Hey everybody I just got myself a cool little project and I have absolutely no idea where to begin. I've worked on cars for years and I've had a couple project cars, but nothing like this. Its a 1929 Model A roadster on a 1932 Ford frame. The doors have been cut out and welded over. Also the body sits lower hiding the frame rails. The PO told me it had a nailhead in it that he got rid of. He also said its set up to take a 350 trans, and it already has a GM rear end in it. I've always wanted a Model A roadster and I had some extra money burning a whole in my pocket so when I saw this I couldn't resist. I'm not exactly sure where to begin. My original plan was to go with a motor and trans I've got out of a wrecked crown victoria, however a friend of mine brought up some good points and talked me out of that one. Now I'm thinking 350 with a 350 trans, custom dash, custom interior, no hood, no top, and make it a driver. I'm 18 and I've wanted one of these since I had the hotwheel version. I've got a limited budget so this will definitely be a slow build. I really like the 50's and 60's hot rods so I'm definitely planning on styling my car somewhat like that. I will post pictures soon.
Sorry to say, that's not a 32 frame. Or a roadster body either. It's a cut up coupe. Looks like a 34 frame.
Well whatever it is I still think it's pretty cool and I'm sure I'll figure out some way to make this a pretty cool little hot rod
Have to agree with X38 as those were my first thoughts, but nevertheless it has the makings of a cool little '60s style hot rod. Do you know any of its history? Has it been used and registered/***led in that form? By the way, best do an intro ASAP before anyone else reminds you
Cool car to start with and great you are hitting it at a young age. Why not do it more traditional than a 350 and th350...how about a J2 Olds and LaSalle trans or a variation of a Ford (even though I am not a Ford guy) or a 283 with early staggered bolt pattern heads, WCFB or similar with a 3 speed stick...I would aim to do it more like it would have been done in the 50's 60s, you could also go with a Ford, Chevy or other straight 6 or even a 4 banger and give it a vintage look
looks like someone put some work into making it look like a roadster from a sport coupe. not a bad start though. good choice on staying away from the vic motor. There are a few of us young guys around here so you're in good company (im almost 22)
Hey everyone here is my intro thread http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=848580 So I've been trying to figure out a few things regarding the drive train. I have no clue what I want. I live up the street from H&H Flatheads and I've been talking to the guys down there a lot. I know where I can get a running Model A 4 banger with a ****** for a couple hundred bucks and after talking to them I thought it might be cool to have them rebuild it. So then I'd have some souped up little four. I've never seen one but I'm sure they're out there. If anyone is running a 4-banger how do you like it? What ******, rear axle, gears are you running? Thanks in advance
Ranch, http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=842774 many of your questions are on the monthly Banger thread. do a search and you will find it. Many hot bangers around, just had the Hill Climb in Murietta a couple weeks ago. You can find the event coverage by searching SoCal FAST. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=835226&highlight=hill J
Those bangers are sweet. I've done a little more research into these and I think I'm leaning towards the SBC. I would rather have a hopped up little 4 but the money I would need to spend is something I don't have right now. Like I said I don't know much about these cars so my plan for this is probably going to change a lot Also I'm going to get a free running complete SBC 350 so that helped me make my decision lol
Nice little Hopup, ranch73! Use that 350, get it running. Change it LATER. My first 'roadster' was actually a '30 Cabriolet on Deuce rails. (similar 'fixed' windshield, with a 'convertible' header bar. Cabriolets were actually Model A convertibles) That car had a 21 stud flathead, then a 59A-B, then a Cad, then a Buick Nailhead. My eldest son has a nice '27 Highboy on Deuce rails. He has a 291 Desoto Hemi for it, but is in the middle of a costly rebuild... The 350/350 that came out of the Nova that was gifted to him went right in (for the time being) and the roadster is nearly ready to run. He isn't going to make a hood for the Chevy version, says "it won't be in there that long!" He and my younger son both have hot rod projects, as I do. Changing engines in running hot rods for something new & different is commonplace around here... LOL Never gets old.
