Hot Rods 1929 Model "A" Gut Check

I don't know a whole lot about the body styles back in that era, but I do recall my dad saying that it was cut down from something - sounds like the touring sedan. Ok, the question is - what is cheaper (I laugh while I type that.....) and would look better - to transform it into a "pick-up" by removing the fenders, channeling a little over the frame and adding a bed in place of the wooden P.O.S. flatbed OR to try and find a back half of a touring sedan as you guys mention?

 

That's a great start for a project. It's better than I started with! As others have said, those motors dont take much to get going. Good luck.

 

Cool project! Hope you can make something out of it. Looks like a pretty decent start to me.
Justin

 

I see alot of useable parts there, I would take it . Nice find.



CBB

 

Wow that thing looks great compaired to some of the stuff guys around here have started with. I think we all agree, grab that sucker up and do SOMETHING with it lol.. You might want to look at some of the threads on the modifieds guys are building on here. A touring cut down to a lakes style modified could be super traditional as well as not costing an arm and a leg to build. No matter what you do get that thing inside before there is nothing left. Good luck with the build!

 

Like what was mentioned, it is the front of a touring. The left door that is missing, is the same as a roadster door; they are around, but could be a little pricey. Almost anything else that is missing can be found.

 

Take it and find a back half, build it not too low with wires and the banger, juice up front and back, would look cool with or without fenders. DO it!!

 

Go for the back half of a touring car....forget the sedan part in your description...just plain "touring car' or "Phaeton"

 

OMG!!!! It's practically brand new!!! Finding something around here, having sat that long in the elements; that's just not going to happen!!! Great find.

 

Since you're on a budget;

Build a modified.

Scrounge a door, grille shell, etc.

Maybe the engine can be free'd up and salvaged. If not, start looking for a cheap engine (Nova 4 banger, etc.)

 

You guys rule. Thanks for the comments - keep 'em coming. I need to check on a few of the comments regarding the ideas like the "Phaeton", etc...... I'm not familiar w/ those. I'm still visualizing perhaps the modified truck design w/ a cool bed and some wires or nice steelies. Channeled a bit and lowered somewhat. It would be sweet to get the motor running again - can you convert these motors to electric start instead of the crank ??

From some of the comments, there must be some pretty rough stuff out that you guys have worked with to say that this is "practically brand new" !!! HA!!

 

If it helps you understand...A "touring"and a"phaeton" are two seated ragtops of the early days till mid 30s...A sedan has a metal roof on it...You have a choice piece there!! Please find an old anything to chop up before you ruin a potiential great car!!!
"touring" bodies are rare today!!!!!!

 

They already have an electric starter on them.

 

They are Right, it's a grate start. If your not sure how to, or what your doing I'd advise you to keep it simple and Fun. It's almost a Car now. Personally I'd leave the Old weathered wood on it. To keep it from becoming a Forever Project just fix or replace the Banger motor. They are totally acceptable Today. You don't need Juce Brakes to have a Fun ride. Just make them work right. You can change things like that latter. Your Obviously New here and with a little reasearch here you'll come up with an easy way to get it done. Probably my best Advice if I were to give any is to "NOT" start by tearing it all apart thinking yor going to make it All new again. This is a New age of Hot Rodding, take advantage of it.
Kool Score.
The Wizzard

 

Wow -- much better condition than a rust heap! That's in better condition than most driving bodies on this board!

What a find!

 

Rare Piece- sell it to a restorer and get a cut down? Make a little extra for the project?

 

WBRW32 - thanks for the description.

PIST-N-BROKE - truer words have never been spoken! I am probably considered a newbie compared to some on the HAMB, but have been working on a '49 Chevy Styleline for over 3 years now. You can get consumed w/ the little details and never make any progress. I have yet to enjoy driving that car because of that.... Hence the reason I have never pursued this project.

ok, I made good on my promise to post some pictures. Now I would like to see you guys post some pictures of the cars / idea concepts you have mentioned. I would really appreciate it..... Here are a few ideas I had in mind.

Either a modified such as the green ride (though probably not this radical) or find the back half of the black guy down below - though that may be beyond my budget / talent.

 

Man your in luck! that banger engine has the carb still on it and the radiator hoses! meaning all those field mice havn't crawled inside and made a nice home. I'd still pull the head and replace the gasket clean it up a little but It should free up nice because its been sealed off.

Juice brakes are over rated on a light car/truck like that, The mechs are great when adjusted right like anything else.

Check out the monthly banger threads.

 

Oh yeah those 16'' wires look great too, I dont know if you have a les shwab down there but they sand blast and powder coat those rims for 20 bucks a pop with a 1 week turn around time. You would be surprised at how nice those can come out.

 

you have one of these not a roadster!!!

 

WHOA !!!! Now I am convinced of my ignorance!! I had no clue!! Obviously someone in my family way back a few generations needed a truck pretty bad to cut up something like this !!!

 

Yeah, SlamCouver, it was running about 40 years ago! My uncle just parked it in the garage and never drove it again. It may free up. - I will check the banger threads..... Field mice ain't my main concern - it's the rattlesnakes in the weeds that get my attention - hence the 12 gauge....

 

If it looks like it spent most of its life on that property, check for any junk piles, ravines etc along the property. The other half could possibly be around. A highboy tub on 32 rails like Jakes (from Pete & Jakes fame)would be cool.

 

I'm still looking for some ideas / pictures. Help me out here.. Thanks.

 

Real nice find, ran when parked, some people would even say it only needs air in the tires. Enjoy.

 

Man grab that thing before someone else does! My 27 T sedan is that rough and I am no metal man and I am going to do it. If you get in over your head or you loose interest in it you can sell it and use the money for a car thats more your speed. I would give it a try.

 

A Model A "Phaeton" like that is a real rare find these days. Open touring cars were very, very common in the 1908 - 1927 Model Ts. Probably most Model Ts were open cars. However, Model As were mostly closed cars, with roadsters and phaeton being the minority. Phaetons were few and far between, and are very desirable these days. That's excellent trading stock if you don't want to build it. Roadster doors fit it in front, so a front door shouldn't be hard to find. The rear quarters and doors are out there too, but quite a bit harder to find.

 

Is this the Les Swab tire store you are referring to?

 

I'm working a deal right now. I thought I could get it just for the effort and gas money to drive down there, but found out that my cousin is the official owner as it was passed down to him by one of my other relatives. He says the back half is out in the brush somewhere on the ranch, but most likely it's been sitting in the dirt for close to 50 or 60 years and is in poor condition. We'll see...... How much would you be willing to pay for a ride as it sits in the pictures?

 

If it is within your means, grab it...many have started with much less. "Traditional Hot Rod Starter Package" for sure!