Hello, I'll introduce myself again because I don't post much, enjoy reading the forum. My name is Dan, live in central Florida. Been a fan of "hot rods" starting with a '82 mercury capri 5.0 in the early 90s in high school. Since then many other cars. Bought a 31 model a few years back and was hooked on the old Ford's. It was all stock but not really my style Sold it and bought a 27 roadster project. Put that one back together and love driving it. Now onto current project. Bought a frame (assume it's an original model a frame that's been boxed and a 6"z in the rear. Has an unknown tube front end that's not staying. It has a '73 mustang 9") and recently picked up a couple 29 Tudor bodies. Planning on building a late 60s style fenderless highboy. Minimum chrome driver. First question is where should the body be set on the frame? All the original holes on the frame have been filled and body mounts for something else were added so thats no help. It's currently setup for a SBC and those mounts Will need removed too. The rear could be adjusted to set the axle in the wheel well. So basically how far back from the front cross member so I could possibly run a hood? Planning on either using a 5.0 from an explorer with carb, or I have access to a complete car with a 460. Trans would be either a c4 or c6. Here's some pics and one of my goal.
Opinions on if I should use this chopped body instead? Both are about the same condition. This has a 3 1/2 chop started. Also will include a pic of my 27. Probably doesn't fit in the traditional forum.
I'd used the chopped body if it's not a hack job. Also, and this is just my opinion, Think about not channeling the body so much like the picture you posted. It's been overdone. Get some old mags from the 60's and google it to get some ideas. Make a plan and stick to it. Go with the 302. It'll fit better. But it won't fit better than a SBC The red one you posted was built and still owned (I think) by a HAMBer. I found this here on the HAMB, this is a good look I think. This is what I'd shoot for.
I agree with Dan. Overly channeled so the rockers scrape, and kicking the front axle too far forward ala' T-bucket is not really traditional. Maybe Y2K traditional, but not true vintage style. The basic sedan he posted is WAY better.
It looks like the frame has been stretched a bunch. I believe a Model A should have a 103" wheelbase. If yours is longer, you would have to fabricate your own hood.
Thanks for the input, I do like the looks of the one Dan Hays posted. I believe it's closer to my thoughts than the one I posted that had a z front frame. I'm setting the chopped body on my frame this weekend and gonna see how it looks. Further research on my end keeps pointing me to channeling the chopped body 4" to hide the frame. Both of the bodies I have are rough by my standards but I'm new to this so maybe they are normal for this vintage. The end goal is something driveable on Florida rain days that looks good to me. Any idea as to what wheel an tire combo on the second post? I would like steel wheels with basic hubcaps. No whitewalls for me but sticking with radials what's good sizes for the big and little look on 15" wheels? Wheels on my car came with the frame and aren't staying.
My 27 has a 121 1/2 wheelbase which I feel is too long. The frame I'm working on has a 112" wheelbase that I think looks pretty good. I'm guessing when the z was added on the rear they stretched it. Any thoughts on where to locate the body? Or should I just line it up with the rest axle and let the front be long? Or am I getting ahead myself without mounting the engine first? I have a couple books but they concentrate on using a flathead and basically a stock frame so the dimensions don't work. I guess my main concern is building it and looking back and it having goofy proportions. I see more at shows and online that just don't look right than I see that look right. I would love to see more photos of the one Dan posted, especially the front axle. Mainly how the spring is hidden in the grill.. love the look
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