Projects OK, level with me Traditional H.A.M.B.'ers

I went through the same indecisive agony after driving my roadster in primer with the frame, engine and running gear painted, (yep, you guessed it) a shade of turquoise (actually a Freightliner fleet color). I had the body painted that color, and it was TOO much. Couldn't afford to do it all over again, so I two toned it with black. Sort of a reversed Bugatti scallop. Not up to today's current standards, but acceptable TO ME at the time.

Yours looks like a really big step in the right direction, and this is what I would do if I was doing mine over. If the car only needs final body and paint, paint the firewall over along with the body, fenders, etc. Replace rear fenders and front splash apron. Since it sounds like you can easily redo the frame, in black, you're even closer. I would run a hood, also. Maybe switch to a single 4 bbl.

I drove mine, looking like yours does, for a lot of years, and enjoyed the car, not what others thought.

 

Got one like that myself but only on ice since 87.Was and I mean was a finished car.Ive gotten all kinds of advice on what they would do but when it all comes down to it ,it will be what I WANT and that will be the way it was with some added options picked up over time and very little changes.Was good enough then and the roads are still blacktop. My problem is paint cost $52 a gallon back then and now it will cost more than my daily driver to get done.
The longer you wait the sooner it will belong to someone else.

 

F-ONE, You have no idea how many hours a day I put in here at the shop... That is one of the reasons its taking so long to get it finished. About every 3'rd weekend I get a Sunday for me. Not a cop out just reality from a small business owner. Tonight everyone is getting together for the Charger game, I'm building hot rod seats to send to England as I walk around the Model A in temptation. I think that is another issue, if you build cars for a living you don't really want to be seen in junk, I think it could be a reflection on my skills which have improved drastically since I last worked on the A almost 35 years ago. Ole Henry Ford... How in the world did he get everything done with what he had to work with? My Hero.

 

High and outside???No wait, that was a strike...

 

If it were mine, I'd just hit it with some primer, gray or black, finish up what ever is needed to get it street legal and safe, and drive the heck out of it. I'd say it's 90% there already. But then I'm often accused of being out of touch with whatever the current fad is....
I'm 72 and I'm still taking on new projects! Don't be scared of this one....

 

I started building Hotrods before most of you were born, As far as I am concerned ,
a Hot Rod is built the way you want it. When we were building "Traditional" cars
a lot of times what you did depended on how much you could afford.

 

Count my vote to go ahead and finish it -
Upholster it in white, with steel wheels and something like (just my opinion) 62' Corvette caps, and go enjoy it. I think the color will tone down once things are attached to it.
I wouldn't go back and re-do things like door handles, and I wouldn't fake anything. If you like it, and you are having fun, who cares what everyone else says.

 

There are guys who would give up their lefthand steering to be as close as you are to having a finished hot rod. I agree with all the wisest of the HAMBrs, your a couple of choices away from a sweet 60s ride. You didn't say it had AC, disc brakes, tilt wheel, electric fan, power lumbar, or heated seats and mirrors. I think you'll be fine, build it the way you want including color. At least you've got today to dream about it finished and that is some of the best part to owning a rod.
One last thing, you can't tell me that some of the more hardcore enthusiasts of way way back didn't at least consider ditching their door handles.


"Listen Mr... It ain't broke if I can't fix it"

 

My $.02
I'm 64, never built a car in my life.
I am very impatient and only really want to drive
the wheels of whatever I have.
That said, the car is telling you how to finish it.
It really doesn't matter what we think.
If I found your car the way it is I would finish it
up the way you started.
This way you win and the car wins.
And at least you get to drive the wheels of
for half your life!
Get 'er done!

 

Thanks for the honest answers, I cant begin to tell ya how much it means to me to get good advice from you fellas.

 

Keep the color but with a white interior (matching piping) and whitewalls and matching steelies. should look fine. add door handle (should not be that hard to do). maybe a white roof insert.

