Projects Model T roadster on Model A chassis

I'm told the B distributor has very little total advance & the advance curve is wrong for the A, beyond just being difficult to time with an A cover (the pin issue you alluded to). It would need lighter springs to meet the needs of the A. Mine is pretty wore out. I think I am better off throwing a Nu-Rex timing gizmo in this A dist, like in my AA.

 

Just back from the first drive in a while. Everything went great. This car is uncompromisingly terrible in basically every sense... I forgot how much I loved it.

We got a little bit of video action - I'll see if I can get something put together tonight.

 

The other clips aren't super great so here's this one.

Notes: I definitely need to sort out timing control. I think I'm gonna swap the automatic timing gizmo out of the AA into this thing. Idles kinda poorly - I think it's a vacuum leak around the carb. This radiator is pressurized, I think the cap is too much... will switch to a lighter cap... need to adjust the clutch pedal, brakes are still working good...

 

We've done the same swap. In 1972 we found a rolled over 27 roadster and a lot of other stuff on the Yavapai Indian reservation in Arizona. A large Indian dump you could see most of the cars had been rolled over. I guess too much fire water.

So ultimately the idea was to build everything out of the reservation dump. A slightly crooked 27 roadster body on model a chassis with get this a ford flathead six engine. Cut the firewall. Steering column was a late model A that has the separate tube from the gear box. Easier to modify that way. Cut the column control ears off and cut shorter. An unknown steering wheel. 28-29 radiator shell, funnel top tank model A radiator that worked rather well on a flathead six. If I were to build a 239 or smaller V8 in a project like this, I would rather go the flathead six. More torque, better ports and is cool looking in that combo. A few more or less cubic inches does not matter here.

 

I put the automatic advance gyro from the AA in it since at this point all we need the AA to do is pull itself up onto a trailer before the engine fails completely. Also made up a muffler and put an electric starter on it. My phone died so I didn't get any driving footage... but we'll get some soon.

This car is SO fun to drive. I have driven a few stock As since the last time I drove this car and I have to say it is nothing like those. They must have taken a lot off the head. It feels really gutsy.

 

It's also power to weight. That's a big reason why hot rods are stripped down.

 

Don't judge my parking job, there was someone double parked when I got there. Anyway.... took it to get oil/grease and a couple tools, changed the oil and serviced everything. Really really fun on the open road and does fine in traffic. About 30 minutes of driving with two stops. Head temp was 100 degrees when I got back, water in the rad was about 123. Probably need to look at adding a thermostat.

I'm kicking myself for walking away from it when I did. WTF was I thinking? We are a heartbeat from the finish line here. Tomorrow I'm going to add it to my collectors insurance policy, get it registered and then start paint prep. I have the sill panels we made ready to install, need to wrap up the dashboard and get it bolted in, then I'll figure out upholstery. I have three or four good Tudor seat frames and springs so using those is a no brainer.

 

Insured, registered and plated today. We are street legal! I need to get the brake lights going but it's not technically required to have them (I'm sure I'll get pulled over). Not far off from that either though...

 

I had a '65 mustang radiator on my 34 Ford truck the shell was cut down about 4 inches and you could still get to the cap and fill no problem.yes the cleaner top was an enamel bed pan it fit on a 6 inch base and filter lol

 

How did you get it to pass inspection? Are you in a non-emission county that does not require an old car to be checked out? Frank

 

Yep- actually the whole state has eliminated the safety test so now in non emissions counties there is no inspection whatsoever (I am a state inspector in Weatherford but I live in Mineral Wells so am familiar with the rules for both).

Having said that, this car would have passed inspection regardless. It is only subject to the requirements for 1926 which do not include brake lights or a windshield, but if I was going to drive it at night it would require headlights and running lights. Headlights were still optional equipment in 1926 in TX. As is it is perfectly legal to drive during the day, although I'm sure I'll have to plead my case with a cop if I don't get the brake lights on soon.

I took it on a quick, about 3-mile victory lap today and made a lot of smiles and waves. This thing gets up and moves and doesn't have any trouble keeping up in traffic, so it's just a matter of remembering to use my hand signals. The car didn't skip a beat.

