Been trying to find threads where A Coupe builds have been altered with flush fitting doors like a 32 does without much luck. Has anyone done one? If so how please? I know the vicky doors do, just wondering how it could be done with a coupe
I thought long and hard about doing it to my 29 coupe, but in the end I figured the amount of work would be way too much. Probably, it would be easier to give a deuce some Model A styling.
I've done it on both a 31 coupe: moved the cowl forward, built a stepped rear and top door jam (hammerformed over a steel form I cut) and chopped the door a little more than the roof so the top of the door fit inside the opening. As well did it on a 29 sedan. All the same steps, but cut and moved the rear door jam and 1/4 panel back the required amount. Stopped a lot of wind noise and door creaks when done.
Nothing tackier than doors flapping over the body. Even Henry didn't like it. He changed them gradually by flush fitting the front edge in the thirties A's and went all in on the 32. Hotrodders started flush fitting A's as soon as they had skills to do it, same as Henry . Same with exposed hinges. On this site many want to go all the way back to ancient times but there are just some things shouldn't be replicated in my opinion. I like a lot of what goes on here as things have gone too far with hotrods until they don't even resemble what they are but there are just many things that are just hokey and had no cl*** until someone improved them. To each his own. I flush fit all of mine. It takes a lot of skill, experience and patience to flush fit doors and you asking how to do it may indicate you should probably have someone do it for you that has been there and proved theirself if you don't want to chance mutilating a body. I am with you though that they need it and to those that say get a 32 don't get it that some of us like Model A's ,33,34,s etc. better.
Yep, you need to improve those A's. They are the ugliest things around when they still have their overlapping doors, hinges, visors, door handles, fenders, headlight bars, bumpers, hoods and hooks, rubber on the running boards, and got forbid a windshield frame. Smooth them up just like a baby's ****. And paint them a nice baby blue or creamsickle while you are at it.
Anyone know what car (or builder) is considered the first Model A to have flush fit doors and/or what year it happened? I like mine how they are, I notice the overhang briefly just before I open the door and get in, then I start it up and forget all about the doors...however, I could see doing it just to get rid of the rattling...lol Chappy
That is easy Ford built them in them in 30 and 31. All the Murray bodied car had flush closing doors. Briggs bodies had overlapping boors. Or should I say the Slant window series cars got flush closing doors.
On my 31 tudor I took and cut the upper and lower rails up against the rear quarter then moved the rear section back until I got a good 1/8" gap. Tacked a piece of 1/8" strap on the inside top rail, did the same to the lower. Latter I will cut a filler piece just to fill the upper and lower rails to hide the slice and dress. I moved the cowl/ header forward and left the upper panel above doors in its original portion to the rear body and i 'll build a small filler if needed to the front header. Yep over lapping doors is a great idea thats why we still have them today. To go along with mechanical brakes.....
The problem I see is that everyone will tell you you're full of **** when you tell 'em afterwards at a show is that it is a Model A.
A model A can be how ever you like it to be. They're no less a HOT ROD if you fill the roof, get rid of the drip rails ,and flush the doors. My 29 coupe has all of those done. I don't think it's any less of a HOT ROD than my 31 witch none of that has been done. Like said, It just takes a lot more time.My good friend, and metal man Moose helped me with it . A lot of work for sure! But it's how ever you like it the best. I'm Cool with them done both ways. The 31 started with a cherry body, but the 29 needed a lot of work anyway. Mine has been called a r. rods, street rods, and hot rods. But I just call'em FUN! lol Sent from my SM-G920P using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Ah some of you guys crack me up. I love A's (32s not so much and Ive owned a couple) but the over lapping doors always have looked 1/2 ***essed to me on an A, as patiently it did with Henry, hence the changes with the slant window cars. Silly me for wanting something slightly different... Now if only they had built a slant window coupe and I'd have all that I seek, but I digress. Appreciate all the helpful advice so far though, particularly from those that have done it.
...............It's all good. What kind of world would it be if the only ice cream flavor was vanilla?!
Takes a lot of work to flush fit the doors especially on 28-29 where the front overlaps too. A friend started to flush fit the doors on a 29 coupe years ago and finally gave up and bought another body, was above his skill level. After over 30 years of owning Model A's they have never bothered me but does clean up the lines.
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