Projects 31 Model A Speedster Build

This is my first frame up build. I've owned and wrenched on a number of muscle car era cars/trucks in the past but this will be my first pre-war car. There is no timeline for this build. It could take me a year. It may take ten. Money and time will dictate progress. So here we go. I'll get some pictures up here in the coming days. Here is the goal. Wish me luck!

 

You should be able to build that in 2 months, for less than $1000. Ha!
I'll be watching. Lotsa luck...

 

Your example looks like it's built on a Model T frame.

 

That is a T frame

 

What parts have you collected so far?? Will be watching

 

Good luck! I can't wait to see whatcha got. Those little speedsters are very cool and fun to drive. Stay motivated to get it done faster.


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Here's what I've acquired to date. Nearly complete frame and suspension. I've started on the driver side rail working my way around the frame first. I've elected to keep it on the suspension at this point for mobility. Unfortunately I don't have a 10,000 sqft shop...yet.

 

Yesterday I picked up a couple of flatheads I've known about for a while. The guy I got them off of was a sbc guy that got them at an estate sale. He gave me a 2 for 1 deal. Both are in decent shape. The one with the distributor has a Fred Jones MFG rebuild tag on it. I understand it's been bored .040 over. Who can tell me what the rest of the information means?

 

I took a head off both motors for comparison sake. At first glance the rebuilt motor looks good. The other is decent. I will most likely only rebuild one. The other will end up on this Hokey *** Message Board. I intend to get the frame and suspension in primer before I go any further on the motors.

 

I didn't even bother telling my wife that lie.

 

Lots of speedsters being built these days, mostly for ROG. It's pretty cool to see the different styles of each build. I like the full bodied ones myself but really like Mike santiagos white one he built for ROG three years ago.

 

I was born and raised in Indianapolis. I've always liked the old race cars and speedsters. The full body cars are for guys with greater metal working skills than me. That's not to say I won't try at some point.

 

Fred Jones reman engine? That's a cool tag. That was right here in down town Oklahoma city. Four story brick building is still there. They even ***embled Model T's there back in the day. Being converted into retail and over priced yuppie apartments.
Guarantee those folks aren't the HAMB type.....

 

Made progress this weekend. Separated the frame from the running gear. Learned exactly how much power is stored in a rear leaf spring. Finished grinding and blasting the frame and got it in primer. Running low on space.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Looking good.Any further progress?

 

How many leafs can I take out of the rear and still not die? I'm going with a 4" drop in the front and would like 3" out of the back. I got it apart and primed today.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

I've been collecting parts for the last couple of months. The body is rough but it was the right price. The fire wall is probably worth what I paid. The wheels are rough but 3 out of the 4 are road worthy. The radiator shell came with the wheels. The transmission I had built here in Dallas. Sorry about the picture quality. I'll do better in the future.

 

The headlight buckets were terrible when I picked them up. $10 for the pair and they were over priced. After blasting and 6 coats of primer and sanding they are starting to look pretty good.

 

Thanks for posting your project. I'll be watching to see you pull it together. I love speedster threads, all shapes and sizes.
Are you familiar with using mol***es to strip rust? If not, do a search. It's really the best/safest way, especially with sheet metal parts like those buckets that can warp from blasting or get thin when soaked too long in vinegar. I didn't learn about mol***es until I was well into my project, wish I'd known earlier. Check it out. And good luck.

 

So, I see the progression of your project.......and it is as I suspected it would go after you started collecting.
I went the same route 41 years ago.
Started to build a Model A speedster and ended up with a Model a Roadster I enjoyed for many years.
Model A's don't make the best speedsters!
Went on to build a T Speedster after the A Roadster.
And the about 20 years later built an English "Nippy" Speedster.
Currently I am into building CycleKarts in my retirement.
Google Image CycleKart if you like to build fun things.
Good Luck with the rest of your build.........Have Fun... it is the best part of the journey!
Good Roads
Brian

 

Love to see more pictures of that great looking speedster.
Brian

 

Pay a visit to your local DMV. Find out what you will need in order to get it registered when you finished. Be sure to make a note of who you talk to and try to make a good impression on the person so they will remember you when you return, which you will. There will probably be things you need to save along the way like receipts for the main components (engine/transmission/frame/rear end) but this requirement needs to come from the DMV so ask them. Don't spend thousands only to end up with something you can't register. It looks like it will be a fun project.

Charlie Stephens

 

D.Wright, Brian makes a good point here. You are reaching the point where you need to make a choice between old-school speedster and traditional Model A hot rod. Both are very cool, but very different. So far, your body and engine choice look like a solid start to a hot rod.

Thanks. So as not to hijack, here's link to my build thread: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/a-speedster-comes-out-of-the-weeds—build-thread.1003005/

 

I'll give it a shot. Thanks

 

Gonna be cool...
Frame looks like a '30 - '31, with '28 - '29 wheels... odd holes stamped in the top of the center x member... henry used the slugs to stamp the brackets that hold the anti-rattle unit for the brake rods... to save money...
Sharp contour on the '31 door's window to door edge [ armrest] says '30- '31 Murry fordor...
Except for the top half the door is the same size as a '30 - '31 coupe...will work as matching "speedster" door skins from the beltline down...
Used one of each on a roadsterized pick-up... [pic]
Used 2" bowed [about 1/2"] sections of exhaust tubing, mated at the top edge of the large beltline....rolls up, over and inside to your inner skin... and is cheap...

 

The registration procedure is fairly straight forward for Texas. It will most likely be registered as a street rod. You are correct it wouldn't hurt to make friends at the DMV.

 

Speedster may not be what I end up with. I've read several threads on here where people say their builds changed once they got going. I like early hotrods. In my head the two most important things are that it's mostly original/period correct parts and cool... And it runs!

 

It is a 31. I was told by the guy I got the ch***is off of that it came with a p/u body on it. I purchased the body in the picture separate. You've nailed the top edge I've had in my head. I'm debating adding some leg room in the cab. I'd like to see what another 6-8 inches would do (so does my wife). I intend to chop the windshield post and look for some old stanchions.

 

I've been stalking your thread for several months. Very cool.

 

the '30 -'31 truck cab back is short, the truck / tudor doors were 29.25" at the beltline...
coupe / sport coupe, some fordors were 27.5"...
the roadster was only 25.?"...
longer doors with a deeper cab back may get you the extra length you want...
coupester has a longer ****pit than the roadster ;