 

I live in So Cal but at the moment working government contract in Kingsland, Texas which is Llano County. In January 2025 Texas changed the vehicle inspections requirements pending the county you are registered in. So far I am told Llano County does not require inspections for non commercial vehicles. Kinglands Texas, population 7, 050. Only escape is the internet.

 

The bedpan air cleaner looks kinda cool! I'd drive the hell out of it.

 

I knew it had changed but haven’t had one inspected this year. I will have to check to see if my 29 Roadster and 40 Ford sedan Delivery to see if anything is needed other than insurance in Denton Texas to get them licensed. Thanks for the information. Frank

 

They didn't even ask to see insurance when I registered the T and my AA - just handed me my registration. Should be the same over there, because they have not been subject to emissions for a long time. The same goes for any trailers, motorcycles or diesel trucks. I would still bring titles and insurance cards just to be safe. Any modern (between 2 and 24 years old) gasoline engined vehicle still requires an emissions test.

 

Years ago they checked ball joints , tie rods ,drag links ,brakes on a brake tester where drove on and stopped and the meter told you if it was OK , and tread wear on the tires and exhaust leaks, lights and wipers that was a long time ago

 

Caught myself scrolling facebook while I still had some daylight and decided to get in front of the brake light issue. Just need to grab a switch and run a few wires. These are antique Cats-Eye cab clearance lights from some old big truck.

These look kinda cockeyed but they measure out even. The tailgate is bent there so I'll make an effort to straighten it before I paint it.

 

I had registration renewal issues on a 1995 Dodge Dakota so it was moved to Montana where I have a few acres of nothing. Life time registration one time pay and zero inspections or tests. Only negative is, I have to drive it with big mud flaps, required on trucks. So I am driving around Texas with mud flaps that say Big Sky State. Mud flaps are not cool.

 

Talk about mud flaps, my girl's got 'em.

https://genius.com/Spinal-tap-big-bottom-lyrics

Each state is different, but the way I have had it handled and explained, you need to own it to insure it. If you already have insurance, you should be covered when buying until registered (yes there is a time limit). So initial purchase is get title and reg first, then insurance. This is CA and AZ.
Of course, this could change tomorrow. Check your area when buying! I'll also say that I checked into what and if it was available for the HAMB era car before buying.

 

It was a fun truck it looks like this now
I don't have it it's somewhere in RI.

 

Can you do a VTR-64? I am planning on going the "Street Rod" title route for my roadster once I have the body work done.

 

I cannot, sorry. I don't know anyone around here who can... titling these things is a bitch in Texas if you don't have an original title.



Picking up primer tomorrow, but for today, the car is running like a top and got to go on an evening grocery trip (before it got too dark for a car with no headlights). It really loves cruising at about 50 and gets lots of attention. Cops haven't bothered me yet.

 

Did you get the brake lights working?

 

No- I haven't messed with it or driven it in a few days. Had some friends visiting. I don't have a brake light switch yet & also haven't really got the battery in a permanent spot right now.

 

I think I may have asked you about it before. There's a shop in Justin that I've heard of that can do it.

I've been priming and sanding. Epoxy and then polyester primer yesterday. I got my first experience with a reaction to some of the old paint in a few spots, so that was exciting. Summit Epoxy is pretty easy to apply.

 

Took it out earlier and all it took was one "nice rat rod" comment...

 

Ok, maybe that won't deter the rat rod comments but it makes me feel better anyway.

 

You just have to educate people. That's all they know because it's been spoon fed to them. The next time someone says "nice rat rod" inform them that it is a traditional style jalopy, rat rods are built by people with no taste or direction.

 

Took it to the 50s diner in town for a victory lap burger. Shame the sign suffered in the last storm.

 

Painted the radiator finally - that has been bugging me. No longer!

I drove the car probably three hours today just cruising, stopping in at random shops and chatting with people. Super fun! One of my stops was an antique store that had some NOS Model A stuff last time I was in there like a year ago, but it was mostly gone today. I did find two radiator caps, 3 windshield wiper motors and a starter bendix spring for $30 though so I didn't leave empty handed - and the guy cuts glass... which is great because all three of my cars need windshields!

Lots of people feel a connection to the car at first glance. I've made a lot of friends today. The most important thing is that a lot of them were my age or younger and got fired up about the car.

As I was putting it away a neighbor kid asked if I'd help move his lawnmower to his grandpa's house. Hell yeah!