Technical Retro Rides by Rich Does A Survivor...

Yeah, I guess I should have left those really cool out board mounted motorcycle shocks and hack quilted stainless panels that were added in the early 80's on the car. But then again; what the hell do I know.

 

Are you kidding!!!This car needed all the updates which Rich has done on it.But of course some on here think that just because it was built way back when then that good enough,drive it like it is!!!In case you haven't look at the build the car had issues which needed to be corrected before any sane person would or should drive it!Maybe you can contact Rich and see if he will sell you the parts he removed and you can use them on your fat fender car.The motorcycle shocks ,exhaust,and rusted panels should be worth a lot to you.

 

Car is looking great, Rich.
All the right choices, keep posting those updates.
Always interesting to watch the transformation.

 

To steal a line from the restorers, "Its only a survivor once."

That said, even though it is no longer a survivor, I think that the right decision was made in this case to rebuild/re-engineer it.

 

Looks great Rich, keep'em coming.

 

Well, done with the metal work on the body, have new pedals configured, floor is complete, new steering is in and the new radiator fits. Have the owner coming in to test fit and see how he likes the feel of all that. Then, the car comes apart and the engine goes to the motor shop.

 

lookin good rich ! great work

 

Wow Rich!! Looking good......cannot wait to see it in person.

 

Doors always open!

 

This is to the folks bitching about redoing the car..........................Maybe they should have left the Pierson Bros coupe in that ugly 80s rainbow graphic paintjob instead of taking it back to the original red/white/blue scallops?

 

Holy MOLY! That's AWESOME!!! Lookin' GREAT Rich!!!

 

Thanks for sharing your build.

 

Man that is sweet.

 

A thing of beauty can't wait to see it in paint.

 

Rich, really enjoying this. I love how your mind works on solving problems.

 

Thanks for the encouragement guys!

 

Enjoying watching this build unfold, but really enjoy the back and forth 'discussions' in this thread. This mirrors the 'discussions' I have been having with myself (and some members of my family) for about 20 years.
I have a 32 Ford roadster that has history traced back to 1947-1948 when the late Dick Kraft owned it / raced it in SCTA competition. My late grandfather bought it in Oct of '53 and it has been in our family since that time.

Pro's to restoration...
Like this model A, my late grandfather completed updates (added fenders / new paint in '66. New interior in '73, etc) before he passed away and always kept it in pristine condition. Also Safety has to be of UPMOST importance.

Pro's to keeping it unchanged....
The increased popularity of 'traditional' hot rodding in the last 15-20 years means that flathead powered Model A / 32 Ford 'recreations' are in abundance (to say the least) at most car shows I attend. By recreations, I mean to say new builds that are made to look like old builds, with faded paint, old chrome - or fresh builds with fresh paint and chrome but done in a style of the 40's, 50's etc. Yet, I can pull my late Grandfathers 32 into a show, park it between two of these cars and get just as much if not ALOT more attention, because its history stands out.

In the end, it is simply a matter of owner choice. It is clear from reading this thread that the owner of this model A wanted to take it back to its 1950's configuration. Yes, he could have just replaced the updates from the 80's and got it there, but it is very evident that from a safety standpoint, the cancer this body had needed updated.
I recently completed a 'transformation' of sorts on the 32 and I chose to simply revert it back to the car my late Grandfather initially saw and fell in love with, but without the complete restoration. But I am fully aware that there will come a time when our family's 32 will need to undergo a complete resto. When I no longer feel safe to drive the car and when any updates I can make to it will no longer make it safe to drive. That day is still many years away, but it is coming.

Anyway, Rich, you are doing a amazing job on the build. Enjoying watching it unfold. I don't want to steal this thread...just my two cents

BTW...Photos of my family's 32 are in this thread if you are interested...
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=430371&highlight=bronson+kraft

 

Rich, Car is looking great. You sure have made some great progress in a short time. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

 

That intake sure isn't original, with 3, 94s,, I know you found your 4x2 intake, who has it and how is it being setup..Do you have pictures of the original intake.
What info do you have on the engine, ie..bore, stroke, head mods, cam, lifter..on and on...
Duane..

 

Hi Duane,

Can't wait to get your set up. The intake on it now is an Offenhauser. I don't know what mods were done to the engine but supect it's still a stock 241 CI, we'll know when I get it to the engine builder to freshen it.

 

Well, it's been a while since I did an update, but all I've been doing is getting the chassis boxed and new cross members fabbed and getting the bodywork done. The chassis is at the sandblaster and I'll be rubbing on that this week. I just finished weeks of doing bodywork. The body is blocked and in final prime ready for to go to color, with the exception of some minor flaws I'm sure I'll find when final sanding.

More pics will be coming later this week.

 

Rich, The body looks great ! Won't be long before you shoot some color on it. Is the frame a roller yet ?

 

Hi Dave,

Yes the frame is done, I sent it out for sandblasing after I straightened it, boxed it and made cross members. I have to fluff and buff the frame and prime it this week.

 

Man this resto is really comming along, can't wait to see what has been done to this little motor. This build is going to be on my to see list.

 

Thanks. The engine is at Greg Gamblin's Race Engines in Salisbury, NC, he's been hard at too.

 

Do you have any finger tips left Rich?I'm sure as the rest of your builds the Survivor will turn out GREAT!

 

Thanks Ed! You know, when I get this thing painted you're more than welcome to come and help wet sand!

 

Dig the red ram! Looks good elitist survivorship aside Cool to see it still around and not headed for joker/goodguy streetrod trophies!

 

Wow, I think that is going to be a proud and happy little roadster strutting it's stuff looking just like it wanted to when it was first built.

i like the whole concept of the way you are doing it. Preserve all the good things and get it back to it's original build with the hidden details and upgrades to make a real drivable car out of it.

I see that the usual whiners and purveyors of rust have thrown out their usual and off the mark opinions, some without reading your original post or knowing anything about the car or what it needed. The "Hey, he's doing something to that old build I have to throw a shit fit to keep my creds" thing once again pop up.

I'm wanting to see this one when it's finished.