So today i finally inspected in detail and drove it on the highway. Car is awesome, built perfect. I will buy it. The only problem I have is the exhaust is straight and too loud for me. I don't want it to be completely quiet, but I would like to hear myself and wife speak. Dual exhaust straight back. 1.75". Gl*** packs or is there another favorite?
Crazy what these go for.... I truly am a cheap *******! If I had the pockets to do this type of deal, I would just walk around car shows and make offers on the ones I LOVE... lotta guys would sell some sweeeet rods for less than 45k
Porter or Smithy mufflers seem to be the favorite mufflers for a car like this, a bit pricier than some of the cheap gl*** packs but worth it for a car like this. Seating position and suspension geometry are the two biggest factors in a build like this where even a combination of very nice parts can go wrong, but if you drove the car, were comfortable behind the controls and it steers and handles nicely I'd ***ume those things are good. A lot of new components are made/engineered specifically for a '32 frame making the suspension geometry easier to get right. If you love it, and you can afford it, it's a good deal.
Congrats on the purchase! To answer your thoughts question, that is not a 1940 wheel or column. It's a street rod tilt column and a smaller than stock copy of a 1940 wheel made to fit modern columns. But hey, as wheels go for those columns, it's the best option.
Well done, looks like a great car, I'm sure that you will get a lot of enjoyment out of it. Like others have said there are a few billet type bits that could probably do with changing out and a nice twin carb manifold to give it that more traditional style, but of course that all comes down to your idea of what you want it to be. Enjoy !
she's home!! If I wanted to add a hood & side panels is that possible or is this too far customized for that? thank
Congrats. Glad you were able to work out a deal. The HAMB is a great sounding board and tool to research “looks” before you start making any changes. My advice…..GO SLOW with the changes. It’s real easy to go down a bunny hole (ask me how I know…hahaha). As the car seems well put together and roadworthy, maybe just enjoy her the way she is for the summer and compile change ideas as you get to know her. As my wife just said: ‘enjoy the honeymoon’.
If the wheelbase is stock 32, then your hood will need to be 4" longer than a stock Model A, but a 32 won't fit either in either body lines or profile of the cowl. So any good will need to be extended or fully custom, unless someone makes one now.
Congratulations... looks like a really nice car. My advice (it's free and you get what you pay for) is to resist making ANY changes (except exhaust, I too like to be able to hear myself think) until you've crawled all over and under it, driven it through the summer, rechecked your bank account. Get to know it well and evaluate how it suites your needs. THEN think about changes. Most guys on here would have you pulling a lot of stuff off to make it more "period correct" but drivability, livability. reliability and overall enjoyment are the key things to keep in mind. I'd say it's a good score, but I'm not well versed enough in this type of rod to offer an opinion on $$$. Enjoy the hell out of it!
I've driven my avatar pickup without the hood in torrential rain for several hours. No issues, just like driving with the hood on. You wash it with water, don't be afraid of rain
dual straight pipes on a flathead are not loud unless they are short. Run the pipes all the way to the back for best sound. The headers may be why its loud. I have been running straight pipes on my 59 Ford Y block for 21 years. Its not loud except near peak rpm. My pipes had too much bark at first so I inserted some homemade baffles at the end of the pipes.
I don’t know you, but after all of this, I am really pleased for you ! It looks a beautiful car. regarding the hood, I think that you need to show off that motor. If you decide to put one on, start with a tape measure and see if anything stock will be close. You may have some adjustment available by adjusting the grille shell, but it will be minimal. Due to having to modify the side panels to fit over the exhausts, would just a hood and no side panels be a good compromise?
If you want a hood, look at Rootleib. They make nice custom hoods for hot rod applications. Making a hood top to fit a 32 grille and Model A cowl wouldn’t be that hard for them. They may already have one. Hood sides with those lakes pipes sticking out would take some fabrication.
thanks for being happy for me.. I totally get the show the engine thing. I too want to. Again just considering weather...
Pretty sure Rootlieb has a (or multiple) hood solution(s) for you. That said, would love to see a pic of the drivers side engine and exhaust. Reason being is that before you think about hoods and exhaust, you have to account for the steering set-up. Everything can be changed, and it’s all been done before, but these pre-war hot rods are like stuffing ten pounds of stuff in a five pound bag. So if thinking full hood, think about going around the lake pipes, or maybe changing to something like Fenton exhaust manifolds, but that may lead to steering box setup/clearance issues. And maybe more changes. It’s kinda like dominos…one little change may lead to more than one is ready for. If you post more pics of the car, I’m sure you’ll get a ton of feedback on what’s involved in the changes you may be considering. Some you’ll like and some you won’t, but forewarned is forearmed.
Well there you go having fun. Drive it/enjoy it for a while. Take it to a couple of shows, you will soon figure out what changes you will want to make. Is there something that you feel uncomfortable about defending as far as style, operation, or looks go, that might be what you want to change. I hope you live far enough away from the builder so you don’t have to field all those - hey isn’t that so and so’s car …
Not far enough... But i really don't mind. Im happy to give credit where it's due. Ive had enough of my own car success to feel good in my shoes here. He did such a great job he deserves it. More pictures to come.... Thanks
I will leave everything alone for this season except the loud exhaust. I agree with the wisdom shared here but im a planner thus the questions.... Here are some new pictures. The interior is oxblood leather. Beautiful.
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