well this could be a traditional hot rod so here goes... Back in October a friend had contacted me about a model A coupe he found on some random estate sale website. I wasn't in any position financially or time-wise for any new project, so it was conveniently forgotten, until the sale date weeks later when Mario reminded me. Since neither of us could afford it whether it was $500 or $5000, I told another friend about it and we hit the road. The 2 pics on the website were of a partial body on a rolling frame. [ By the time we arrived, a potential buyer had uncovered the shed full of all the missing pieces, and a bunch of repop stuff for a planned restoration. That's the so cal version of a BARN! They asking price was way high, but they were doing a semi-silent auction type deal. Which meant telling us the highest offer so we could beat it! Later that night we found out it was ours. At the time the deal was I'd help assemble it and fix it up, and then we'd flip it or continue on depending on time and money. We found this bitchin single axle car hauler for really cheap. I've always wanted a tilt one like this. Most of the next months time was spent fixing up this clapped out trailer. All I did was change out the tires to some with air and put on the doors. The engine was stuck, and I was imagining the spark plug holes acting like a water funnel. It was amazing to see almost new 10 over pistons. The engine was still stuck, so I was imagining the transmission a rusty mess. Nope just as clean with no chipped teeth. Focuses changed a bit, and I pushed more on the rusty 40 before the rains hit, so the 30 was brought home. Something more quiet to work on with our dickhead neighbors. Unfortunately our business partner ship also was at risk. Aaron has a serious disease called cystic lymphoma, and was on the lung transplant list. Somehow he was changed to the San Francisco area list, and the plan was to move to Sacramento. Not much to say when a friends life is at risk! I was hoping to buy off the trailer, but things changed when he wanted the trailer, as he bought my old BMW 2002 and it was the perfect fit. So guess what, I got the coupe! This changed things as space was at a premium, parts scattered either at the shop space, and then in my garage. The past two sundays the kids and I have slowly put the coupe back together. This thing had parts wrapped in newspaper from 1975! The newest repop stuff was from about 1986! The other cool thing is the guy had kept almost every fastener, even if it was broken or sawed off. Most of our time was spent sorting out the correct bolts chasing threads. I didn't realize how specialized the fasteners were for this puzzle. Typical late starts ended up with our one bulb night light! This weekend the fenders and running boards were all mounted up. I'm not used to having a project that doesn't require a ton of hammering! There was a ton of dirt caught in the catch spots that created the rusty holes on the lower panels. Now this is about how it looks. There are 3 boxes of all the miscellaneous little parts, and a small pile of bumpers, hood and some other sheetmetal. I'll try to get some time into getting the motor figured out. I hope it just takes some muscle to get it to turn. Anyway don't be surprised if you see it on the classifieds! The bummer is the time I'd have spent on the rusty 40 went to this, and I still haven't made a tranny hump for the green 40! Still its a good project to work on with the kids, so no complaints here! Thanks Marman for the hook up! TP
Get HRH-right now the goal is to consolidate the parts spread out in the yard! Next weekend we may get the brakes cleaned up, Then focus on getting the engine running. I had a beater banger roadster for a couple years, So it would be a fun town car. The problem is when I start thinking about anything that costs money or time, I realize I'm stalling on my other projects! TP
Nice pictures and enjoyed the descriptions. Looks like a decent find............. Altho since we have no idea what it cost, who knows? I agree it was a find. But still lookin for this perverbial BARN. I found a house, a back yard, and a small shed.
In coastal San Diego that shed is about as close to a barn as its gonna get! Look at it from far away and it kinda looks like one! TP
I can see that with '40 hydraulic brakes, 16" wires with 7.50 and 5.50 16's, the engine tuned up and an impossible to remove smile plastered across your face. Then after the new thrill wears of buy a copy of the Bishop and Tardel book, "How to Build a Traditional Ford Hot Rod" and turn it into more fun than the law should allow. Frank
HA!!! I sort of figured that. Thanks for not getting mad. What I really do like about this whole deal is the kids are involved. I love Model A coupes and family helping just makes it better. Now get out there in the barn and get to work.
I'm really hoping that 4-banger will run. I had a set of 16" wires that I gave up to another project that sold. Its amazing how a set completes a car like this. Yeah the boys were into models for a while, so its the perfect transition so they see the idea is the same, only bigger, and dirtier, and more fun... Macey my youngest will be an ass-kicker though! TP
Zibo, I just thought of something. Thinking is not my best thing! I once bought a Model A sedan with a Ford garage rebuilt engine. In a very short time the owner put it up for sale because the engine was locked up. Try this. I did and got the car cheap with the frozen engine. Put tranny in high gear and rock that car back and forth. Possibly the starter is caught on the flywheel teeth. Nothing lost if this does not work.
dam zibo, what part of town was that little gem hidding? I got some banger stuff and a few things left over from my 30 build, just let me know.
Wow, wish I could find something like this! Well actually I did a few years ago but mine was a '30 Tudor Sedan...
Hey JYK it was down in Chula Vista. The owner had died in the 80s, And the wife died a couple years ago. The house had squatters in it. They had cleaned the thorny vine that was growing over it. Not cheap but a great deal. May have to hit you up, Need a carb and maybe distributor... TP
TP....Great find!!! By the looks of the pistons and valves and that tranny...I'll bet it won't take too much to get it to break loose. That little car has lots of potential for sure, Excellent work for the little peeps too!!
We tried bumping the car in gear, really lightly though, with no luck. I was imagining breaking that little u-joint. Most likely we'll set up the A-frame and take a peak inside the bellhousing. At this point it is worth the time to do a cheap fix which means more time than money! TP
I know i have a dizzy. Ill have to check if i got a spare carb. Down in chula though with squatters, amazing they didnt scrap it. I got a squatter now that im dealing with now. I think im gunna have to cut up 7 boats a wreaked corvette a couple trucks, and a bunch of junk. Oh well.
Very cool story. I hope the engine being stuck is not too serious. Don't overlook weird stuff like bolts in the bellhousing, etc.
Your youngins will never forget working on that old car in the driveway with Dad! I know I haven't! I have great memories of "helping"Dad in the driveway! Outstanding find and sweet family project!
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