I've been reading for about a year and a half but never felt the need to write anything because my name fits. I'm 50, and I've loved cars for as long as I can remember. I had my first job when I was 13, carhopping in Texas and I spent my whole paycheck (65 cents an hour for 6 hours a week) on car magazines. I grew up in the muscle car times. My first car was a 1965 mustang 2+2 289 4-spd (paid $600 for it in 1970). I was a stupid 16 year old and destroyed that car racing it. Next was a 1970 Chevelle SS 396 4-spd (paid $1750 for it in 1972, minus a trade-in from the Mustang). Nice car. Raced the crap out of it, too. Next was a 1968 Corvette convertible 427 4-spd ($3200 in 1975). That car was the most fun. I never made much money, I just spent ALL of it on cars and gas. Then I got married, had two boys, and the cars were out of the question. Now the boys are grown and taking care of themselves and I'm back. I bought a 1958 Chrysler Hemi a year and a half ago with a Weiand blower, all disassembled but all there. Then I bought a 1930 A coupe in Long Beach last summer. It' in pretty good shape, pretty solid body, but everything on it's worn out and it's too far gone to restore. I know some people think it's too common but I like the look of a chopped high-boy A on a 32 frame with a 32 grill shell. I've been collecting other parts when I can find them at good prices. I have a toploader that needs a rebuild, a beat-up 32 grill shell and insert, an ugly 38 Ford banjo steering wheel, some Buick finned aluminum drums I found in a wrecking yard in New Mexico, some 55 F-250 brakes from a wrecking yard in Az and some headlights that look like slightly overgrowm Guide 682's with the upper marker made by Corcoran and Brown (??). I've been doing a lot of searching to see what works for frames and suspensions and steering and I've been following the awesome builds on here like Bass and Rolf and hemi_coupe White just to name some that come to mind. Trying to have something running and driving by the end of next summer.
Welcome, thanks for kind words. My car is nothing compared to Bass or Hemi Coupe's cars, but anyway... Sounds like you have the important parts. My 2 cents: Get a repop '32 frame or rails, plunk your model A body and the hemi in it, and you are halfway there. Good luck, keep us posted.
When your done building it, yourgonna have to make it out to the Village idiots Tuesday get together. Welcome to the HAMB!!!!!!!!!!!!!! KNUX!
Here's a try at posting a couple of pictures. I'm not so sure about the engine color. Rolf, Are you kidding? Your car is incredible looking. 53burb, I've been following the Village Idiots posts. I'll try to make it one night when I don't have to work so late.
Wow, that is one intimidating motor, and the coupe looks super solid ! You made is sound like it was a POS. With those nice fenders, maybe you want to keep it on a model A frame and full fendered? Keep us in the loop. To far to drive to the Tuesday nite thing, love to visit... Cheers,
The Jalopy Journal
