Hey everyone. I was always really into the the look of Pisano brothers A/GS Model A coupe. The early version. Does anyone have any other pics (other than the ones below) any info / specs? Any and all would be greatly appreciated!!
Thank you! I have seen that one and believe it’s later. Since ride height is up and magnesium wheels…. Still much appreciated!! I have seen jnaki’s post on Joe’s car. Hopefully he will chime in with possibly some other info.
In 1960-1961, what was most common size of steel wheel size being run? 15” or 16”? I know most “average Joe’s “ spent their money on go fast goodies, not flashy wheels. I am really interested what Joe was running in pictures posted above!
Hello, Well, thank you for thinking of me concerning Joe Pisano. We knew of him and his Red Model A Coupe was one that our first purchase was going to look like. SBC, supercharged, LaSalle, etc. We had bought a Model A and got it running with the stock motor. Then within a few weeks, a two cars got sold and a new 58 Impala was sitting in our garage. So, the Model A became a dream. My brother wanted a 58 Impala with the most horsepower available from the factory. It was a 315 hp model 348 motor. The local Long Beach dealer said that yes, it is available, but on special order for that dealership and most others in So Cal. It would take too long over 6 months for actual confirmation and delivery. my brother wanted one now. So, he "settled" for a black 58 Impala with 280 hp. The dealer said they would throw in the 4:11 Positraction unit as a gift for compensation. Well, within a year, guess who was advertising and selling 315 hp Chevy Impalas in So Cal? Joe Pisano in Los Angeles. Despite what the ad says, he may have a gaggle of 315 hp 348 motor in Chevy sedans, but they had to be factory specs to run in the Stock car classes at all dragstrips. No fuel injection or dual quads for the big 348 motors. (Corvettes, perhaps) But the draw in the ad was 315 hp Chevrolet motors for ALL MODELS… Those options came year later for the Chevrolet models. We went to Riverside Raceway to see a huge Westcoast drag race meet. The race cars in attendance were one for the books. As we walked around the early morning, we saw a Red 1929 Model A coupe sitting in the pits. It was the end results of what ours would have looked like back a few years. My brother was awed at the sight of the Model A Gas Coupe Class racer. Then ideas started moving around his mind as to resuming the “build” from the past. So, for the rest of the time, Joe Pisano’s Red Model A Gas Coupe was a forerunner of what ours would have been, if we had stayed true. SBC motor, Paxton Supercharger, etc. etc… How about the suspension? Joe Pisano’s Model A was extremely low to the ground. If he got measured by the local police or CHP in Bixby Knolls, he definitely would have been given a “fix-it” ticket or immediately impounded. The body parts were lower than the bottom of the rims. Not legal as far as safety in hot rods. The local gendarmes always let us know by pulling us over. Why? Lowering to legal specs was ok, but put in several teenage boys for a cruise or a double date scene and the car gets lower or as low as the bottom edge of the rim. Jnaki Again, thank you for thinking of my posts as it was a project that we started, but impatient feelings from my brother wanting to go fast instantly and win some trophies at Lion’s Dragstrip was important to him. Sorry, I could not be of much help in the measurements. One of the reasons for the choice of a Model A coupe was the simple available sighting in a backyard just a mile away from our house. But, once we started the clean up and drove around in the 4 cylinder Model A, we noticed there was not much room for two teenagers in the stock seats. (Elbow room as well as head/shoulder room.) At the time, my brother was 5’8” and I was slightly taller. Yes, smaller bucket seat and lowered attachments would have solved the head room, but side to side, that was still a tight fit for two teenagers. YRMV 1959 Joe Pisano Model A Coupe A/G class 1961 Winternationals VS. Grist Brothers/Reath Automotive Willys Coupe As you can see, most of us just got new tires trued and balanced for the front, utilizing stock rims. Even the Grist Brothers had stock Willys rims. It was just something we all did to keep the costs low. (Using stock components when possible.) The rear was builder's choice. Ours was a 56 Chevy Positraction rear, while others used Fords. The B/W photo shows participation at the Winternationals in Pomona in 1961. Our HAMB member @Dean Lowe was prominent in the drag racing scene with his RPU at the time and would possibly have more information on Joe Pisano’s Model A coupe. As a respite from the drag racing recovery, my brother and I attended the 1961 Winternationals in the 58 Impala. But, we sat in the car in a parking spot down past the bleachers, behind a telephone pole barrier. Ring side seats along the side of the dragstrip. He still had some of his bandages, so, we watched from inside of the Impala seats. When I saw those black and white photos of Joe Pisano’s Model A coupe later on, I assumed it was a Black paint job. Then I tried a colorization program and it came out a Black Cherry color, assuming the background green trees were correct. But, in 1959, it was a Red/Orange
Thank so much for taking the time to write this!! I really appreciate it! I’m feeling much like your brother did about Joe’s car! Not 100% sure why….some of what you mentioned above…Stance…simplicity of the exterior and I believe the fact that they used the earlier A coupe. I have drooled over the few pictures above for what I believe to be way to long….haha.. Myself and my Dad have always been a HUGE fans of Dean’s roadster pickup as well! Absolutely awesome little pickup no matter what combination of parts he was using at the time!! I never get tired of looking at the photos of it either!!! I am following along on Marty’s RPU build as well. Amazing work! I am sensing a pattern here……lol….. I think I know what I must do….
@catdad49 I know what your saying…..but at this point I am liking both versions to the point where I wouldn’t want to have to pick between the two if I had to..
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