Projects My first build. 1929/31 model A

Made a sweet deal today. Since I bought a new subframe I had no use of the old one. A fellow model A enthusiast needed it and had a Tudor rear panel I could use for my build. Win win and all parties happy!



Since he's really experienced in hot rod building he gave me many useful hints and tips. Now I know what to do and how to overcome some of my obstacles.

Great day!

 

Always nice when both party's win!

 

I finally figured out how to fit the wheel wells in my quarter panels. They didn't seem to fit and I couldn't figure out why.

I decided to split the rear body so it would be easier to work on it piece by piece instead of the whole, wobbly thing.


When that was done, I still couldn't figure out the fitting of the wells. While I was sitting down and feeling tired, my wife came to the shop and I had to show her that I kind of knew what I was doing. All of a sudden I realized where the problem was, the well wasn't trimmed! A quick picture search on google gave me this picture


The well is supposed the be uneven at the rear end, it kind of steps up an inch and a half... That little part wasn't trimmed away and that's why I couldn't get it to line up. Do I feel stupid or what? Since I didn't have anything to compare with I couldn't figure it out , and I was just looking at pictures of the well, not the whole quarter...

Now I moved forward a bit and that feels great!


Before wifey left she wanted to see if she remembered how to weld. Never tried MIG, just arc welded in school 23 years ago it went quite well


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One quarter panel welded except for a small piece that goes in front of the tub. Had to cut it away since it was for a 30-31. Ground the welds with a flap disc on the angle grinder and that worked better than expected.
Lots of learning going on here, I told a friend that I was welding the quarters, and he asked "you're welding from the back, right?". No, didn't think about that... Worked great though!

After fitting the small piece that's missing it's time for some

 

Drivers side quarter panel all done except for some minor things. I have decided to spend a lot of time on the build during the coming three weeks since hunny bunny is out of town. Now it's time to call it a day, my back is sore...

 

Working on the hot rod all day. Put the quarter panels back on the subframe and started fixing the support beams. The steel is thin as paper but I managed to fix them and will be able to reuse them. Would probably been cheaper and easier to buy a new body... ‍♂️

Decided to let the old girl enjoy the sun, while it gave me the opportunity to sweep the floor and snap a couple of pics.

 

Great build thread. I appreciate that you show the errors as well as the solutions. I lost track of this thread a long while ago so I'm glad I found it again. Subscribed!

 

Thank you, I appreciate your interest in my little adventure!


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Doh! Ran out of welding gas, but got both doors hung and the body seems to be in position with decent gaps. Started to measure the left door window frame in order to give it the same height as the right hand side. Will continue tomorrow with a fresh bottle of gas.

Gaps okay and after some sweet talking with the quarter panel the door fits and closes pretty good.


This door frame is cut more in the front than in the back. Will see if I can rebuild it otherwise I need to find another door.


Went to a local car show and this was the nicest of them all, not displayed at the show but parked on the street close by. Plain Jane kind of style, all original interior in excellent condition, widened steelies with ply bias tires. The whole car was spotless and outstanding!

 

That right there is beautiful!!!

 

Thank you!


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After a lot of work the Rambler is now registered and ready to hit the roads in Sweden!

 

Great build thread just found it and looking forward to following it.

 

Thank you and welcome!


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Fixed the chopped drivers door today and it's now the same height as the right hand door. I think I will let them guide me for the roof chop unless it will turn out to be to low. Will measure how much lower they are and see if it's close to the three inch chop I'm looking for.



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Took some measurements today and the doors are chopped 6,5" which is way too much for me. I'll see if I find another set of doors to chop, otherwise I'll have to raise the window frames with 3-3,5" to get the look I'm after.


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Project b-pillar repair has begun. Lower portion of the drivers side is almost finished. Since both lower sides are gone I have nothing to compare with so this is my own design.

 

Starting to look like something that could be finished some day in the future. Have been looking for doors but to no avail. I think I will be forced to cut the doors and add 3" to the window frames.

 

Keep chugging bro!...tsk gonna be an awesome hot Rod!

 

Since nothing has happened to the Model A I'll give you an update on my Rambler:

I graciously offered to give my wife a ride to her shop the other day, and of course the car died on us. Close enough for her to take a walk and make it in time for her customer, too far away from my shop to go get tools.

Had my helper come with a jump starter and after putting 2 gallons of fuel in the tank, we removed the distributor cap and checked the points. The small plastic part that rides on the lobes on the distributor shaft had melted and the points didn't open at all. I guess plastic is cheaper or easier to manufacture than Bakelite... no more messing around with points and condensor, I installed a Pertronix kit with flamethrower coil instead!



More goodies for the Rambler in the mail today courtesy of Galvins Rambler Parts in Lodi, California. 5 businesses days to Sweden including clearing customs is good! No more clunking from the drive train, no more randomly driving home in the middle of the night without lights and no more "how much fuel do I have" guessing while driving!

Transmission mounts, light switch and fuel sending unit to be fitted shortly.

Steelies dropped off today for widening, 1" for the fronts and 2" for the rears. Will hopefully give it a meaner look even though I'm going to run it with the OE dog dish hubcaps, or maybe chromed lug nuts on black rims...



Now a week off and then back to the build. I have more or less given up on finding decent doors, so I will cut the window frames when I'm back.

 

I know this has nothing to do with the model a, but I'm so excited about this... Back from the trip and of course I immediately called the guy who had my wheels. Went to pick them up and they look good.

Original they are 5" both front and rear and they looked tiny on the car...



Now the fronts are 1" wider


And the rears 2" wider


Some finishing touches tomorrow and then back on the car!


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They look nice!!! Really like 2" wider for the back!

 

Thanks OFT!

Here they are, I really like the outcome!


Front


Rear


Cap before and after clean up



I will buy read enamel paint to restore the Rambler logo on the caps after polishing.


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Fuel tank found at a swap meet today. Think it will work nicely in the trunk after some welding!

Pic won't upload right now, will try again later.



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Wheels look good!

 

Strange, I can't upload the picture of my fuel tank
but this one works just fine


Both are from my iPhone and I took them the same day


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Got the fuel tank tig welded by my mechanic and I have yet to test it for leaks. I did however try it out in the trunk and it seems to fit good. I could be a little longer for more volume, but this is what I have to work with right now. I'd love to get my hands on a bomber oxygen tank, but they are as common as polar bears in sahara over here.

I also got some seat time in the coupe today. No pictures but it was a nice feeling



Went to the local breakfast meet, we were three cars in total...

The weather is depressing with rain and really low temperatures, but two of us decided to go take a look at a hot rod meet not that far away.



I left for my shop just in time for the rain.
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Attended a not so local show today to get some inspiration. Lots of really nice cars, I'll let the pictures speak for themselves:



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Seems like I can't post more pictures, I'll try again later.

This grey model a coupe caught my eye immediately, and I came back to it several times to make sure I got enough pictures and checked all the details. That car had the same chop as mine, and it looks a lot better when the height of the roof is added to the doors window frame. I have decided that I won't raise the window frames, instead I will move on with the roof and windshield frame.



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Thanks for sharing the pictures!!