So what *was* going to be a budget build might have just strayed into non-budget territory. I'm still going with using the best of what I can get within my means, but I've really been digging on the A frames with 32 rails. If I never get a chance to build another one, I want this first one to be as close to the way I want it as possible. I also don't want to take chances on building one myself, as I don't have the jig, table, etc. Thus, I believe this will be the only piece that I buy new. I'm wondering what ya'll think about all the different builders out there of A frames with 32 rails, what your experiences have been, what options to go for to decrease headache, and which ones to omit because it's either cheaper/easier to DIY, or options that are best left to customize with your non SBC set up.
The easiest to use is the one offered by Brookville Roadster. It is flat on the top and the body is easier to mount. But, it does not look right to my eye. For my current project I am using a frame put together for me by Gary Maxwell at Blackboard Hotrods. Gary is affordable and he has an excellent product. http://www.blackboardhotrods.com/ Gary built my frame with the mount located for the transmission I am using. I built the motor mounts to fit my rake. Lots of pictures at the link in my signature block.
By "A frame on Deuce rails" I'm ***uming you mean an A BODY on Deuce rails? Are you building a 28/29 or 30/31 Model A? If you're going to pinch the rails, they're different. What "non SBC" motor are you running? What trans? What rear end are you running and how do you want to hang it? Buying a jig-built frame from a good shop will give your project a great foundation, but you have a lot of decisions to make before going shopping. Good luck man, ask questions, and keep us posted.
I'm running a pinched frame from So-Cal speed shop. The frame is really nice, and I'm happy with the fabrication/welding quality....but....the body overhangs the framerails quite a bit in the middle and towards the rear. It's growing on me now...looks like how the 32-34 pickups overhang their rails. Originally when I talked to the sales guy on the phone, he said that the frame runs pretty flush with the body, but that wasn't the case when I got it. I spoke to one of the shop guys months later, to get some build advice, and he told me that they make it more narrow like that to avoid fitment issues with the A bodies...because not all A's are the exact same width. The nicest model A/32 rails setup I've ever seen is Brian B***' 29 coupe. As far as I know, he started with a stock 32 frame and instead of pinching the frame, he widened the cowl to match the frame. The frame and body run really close to flush together, looks really really slick and meant to be. He did another 29 roadster on a deuce frame...same deal I think. http://www.b***kustom.com/ A really killer "aftermarket" frame is the one that Pinkee's is doing. Super f&*!&^# awesome. The rails are flat on the top like the brookville ones, but they're sectioned as well....takes the bulkiness out of the chubby part of the rails .... http://pinkeesrodshop.com/1930_Model_A-s2.aspx?i=1 The coupe they did here has a crazy cool front crossmember/spring setup and uses quarter elipticals in the rear....super low! but you can get it made up however you like, fully ready to rock or just a perimeter frame. Pinkee's owner Eric is super cool and easy to talk to. B*** is great to talk to as well! And of course, my all time favorite shop....Circle City Hot Rods....you couldn't go wrong getting them to make you up a frame. The work they pump out is so sick!!! If I won the lotto tomorrow, I'd be heading straight to Cali and getting them to build my dream car. They use the perfect blend of traditional parts with modern and kind of racy styling, they rule. Jimmy White is the man! -Steve
ps....the bonus with the So-Cal A-V8 frames is that you can probably find one in a shop near you, on the floor ready to go. You see what you're paying for before you fork out the cash...instead of mail ordering one on spec and having it show up at your house in a truck a couple of weeks/months later. downside is that if you do find one, it's pretty much %100 that it's gonna be set up for an SBC...so you might have to make modifications.... They do have one available without motor/trans mounts, but I doubt that rod shops, other than So-Cal shops would stock them. Best of luck man!
Hundred bucks of tubing and do it from scratch like Sam! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=305273
check out www.blackboardhotrods.com/. gary maxwell does beautiful work, he is honest and you will find it hard to beat his pricing.
