I've had the "car" for about three weeks now, but only just really started on it a few days ago seeing as i've had to spend the last two weeks cleaning up 20 years worth of my old mans shit in the shed.. dirt behind the benches, terribly designed and constructed benches, shit everywhere and 20 years worth of collected junk. Finished the shelves and new fabrication bench so i got started on blasting everything and finally working on it. Havin a blast as well. When i brought it home (It did have full fenders and running boards, forgot to get a pic before they came off..). Also nice to note, the whole front end worked before it got stripped down. Turn what was left of the steering wheel, and the axle followed suit. I thought that was pretty rad. Pulling the front end apart.. this wassn't as fun as i envisioned it'd be.. Nice to find that it still had grease in everything, and the spindle bearings still worked, although they look like those tapered roller bearings or whatever their called, and i don't recall those as being a factory item (Could be wrong but sure i read somewhere their not..). This was even worse.. I'm sure you can guess whats going on.. The Chassis. Very straight, no pitting at all on any part of it and only one inch long crack on the frame horn at the front. Not looking forward to sandblasting it though.. And heres where i'm at at the moment. Was pretty stoked when i got this all together again and stepped back for a gander. Unforunately the rest of the springs are rooted from pitting, but the main leaf was absolutely perfect with no pitting at all.. guess that one worked out alright ha. Still have to blast the right hand spindle but other than that its mocked up at least. [/img]
Looks like your gonna have some fun cleaning everything up.... Where did you get your frame setup from...? I sold a 33 pickup to bykerlad over there and he says its hard to find anything in OZ.. Good luck with your project......
HotRod33, Early Ford parts aren't exactly easy over here to find.. you just have to know the right people i suppose. Model A is supposed to be the most abundunt of all the early Fords. I'm after a few parts at the moment, and no one seems to have anything.. and if they do their not in QLD. And yes.. we are jealous of how easy it is for you guys to find stuff
You sound like my kid. Too sorry to help clean the shop for 20 years but want the goodies when he kicks off. Had to vent;you lost every time you didn't spend time with him...one day it will come to you. It hit me the day my kicked off,40 years ago.
Uh. I don't know what you mean mate. I've always been workin in our shed with my old man, but cleaning up the place (as in new shelves to fit everything and getting old junk thrown out ect..) hassn't ever been a top priority until now.
Agreed Striper. I want the car to resemble a stripped down Model A of the late 40's / early 50's. Basically all original minus the fenders, although with Juice Brakes. How good (Or bad..) are Model A steering boxes? I'm considering using mine because it works pretty well and there doesn't seem to be much slop in it either.
Nick Looks like a 28 "AR" to me, slightly different from an "A". I am building an AR as well. What sort of parts do you need, I have a few contacts? Regards Brendan
Brendan, It is an AR. Apparently there isn't much different though. What are the differences? I need a rear end / wishbones and Juice Brakes for now.. and a Cowl. Was thinking of using Macs for the repro rear quarters / panels and using an original '28 / '29 Cowl.
Nick The differences are: AR has no rear separate hand brake shoes, hand brake at the outside of the frame, brake cross bar is several pieces instead of one, brake drums are different from an A but the same front to rear, red steering wheel, lights fluted glass, mud guards slightly different, motor mount on front crossmember different. Lots of interchangeable parts however. You missed a rear end with bones on ebay a few weeks ago. What are your planning for an engine? There is bloke in Melbourne with lots of bits and good prices, I think he has a cowl and I know he has a couple of motors for about $300 each. I have got a lot from Macs, make sure you order a cattle dog with your first order, lots of good information. Regards Brendan
Looks like a great project, I too am building a stipped down roadster. Model A stuff is all over in my area, if you need anything lemme know, I can ship it to CA or werever to be put onto a barge going your way. I would love to visit Australia some day
Hay man I just want to help you out I noticed that the steering box is on the wrong side of the car .try to get that fixed before anyone sees it. good luck
Cheers for that info Brendan. Planning on running the banger motor. Nothin like nostalgia haha. I've got the motor and bellhousing but missing a gearbox. I bought a whole bunch of early ford NOS sets of points and some suspension peices (like those little springs that go in the steering arms ect) and all this other stuff.. haven't entirely sorted through it yet though. Chris, Been following all your threads mate. Really dig the Roadster and your Coupe. I want mine to be pretty much like yours, except Juice brakes and more finished in terms of having some form of paint and interior, although it won't be much. I want it as bare necessities as possible. If i need anything that i cannot find over here i'll give you a buzz for sure. If you ever visit Australia, you've got a place here mate. Too Tall, Not the first time i've heard that on here haha.
