I have a few Model A questions if you guys don't mind, I have the opportunity to buy back a Model A that was my grandfather's car. He started a restoration on it and p***ed away in the 70's. My father took over the restoration in the 80's and finished it with the help of my brother and I if you count 2 little kids as help. In the 90's my father sold it because we had muscle cars and a street rod and the stock A just sat. My only brother recently p***ed away from cancer and my first memory's with him and my father are working on this car. I asked my dad about it about 2 weeks ago and he said he would see if he could find it. Well he did on Monday. They guy he sold it to still has it and would sell it to us. It survived a tornado in the late 90's and was repainted from some light damage, otherwise it is exactly as it was when my father sold it to him. So this is a car that has a older restoration and all original components, What are the thoughts and opinions on modifying it to make it more hwy friendly? I would not like to alter the look but I am entertaining a flat head or small block V8 with a 5 speed and updated suspension and brakes. I drive the snot out of my cars and would prefer to make it more drivable but hate to change what I helped my dad build also. I know it will not be the same if I modify it but also hate to see a car with these memory's just sit, it has been sitting long enough it is time to be used and create more memory's with my kids.
Usually theres better scenery away from the highway, on the back roads... maybe give the car a chance how it is. You never know, you may enjoy the slow lane. Just look at it in a different light... Zach
1. This is a hotrod website 2. You want to use it 3. Why did it sit unused when your dad had it in the 90s....because it wasn't very hwy friendly? I think you have your answer, at least from where I am sitting! Make it cool, make it traditional and you won't regret a thing. Good luck, LT.
I think you have great idea there, with just making it safer and more dependable. Getting the kids (and Dad?) involved creates another link in the chain. You can make changes and still have a sense of continuity with the car. Good luck. Don't forget-you don't need a V-8 in that thing. A good 4-cyl. would be good too.
Your choice, my friend. If your dad was always intending to restore it (original), then you may want to check with him first. If he gives you the green light...just make some simple mods...flattie V8, dropped axle, juice brakes all around (you don't need "modern suspension"). If you put that T-5 in, you'll get to select some later model open rear end. Then, just enjoy it.
Propwash is right,talk to your Dad,it means something to him too. Never to late for a second Dad and son project,heck most guys never get a chance like that.
My dad is a street rodder, he would think it is cooler traditional than stock. He put is back to stock because that is the path it was on. It runs great so I hate to change much but it is to stock for my taste, It will get a dropped strait axle and juice brakes at the very least.
After having owned and absolutely LOVED my Model A in stock form I say go for it!! They are slow, but as said earlier, the backroads are amazing. There's no stress from a ****py day at work that a ride in a Model A can't cure. Buy it back, enjoy it in its stock form and talk to your dad about you guys building a flathead for it. Once the engine is built, (and parts piles are ***embled) tear it down to install the flathead and repair anything that might need it. Check out the fordbarn for more info on stockers. My banger powered A is the most fun I have ever had in an old car.
Its, hard to tell if you will like it stock or hot rod. I wouldnt mind having a stock model A but then i have another more highway friendly old Buick to drive. One thing I have noticed is that Model A clubs like to travel, and many are fitted with overdrives or a 3:54 gear. A,s have torq and can pull pretty good at lo revs. a buddy had one with a hicompression head with 97 carb and we drove all over the place. Overdrive would be the one thing I would want, just driving a antique car is fun and A' s are good for the scenic routes rather than them 80mph freeways. I just really like to drive 'em. [was my first car]
start with another model a ch***is, hot rod it, save the original one for "old time memories" win- win
Why dont you drive it around as a stocker for a while with out putting much into it, then hot rod it later. I use my relatively stock model a just to run errands around my area.
Join the HAMB Banger club. I normally would tell you to build it balls to the walls and drive it hell bent for death but in this case my only suggestion is to join the HAMb Bangers club. Those guys squeeze a lot out of the little four holed wonders and you have to respect that. You can make it very highway friendly and have youeself a 30s style rod to boot.
I am with with Junk Yard Kid. The best of both worlds. Basically there is one thing I think all A,s should have and that is a switch to hydraulic brakes, secondly would be taller rear gear, and that would get you into a useful condition for todays traffic. A,s have 200 cu. inches of pop,[bigger than Chevy,s 194, 6] and thats one thing that makes a pretty peppy car.
maybe a nice little banger hot rod? do the brakes and some drive train updates and go enjoy it maybe make plans and hunt down parts while you have fun with it got any pitures of it?
a banger guy myself. with a few basic mods & overdrive you can cruise at 60 all day long. Had numerouis rods before my, which I've had for 5 years & it's the most fun car ever
I've got my Dad's '31 Roadster and it hasn't changed since he took his last ride in it in 1983. I wouldn't want to change a thing, too many nice memories.
i had my phaeton up to 67 mph yesterday and still had half a pedal to go its a counter ballanced b engine with a cam and lightened flywheel v8 clutch everything is internal and know one would be the wiser looks relativly stock... i have a high compression head, 2 deuce intake and a header...but it runs good now tk
Throw some juice brakes on it, a dropped axle, a reversed-eye spring front and rear, a tire and wheels swap, and an overdrive, and drive the **** out of it. Pretty much like CHRIS' coupe he had + an overdrive..... You will dig it. Look at pictures of Chris's coupe in banger-form, lowered with wheels and tires. It was killer! James
When I get the car and it is in the budget that will be the plan. What is this banger-form you speak of?
It's pretty easy to find original Model A ch***is for sale since so many are being stripped and modified. Leav it as is for now, buy an extra ch***is, modify it with V8-5speed etc. and swap the boy off when it's ready. You may find you like the old girl stock for the difference and then buy a nother A body for the hotrod frame. Another winner.
LOL I have more cars than I can drive in a week as it is right now so 2 would be out of the question. I was looking at speedway last night and you can get a new bare ch***is set up for 2G Dam that is cheap. I just hate to dismantle a running driving car. I will keep the banger and hop it up a tad and make it safe and enjoy it. I have fast stuff to scratch the itch.
Hot Rod it.................theres plenty of stockers still out there......... i just put 500 miles on my coupe and enjoyed every minute, if it was stock i'd still be on the road coming home............
search on the main forium "Banger" every month there is a new one the first post is a post with a lot of links to th frequently asked questions tk
Try posting the same question in the Model A section of fordbarn.com. As for my opinion I would add juice brakes and maybe a little era speed equipment. Charlie Stephens
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