I recently purchased up a pickup truck cab on the evil auction site (And I probably paid to much) and want to know some more about these old things? I was told it is a Ford model B. I only ever heard of model A so its just something that made me curious. These old 30's trucks and cars look so similar that it is hard to tell the difference for the uninformed like me. Is there a good website or reference book that shows the specific years and models? I would like to read up and educate myself on these vehicles. This will be my first Rat rod project so the forum will probably be hearing from me often in the near future. I have enjoyed reading many of the posts over the last few weeks and am now diving in. Thanks for any and all info. Jim
Your on the wrong foram if your into the rat rod thing. If it is a model B (1932) you'll have a lot of people pissed if you RR it, more so then an A.
Jim,,first off,,Rat Rod is a dirty word here,Hot Rod works best,, B model 32 cab has a removable firewall,,a model a is welded in place. 32 cab also has a cowl vent a model A has a gas cap in front of the windshield. 33 and 34 also have a cowl vent but both have welded in firewalls,,,post a photo and I can be more help. HRP
I didnt take any pics yet but here is the auction link that has a few pics. Its pretty rough, don't beat me up for the price paid- it was an impulse buy 5 minutes before the auction was up. Came with bed, gas tank, cab, doors, and a signed title that I have been having trouble transferring because it was not notarized and I cant get a hold of the original owner. The title dates back to 76. Thanks for the help guys. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1932-Ford-Deuce-Pickup-Hot-Rod-Rat-Rod-Titled-/120574388232?cmd=ViewItem&pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item1c12cb2808#ht_500wt_1182
I run into people all the time calling a car or truck a rat rod.Forgive them,for they know not.I had a friend call a nice truck a rat rod just because its old.He probably doesn't really want to rat it..,just the wrong semantics.I blame the magazines when they started using the term.
I guess I opened up a can of worms. Been seeing a lot of these old school hot rods at shows and I really like them. Plus most of my projects end up falling short of getting completed because of paint and body work. This type of rod is perfect for me- Get it running and drive it!
#1: read the rules. #2: never use the word R@t R*d ( see I can't even type the word) #3: change your screen name
I guess I should have stated my intentions. My plan is to slam it on a home made Z'd chassis- I already have the speedway front end. Wide tires, really short bed and wheelbase, chop it a couple inches, strip the cab and let it rust. There is probably already a ton of surface rust on the cab under the spray bomb paint job the previous owner put on it. 500 Cad motor, bomber seats, etc. It seems the definition of rat rod is varied but I think this may get close. If not please educate me. Thanks! Jim
The bed is a model-A '28-'31 the cab is a '32 If the title is a PA title you will run into problems being in PA and not having the owner present, or a copy of his/her license. Might have to resort to other means of titling it later.
Jim, please start by reading this: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44274 Then please post an intro like the boss asks. If you are planning to build a r*t r*d then you are definitely in the wrong place. If you are building a traditional hot rod then you have come to the right place. the words r*t r*d will get you pretty much nothing but grief around here. Have a look around at many of the picture threads to get the vibe of this place & don't cop an attitude or you will get flamed on. Not trying to sound like a dick, just a fact of life on this board. Hot rods take time & skill. R*t r*ds take neither. Oh, & hot rod primer pretty much nailed the cab ID *edit, Damn I type slow! only 3 posts when I started my reply.*
I saw the pics, that's a pretty nice Model B cab and Model A bed. You can mix and match parts and make it a good driver. But NEVER call it a rat rod. Those things are so unimaginative.
The replies are coming faster than I can type! Ok, obviously R.R. is a bad word around here. I personally like it, but I am a guest here so I will follow the rules. I think anyone who has a vehicle like this should be proud to call it that. I like the term because it is in your face and shows that you are not afraid to go against the grain. Kind of the anti-street rod. Didn't write a big fat check and have someone else build it vehicle. Like Big old noisy Harley vs. Rice Rocket type of car. Its the inverse of trailer queen. I guess I just don't get it.
