Projects 1940s Model A Sport Coupe Build Thread

Good progress. Where did you get the bungs? The bones I did for a friend specified grinding a slot back on the old weld seam, re-shaping the bones around the bung to fit tightly, then welding up the seam down into the bung shaft, and then around the end diameter. Just curious.

 

I used standard bungs, but built up two opposing edges with the welder then ground them into an oval so they fit tight in the wishbones. That was the best solution I could come up with.

 

A lot more progress this weekend. Since the car was missing all the sport coupe structure for over the doors I had to make my own. I started by using 1x2" tubing to complete the door posts. I then used my bender and formed 1" square tube for the top of the doors.





After that was done I broke up 16 ga angle pieces to join the rear wheel wells to the subrails.



I'm needed some structure to add rigidity to the rear body area and also wanted a spot to mount the rear firewall/trunk wall. I made some angle pieces that bolted to the stock holes in the quarters. Then I added 3/4" tube legs and angles braces to tie everything up. Eventually there will be tabs welded to the tubing that the rear firewall can bolt to.





Before everything got too heavy to lift I had my friends help me set the body and frame down on the suspension. Now I've got a roller!



And the weather was so nice I couldn't resist the first outdoor shots.











I really like the look of the car! It sits exactly how I wanted it to sit. The rear is about 2" lower than stock and the front should be about 3-4" lower by the time the engine is in. I think the stance is cool and should look good when all said and done.

Next up is the motor and tranny.

 

Looking good. Can't wait to see it with the drive train. What are you going to do for the top?

 

here's mine if interested...

 

Soloma,

Your car looks killer! That's exactly the look I'm going for except that I think I'm going to run the splash aprons too. Nice job.

 

wow! great job! lots of good insertion on my 29 sport coupe project!

 

More work this weekend. I figured out what to do with the headlights. I first took a stock bar and cut the ends off right before the light mounts. I then mounted those to the front frame horns.



Then I welded the bar on top of the stantions.



Here it is with the stock stainless headlights.



I'm going to run Guide 682-Cs so I swapped them on.





I like the Guides the most and the top markers will be my turn signals.

Saturday I ran out to the U-Pull-It in Buffalo and scored a mint '99 Plymouth Voyager middle seat for $25. It is really comfortable, folds flat, and is the perfect 40" width to fit in the coupe.



I pitched the stock seat mounts and mocked it up on wood in the car to try seating positions. I also stuck in the '36 column and '40 wheel I am going to use to so I could get a good feel for the position.









The car seems really comfortable. I'm 6' tall and have plenty of room to stretch my legs. Having an unchopped body makes a big difference. This car should be very comfortable (well as comfortable as an A coupe can be) to ride in for long distances. There is even still some room left behind the seat to store small bags or a slim cooler.

 

Starting to lay my steering setup out. I am using the '36 cross steer arms and was going to run a GM 525 manual box like I did in my A truck. The truck frame is 2x4" and the box hid well. With the coupe I held the 525 box up the original tapered frame and it looked huge! Now I know why people usually use Vega boxes. The bummer is used ones are usually over $100 and new are $369. Then I remembered...



This '74 Vega abandonded years ago in the woods at work. So today at lunch I ventured out and...



The car still had the box in it! Someone had unbolted it years ago, but never took it so all I had to do was whack the pitman arm a few times and it was loose.



So here it is. It's in good shape, turns very nicely and it was free. Not bad for a 10 min walk in the woods! Now I'll just let it soak, flip the arm around and I'll be steering in no time.

 

Well now that you took that steering box from that Vega, people are going to think that Vega is just a pile of junk now!

Your project is looking great. I like it!

 

Nice Street rod Bro!

 

I liked it up till the mini van seat and the vega box. Something about it doesnt say 40s... You got skills dont be in a hurry. You can also tell me to get bent.