 

Studedude got it right, don;t build it for the HAMB, build it for you, you're way ahead than most with a great project.
Its your car, do it like you want it, nothing wrong with asking for opinions, but its your decision. Looks to me like you could have that coupe going in a month, now get going, and if you have time, post some progress pics.

 

All I can say life is short. Do what's best for you and yours. If there is no time ...make time and I'm not necessarily talking about the A

 

Do you want to build it the way I want it; or the way you want it??
I think you already answered your own question!

 

I really appreciate reading about your car situation and the replies. I also have an old project that has been on and off for 20+ years.
A few months ago I found a buyer for it. I was amazed when my family promptly vetoed the sale. Something about the memories attached to it. This was quite unexpected and got me all enthused about working on it again.
Then last week a tree fell on it.
Don't wait too long, enjoy the build and drive the snot out of it.

 

Within this post is a question that I think most have missed. About par for the Hamb where nobody reads.

Here is that question:

I'm really torn on which way to go. So do I fake a traditional where my interest really lay, or do I go custom ?

IF you want traditional, and I mean really want it bad, and nothing else will do, then you'll need to redo some of that car.

You stated your skills have improved greatly over the last 35 years, so to further stress what I said earlier ,,, " you are about 2 weeks behind"

 

i just turned 67 in july and started a new build for my birthday its a mess and im going to finish it the way i like. that being said just get it running and drive it do stuff to it as you go and have fun

 

Why is that so hard for people to do? Seriously. You probably made thousands of decisions in the Air Force, some may have had deadly complications, if done incorrectly, and now you need help deciding how to build YOUR car? C'mon, man! Pick a style and just DO IT! Or, sell it to someone who can.

 

If you really can't decide, bring it to me . I'll have it finished (nicely) to suit me, in 40 days. It will turn wheels and heads. It's not that complicated.

 

AGREE. That was one of the reasons for doing one in the '50s. Different!

Ben

 

don't fake anything, in the early 60's my neighbor had a 29 hemi powered roadster and didn't have any out side door handles only inside ones to open the doors.
finish it as long as it doesn't have billet and air bags it's good

 

I needed a kick in the ass to get going... Didn't think I would ever ask to get kicked but the end result is the same.
I'm going to pencil and some appointment time for me and Mrs. Model A for at least a few evenings a week and work in more time as the relationship dictates. Good Call Ya All. Thanks

 

Yep........thats a great start, to have a build problem with. Wish I had the same issue in my garage too. Not even close.
Sheeesh.....
These guys gave ya' plenty of answers......mine will only be a jealousy post, thanks.

 

Sometimes I don't know what the hell people are talking about on here with all the $2. words! What I DO know is that I love Model A's, I really love Model A coupes, and I think your coupe is totally COOL.The blue is a little 80's for me, but other than that, the car looks solid as a rock.Your car, your color.Main thing is get it going and DRIVE it. I like it so much, I may build a clone!

 

having a good job with a lot of work is good .makeing lots of money is great. wishing you had spent more time with the wife sucks

 

Mr. B, years ago innovation was a key word in building one's rod. Ideas gain traction when they prove out.
Next Decade's fad will not impact a well built car, look at the reverence given here to classic builds.
Yours needs to ride well if you're going to drive it. Apart from that feature, enjoy picking out paint scheme and upholstery that 'works'. The tan and darker colors hide the dirt well!

 

Do what you want and thanks for your service.

 

Great start there Mike... Whats the hold up? Heck if that were mine Id have that thing on the road in 2 weeks . LOL Sometimes things are just too familiar. Got to step back and get a fresh perspective and some advice. You guys did great walking me off the ledge. I'm back on track, I think. What was the back window cut out for?

 

Man, that is really a bright color. But I remember some really wild colors back in the day when traditional was current. I say finish it the way you started, its the fastest, simplest way. You can always have someone else repaint it if you don't think you would get around to it. But I would swap the tunnel ram for something else.

 

Write off the time and expense and use it to advertise your seat work.