You could always rod it with the intention of leaving as much of its finer points as original as possible, and then just see how things take shape along the way. Sometimes a car will almost dictate the way it turns out itself. I love the ones that look original and then you find out its pretty wild under the hood and suspension wise.
If done properly nothing is sacred. That car would make a sweet hot rod, and it deserves it's chance.
I feel your pain...I just picked up a 31 tudor same condition.. been looking at the banger thread trying to figure if I can make the original motor fast enough to blow by parades..A traditional rod !!! something I can really drive
"buy from brookville" huh, we should all be so lucky to afford to do that, i guarantee he paid way less than any brookville car costs!
Too nice to hotrod ???? That is like the song that talks about having too much fun !!! There is no such thing !!!
My thoughts exactly tho I wouldn't be afraid to cut it up a little either. It would cost just as much to restore it as it will to rod it and won't be near as much fun when it's done.
without a doubt...hot rod it out! but since its got all original parts...(***uming) do it like they did it back then, and stray away from any aftermarket parts or custom parts....if its to high...heat it and drop it, cut it, bend it, port it, channel it....but for Gods sake dont speedway it....(unle$$....)
Evel, gave the example I like. Still a cool survivor, but not just another parade model A, but a cool hot rod. Sounds like a nice one, they are never to perfect to cut up or modernize I.M.O. Good Luck ~Sololobo~
If you enjoy driving a tractor, leave it as is and drive it. Mechanical brakes, underpowered 4 banger........ Otherwise, make a nice rod out of it. A nicely rodded Model A is worth more than a stocker anyways.
Rod it out, don't "r--" rod it, don't "street" rod it - some paint, up grade the engine, '40 brakes, add shocks, F1 steering box, add OD - drive the hell out of it!!
Leave it as is would be my decision, but I don't own it, or have one penny invested..............just don't be brutal ! firstnomad
I would violate that car so fast the Model A club farts would all have heart attacks! The cleaner it is, the easier it is to hot rod. You could keep the four banger if you can find the speed parts for it, but it would prolly cost more than changing to V8.
I live in Mt Shasta, only 75 miles south of you.I say leave it stock and drive it for fun until the fun wears off. In the mean time you (or he) can decide which route to go hotrod wise. I agree with Straight 8, they are only original once
I just bought another tudor 31. It is a stocker. Same condition as yours minus the aftermarket seats. I also have another complete ch***is and wheels etc, everything but the body. I really want a coupe though. What I am going to do is take the ch***is I have and add the forty brakes, on front and rear, get a drop axle or stretch the one that is on there. All the while drive the stocker until I can either trade it for a coupe and then cut the coupe and put it on my hot rod frame, or trade the tudor for just a coupe body if it is real cherry. If anyone is going to ask why not rod the tudor just look at my avatar
Any one can restore an old car, it takes a man to cut one up. I hor rodded a car there is only 8 left in the world. Now there are seven stockers and one hot rod.
Chris's. Car is a great example. If it were mine. I would, reverse the eyes on the springs, 16-17" wire wheels,black wall tires, hop up the banger. juice brakes. 1980s F150 5spd trans(keeps the shifter position close to stock with use of a AA bellhousing) Just my thoughts.
henry kept one of everything in a museam for posterity. i have never understood that mentality its too nice to hotrod. 45 m.p.h. and mech were not alot of fun tom
drop the suspension, pull the fenders, hop up the banger.....job done for now... build a new frame with all the goodies you want while having a bit of fun driving it..when it's done and your fed up with rod brakes just swap the body over...best of both worlds !!!!