Ranch73, I couldn't even guess how many bangers are out there, I see untouched survivors all the time. Yes, I am running a Banger, all 4 of these were at El Mirage last May, all banger powered. I did both motors that are for the coupe (flathead and overhead) and the tank is the one I own/drive. J
You live just up the street from H&H Flatheads? How about a flat V8 with T5 ******? We did this in our roadster and it turned out great... Maybe they would finance a set of Navaro heads? LOL... Either way, you have a great project there. Keep us posted....
Hey man! That car is gonna be a sweet cruiser soon! I'm not too familiar with 32-34 frames but how could you tell the difference? That 350 for free is a smart move, saves you $ on other things you will need before a specialty motor. I wanted to go flathead in mine but like you, money is tight!! Let me know what else ya need!
I really want to get this thing registered before I put anymore money into it. So whether its a 32' or 34' frame my question is what do I register it as. It's got a 32' vin and an old 32' ***le matching the vin. So should I go ahead with that or do I do some more research and try to figure out if its a 34' and go that route instead? Or do I register it with the body so it will all be a 29'? On a side note I've been working on getting rid of these hokey front shocks. Here's a couple pictures. I thinking I'm going to use the speedway front shock mounts with the headlight mounts built in. Anyone use these before? Do you like them, any thoughts?
Got my front boxing plates today and shock mounts today. I didn't realize how big the plates would be. Also the shock mounts I received were the bolt-ons and I wanted the weld-ons so I'll have to wait a couple more days before I finish up my front suspension. So for the time being I'm working on brakes. Removing the ****py, sideways mounted master cylinder and all the screwed up solid brake lines. While I'm at it I'm going to rattle can the front end before I replace the zerk fittings and flexible brake lines. Will post more pictures soon. I'm still trying to figure out how I want to register the car. I'm looking for a set of DMV clear '32 plates so if you have any let me know or PM me. Thanks in advance
Well, that is positively a '33 or '34 Ford frame. I don't know anything about registration laws out there, or inspections or whatever. Here in Ohio, you would just take your '32 ***le down to the DMV and register the thing....pretend it's a '32. No one would even go outside and look at it. I have no idea what hoops you guys have to jump through.
Hey metal man what if I got a set of '33-'34 plates and just tried to go get a duplicate ***le. Do you think that would be a better way to go or should I just stick with my '32 ***le? Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I really have no idea. I don't want to give any advice since I know nothing about it. I guess I would make an anonymous call to your local DMV and ask them. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Oh man, that ***le thing could get a little dicey. So, let me understand this, you have a Model A body on a 33-34 frame with a '32 ***le that matches the numbers on the 33-34 frame? I'm not sure what the best approach is for that but I would recommend getting some advice from some of the other guys in CA who have dealt with similar cir***stances before you go to the DMV.
Yep that's what I got lol I have family in Yuma, AZ I've been thinking about registering it out there. They're extremely chill, but I still don't know what to register it as. I'm thinking I'm just going to pick up some '32 plates and see if I can transfer and register it that way.
You are correct Arizona is alot easier. I took my Illinois ***le into one of those 3rd party tile places with a 1929 plate that i bought at a swap meet. In 5 min I had the new AZ ***le in my name and the plates registered with 5 year tabs.
Really? Dang...okay then maybe I'll just do that. That'd be so nice, I'm just worried about putting out the time and money to build this car and for some reason not be able to register it.
So it's been awhile since I've updated. Just got paid so I ordered a radiator, center boxing plates, radiator super rods, and a reverse eye spring. I should hopefully be picking up a Y block and trans this weekend. I'm almost done getting the frame ready for the boxing plates. That ****py bullet proof firewall is finally out along with most of the ****py brake system. Will post pictures soon Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Things have been crazy, the water pump on my moms car blew and my older sister is home for Christmas. I've got a whole bunch of parts. I picked up a motor and trans. A 292 Y block with the 3 speed auto out of a '59 ranchero. Also got more boxing plates, a radiator, the new leaf I ordered was wrong so that's going back, got my radiator support rods, and now it's time to get the motor in the car. Here it is weighing down my ranchero I've got the front end already for the new shock mounts and leaf spring. Also reprinted it cause I was getting sick of the red frame. Here's the ****py firewall And here it is without the firewall New front shock mounts And I'm sure I have more pictures to post Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
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