Hey there everyone. I guess this is kind of my introduction. My name's J, I'm 26, and I work in manufacturing. I've had a subscription to Hot Rod Magazine since I was in 2nd grade and I love all kinds of cars and motorcycles. I have a 1972 Nova that I bought when I was 17. It's been my on and off project for awhile, and over the past few years it's been collecting dust (and rain). I grew up in in South Seattle and have lot's of friends into cars. I've dabbled in fabrication and welding, electrical, engine building, and body work but am no expert by any means. I am very mechanically inclined, and a quick learner. If there are any local clubs that are building period style rods, I'd be happy to help out where ever I can, hopefully in exchange for some knowledge and experience. So here's a little dilemma I'm having: I'm interested in starting a new project and I want to get my five year old son involved. I obviously I want to do it as cheaply as possible. I'm hoping to build a roadster pickup. I'm ok with driving a project and it can be somewhat ratty. I've been searching often for projects and I've seen people selling ranch find, rust bucket, rolling chassis for up to $3k - $5k. I've also found original parade quality Model As for as little as $7k. Then you have fiberglass kits for $13k and steel ones for $20k which is out of the question. That being said, I'd like to build a decent driver for $5k-$7k. I don't want to spend the money on a pristine classic when they are getting harder and harder to find only to chop it up into a million pieces, however, I can't see spending $5k on a pile of rust either. I can remember looking around a few years ago and being able to find Model As in fields across the Northwest for $1-2k. Are those days gone?
Welcome! My advice? Ask first how much you can afford to spend...and then ask what you really want and what you would settle for...roadsters of any kind are going to be more expensive than coupes, but good Model A coupes are still out there for reasonable prices...and if done right they can be really fun hot rods...and, along the way, ask how much time you have to spend...I have known many a rodder who thought maybe a year and the car would be done, but often it took twice or three times as long......
This one's not currently for sale, as it's mine and I got it to cheap to let go..... I'm just saying that they are still out there cheap. I've had 1 model t rpu, 1 model t c-cab tub. and a 20's dodge raodster tub in my possession within the last year. All of them bought for under 200 bucks. I've passed on ruff pickups for $1000 over the last year in search of my coupe. They are out there, just keep looking. It took me 3 years to find an A coupe I could afford, but I got it.
He told you...name is J. Family man. Loves all kinds of cars/motorcycles. Lookin' for a reasonably-priced roadster body. Geez Grits, way to welcome the new guy. Welcome, J. Good luck to you in finding a body. All I can tell you, is keep looking and asking around. You'll find one eventually. I would suggest that you buy the most rust-free body you can afford...you'll save yourself money, time, and headaches in the long-run. And if you do find a good solid body for a reasonable price, get it quick...'cause it won't last long. But get what you want...don't settle. Millions of Model As were built. There's one out there for you. I have to say that you're gonna need more than luck though to build even a rough-lookin' roadster for the $ you're thinking. You'll be hard-pressed to build one for under 10K.
Hey man, welcome on board. I live about 15 min from bonney lake. Theres a local yard that ill take ya to if your interested called trust salvage. its only open on saturdays, and matt has nothing but old cars. you may just find what your lookin for. send me a pm if your interested. its over in black diamond
Welcome from the other side of that pile of rocks. I'd say that if you aren't in a rush start planning the car as far as what power you want and the general concept of the car/truck. Draw the car out on paper and list the items such as engine, trans and wheels. Figure out if you have leftovers from your previous project that can be used on this one. The not hot enough for the Nova engine might be right for the roadster and so on. Form a plan and then start picking up pieces to make that plan a reality. You might be able to build a complete rolling chassis before you need a body which allows you more time to find a body or have one find you. The main thing is to have fun with your son while doing it.
Welcome to the HAMB, J. Seems that if you don't post up an intro in the proper place, someone's gonna' look to dole you out a verbal (typed?) thump in the nuts. I posted that I was looking for a piece of tin to build a project around about four or five years ago, with a budget of around two bills... a couple guys basically just told me to get fucked. You woulda' thought I asked to have a threesome with their wife and daughter. Not just some poor guy lookin' to find a good deal. If you're lookin' to make a lot out of a little... not gonna' happen easy if you're in a hurry. I've been searching for parts to put together a project for several years. So far, I've collected: one running 331 complete with shitty '54 Chrysler wrapped around it, an extra engine in basket, a set of T rails and crossmembers, a '46 front end, and a damn-near rust free MG TD tub, along with some other odds and sods (distributors, generators, starters, steering box, blah blah blah). I'm into this mess about $650. But, it took me about four years of searching. Now, if you're really into having a running car, why not just buy one of those nice model A coupes, already driveable... and just hop up the existing 4 banger? And your kid won't care if you guys are going out in a '72 Nova or a blown hemi powered '32 roadster or a stock model A; he'll just dig doing the car thing with Dad. Of course, if you're dead set on the 'roadster' thing, why don't you just buy some 2X4X.083" tubing, and a 'glass Bantam or T bucket body? You can do this a lot cheaper than an A... use a vintage engine and trans if you're really dead set on a 'period' project. If it trips your trigger, I know where a 241 Chrysler flathead six w/ trans can be had for very, very affordably. Or, there's a '51 Ford truck V8 in Arlington, a Stude 259 (carb to pan, w/ trans) in Marysville, and a rebuilt 430 Lincoln down in PDX. All of these engines are under $1k; you can pick up 283 SBC engines all over the puget sound under $500. Just some thoughts. BTW if you're in the area, there are usually guys go to Clearview on Saturday evenings; the Schuck's on highway 9, or down to the XXX drive in on Front street in Issaquah. If you see a loud, red '53 Ford Customline or really scabby '54 Dodge 1/2T, it's probably me. -Bill
Good advice! Most of us find that the search is at least half the fun. Being in the right place at the right time also helps. And, you've already taken the first step; it's called "networking".
I was in Sedro Wooley last Sept and it appears the Northwest is a real hot bed of rodding. Working on plans to attend Drags July 9th if I can. I really like the area.
I would like to spend the next year collecting parts and see where it leads from there. I'm in no hurry to complete anything although I would like to get started.
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