Projects 29 Ford, trade for it? save it? rod it?

After being out of the car hobby many years I decided to build another car three years ago but could no longer afford much. I bought a cheap but nice 2WD S10 Blazer with a bad motor. Installed an L79 327 with a Muncie 4 speed I had stashed away. It's a blast to drive but it has no impact on the highway or at cruise-ins. I even overheard someone asking why it was there.

I really wanted to build a fenderless hot rod. I liked model A's and 32-34's but they're way out of my price range. About that time I fell into a nearly free 1951 Ford F1. Rushed into building a fenderless truck (yea I know... Rat Rod!) It was a good idea to me at the time but I found the HAMB.... and realized I really love traditional style.

Yesterday a good friend (gearhead but not a Model A nut) traded a 1980's rollback tow truck ch***is and bed for a 1929 Briggs? fordor. I saw it coming off of the rollbed and said I wanted it.... after it sat around in his storage lot for a year or two and he did nothing with it.

I told him I don't have money but would trade my F-1 that's not a typical rusty rat rod POS. I took pride in the build. Has a 10,000 mile Goodwrench 350 disguised as a 283 and new 700R4. Modern wiring harness. Everything including the turn signals work properly.

Today he comes over to take a look and says he'll trade. I'm going to look the Model A over on better on Monday and then decide. When I took the pictures the inside was completly full of spare parts and what looks like a wood kit. A little rusty with patch panels on the cowl bottoms but overall it's not bad. It's very complete and appears stock but it has an AA truck motor.

Is this a car that somebody (besides me) should restore?

If not I'll probably rod it (with fenders)

 

Is this a 155-B town sedan?
or
165-B standard fordoor?

 

your decision....which era do you like the best....the model a is cool and could be a neat car? Good luck on the decision!

 

im a model A fan so i would say trade and do something along the lines of chris's model a coupe

 

If you don't butcher it real badly, there's nothing saying it couldn't be restored someday.

I say go for it. It could be a very cl***y vehicle done with fenders, not chopped, etc. I rather like the patina on it right now. I could see this sheetmetal transferred to a nicely built ch***is with a flathead or early overhead, glossy black '35 Ford wheels, subtle big-and-little WWW bias plies (like 6.00-16 and 6.50- or 7.00-16), and juice brakes. Throw in a nice stock-ish interior, and I'd say you have a winner.

-Dave

 

As you probably know, that Model A has a wood structure that will need attention. You have some work ahead of you.

I am not sure what an AA truck motor is. I would think that it is just another Model A; if it is a Model B, that would be a plus.

I am not big on F1 pickups without fenders so I would go with the Model A. Would be a fun car but has alot of work ahead to get there.

Neal

 

Its a fair trade ,Get the A home ........

 

Another vote for the Model A,,,but I'm bias,,I like 4 doors. HRP

 

I vote trade. The model a will serve you well. It's what you wanted before you built the f1. Besides if you get to trade your only out the money you put in the truck. So trade already and post pictures of those parts.

 

Make the trade. Be glad someone wants your fenderless truck in the trade as it would be tough to unload and may be for sale forever.
Once the Model A is done (if it's done right) you can trade up to something else-Coupe, Roadster, etc.

 

Four-door's don't do a thing for me. If it was here at my shop and I owned it, it'd be a two-door rather quickly. That said, the truck's not pretty to look at either! I'd trade or redo the truck into something more presentable.
The truck has possibilities and is already a driver, do you really want a much bigger project like the Model A? If so, do the deal!

Sorry to be so blunt, hope I didn't hurt your feelings ...
Dan Stevens
dba, Steelsmith

 

Probably going to trade. Does anyone know exactly what model it is?



My plan for the F1 was to have fun building it, drive it, and use it to work my way up so it's serving it's purpose. My hobby cars have always been for sale or trade. I have less than $1000 in the F1.

Time invested is a different story but I'd rather build cars than watch TV so another big project is OK. I have more time than money, The wood issue isn't really scary to me as I'm retired from 30 years of wood butchering. I know there's new wood stored in the A, but not sure if it is a "kit" or a buncha' hardwood dimension lumber.

As far as making the F1 traditional again doesn't really interest me. Has a 10" Z'd frame in front and the axle is forward 10". Too much work undoing my own work to make sheet metal fit that I don't have. I'd rather see somebody else enjoy it. It's f-ugly but a it's a good truck.

I ultimately want a fenderless rod. A phaeton, roadster, RPU or coupe but I don't think a fordoor would look good like that. I'll use it to keep "movin' on up"...

I guess for now, leave it in the 'stock' condition and see if it runs and drives. Then work on making the condition better as I keep looking for "my" car. If I don't find a trade then I'll install a V8 and let the rodding begin. Probably some steel wheels with big n' littles but leave the body stock. Something like this but a little lower in the rear:

 

I like the A but I like all tall 30s cars

 

Or similar to these.

 

If this guy is serious about treading for that Rat truck
I’d show up with the trailer and just say thank you

 

Oh yea,trade it,and rod it!!

 

TRADE!! TRADE!! TRADE!!

Even if you change your mind on keeping it, it's worth the investment!

 

TRADE and do something like Hot Rod Primers more door.
http://public.fotki.com/hotrodprimer/hot_rods/1-2-1.html

 

i would probably trade, that is awesome rod material

 

I like that. Sweet and simple.

 

So you only got a grand in the Rat truck......and yur askin if ya should trade for that pretty damn solid A????
GIT SWAPPIN!

 

Certainly rod-able and family friendly.

 

Just sell it to someone who will restore it to what it once was and always want to be instead of destroying into some chopped V8 rod...

 

A all the way!!!

 

get bthe model a dude, four doors are cool!

 

do it up like this one:



Nothing else to say. End of thread. Lock 'er up.

 

I would drive the truck untill you finished the A. just my idea. throw cash at it

 

i would trade

 

NOT........who on here wants a restored Model "A" Veeee 8 that baby and drive it......