I am around the corner from a major shipper of hot rod parts to Australia- Junkyard Classics. If anyone needs help getting stuff out please let me know. Send it to me in Long Beach, CA and I will go drop it off. Thanks Jim
Mine will be done up nice in a bit, I have only worked on mine for a couple months. I figured I could throw it together as a driver for a year or two while I work on my 33 coupe. After the 33 is well on it's way I'll pull the roadster all apart, V8 it and paint it.
I know, i did read that. Hey, its still cool just the way it is. I'd prefer to get parts over here, but i suppose parts are parts. They are harder to find here. When work picks up and i've got some cash coming in, i'll see what you've got that you don't need and go from there. I suppose you'd have just about everything, with your Roadster, Coupe, 33 Coupe and all your old mans cars too. Lucky so 'n' so's..
Don't forget Banyo Swap is at Capalaba this year you might get lucky there.... There's a fella by the name of Rex down in Aubry Wodonga who has a lot of "A" stuff who may be helpful - can get you his number if you can't find anything up here - he doesn't seem to have any problem organising freight. Had a cowl & doors freighted up from Glen Innes not long ago & it wasn't hard or expensive to do - I was going to drive down & get it but after finding out the cost to freight I didn't bother. Spence.
Hey Spence, Where abouts in Brisbane are you? When is the Banyo Swap on? I'm about 15 - 20 from Capalaba. Do you know any of the guys from the Christian Rodders club? I'm not Christian, but i'm mates with a couple of the guys.. real good blokes. Two of em, Pete and Carl Kurylo (I'm sure you've heard or know them, bought mine off Carl) are keeping eyes out and also Dick said he knows a guy in the club whos got some bits and peices.
Yeah - I thought I recognised that car.... Carl is a few minutes down the road from me - I'm in Logan Village. I Bought my two Mercury Flatties from Peter - Good blokes both of em. Carls place is awesome isn't it. The Swap is on the 31st - at School road Capalaba. Spence.
Ahh.. i'm at Loganholme / Shailer Park. Shit, me and a mate were at Carls yesterday (Sat) morning. If you'd posted two days earlier we could of dropped in and seen what you have. Oh well, we have to go out that way again during the week or next weekend. And yes, definately good blokes. Love Petes sense of humour, super funny guy. Do you know any history on my Model A? Carl said some fella has the rear end from it, but doesn't need it anymore and is gona bring it back, although he doesn't have the guys number so i can't call him and pick it up myself.
Nick, I seem to remember Carl telling me he sniffed it out at an auction at some country property - he new there was a model-A there before even going into the place.... now that's a talent I wish I had..... ( that's about all I know about that your "A".....) I also bought two A chassis' from Carl .... did you see his molasses dip? Check out my album - got some pics of my project there..... Mine will be 28/29 roadster also - I am just starting on it now after collecting parts for ages.... still need a few more parts though. It will be AV8 / late 30's transmission / mid forties rear end / wide fives with hub caps / z the frame in the rear / Big and little tyres etc....etc.... not sure if it will be shiny or not yet..... The rear end of the body is in a sad state...... I will start a post probably soon ... Spence.
Looks like a fun build. My mate shane (Plugz Rods and and resto.) has a whole bunch of Model A stuff he is bringin it to the fine iron swap meet in ippy this sunday. if your there you'll see it. or i'll pm you his number.
That's two swaps on Sunday there's Greenbank Also....... didn't know about the Fine Iron one - I't slipped past my Radar... how am I going to work this and still snag a bargain ??? Spence.
Hey Spence, Any chance next time i'm out around Carls way i could drop in and check out your stuff while i'm in the area? PM me your number, would be cool to see what cars you've got.
Hi there, I am in the same predicament in New Zealand, building a Model A rod, it will be a speedster but I could do wth a good cowl if you know of any, 30 -31 or even the 28-29, can ship it out of Long Beach, thanks, Craig.
Little update.. Through a mate of mine.. i've found.. Banger Motor (Turns, don't know if it runs though..) Gearbox (Shifts gears.. thats a good sign) Diff (Still has paint on it, and apparently is good) plus rear wishbones Steering column and front end, their going to a mate (To get a little bit of my money back) Radiator (Holds water.. also good sign..) For a nice sum of $500. I'm super stoked, means besides wheels.. i'm going to have a rolling, basically complete chassis for a whopping $1350. My mate Dick thinks i'm a magnet for early Ford parts, because i picked up an original set of F1 shock mounts last Friday for $40.
You are a lucky fella to get a start for so little out lay i cant wait to see the finished car. i love bangers.
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