,and especially Brian!

 

Unfortunately, I haven't met Brianangus yet, but he is the***** when it comes to much of the proper building of hot rods. Cool guy to converse with and free with the pointers and such.

Keep going!

 

Damn, I just love it when people*****er me up!!! Come on, Jason, get your***** together. I thought you'd be driving that thing by now.---Brian

 

yup, id like to see more. your moms a lucky gal. wish someone would build me a 32. lol.

 

Nice start!

 

Heres a few more pics of the kind of stuff Brian does.....

 

Well like I said earlier,the power plant changed,and here's how that happened.Long story short,I wrecked my shop truck.It was a 1977 3+3 camper special dually pick up,with a 454/th400!So guess what mom gets?

 

Here's a few pics of fellow HAMBer PRIMO giving me a hand placing the motor.

 

Jason your Mom's A is starting to really look good and it is really great that you are giving credit to the people that are helping you.... Keep us posted as the build continues.....

 

Rear suspension and rear frame stuff.

 

Jase----That rear suspension turned out nice. Did ya jump up on it with your buddy and give it the "big bounce" test to see how it performs during its travel?---Brian---also--are the top and bottom bars parallel? they were supposed to be, but they don't look quite parallel ---could just be the angle of the camera shot. I see that your top blocks are just tacked in place, so you could probably knock them off and move them a bit lower if you had to.

 

Thanks so much!

I do have a more self serving reason for posting this tho.......If I start a thread about it,it helps keep me motivated!I have just made some room for it in my new shop,and I intend on bringing it to the new location this weekend,so Im gonna get focused and get some stuff done soon!

 

We sure did Brian,or should I say my "fat wife one one side,and my fat girl friend on the other"HAHAHA.

As for the bars,I don't know.Been a while since I have seen the car in person,but....I shall fix it if they are wrong.Good eye!That's why one of the good things about posting this stuff.

 

Very nicely done. Nothing like starting from scratch. Keep it up!

 

Lookin great,got any pics of the rest of the body?Keep us posted

 

Here's a few body pics in various stages.............but I have never had the body completely together.I plan to chop it 4 inches,and channel it 4 inches to hide the frame.

 

And lastly,here are a few pics of the way it sits right now.Motor in place frame mostly done,and a LONG way to go to make it a car....lol.

 

Mom's gonna have her hands full with them skinny tires and a 454!!!

Great start to an excellent build so far!!!

 

Looks good!

 

My Mom is a unique lady to say the least.I have no doubt she will have no problems....lol.

Thanks for thanks for the comments.Im gonna try to get some stuff done this weekend.I hope to have an update Monday!

 

Just a quick little update............I freed up some room in the shop yesterday.I got most of the body parts over here,and worked on making some patches for the cowl.No pics but just a little progress.More to come this week I hope!

 

Jason---We need updates---