Hey guys, A couple weeks back I posted up some pics of the '52 331 Chrysler Hemi I pulled out of a salvage yard in AZ. I have also been searching for about 2-3 months for a project car to get started on after I wrap up my '38 Dodge coupe which I am building as a cross country cruiser (not entirely HAMB friendly). I was looking for a late twenties to early 30's coupe or pickup. I found a fresh ad on Craig's List Saturday morning and after about 100 phone calls, 2 voice messages and an email the guy called me back. He was really cool and said I was the first guy to call and that I could have the first crack at it. He said I could come look at it today at 4:00PM. I came with a trailer and cash. The vehicle in question is a 40's "Gas Ration" converted '29 Model A Pickup (used to be a sedan). He said he wanted $1000 firm, but I could only scrape up $900 on a Sunday with the banks being closed and $300 limits on ATM cards. I told him I would write him a check for the other $100 but he said "900 is fine". So I ended up getting it for $900 and it's pretty complete and rust free. I asked how many calls he had on it and he showed me a list of about 50 names - all in the order that they called. It was cool that he handled it this way, most people would not give a hoot as long as they got their $$$. I know it looks rough (the conversion) and it needs a lot of bodywork, but the sheet metal is all very rust free and all the body panels except for the tailgate are there. It has the full stock suspension and steel rims. The motor turns over freely, and the transmission and rear end are all intact. The frame looks really clean and solid, although it will require boxing. I'm not sure what the best way is to build this truck (body style) but I have time to think about it. What do you guys think? Here are some pics:
nice project, good find. looks like it used to be a four door briggs body. I would just clean up the conversion and tie up loose ends,
Cleaner her up, get everything adjusted properly, and run it. Thats a sweet find and obviously a small part of history being a homemade WWII conversion. Really like seeing the conversions when they pop up.-Weeks
Thanks guys - My wife Sherri likes this one too - she came with me to pick it up. Nice to have a wife that "gets it" when it comes to my hot rod hobby She really likes the '38 Dodge too, but she hated my '69 Vette. Oh well, it's gone now anyway. PS: it was 105 today - hot day to load a car
Hey Brent - maybe you were 1 of the 50 names on his list? It was a wierd deal for sure. He apparrently listed this then headed off to work on Sat AM not realizing the number of calls he would get. I must have called 50 or more times trying to reach him - at least every 10-15 mins or more for most of the day Saturday. We had planned to go up to our camper in Heber this weekend, but cancelled last minute. Maybe it was meant to be? Brad (previous owner) says it was dragged out of a barn or storage shed somewhere in AZ where it had sat for years and years. It shows. Plenty of spider webs but no rust I can find - even underneath. He seemed to be trying to get it up and running with minimal investment. It has much of the old wood still intact, and I have found zero rust through anywhere on the car. Very original except for the 40s gas ration butchery. But the steel is there so it can be massaged and corrected
that thing is sweet. hey if you dont mind send me some pics of your non hamb friendly dodge. jayc3003@yahoo.com my truck has a non hamb friendly motor and man the reliability is amazing!! nice find man!
That is not a Model A bed. The Fordor sills continue right back to the bed. I guess they put the stricker. etc. for the door in the front edge of the back panel. Too bad they cut off the door tops. Still and all a great deal at 9 bills and plenty to work with. Enjoy, I would.
Yeah I think the bed looks more like a '41 or so (but shorter). From what I can see I think the door tops were cut off fairly recently - agree it's too bad as the rest of the doors are in exceptional condition. I may have to locate more doors to repair these back to original if I don't go RPU.
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