Model A 3W proposition

Let me preface this by saying I have no money. I can't afford to find a complete roadster or coupe body, so I am going to make a mut. I know it will be a lot more work than finding a complete body, but I have some time and patience. I have been thinking about how I want to go about making my body, whether it be a roadster, coupe, sedan, pickup, etc. I saw a thread recently about a model a 3W made from a certain mixture of parts :

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=394403&highlight=model+pickup

I have thought about it and here is what I am thinking. proposed sections to be used are circled

I have the cowl and roof panel from a 1931 model A pickup. I say use this cowl, visor, and front half of the roof skin (stop when midway through the door)



next, I have a set of rear roadster quarters. While they arent ford, they are very close in dimension.



last, the rear section of a 2 door sedan cut across the middle of the rear window section. this would need to be aquired still.




Here is what I came up with, a VERY rough idea of how these parts would mesh together. other than a slight chop, I kept the pieces that I "cut" out proportional to one another, as if I was actually cutting them out of metal and moving them around.

looks kinda cool.



and the example someone posted in that other thread, for reference:

 

anyone have any thoughts or input? or other styling cues/pieces that would work any better?

 

Certainly worth a shot. The round at the door's upper rear window frame throws me, but otherwise looks good

 

yeah the round is from the sedan rear section, I am sure I could get around that area by cutting it out and returning it to a 90 degree angle, like all other doors

 

the door looks too short to me?

 

I think you'll want to look into the widths in the base of the roof, to the front top roadster quarters. Maybe mock up what you can, and make a horizontal "C" template that fits the roof, then carry it over to check the fit w/the quarters, set up on a mule or frame.

 

Longer doors and smaller space behind the windows.

 

Different size beltlines, contours, but somebody has made one from hand so keep us posted as you progress.

 

looks pretty good on paper. i actually like the rounded back corners on the doors, as long as it has a good curve to the roof. on similar projects i have seen, the roof area behind the doors ends up looking bulky. maybe a little wider doors would look better.

 

thanks for the replies. heres a quicky with a more extended door and squared off upper corner



madpole, i kinda like the rounded corner too since it flows with the roof curve.

 

I would really miss my quarter windows.

 

i was also thinking of that issue.

i mean, if it came down to it, the optimum thing to do would be to find a 5W roof skin with the rear window frames still intact. however they are harder to find than tudor sedan stuff

 

I have been having the same thoughts about some of the parts I have laying around here as well. Definitly longer doors and less roof behind them.

 

HI I have these section from a blind corner 4door sedan, they maybe fit in with your trying to do

later kb
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hey KB this is austin, you got those '38 fenders from me a week or so ago. how was the rest of your trip?

i will consider those panels but i'm going to see if i can find some closer at the moment

 

I like your second attempt with the xtended door having square corner.
Maybe add vinyl on roof for the leather back look.
Henry should have built one!

 

The best thing for this would be to find a pair of Model A Vicky doors they are longer than any of the other model a doors but you would have to change the post in the front being they are slanted back

 

The second shot is much better in proportion. However, look at the seat outline and figure out where your head would be. Looks like you will have NO side vision!!!
As mentioned, the roof width to quarter may need some work, but it looks like the biggie will be the roof area.
Good luck on this, there have been amazing things pulled off here!

 

hmm vicky stuff will probably be hard to find and i would probably feel mad modifying them.

here is a sport coupe, for reference. I think the door looks too short for sure

 

thanks for your opinion. i'll take a better look at the seat outline. it seems like side view may be kinda scary!

 

Henry did build at least one. There are pictures of a prototype 3 window 30/31 in a model A book my dad has. I will see if I can find it & scan the pic. I cannot remember why it was not built, depression maybe? The proportions that freeze plug has in the drawing with the squared & longer doors are pretty close to what Henry had IIRC.

 

I think it can be done... you might want to give this a look.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=312050

Example... maybe someone can photochop it and "stuff" to give you a better idea of what this would look like as a rod. Looks like something similar to what you are describing.

 

WOW!!!!! thanks for the link! amazing stuff

even has a small round to the rear upper door!



and looks like a poorly thought out sedan rear section as I was thinking of

 

ugh looks like the silver one i posted above may not be so cool....

 

i think it can be done and you are certainly on the right path. whether it will look better than a five window is all up to taste.

 

i'm not sure it would look better than a 5 window either. its just something a little different that I might be able to pull off keeping a really tight budget in mind

 

If you like it ,build it. It's all about your expression. It will be fun and different, and i'm, all about different. Go to work and start creating. Can't wait to see it. I'll park mine next to it.

 

The guy stated he isn't rollong in extra cash, Vicky doors are rare and costly.

 

Three window A coupes look like an Es***. Why not use your rear section and the pickup cowl and doors with a soft top like a Cabrolet.