Projects 1930 Model A coupe build

OK, so I have been wanting to build a Model A coupe for some time now. I finally found a REALLY nice body that belonged to a friend of mine and he offered it up for sale. When I first went to see it, I knew this was the right car for my project.
It is a 1930 coupe that the previous owner had started a stock restoration on. The chassis had been restored, engine work done and the body mounted and in primer. I went over the entire body and could not find any evidence of any patch panels. It had new wood in the top and the doors fit absolutely perfect.

My plan was for a chopped, flathead powered and fenderless coupe with a 32 grill, so I started compiling parts, pulling from some leftovers and basically came up with most of the running gear. What I have is a rebuilt 59A motor, Offy 3 deuce intake, finned heads, T5 transmission and a '40 banjo rearend. At this point I struggled with whether or not I would leave the body on the Model A frame or go with a 32 frame.

After alot of thought I decided to order a new 32 frame from Duane at KIWI KONNECTION. Along with the frame he provided a 4" dropped and drilled axle, Hairpins, front spring, perches, shackles and a ladder bar kit, hence my car is HERE with the "Traditionally Styled Hotrods".

I started talking with friends about my plans to chop the top and a good friend and fellow HAMB member told me about a metalsmith in my area. I visited his shop and quickly decided to have him do the work. We talked about the project and decided to chop the car 3.5" and make a new hood for the car that would mate to the 32 grill.

Right now the chop is complete and awaiting the subrail kit from Steadfast Mfg to mate the body to the new frame. I also decided to cut the tank out and add a 32 cowl vent to the cowl top.

I will also be running a full 32 frame with 32 fuel tank... As the build progresses I will add more photos... This first photo is of the chop with top just setting back on the car.

 

Are you going to use the fenders?
r

 

No, I am not using the fenders. I went back and forth on that decision because the fenders are in such great shape, but decided to stick with my original plan of 32 frame and no fenders.

 

Looks like a good body and a good start.. Once the "A" bug bites it's hard to get rid of...

 

Too Cool, gonna have to keep an eye on this thread.

Subscribed!

 

If you sell those fenders they can bring some real dough. esp since yours look very nice from what I can see.

Or keep them and swap them on every once in a while and people will think its an entire different car.

 

Here is a side view of the initial chop. I will be taking pictures of the finished chop later today...

 

From the rear...

 

Nice body Hell ya nice build...

 

Looking good!

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Heck of a good job chopping your coupe. Nice!!!

 

Hell yeah! Subscribed!


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Thanks to all who have commented on the chop. I went over the finished chop last night and I couldn't be happier with it. It turned out REALLY nice!

Here is a photo of the finished chop

 

The chop looks awesome!

 

Here are a few more details on the finished chop...

 

Rear window garnish looking nice!

 

Stepping back a little....

 

3.5" looks perfect to me... I am anxious to get started on the chassis so we can get the subrail kit installed. More to come in next few days...

 

In this picture you can see where the raised bead for cowl trim alignment has been eliminated.

 

Looking great, when are the fenders coming off?


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As soon as we move the body onto the 32 frame... probly next week sometime.

 

I will be working on the chassis to get it set up with engine mounts, front and rear suspension, etc. over the next few days and will follow up with some photos as I go.

 

Looking good Heath. Sorry I have not been in touch. Work's been a bit crazy lately.

John

 

No worries John...

Was hoping to get your eyeball on the chassis work though and pass a few ideas back and forth about a nice layout for louvers on the new hood. Went up to see Dick about the plan and progress on the flathead. We fired it up and I got so excited and involved in conversation that I forgot to take photos! The motor runs a solid 70 pounds of oil pressure and sounds really nice, so next steps are to remove the stock heads, intake and distributor. (Will be adding a new Mallory distributor). Seems to have a bit of a cam, but will check for sure and decide on jetting for the three 97's accordingly. Gonna polish the sides and tops of fins on the heads before I put them on.

 

Well, the last of my suspension components showed up in my driveway yesterday, so now it's time to get moving on chassis set-up. The subrail kit from Steadfast Mfg also arrived and looks good, so things should start taking shape quickly!

 

I worked all day on the chassis and have both axles bolted in the frame now, but still more work to do. Need to get ladder bars and hairpin mounts located and tacked in place. Will add progress photos tomorrow.

 

Here are a few progress pics of the chassis mock-up

 

Front axle hung for mock-up and placement of the hairpin mounting points on the frame.

 

Photo: 1940 Ford front brakes pulled from original axle. Also pulled the original spindles to be used on new set-up.

 

The body is coming off of the original model A frame and getting the new 32 cowl vent assembly installed later today then starting the process of removing the subrails and getting ready to install the new ones.