It seems that no matter how many cars I've seen and the endless combinations of bodies, frames, engines etc. that have been built over the last 60+ years, there is just something to be said for simplicity. Anything can get overdone (I do it all the time) I also tend to attempt to reinvent the wheel when it comes to building a ride. Then, I always seem to see a car that is so simple but has just the right something to bring me back to reality. For me, they usually tend to be a "pre-war" or very early car. So...here's a question for everyone. If you just aquired a decent stock, say Model A (coupe, Tudor whatever) and were tasked with turning it into a simple, drivable "pre-war" ride and had limited funds, what would you do?
i have a '31 tudor that i am doing a "pre-war" hot rod . i would love to compare notes with you . email me at : kzsteve@yahoo.com or PM me ........... steve
A very good question Bugsy. It would be great if this didn't turn into a 'build what you want thread'. What condition is the car in to start with? (i.e. runs and drives already, just a body, ???...)
The pre-war rod was almost always a roadster, and a Ford roadster at that. Most clubs and timing associations didn't accept anything later than 36 roadsters, some didn't accept anything prior to 26 either! All the rest depends on where you want to be, lakes and salt or on the street. Plenty of beefy and OHV coverted 4 bangers, six-cylinders, straight eights, suspensions often like early racecars from big Chryslers etc. Frames favored the Mid20s-late20s Essex.
I'm a big believer in KISS...There's so few stock looking pre-war rides left that the way to stand out now is not to do anything to it! To make it an economical, reliable daily ride, that's got something different, how about a 2.5 and 5 speed out of a Dodge Dakota P/U? That, juice brakes and a/c 12 volt conversion would set you up nicely. With the 2.5 you won't win many (any) races, but when gas goes back up again (and you know it will) you'll be glad you kept it sane!
Leaving the side aprons on and under the car, Un-dropped Axle, Wire Wheels, Canvas Cover, 4 Banger, etc. Take a look at the Amocat Roadster for some ideas.
get into the search engine and do a search for prewar pre war pre-war i think there was a thread something like "as they were" its much easier to look at pics from the era than to take advice from a bunch of guys who's dads were in diapers at the time. go to the american hot rod foundation website. there's a book at borders/barnes and noble that is an AHRF book that deals with a ton of prewar stuff.
Well, since my questions are hypothetical and I don't have a "donor" car at the moment, let's just go this route. Let's say that your subect car is a 1930 Model A (coupe, roaster, Tudor..your choice). It's an older, ameture resto but it has a basically solid body and usable interior. It's a running, driving car that is 100% bone stock. What do you do to it to give it that prewar look and decent drivability on the street? Body- Chop, no chop, channel, no channel, paint???? Drivetrain- Hop up the banger, inline 6, flat 8?? Tranny? Rearend? Wheels and tires- Steels, wire, artillery?? Tire size?? Front end- Dropped axel, stock? Brakes? Mechanicals, juice?? ETc..etc.. I'm not really looking for advise on what to do to my car, I know what I would do and what I like. I'm just curious to hear other's interpretations on this style and to hear what they like or what they would do so to speak.
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