History The Roach Rod Saga Continues! Almost done! New Pics Added...

Here are some pictures I took of the '26 Roadster last night. The only parts left on it from the Roach Rod are the rear end housing (It was narrowed, and I narrowed it again) and the long block. All of the Roach Rod parts are safely tucked away for when I start the recreation. It's taken me a year to get it to this point. I built a new front frame, shock and headlight mounts, wishbone mounts, engine mounts, all new front suspension, new rear wishbone, new axles, brakes, brake lines, I had all of the suspension and brackets powder coated, I restored the 60s' Americans, new seats, new windshield to get rid of the giraffe hump (the seats are 4" lower now), different valve covers, water pump, pullies, starter, bellhousing, manifolds, rebuilt two AFB's, painted the engine gold, reworked the pedals and fixed a ton of other stuff that was previously hacked together on it. In the next week I need to prime and paint the grille shell, and headlight buckets... and mount the rearview mirror. Then it is off to the Turlock Swap Meet to sell. It's been a lot of work, but I'm excited to move on and recreate Roachy. As many of you might have read on another thread, I have a drag coupe project that I am knee deep in collecting parts for, and that will come first. Maybe I need to build two at once! Hey, there's an idea!

 

What are you going to ask for the T? Love it man!

 

Cool build.
The different textures (gloss black & as-cast gray) and bits of gold/brass sprinkled around (wheel spokes, engine block and fuel line fittings) make it interesting.

 

Looks fantastic man

 

It's all done... sold to a new friend.... he takes delivery on Sunday, February 25th... and then the recreation of the Roach Rod can begin!

 

Yeah buddy! Part two begins!

 

Looking forward to having front row seats!

 

Someone got a neat lil' Hot Rod!

 

Came out great Sam.

 

Been a long time since I read about the Roach Rod. The HAMB was a whole lot more punk rock back then. Sam, never met ya (wrong coast!) but I remember thinking you guys seemed like a lot of fun.

 

@SamIyam , any idea how much this cool little roadster weighs?

 

I don’t… sadly I didn’t get a chance to weigh it. thank you for all the nice comments, guys!

 

The car turned out great Sam!

 

Sweet car!

Dave

 

Any progress on the roach @SamIyam ?

 

I think he's sold it already

 

I believe Joey is talking about the recreation of the roach rod which Sam has planned to build after removing the original roach parts off the shiney car and moving the shiney car down the road.

 

You're absolutely correct! I bought the '26 that was built with the Roach Rod parts. I pruned everything off, including the front frame. The original to the Roach Rod parts that I now have are: Track nose and grille, front frame with shock mounts, bolts and shocks, complete front axle assembly with brakes and wishbones, all four original wheels and hubcaps with front tires original to the RR, 2x2 intake manifold with carbs, valve covers, water pump and pullies, radiator, hoses and hose clamps, original Wedge Eng bellhousing from the RR, rear '36 wishbones and spring, rear brakes, rear third member and last but not least... the seats.
I have also begun to find all the original type parts that are missing. So far I have two 1924 Model T coupe bodies, an orignial 1960 Ford F-100 rear end, a four speed transmission, orignial RR style air cleaners, Hurst mystery shifter handle, 1956 T bird front parking light bezels (used for tail lights) and 1962 Impala tail light lenses. 283 Chevy engine (haha). Lastly, I have two parts that I kept off of the original RR... the Fordson tool box that was between the seats, and the .38 revolver cylinder with a .38 shell in it representing Russian roulette that I used for a shift knob.
As for when I am going to start the project... the '26 is sold... and I have a couple projects in the que that I need to do BEFORE I start on the RRR (Recreated Roach Rod) aka 2Roachy.
First is my '55 four door Chevy. I am making a solid driver out of the bumper dragging ten secon dflat 130+ mph drag car. A mild 454... TH400, 9"... done.
The next project that I am doing is my drag coupe. Many of you know I built the cage, suspension, headers etc. for David Freiburger's 1931 Model A coupe. With a 950hp BBC, it runs 8.50's at 155mph. I have made many passes in it at the drags. If you want to see it run, come on out to the Duct Tape Drags on September 27th and 28th; I'll be driving it. Anyway, that thing is soooooo much fun to drive. A true rush. So, about three years ago, I started collecting parts to build my own. I have a body, original '32 frame, front suspension and grille shell. Small parts like real '39 Ford tail lights, original King Bee headlights, Covico steering wheel, moon gauges, and magnesium American 5 spokes.
Then, in this very traditional chopped Model A coupe on '32 rails I will be building a cage that will cert to 7.49 seconds. I will then be installing a 582 BBC that I just finished building that Steve Brule dyno tuned to 1000hp... and, get this... a four speed. Yes, I will be banging gears in this baby. How fast will it go? Not exactly sure, but I am assuming low 8's at 160mph. We'll see.
So for now, the RR parts sit... and I continue working. I hope you guys all stay tuned!
Sam

 

Thanks for the update
Is there/will there be a build thread on the drag coupe?

 

Sam - you're ambitious as hell. Can’t wait to see the drag car and recreated RR!
Eric

 

I’m planning on it!

 

Good to hear please post a link here for those of us following this page

 

Enquiring minds want to know? @SamIyam

 

Here you go, Outback!
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/model-a-hot-rod-for-the-strip-and-street.1321308/

Sam

 

Thank you!