Honestly,I don't see a lot that has to be undone,,but at you skill level you will still have a ton of work to do,,are you up to that? HRP
Sure. Never said I did not want to learn. And I have some friends that are pretty good builders and have the experience with these.
You have already received the best advise, but here is some more. If it's not too far away you should go sit in it, to see how you fit. Those Model "A"s are already a tight fit, and with that radical top chop you'll have trouble leaning the seat back far enough to get the head room you'll need. If the firewall has been set back for engine clearance that just makes matters worse, for leg room. You might want to send that photo to your insurance agent to see if they will sell you a liability policy. they usually have the last word, and it's not always good.
I am expecting to not be as comfortable in something like this. For what I want and what and where I would drive it, that is fine. As for insurance, I use Hagerty, I am sure they see plenty like this.
Kerry, Don't be impulsive. I know you want to get into a hot rod, but that is not the only one on earth. Go there with an open mind. The more cars you look at the better you learn. take your time, they made 5 million Model As. they made 230,000 32s. Ago
Have already looked at a couple and turned them down. Some offers (most) I have not even gone to look at.
It is worth 4500, buy it outright and drive your wagon until you totally rebuild this one. I'm with Don, the body looks too fat, i swear i see a lateral 'pinch' partway up the door and i think i see it on the body running back to the fender. the lower hinge looks like it is in the right spot and i can really say i can see the upper hinges - we should be able to. That and the hood don't go all the way down. What i am thinking if the builder was smart enough and talented enough to do about a 6" chop and add 1 1/2 -2" to the body then you might have found something really old and desireable. Remember, they weren't all master fabricators back then, welds might look like a bunch of g****s and the whole thing might be rough as a cobb. But it might be an old survivor hot rod. The body alone is worth the asking price, buy it and toss everything else - its a specail V6 corvette engine in a rolling model 'A' ch***is and cut it loose to buy the tools you'll need to egt going on it. Stick it on a '32 frame, no fenders and you will have a killer hot rod that has history.
Better take 1 of your "Experienced Builders" with you to look @ it ! If they are experienced they'll tell ya the same thing --- It's a piece of ****! Keep the wagon, sumthin better will come along down the road.
First, put some dropped spindles on yer wagon, get it DOWN IN FRONT,, you will like it a hundred times better...then keep it for a while...its neat.. I have a friend who bot a late 1931 MODEL A roadster, It had a '32 ***le. Took him 50 years to admit that roadster was NO DEUCE....but he finally did....
I hope you post more pictures after you see it in person. No one has suggested looking inside the roof and check the workmanship from the inside, that's what I would look at first, but even if that is screwed you can find a roof from a rust bucket and start over. This one would have to be pretty solid to make it worth your while though. I've seen some good looking stuff go sour real quick right here on the HAMB and the new owner(s), bless his/her heart, have had to invest thousands more to make it right. Think with your head not with your heart. Go see it sober and don't stop for a drink on the way home.
Click on the link. The $4500 was for a project in the cl***ifieds, not the one I posted about that I am thinking about trading for.
All we are trying to do is keep you from making an expensive mistake. The chances that the model a will only need some minor work to make it roadworthy and dependable is between slim and none. The body is the least of your concerns, you need to take someone who knows good hot rod engineering and construction with you and LISTEN TO THEM. Just the fact that you did not recognize this as an A vs a 32 kinda lets us know you are a little new to these old cars. We have seen so many guys come on and post about a new car they bought and when the showed pictures of the undercarriage it is a car most people wouldn't drive around the block. There are some really bad builders out there and some unethical sellers who prey on guys with big dreams and little experience. This car could be the find of a lifetime, but PLEASE make sure by taking someone with you who will tell you the truth and who knows what he is talking about. Take lots of pictures of everything, especially the way the front and rear suspension are done and how the engine is mounted and it's condition. You may not like some of the answers you are hearing on here, but one thing for sure, no one will pull any punches or lie to you. Don
You are totally right. I have always been into 50's and 60's cars and have not been around the A's too much. But have always wanted one. I NEVER intended to get it without a couple buddys who do build these take a look. What I question is how so many have said p*** based on one pic of the car. Yet, they tell me to keep the wagon based on one pic of it....I just think that because it was done so many years ago, does not necessarily make it a piece of ****. Like I said, if it is not worth it, I won't do it. But because it is prety close, it is worth the time to look. And, I went out with a buddy in his A coupe tonight, had a blast and realize that there will be some give in the comfort area. But, I realize that and that is fine. His is chopped, etc.....
Well, you posted the picture and your heading says "Thoughts on this 32 coupe?" So you are going to get opinions. Most of the guys on here have played around with these enough that we can form somewhat of an opinion based on things that jump out at us, and for me the clues are V6, MMII front end, and things like that. Those generally are not the hallmarks of a great car, not that they can't be, but generally they are done on the cheap with bad fabrication work. Hope we are wrong and it is a gem. Don
What bothers me is that the "A" has a lot NOT going for it. The proportions of the stance, chop, etc. make it a real morphodite (sorry). There's a LOT of work involved just to get the look dept. back to a level playing field. Chopped too much with the drip rails shaved, egg shaped quarter windows. Molded visor? Then there's the mechanical side; Front suspension looks to have been installed way too high. I'm wondering if dropped spindles and springs will even get the fenderwells near the tires/low enough? V-6 is sitting way low in the ch***is? Even without the wide wheels, the rear end looks to be way too wide. I'd spend a lot of time looking underneath the car for quality of welds, brake lines, etc. Look inside as well at the sheetmetal. Bring a bondo magnet.
i think the thing a lot of us are reacting to is the overall look, proportion and fit of the car. Hot Rods can be made or broken by a few inches here and a few inches there. I dont give a **** what anybody says, you can take the same basic pile of parts and concept and end up with two completely different cars one is right and one looks completely wrong.....from the photo's you posted it doesn't look right.. it just looks all wrong....which suggests the person who built it was no expert. Your 56 on the other hands looks like a nice basic car, its a tri five, all the stuff is where it should be and it has a pretty simple cool look....there's an inherent value in that...Now, if there's no floors, no brakes and the engine is ****ed its a different discussion......
well the only thing i can add is, and this is from a '56 owner of 30 years, KEEP THE 56 !!! and i bought (a year ago), a ***led/registered, running, driving, stopping, "stock", 28 sport coupe with NO RUST for $8000.00. What do you think the '56 is worth. They are still out there..................
Exactly! I can tell ya this speaking of traditional, where I'm from originally a '56 four door wagon would never have been thought of as a rod of any kind. Small chance it coulda been used as a "push car". A model A has been "rodded" almost since it's inception and deservedly so. If, like me your just looking for a fun ride and not a bunch of trophies and a easy to maintain ride, look first and if it meets your expectations, go for it!
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