I have been out of the hot rod thing for awhile and the last project i had was a 30/31 Ford Sedan and really liked the looks of the car.......the whole 28 - 31 style just because they are a little more affordable and plentiful. So my question to all the experts out there that are or have built cars......looking to get back into it and deciding on where to start, have been looking really hard at a 28 Dodge 5 window that has been chopped 4" and I think it would be a great looking car along with an older hemi in it, granted it won't be finished in a year I am sure, but wondering between that or getting back into a Model A project with in the years I mentioned also with a hemi, flathead or a nailhead, or some style of motor that makes it kind of the nostalgia style car. I am looking to run a beam axle set up in the front and 9 inch ford or comparitable in the rear and once again, for the motor.....not looking to build a 10 second car, but want something that has some snap but is still easy on the eyes. In a local craigslist ad around where i am, there is a posting for a 427 chev that was rebuilt by a certified speed shop and has 1500 miles on it and is built to about 435hp and can get it for $3000 or best offer......and when i check into the older hemi's.....preferablly 291 or bigger, they will cost about the same or more when complete.....BUT IT IS STILL A HEMI. So can a few of you guys that have been around the block on this same issues chime up and give a thought or two on the best direction to head......I know a car that you build is something that can only be decided by you, but guess just looking for experianced guys input.....Thanks!!!
In the end it all comes down to personal preference. No matter what, the A model will be worth more than the Dodge built the same way and would be easier to sell. A parts would also be easier to find and there is a m***ive after marked source for things like patch panels, wood kits pretty much EVERYTHING A model! Doc.
I think the 28 Dodge would be the way to go . It's not as common as the Ford and with an early hemi would be a really cool car . Just my 2 cents.
Model A pluses: Very popular, lots of info, very nostalgic car for a lot of folks. Lots of stuff on here about them with Hemis and others, too. Minuses: Almost a belly****on hot rod nowadays in some circles Dodge pluses: Wow factor, not everybody has one (nobody has one), could look very '40s - '50s nostalgic. Jalopy racer look? No way a Chev 427 would look as "wow" as a Hemi. Run as well, weigh about the same, yes. Somebody find him a Hemi, quick! Fearless
I'm a Ford/Mopar guy & it sounds like flip a coin. What hemi is in the Dodge? Most comments made pretty well covers it.
If you really want a nostalgia car, then the A is the only way to go. Dodges weren't hotrodded the way the Fords were; just because it's different doesn't mean it's necessarily a good idea. Ultimately, build what you want though 'cause you're the one that has to drive it.
The dodge has no motor, pretty much a frame, body and fenders.....so it's all up hill from there. They both make cool cars in the end, but the dodge has a little more draw, being that you do not see them as plentiful as the others.....looking to make a hi boy style out of either of them, so not a big worry on sheet metal other than starting of with a decnt body. Once again I have spent alot of time looking on here and seeing what's out there and this site is one of the best in my book as far as knowledge and the posts that explain some of the hurdles people have come accrosss. I know that the dodge is missing the trunk lid and the windsheild frame......trunk panel is a little obsticle but can be overcome, but fabbing a windsheild frame....now there could be a brick wall if a guy can't track one down.....where with the "A" stuff, it is plentiful, but in my eyes.....THAT IS WHAT WOULD MAKE THAT DODGE A KILLER ROD WITH A HEMI!!!
Any basic idea on cost for rebuilding a hemi....241, 270, 291.....I would think for 2500 - 3000, you could rebuild add a few parts and chrome for a ballpark....i know the speed parts for these motors are kind of rare.
I'd go with the Dodge, just because of the "everybody else has a '28 - '31 Ford" aspect. I've never been into "belly-****on" cars, plus I'm a Mopar guy, so for me, the choice would be the Dodge. Stick ANY Mopar Hemi in it! Be different! As for "parts availability", so the hell what! A true hot rod has much of it fabbed, anyway!
Opinion? We all have them.Here is mine: I would like the Dodge with some kind of Mopar power.Hemi preferred,but how about a 340 or 360 with the six pack?Still the wow factor and something that stands out of the crowd.There is also the cross-ram on a big block if you can find one.
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