Hot Rods Model A Roadsters - Why 29 on 32 Rails?

Finally a straight answer...

 

When did the SCTA "Firewall/Cowl" ruling come into play? The 28-29 cowl can be unbolted, but the 30-31 is riveted/welded in place. They allow the 28-29 to have a lot more aero advantage since they claim the body ends at the door post, not the firewall as on a 30-31. Yes, I personally think the 30-31 is a better looking body.

 

29 Nash and Big cheese 327 said it best, don't see a reason to add anymore except the one I built in 70 was 28/32 rails 50 Merc pwr, so I am kinda partial, they called all of them A/V8's

 

just sayin...

 

Your sister has got a nice car!

 

Just Cool !!!!!!!!!

 

JUST ! Cool

 

I like how the smaller 28' cowl makes the engine stand out. I started with new frame rails from Brookville, made to fit the flat, pinched 28' roadster body. Really worked out good.

 

Hahaha!

 

After moving roadster bodies around it is my impression, based on my rather unsophisticated upper arm scale (patent pending) It seems to me the model A roadster body is about 2/3 of the weight of a 32 roadster body.
Makes a huge difference too..

 

Great thread! I really like these cars.

 

My question is, in #1 you say you never really liked model A's. So why would you go through the time, money, and trouble to build a car your not really fond of in the first place? Just wondering.....

$ Remember forgiveness is always easier than permission $

 

In the Model T days open cars were a lot more common than closed ones. The sales trend gradually shifted from open tourings and roadsters to closed cars, until by 1936 very few roadsters were sold, in fact 36 was the last year for the Ford roadster. Back in 1920 they were the most common T along with the touring.

So when the 32s came along they were making only a small percentage of roadsters, mostly new car buyers wanted sedans and some coupes.

The 32 became popular for a hot rod because it was the first Ford with a V8. But the supply of roadsters was limited so guys learned to improvise. They would buy a sedan off a car lot, junk the body, and put on a Model A roadster body they picked up in a junk yard. In those days there were lots of 29 roadsters, for one thing they made a larger percentage of roadsters in 29, for another they made a lot of cars that year because it was the last year before the depression.

So that is how I think it started. By the way according to old SCTA programs the Ford V8 did not start to show up at the dry lakes until 1937. That would make sense as most rodders did not have a lot of money and what they did have was tied up in Model A 4 cylinder parts. By 37 the 32 was a 5 year old second hand car, cheap enough for a hot rod kid to mess around with.

 

I like Hotrods.

 

29 make a prettier roadster in my opinion than 32 ,and 32 rails flow with the body,,,,

 

good for you

 

$ Remember forgiveness is always easier than permission $

 

Just another plain jane belly button A on a 32 frame BUT, it would tour
Seattle International Raceway in 1 minute 29 seconds in 1974.
The SCCA didn't like dirt tracking the corners but they never offically said anything.

 

Oh momma...

 

'29 on '32 rails has been the mainstay since the early lakes!

Here's my son's '29 on deuce rails in 1980----& my '32.