 

The minivan seat will get recovered in tuck n roll distressed vinyl so that it will look old. I'll also have the upholstery people add a little bit of foam to cover up the designs in the current seat. As for the Vega box, the hood of this car is never going to be open when it's on display so I'm sure no one is going to see it and 99% of the people will have no idea what a Vega box is anyway. I could use a F-100 column and do push pull steering, but I don't have one of those and the front end is already set up for cross steer so that's how I want to run it.

 

i really like the wide fives on a model a and the choice of a 2.3 ford is interesting. Enjoy dude.

 

hey josh
this is Mark Taylor from back home in Nichols. I stopped by to chat with your dad thurs and he said you was building this 29 , looks awesome . I just bought a 29 tudor sedan. All original. niot going to chop it up just yet lol ... just going to drive it and enjoy it.

 

my bad , sorry i just realized your car is a '31

 

Got my open drive conversion from Hot Rod Works in the mail the other day. Very happy with the quality and price. Easy to install and should work good.



Here I unbolted the torque tube to expose the 6-spline pinion.



After a little wrenchin' I was in business.





Next up mounting the engine and transmission!

 

Here is the engine I'm using. It's a 1988 Ford 2.3L coupled to a T5 tranny. Not too much power, but it'll be a fun little banger in this light car. The engine dressed in it's stock fuel injection.



After a little switching around I had an earlier intake and carb bolted up.



In she goes...!



I had to notch the stock mid crossmember a little, but the engine fit pretty well. I have it offset 1 1/2" to the passenger side to make clearance for the steering as well to center the valve cover in the stock A firewall recess.





I am using the stock Mustang engine mounts and built very simple rectangular tube mounts welded to my frame.









Once I pull the engine back out I can finish weld the mounts and gussets. It think it looks pretty plain and simple.



This weekend I hope to get the tranny mount built so I can then hang the pedals and mount the steering column and box.

 

'40's Build ????

I think ya missed the mark with the Engine & the Mini Van seat

 

The build is 1940s inspired. If I could change the title I would add that word. However I did post that the seat will be covered in distressed tuck and roll vinyl and that the hood won't ever be open. When the seat is covered and the hood is down all the visible parts on the entire car will be pre-1948. I do drive my cars 40 miles per day to work 8 months out of the year hence the 4 banger. I can't afford to have a full zoot A banger or flathead V8 built. This car is my budget attempt at replicating that era the best I can for what I can afford. Right now I have $3000 invested in the whole project. I'll have the whole thing done for under $5000. I couldn't get a reliable A banger or my '40 flathead built for that so I have to make some compromises. I willing to live with a recovered seat and a newer $100 engine, that no one will ever see, that will also get 25-30 mpg. Thanks for looking and your comments, though.

 

I'm liking your build - too bad you have to keep defending your 40's build theme... Neat engine install, and I'm looking forward to the finished product.

 

Updates? Can we see the pics of the trans mount install , pedals?

 

Still working on the trans mount. I have been slammed with side projects so haven't had time to finish the engine/tranny install yet. I hope to get back on it after this weekend. Thanks for looking.

 

Nice to see this thread come up for air again, Gary

 

Cool

 

Thanks, Fred. What I want to do is leave patina on the car to look like the last time it was on the road was in '47 and that I have just dragged it out of the barn and put it back on the street. This car is still wearing its second coat of paint ever (except for the doors) so I want to leave that as the body is a survivor even though I put the frame and drivetrain together in 2012.

I'll look into what material I can find for the seat. I'm not a fan of plastic seat covers. I wanted something that looked like old worn leather for the seat, but made out of vinyl. I know that stock A seats were mohair and that's cool too, but I want something that won't be ruined if it gets wet sometimes.

Thanks for the insite and ideas.

 

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Great Build! I'm doing same exact with a `29 that's wayyy rougher than yours

 

this is my build i have a 2.3 in mine also with a t-5 this thing flys when you get on it and have no trouble laying rubber ..mine started out as a sport coupe i turned it into a roadster ...

 

Your sport coupe turned roadster looks awesome! I was hoping that the 2.3L/T5 would work good and sounds like it is for you. What size is that carb? Looks like a 2BBL Holley to me. Where did you mount the alternator? Any kind of idea of what mileage your getting?