Man, the Blackboard frames look great, esp. the price point. However, here's a concern I have. I see a couple of guys making ones that have the step-in at the back of the frame to fit the wheel wells of the A body....(in my case, 28-29): Jim Weimer Rod Garage: Brookville: The others I've seen, Blackboard included, look like they've kept more of the original 32 rail feel or styling. I'm wondering how this affects having to notch or cut the subframe of the body? One thing it seems I need to nail down is the engine I'll be running. I'm sort of tortured over it at the moment. I loved working on the 283 I've got in my 50 Chevy, but I've also got a Chevy 250/PG combo or a 1938 Packard flathead at my disposal, as well. I'm really looking at the GMC 99 as insipiration for the body/stance:
I would go with a stock style 32 if you have some fab skills,or a brookville if you dont,i dont think the bv looks as good but might keep you from pulling your hair out,its not as easy as it looks to put the a body down on a 32 ch***is if you want it to look nice,more of a pain if you want a little bit of a channel,just fyi as im doing one right now,hope that helps.
id pm VAPHEAD here on the hamb... he will point you in the right direction, or even sell you one of his frame all ready to go, and one hell ova nice guy... here is his web-site www.riley-auto.com
Henry ford made a good one too and believe it or not, they do pop up in good shape and for reasonable prices from time to time. I'm not a fan of that step inward at the rear. I'd rather see a gentle taper/pinch if anything. Not sure about the 28-29, but my '31 did not require any such thing.
The 99jr car has a considerable step-up fabbed out of square tubing. I have a picture of the frame ........ somewhere
I'm building a '28/'29 Roadster right now on a ch***is from Gary at Blackboard Hot Rods. Haven't set the body on the frame yet, but I am extremely happy with his work. On my phone right now, will post photos later ... Malcolm
I am planning the same thing, a '29 coupe on deuce rails. There are a lot of considerations that you need to have thought about before you decide on who you want to get the basic ch***is from. An unpinched deuce perimeter requires more body fitting, but is one of the very traditional options. A contoured perimeter is popular and apparently has been done on traditional rods as well, but i personally do not like the perimeters that are stepped in at the rear fender well. That is over contoured to me. The location of the front crossmember is a consideration if your non-sbc motor is a bit longer and has a rear mount distributor, for instance a 392 hemi. Do you want to recess the firewall or add an inch or two to the wheelbase? Engine mounting height may be an issue, if you are trying to get the ch***is extra low raising the motor is essential, but it may also be helpful to get your fan in the right location to get a larger fan blade to fit. This of course affects brake and clutch pedal location/fitting. Then cross steering vs parallel steering, both are traditional. Buggy springs or something else? Lever or tubular shocks? The big problem with having a ch***is builder just do a perimeter is that that can lock you into decisions you may not like later. ...and a full mockup will cost more and will likely require you to have purchased a lot more of all the components that make up the package. I am still making a lot of decisions that will affect what I will end up with. I may end up getting my ch***is from a builder who generally builds rods closer to what components and element I want to use in my next ch***is. My advice is to not shortcut the planning process and consider that the planning may lead you to the builder you choose.
I'm with the others that don't care for the step in the rear frame section. Here's a picture of how the closer to stock frame tucks up under in the area in question. It does require some mods to the subframe, including to the Brookville body that's supposedly made to fit a '32 frame (though it might just drop on their stepped frame fine). This is a '28/9 body, and the '30 in my avatar is very similar to this picture. This frame I got from Kiwi Konnection, which is probably exactly like the one Gary Maxwell does since he used to work there. Visually they look identical right down to the somewhat unique rear shock mounting. Hope it helps your decision making.
A couple photos of the perimeter frame I just got from Gary at Blackboard Hot Rods. He'll do pretty much what ever you want him to, when it comes to custom frame mods./dimensions, etc. He's also great for advice, direction, and answering any questions you may have -- not at all pushy, just a really cool guy that seems dialed in to what makes Hot Rods look/sit good. Clutch/brake pedal mount Will try to get a couple more uploaded to Photobucket...
Yeah that is a good statement. Gary is a great guy ! His center crossmembers are light and super strong!
Build or buy a real '32 frame, then make the A body fit it. I widened my cowl, frame is unpinched, and made new subrails to fit the frame. Also did a mini channel in the front to get rid of the gap. Anything less is uncivilized...and looks like you cheated. My 2 cents....
The Jalopy Journal
