Well, I figured it was time to just shut up and do it. I have decided no longer to wait on the 'right time' to resurrect my 1929 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup and to just get it done. Originally, this truck entered my family through my Grandfather in 1964 out in Santa Maria, California. Incidentally, this is also where I was born. He drove this truck for several years, often through the foothills of Southern California, with the top off, sitting up on the back of the cab and driving with his feet. Here he was able to adjust the spark and fuel flows, so control wasn't much of a problem. Eventually, he dis***embled the truck with the intention of restoring it, but time and progress got in his way. In 1973, Grandpap saw an article in Peterson's Complete Ford Book about a Model A / Pinto conversion. With some discussion, my Grandpap footed the bill while my dad did all of the work as his senior project in college. There are even pictures of me at around 3 years old out in the garage 'helping' my dad work on this project. In 1980, my parents moved to Eufaula, Oklahoma, in order to escape the issues surrounding our neighborhood and to start his own automotive repair business. In 1986, the Model A made the trip from California to Oklahoma due to my Grandpap's cancer and financial issues and not wanting the A to wind up as a government siezure. I tinkered with this wonderful toy, as a kid and later as a teenager with a license, knowing and respecting what this car was, is, and represents. I later joined the USAF and it wound up out of my control (NEVER AGAIN!) and was stored in my aunt's concrete floored feed storage shop. Here, rats ate the wiring and upholstery; rain leaked through the roof and destroyed and discolored the paint; someone sat a coffee can on one of the front fenders and it rusted through the paint. I took it to the carwash that day and literally cried. The condition made me sick. Anyway, as I have additional planned projects coming up, I figured I'd get this one going again for the good of the order. I'll post some pictures of this project soon.
Now that's a sweet history. Congrats on still owning a vehicle with that much sentimental value. We can't wait to see it back on the road and then p***ed on to the next generation.
Anyway, back to my story... When this little Roadster Pickup was built, it was constructed during the California gas crisis and was originally constructed to be a daily driver. It has a Pinto 2000cc motor, 4 speed trans, front disc brakes, and a Pinto rear. The design was to create something that worked as well as new, but looked as original as possible. The motor came out of a wrecked '72 pinto wagon and only had 19,355 original miles on it. In the last 30 years, I seriously doubt it has gathered an additional 5000! See, once it was completed, my Grandpap couldn't see driving it all the time as it was so pretty! So, he would push it out of the garage once a week, wash it, and then drive it around the block to keep everything operational. As I said before, Grandpap p***ed away from cancer before I was able to get my driver's license, but he knew how much I absolutely loved this little Model A. It was his pride and joy, and now it is mine. My Mom's brothers - his two sons - are both trying very hard to talk me out of this truck, but I will never sell. Not to them, nor to anyone. My first wife asked me once if it came down to her or the truck, which would I choose? I told her that this truck would only make it easier to replace her, and she'd just have to pack her bags and hit the bricks! Please don't berate me about the mess and the Beverly Hillbillies couch strung across the back of the bed, or the other **** that is loaded both on the canvas top and in the bed. I'm cleaning my garage, and trust me - this mess makes me sicker than you'd believe. This is the only current picture I have - taken just about 20 minutes ago. The old girl has seen better days, but even better ones are yet to come. Grandpap, here's to you wherever you are. We all miss you.
Damn, my garage is a freakin' mess! I didn't realize how bad it had gotten until I start tying to put stuff away. Does anyone have kids who appreciate being in the garage? I mean teenagers who could be huge helps *IF* they wanted to? I've got one who just creates more work for me. I'm thinking of trading her off....
I'm going to get the old gal going again - and soon. I'm also trying to buy a '29 AA truck as we speak. I think it'll make a nice hotrod, while this one will always be the baby and a gentle cruiser. Anyone who wants to stop by and see, drink some cold beer or some good ole' Okie backwoods shine, is welcome to drop over this way.
Looks like an excellent start, and one with family history!! I've been have the hankerin' to put together an RPU lately, so it'll be great to watch this one come along! Good luck, and clean up that car-hole (I mean garage)!!
Just an update on where its at now. Got the garage all cleaned up - or at least as good as it is ever going to get. Tried to replace the timing belt on the 2000cc Pinto motor and realized I had to remove the lower crank pulley/harmonic balancer. Well, since it has never moved since new, and has sat for at least the last 15 years, it decided it didn't want to come off. The puller I used was the only one I had that would fit, so had to pull off the hood, grill shell and radiator to be able to reach the balancer pulley. Lotsa banging, beating, and pulling finally got the damned thing off. Now I just have to find a replacement balancer and pulley for a '72 Pinto motor. Anyway, we're *******, on stands, and waiting for the end of the resurrection. Will be probably chasing the part and working on the hoses, rat eaten wiring, and anything else that might be rubber and rotten. I can't wait to get this old girl back on the road again!
There was a big thread a couple of months ago about these motors. Parts are still pretty plentiful so I'm sure that balancer shouldn't be a problem. Pretty truck. Keep us posted. I forget the name now, but there is another fella on here with a yellow and white rpu too.
Holy ****! It runs! I just got this old girl running again for the first time in 16 years! The air was filled with the wonderful smell of ancient carbon, but screw it - she runs! Will be taking a cruise around the neighborhood in a day or 3! Damn, it feels good!
Good for you, now take your kids for a ride, so they can remember it in 20 or 30 years, and fix up "dad's old truck". And keep us posted!!!
The Jalopy Journal
