About 3 weeks ago I was down at my Aunt Dots ( Dorris ) home - had some time - got on my phone and looking on Da HAMB - found this 30A listed fer sale by Alan / Flatlanders - had his phone # due to him working on my - '38 chevy twuck - called and was 2'nd in line - first guy tried to low ball him - so Bubba wuz next - took a good friend of mine who has built so many rods he's lost count- his latest a '31 A - looking it over and talking to him he keep saying it's all there - after talking to Alan I told him I would take it - going back home talking to my friend about the car he said " Bubba if you told him you weren't going to take it I was going to stomp yer toes and kick you to the curb and say I'll take it " So not having a trailer - Alan delivered it 2 weeks later - which worked out great - cause I had to create room fer it - as you can see me garage is small 18' X 20' - last year I retired at 62 - so let this tale begin Started on my box of chocolates - finding some good - some bitter
Looks like a nice project to stat with. Could you post some side shots of it so we can see the whole thing? Good luck with it. Plans??
So, what was the thinking on those fan belts attached to the floor???? Or are my eyes tricking me! looks like a good project but not without a few challenges which is typical with any project. Love to see some more pics.
Some side pics fer y'all - plans are at the present to keep it all fenders and hood - NO chop - My Aunt Dot / Dorris said NO - after all it's her car - she was born in 1930 - go through everything and double check - re-plumb brakes and install new MC and valves - convert rumble seat to trunk fer da gas tank and battery - in other words pretty much stock except maybe wheels - with 327 SBC and 700 R4 OD - replacing 350 in it with 327 I was having built fer my '38 twuck - and using 700R4 that came with da car and 12 bolt 4.11 rear - which I know is TOO wide - haven't crossed that bridge yet - working on going through car and checking out it all
Yep - I got a kick out of that one - the belts were used between the lower and top metal pans - at first my eyes couldn't believe it - this is hotrodding at it's finest - other things was the welding of the rear end brackets - dang mickey mouse flux wire / crap - that's going out! - will have more pics and notes to follow will try to keep up with post - please give me all the help you can - I need it - later me friends
More done today - bubba tired - hurting - but got a smile on me face ! Got the bottom floor pans out and took out both side windows and back - looked at front windshield - saw some bolts ? screws - couldn't break them loose - please anybody need info - started sanding on body - to see what's under it - what amazes' me is so far there's no patch panels found - this is the nicest A body I've seen
Bubba, the front windshield when held way open beyond the windshield brackets(remove them) will expose the screws that go thru the hinge up into the wooden header. Removal of the screws will drop the windshield frame allowing removal.
I saw the screws - are they just wood screws ? - tried turning them wouldn't budge - was afraid I'ld strip them - will try later - Thank you
Thank you - yes some of the things I'm finding aren't a choice - others will be addressed as I git to 'em and ponder on.
Wow, Bubba...That IS a clean, rust free 'A' Bone! I suggest an 8" Ford rear, if you can find one. Widths will vary, but there are some that end up 'perfect'. Gear ratios in most would befit what you're using for engine/trans. Another one would be an 8-3/4" Mopar. Widths are close to the 8" Ford, and they use the 4-1/2" bolt circle.
Yup, wood screws. You'll need to soak the screws holding the frame corner together as they'll be rusty.
I saw where you mentioned “ Mickey Mouse ” welds, hell , Mickey can weld better than that! Reweld “ every” weld! Bones
Thanks Mike - yes this is one of the nicest body I've seen - seeing some of the other posts here - Bubba be dang lucky cause I can't weld - working on the body today - washed the car after I got it and the primer was rough - sanding is showing what I've got to deal with - so far no patch panels - some bondo - will post some pics cause I've got a question - as far as the rear goes I'm working on that thanks Mike / alais Bubba
Thanks MrTbody - got a bigger screw driver and got some loose today - going to wait to take windshiels out when I've got help
Started sanding on the body seeing what's under all the paint / primer - found some area's with bondo cracked / cracking - what should I do about this - thanks to all helping bubba
In my vast experience in body work( six weeks night school at local tech) my instructor told me bondo should never be over about 1/16 inch thick. It’s supposed to fix imperfections in your body work, not fill in dents. When you pile on thick bondo, it WILL crack in the future. There are many experts here, hope they will chime in. Bones
Did search dis morning on bondo - WOW - Da HAMB rules ! Thanks @Boneyard51 fer your reply - I've got a few more areas on the body to check out and resolve.
Thanks to @vtwhead & @Mr T body - got all but the outer 2 screws out - soaking them 2 - baby steps - don't need more work. Yep Aunt Dot / Dorris asked me if I was bringing it down next week - going down to visit and help her out - she's been like a second mother to my brother, sister and me - she doesn't have any children of her own and we adopted her. - will be showing the progress of her car to her.
Mikey got an A coupe! Yes! "Dorris"...lol...I love it. Good therapy for the blues. I know you're having some much-needed fun now. You're happy. I'm happy for you. Aunt Dot's happy. I imagine Theresa is happy for you too, buddy.
Haven't seen or heard anything of Mr. Mike. Hasn't posted since December. I called. Left messages. No answer.
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