ROG will be here before we know it. The Torrnados are building a few cars to compete this year. I sold last years Model T and am now building this years car which is underway and hopefully won't be a last minute nail biting build... This particular late Model A coupe turned up in the local craigslist over the winter. Pics were super ****ty as was the description, not much info and the fella selling it wasn't a model A guy. Turns out his father in law lived in Nevada and purchased the Model A in the late 80's from California. the car was brought to Nevada where it sat in his garage for a few years before any work began. the motor was pulled and given a complete make over with over sized Pistons, cut crank and new cam. The owners health turned and his family decided to bring him and the coupe back home to Beverly m*** where it was promptly put up for sale. I purchased the car from the son in law along with every receipt and a suitcase full of manuals and articles. It being a west coast car = no rot! But dents here and there? In weird places.. Plans are a healthy chop, F-1 steering, flathead V8, '32 shell, '34 axle.... Etc.
First pics of the car. I removed the trashed fenders.... They were the worst I've ever seen! Loads of brazen cracks and wrinkles everywhere.
Fenders removed. At first I tried to carefully remove every nut and bolt, but that got tired quick so I employed my little friend "Mr. Torchy".....so much faster.
At first i was trying to save nuts and bolts by using sockets and wrenches......after fighting with every single one I just used the torch and nipped them off. The car came with 5 brand new 19" Firestone tires with freshly painted rims..
Next was the steering box, Model A boxes **** big time! I had a decent F1 box, so I moved it back, filled the original steering box hole. I trimmed the F1 flange and re-drilled the lower mounting hole.
The front horns were damaged years ago...this was someones remedy? Overlap and bolt another pair on....old school back yard ****.
The entire front end was pretty tired. Every leaf on the front spring was broken in half, when I unbolted the U-bolt pad the front end came crashing down......almost lost a finger! Shackles were worn right thru the perches!
Scored a '34 axle that was under a trailer, had something welded to each end at some point but had perfect perch and king pin bosses. I cleaned up the booger welds and smoothed out the areas that needed it.
Did some horse trading for the front spring, installed a pair of '39 spindles and new perches. With the new set up the front end dropped about 3-1/2 inches. Had some time today. Cleaned up the '41 front bones, chopped off the spring in front mounts, blended and sanded. I had a bent tie rod in the pile so I cut 6" off each end and used them to split the bones. Everything is squared and tacked in place. I had a nice long pitman arm that was on a Correct Kraft wood boat....I heated and bent it to clear the bones, made a drag link and the front end is almost finished.
how much space between the steering wheel and the dash? might just be the photo, but looks to be a knuckle skinner
Watching all these ROG builds and thinking damn you guys work too quick! I have come to the realization I just work too damn slooooow!
LOL they used to think you couldn't weld a frame. So bolt on pieces and bolted on fish plates were common. Looks like you got it all under control.
Ordered a few more key parts for the front end, should be here tomorrow. Hopefully by the weekend I'll have the rear T spring mounted and some type of brake and clutch set up.
Had some time tonight to play in the garage. I wanted a larger/ wider column drop so I could mount some switches and maybe a gauge, so I made one tonight. I used a '56 drop as a pattern but extended it to reach under the dash rail. The '34 front end is done, steering is also done.
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