Hot Rods "A" REAL HOT ROD (Now Bound for Bonneville)

Well it has been a while since I started a new HAMB build thread. The last one was called Drag Snake Vintage Terror. The car is complete but still cutting it teeth (Fangs) so to speak. We are getting close to making some passes and finally enjoying the car and that thread will continue to roll as the car matures etc.

However, I have been fairly distracted lately with a Model "A" build that I have been gathering parts for and I have noticed some of those thoughts and photos etc. are creeping onto the Cobra page. LOL So I decided I might as well just start a thread for the new toy.

 

Bring it on!

 

No Thames thread revisited?

 

Now this may surprise any of you HAMBers whom have followed my other build threads but I don't have to go fast! LOL. I have wanted to build a killer traditional rod for a long time. AND when I say traditional rod, I mean it. No hidden computers, no MSD, no disk brakes, no power anything etc. etc.

A true HAMB Mobile. This build actually got some serious traction a few months ago when my cousin from Southern California was in town and online trying to purchase a Model A Vicky body. Now he had just purchased a rolling Model "A" Coupe project. It had a deep chop and was channeled down onto a custom "Z"ed chassis. The chop look good, not my idea of the ride height or style but it was cool and I was happy for him. However he is big guy, not as wide as tall but I thought when I first saw the photo there was no way he was going to fit in the car.

I was correct. However a Vicky body would solve all of his problems or at least that was his plan. While we sat and visited he secured the Vicky purchase and started showing me photos of the body. I said so now what are you going to do with the Coupe body. He said he needed to sell it pretty quick as he didn't have room for both. He asked if I knew anyone that might be interested in it. LMAO!

Now I am not going to tell you what I paid for it because it would make you so angry you might stop reading right here. Safe to say though I got the family discount. Not only that, but he is a truck driver that comes through the area quite often and five days later, he dropped the body off on his way to Chicago. So a killer purchase and free delivery, you can't beat that with a stick.


So there you have it. The first and biggest piece of the puzzle landed in my lap. Now we have to do a little reverse engineering on the channel work but nothing major and all pieces are there. He even left a killer custom bench seat in it and steel '32 shell and really nice grill. Score!

 

LOL Not yet, been too busy with other things. But it is coming along. Just got the pistons back yesterday so we are ready to finally put the engine together.

 

That would look great on a 32 frame with a flathead! The “Kickin A”!

 

Well M'town boy I think you are going to get your wish. LOL

So the coupe body is all nestled away safe and sound and to be honest I was not thinking about it too much because I know we have a couple of projects in front of it. I was talking to Jackson - @wrenchbender here on the HAMB one night and mentioned building it extremely traditional and I might need a Flathead. He is always good for parts and pieces of just about any kind and he said he would keep an eye open.

A couple of days later one of our mutual friends, drag racer and hot rod building buddy called me saying I hear you need a flathead. He said he had a line on a killer piece that would be absolutely perfect for the little rod. He was right. It came out of a fellow HAMBer's hot rod and basically just had one season of playing around with it before the decision was made to go SBC.


It is a fresh rebuild that he just pulled out of his rod and put in storage. Edmunds heads, Fenton intake, Fenton headers, one wire alternator in generator form. All new fuel lines and cloth covered wiring. I have wanted to get into flatheads for a while and we will get to play with this one a bit. Reportedly it has an exhaust valve stuck open but it came with a new set of stainless valves and even an ISKY performance cam. It ran with 50 pounds of oil pressure and under the intake the insides are clean as a whistle. Looks like a brand new engine. We are pretty excited.


It is mounted to a T5 Trans and has a new clutch and throwout etc. ready shift. I bought everything from the Radiator back including a set of killer coated custom exhaust that exit just in front of the rear wheels. Now since this photo we have the correct intake (also aluminum two carb Fenton unit) for the engine. This is a 48-53 8ba and the above intake, while it worked, was for an earlier model. Other than the valve issue, it is ready to drop in and run.

 

You are on your way it looks Great!

 

You've captured my interest @Deuced Up!...variety is the spice of life...great start for a fun time...

 

Sure like the way this one is starting out and will be following along with the progress. Considering I stay in Republic a couple times a year at minimum and also see you in Dewey sometimes, I'm sure I will get to check this one out in person when done as well.

 

Finally after getting the flatty home this weekend it sort of got me motivated. I have planned to do a pinched 32 Chassis all along but to be honest most of the builders are a ton of weeks out etc. Which is not really that big of a deal but Monday I called Chad at Hot Shoe Hot Rods in Billings, MO. I bought one of his first chassis over a decade ago.


That photo is from around 2012 and I think that rod is somewhere in California now. Minus the orange and graphics etc. I got a call about 8 years ago from a guy who tracked me down from the HAMB tag still on the firewall.

Now Hot Shoe builds a very nice pinched and contour fit 32 Chassis for a Model A. The rails run right back to the rear wheel well, make a 90 Degree Turn in and then straight back and bobbed ready for coil over suspension.

Keeping that rear area flat means you do not have to cut the floor pan in the Model A, just drop it on and bolt it in place. However we are not going to use a coil over system. We have a killer vintage Halibrand V8 Quickchange with a buggy spring which sort of puts the "kabash" on the above. After talking with Chad however he is going to pinch and contour the rails but leave the wheel arch sections in place. He will bob the chassis and put a temporary cross section to hold everything true etc. and we will install our own spring holder cross member when we mock it up etc.

The rest of the initial parts, pieces and plans include a killer set of '36 Ford Kesley Hayes wires that are already powder coated and mounted on vintage looking Coker tires. Steering will be F1 and finned drum brakes. I pretty much have everything I need right now except the front end.

 

I can’t wait!!!

 

Another entertaining attempt by you to put a size 8 ass into a size 3 seat!! lol Larry

 

Man compared to the Cobra this will be like getting in and out of a big old Buick. Lol

 

Sounds good!

 

Gathering parts. Front end kit came in today. When I saw the split drilled bones I just had to have them. I am going to order a matching set or drill my own for the rear after we start laying it out and have some idea where they will go etc.

 

Looks pretty cool on the office floor! LMAO

 

I can dig it

 

Cool so far! Looking forward to more. Subscribed.

 

Still gathering parts. I got a nice Painless Wiring Kit for it for Christmas and I hear via the grapevine
that the chassis is just about ready to pick up.!!!!

 

Hurry up spring is coming! lol

 

Here is one of the best updates I believe I have ever made on any of my HAMB threads. It has been
a long time coming and waiting etc. but I now have a confirmation and one word for you: Frenzel.
In fact as they say, a picture is worth a 1000 words!


Yes that is correct. I have been able to score one of the first ones off the line! I am pretty stoked!

 

Cool!

 

Hey @Deuced Up!

" Money has no value, unless it's spent "
" You have spent your money very well "

 

I think so! I am pretty excited. I must have been one of the first names on the list when they first announced it or a bunch fell off when push came to shove. Either way, according to Tim from Frenzel, we are about to own one of the first two units to head to the USA. It is currently built and ready to ship next week.

 

Let’s get on with it Randall! Lol

 

Well I am trying. Too many other projects in the way. I finally gave up on the Chassis, I have to find some '32 Rails somewhere and build my own. I am better off doing that anyway.

 

Well you’ll probably be better off doing it yourself anyway! I’m anxious to see it come together

 

It's going to be both bad ass and bitchin!