Anyone use an Essex,or other oddball frame under their Model A?

I have a 30-31 "Coupe" project going,and a guy nearby has an early Es*** frame for really cheap($75,cheaper than buying steel).

I was thinking I could use it,since it has a rear kickup and front "horns" already,and with my Model A front and rear crossmembers welded in it would look better than a tube frame.I know Id have to shorten the wheelbase,which is why Id use my crossmembers.Just looking for anyone else who has done anything similar..

Mind you,Im cheap,I hate the look of 2x4 tubing,the car will be channeled,and Ill be running a 330 Olds.Thoughts?

 

You would be better off offering the Es*** ch***is to someone who plans to build a vintage dirt track car. That was the ch***is to start with back in the day. Please post a photo of it.

 

I dont own it yet..If I buy it,Ill put up pics I guess.The guy did mention that they were the bee's knees in the late '30's..

 

I wouldn't use the es*** frame. I'm surprised you can't find a original Model A ch***is.

 

Thanks for the input,but as a matter of fact,I have 2 Model A frames. I want something more substantial for the Olds engine,and something that has a kick up to lower it.
Rather than going to all the trouble of boxing and Z-ing a Model A frame,or building a new frame,I want something that looks old,and is beefier.Therefore,I was looking for ideas from anyone who has used anything OTHER THAN A MODEL A FRAME,OR NEW STEEL TUBING.
Hope that clarifies things.

 

Well, for what its worth, my Model-A is sitting on a '37 Ford frame and it looks killer. I would use that Es*** frame if I were you. Could be really cool. And if not, then you switch the body out with a roadster turttle deck T and build a modified tracker.

 

They are good looking frames. you cant see it but the Neikamp roadster has one.

 

awe I see. I have no clue what the es*** frame looks like. But I now understand what you're thinking. Good idea. I picked up a 42-47 f1 pickup frame for free last week. I got it for the trans crossmember. Now that I have been staring at it for awhile I have had a few similar ideas. It has a kick up in the rear. I was thinking about using part of it to step the rear of my A frame. But I am still leaning towards just stacking another one on top.

 

I saw that in the R&C article when it was restored in the 70's..I never could tell either,which is what Im going for.BTW,didn't Niekamp HAND FILE all the welds,since he didnt own a grinder? Something like that.********!

 

so, a Es*** frame is traditional? an I thought you were going to get chewed out for building outside "the code"

 

Everything was cut with a hacksaw, not a torch. He believed that made for stronger, joints and chrome plating came out better. Funny how you remember things like that from an article you read 30+ years ago.

 

Very traditional but as stated more widely used by guys building what we would later call sprint cars.

 

you two and a few others make it painfully apparent how much I have to learn.

to the OP. I think you should go for it!

 

Read,study,research LOTS!
Most of us were not there so that and actually doing/recreating is all we can do to learn.

 

"The code" can **** it. An Es***,or any other vintage frame,is a lot cooler than anything these Jesse James wanna-be's can make up with 20 feet of tubing at his job at Oil Can Henry's. (Insert lame job ***le here..)

 

Ahh..I knew it was something along those lines..And,unfortunately,it was only 10 years ago that I read it..I wasnt even hatched in 1970!!

 

Ok....... So, which is it? Make up your mind. Sheesh.... and they say women are indecisive.

 

Well, I'm trying. If you guys knew the difference in how I would build a car when I joined the hamb and now......

Yeah there is something cool about 80 year old formed steel that can never be captured in rectangular steel tubing. I think it's called soul... I really hope you grab that frame now, I'm super interested to see this happen.

 

at first it sounded like an abortion in the making. but I did some google searching. looks like a cool frame.


Btw, I didn't know we weren't allowed to change our opinions.

 

Its not that one isn't allowed to change their stance or opinion, its just that, when someone comes up with a different idea about doing something, everyone else is so quick to pooh pooh on it.

You know..... I'm just saying.

 

Yeah, I understand. I wasn't trying to pooh pooh on it. I just had a very different idea of what the frame looked like and I thought he was having trouble finding a Model A frame. He clarified and my viewpoint changed.

 

No worries.... we're all better now. Thanks for the clarification.

 

Es*** frames are *****EN! Nothing new and real old skool.

 

cool. you're welcome. btw any more pictures of your frame floating around besides what's in your profile?

 

I believe Niekamp used a 27 Es*** frame;deeper channel than model a ,so more strength with a nice kickup in the back.Supposedly Niekamp liked to avoid building in stresses with welding and cutting(with a torch) so he bolted in the crossmembers.What a masterpiece.

 

Just to clarify, my original reply, I wanted the original poster to know that an Es*** frame has value to vintage race car builders/restorers. Sometimes flipping something for funds is worthwhile, building something different is always a welcome sight.

 

Ed Iskenderian used es*** rails on his T. So I would say they would work, of course with an overhead that might be a bit much for those rails. Johnny

 

I say use it and don't look back...my 31 plymouth is sitting on a 33 chevy frame, it fit really well. Amazing how similar these old cars are. I have a 29 Buick frame I'm saving for a future project.......

 

Sure, check this out:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=193602

 

'Tis better to think outside the box than to have another belly****on car. I have a '30 Dodge frame whose rails will go under a traditional '27 roadster with a strait six someday soon.................looking for a Hudson 7x engine I can afford. 1954 style build. Don't build a belly****on car and be a sheeple.