That looks like it could be a 32 cab etc, I was always under the impression that a B was only for the 4 cyl models, but I guess they all may have been refered to a B I am not sure, they used the same basic cab from 32 through till 34 the only way I can tell the difference is looking at tthe back of the cab, if it has a wide swage line it is most likely 33 or 34 because 32's had a smaller swag in the back of the cab. Very good buy anyway.
Looking at the pics it is a 32. I don't think you paid too much for it, heck the doors and firewall are worth almost that much by them self. Not sure what the title is about without a frame with numbers, shades of grey there.
You've got some really good tin for a hot rod there. Don't strip the paint and then let it rust. Strip the paint, fix the rust as best you can, and then protect it with something. There are even "clears" that you can spray on to protect the metal, if that's the look you're after.
Son !! You did good !! Now get you a TCI or P&J catalog and go in the garage, get on the phone and spend some money. Then build you a Hot Rod ( Proper term)
Why would you want it to rust.... Rust looks like sh!t, there is a reason they call it CANCER. I am all about just get it running and driving it... my ride isn't rust free but I am not going to go and strip the paint to promote the rust. I have never understood the whole "rust/rat rod" thing. Why would you put a bunch of work into a project just to let it rot away. Or make it look like it is rotting away. WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SAVING THESE CARS, NOT HELPING THEM ROT!!! Just my op, sorry for the blow out.
PA Most of the guys on here build their own stuff. Trailers are for camping !! I'm going to make some Popcorn and watch the rest of this !!
I appreciate all of the replies and info I am getting. I apologize for using that term. I think I understand where everyone is going with this. Just so I am clear- a R.R. is a old junker, hap-hazzardly thrown together with old parts, probably unsafe. A traditional hotrod is a well thought out old car put together with skill, safe to drive, etc. Might not look finished, but is a safe, well designed vehicle. Do I have this correct now? Thanks again for all of the info! Jim
You are right... you don't get it. Building an old style hot rod does not mean you need to spend a lot of money, just time and effort. Rat rods are for lazy guys who only want to show they are different-like the rest of the rat rodders are... Do as you want, but this isn't the site for you if that is the build style you want.
The direction this thread is heading it won't last long before being deleted so I offer this tid bit of advice. Not trying to be anything but helpful,,but you might be happier with this site,,they build the type of cars you seem to appreciate.HRP http://www.killbillet.com/forumdisplay.php?f=30
You did good for a first time buyer. I think the price was fair given what's there. You'll get the title squared away. This is a learn as you go site so don't take it to hart when the Know all, Do all'ers Bang on ya for how you say things. It's your Truck so call it what you want just keep after it and get it drivable again. Oh, and Welcome to the board. The Wizzard
QUOTE: I appreciate all of the replies and info I am getting. I apologize for using that term. I think I understand where everyone is going with this. Just so I am clear- a R.R. is a old junker, hap-hazzardly thrown together with old parts, probably unsafe. A traditional hotrod is a well thought out old car put together with skill, safe to drive, etc. Might not look finished, but is a safe, well designed vehicle. Do I have this correct now? END QUOTE Sounds good to me, one FNG to another... Ha! Just don't make it look like a junker on purpose... Good luck and keep posting!!!
If you actually turn that into a POS r@tr@d,I'll drive to Pa just to "Junk Punch" you... If you really want to see what that has for potential,check out "Mr" Jeff Norwell's Truck, http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/album.php?albumid=12082 I'm not saying you have to "copy" it,just take some cues from it and do yours right! Also,do a search regarding the Speedway Front set-up....
The " grain " here is traditional " Hot Rods ". Going against that is going to make your life on this board less than enjoyable. It looks like you scored a pretty nice start for a project, you will get alot of very good advice here that will help you out with all those " little things " that rear their ugly heads when building a car. I found that out when I started my 29 3 years ago. Mine is not a tradtional car ( fiberglass ) but I've gotten some very good advice here and made a few friends along the way. Respect the board and all Ryan has done to make it what it is. You said " I just don't get it ", if you really don't get it you may save some time and find a board better suited to the type of car you want to build. I hope that's not the route you take because I think you can have a real nice car with the input you could get here. I hope you do " get it " and we can all watch as your build progresses. Good luck either way and hope to see you here. oldschool66
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