Model A roadster - body bracing

Trying to figure out a good design/method of bracing the body behind the seat to add structure so that the doors can be aligned (and close easily) and add structure to the car.

I tried some searches and didn't find anything specific, but I might have missed it.

I would like to provide enough clearance back there to still put a model T type gas tank (from the Hot Rod Company) between the seat and the raised section of the floor.

Here are some pics of the trunk area and behind the seat for reference.

I am using a boxed and X'd '32 chassis.

What have you guys done?

Thanks,
Mike

 

I like the original wood look you got now. The ford wood in my coupe holds body alignment quite well. I never had a roadster though. If ya can keep it as free from Home Depot square tubing as possible I think you will be better off. Are you missing the rest of the original wood/bracing? Nice car.

 

Yeah, from what I have heard the wood isn't enough in these old roadsters. And from what I understand - that is all the wood that is in them back there - what you are looking at is a stock type Brookville body.

Any other opinions on this? I am going to call Brookville and get their opinion. I may have to take a drive out to Ionia Hot Rod and get some lessons from some of those in the know (Denny and Matt).

 

if your using a 32 frame thats all stiffened up you shouldnt need to add any more bracing
what i did was to put another mount for the body at the very back cross rail....the one below the trunk since the frame can continue back there now
this gives you solid mounting points from end to end
the only place you might want to brace it is where you'll thin the subrails to clear the 32 frame kick up...but thats minimal and shouldn't be too obtrusive looking

good luck
Zach

 

I twisted your doors around alittle bit when your car was on the frame jig at Ionia did you notice they fit better when you picked it up ? Pat

 

SUHRsc - Thanks man. Actually I am planning on going to see Chuckspeeds car this week sometime. Some of your handywork, right? That should give me some inspiration and information.

Pat - actually yes, I think I did notice. I thought that was just magical healing the body did in the shop there - guess there was someone behind it! I wish Ionia was a little closer for me. Lucky for Denny its not!

 

Go stop by the bookstore and, if you don't own it already, take a gander at the, "Chassis Engineering" by Herb Adams / HPBooks. It has a pretty good section on triangulation that might make you section guess the value of the pieces you currently have added. Most of the good bracing work I've seen for our A' bones is an X brace behind the seat and a turnbuckle from the stock latch location down to the subframe. It appears to me that all the pieces shown in your picture are really just extra rungs on a ladder that don't really stiffen anything in the structure. Just my 2 cents.

I've got a fridge full of beer to discuss it over my build-up... I live right nearby.

 

Chad, yes, I have that book. You're right - triangulation is the way to go.

All the structure that is currently in my body (wood and steel) is stock Model A put there by Brookville.

I like the idea of the turnbuckle from behind the door down to the subframe - seems like that would help with door alignment.

I might take you up on that beer!