Looking to Get Started...

Great point about the oddities

 

Ouch! I was not expecting the price tag on those books.


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Yes. I agree or you could start with a uncompleted project. One that has a big pile of parts to go with it. I’d also start with a good running engine.
That’ll get your feet wet.
Above all before you buy.....
Pass the vehicle by this group and we will give you feedback. Good luck.

 

Here are some more expensive ones. Kinda gives ya an idea of the prices folks are asking.

 

Hey Tribalmonkey,
Stop thinking "go out and buy new!"
Go to the antiquated classifieds right here, put "books" in the search box.
There are HUNDREDS of ads selling Hot Rod history.
You will also find tons in all the places I gave you.
You just have to select words that are relevant to your topic.
I have sold plenty of old books here, CHEAP!

 

Tony - I’m on it. I just ordered two. I’m still learning what resources are available here on the H.A.M.B.

 

Any reason I should consider a particular year 28,29,30,31 for a coupe?

 

Your taste. Personally I love 28/9s and really do not like 30-31. It is all on you

 

Can you explain why?

 

To me the cowl and the A pillar break is what makes a Model A. I also love the early grille and not the later one. I also think the late A's just look like a cheap version of a 32. Just my .02

 

'30-'31 are a little bigger on the inside.

 

Thanks. Really appreciate your insight/opinions. I don’t think I know enough yet to have developed a preference. I’ve looked and I still like both.

 

30-31s are slightly easier to put a flathead in. The grill shell is higher which makes fan placement easier. They also fit a 32 grill shell easier too.

 

Good to know. Thanks!

 

https://www.verntardel.com/store/c16/Books.html

Get Tardel's books!
Another book or books to seek out are California Bill Fishers Speed manuals from the early 1950s. He touches a lot on the A-V8.

 

Here is a very basic rule of thumb.
I think you can get a lot of bang doing things this way.
IMHO!
A 1940s hot rod that was built then, can't have any parts newer than 1949.
This goes for factory and aftermarket. So within this parameter, you
have 3 basic groups of builders.
First is the back yard teen.
His Model A usually only had a banger 4 cylinder, with inexpensive, mostly used speed parts.
Fenders usually came off.
Biggs and little wheels and tires.
West Coast generally High-Boys.
East Coast generally channeled. (usually crudely)
Cars were transportation,
So the modifications were done Friday night to Sunday afternoon, no long term stuff.
Second is guys with real jobs, 20 somethings.
Now comes the next step, the flathead V8s, changing transmissions,
buying speed parts etc. still the same cars.
Next is the racers, lakes, Friday nite Broadway drags etc.
Now $ is spent on race parts, maybe an early OHV Cad or Olds. etc
Still a Model A, maybe new paint, interior, chrome, etc.

Notice there is a progression. You can come in at any time within the parameters
and still get a '40s build that gives you room to start to drive early,
instead of trying to buy all the parts to get you where you want to go.

You need to decide where you would fit, and the most fun comes
from building as if you are the person you choose to get the car they wanted at the time.
Living the build as if you are living at that time frees your head from straying outside the
period you choose.
Check out this first time build.
Joey Ukrop is doing his first build in this manor and doing a great job!

It's in Traditional Hot Rods here on the HAMB.

Building My First Roadster in San Francisco

 

Besides the Don Montgomery books, Another great book is The American Hot Rod by Dean Batchelor. The older versions are hard cover, later soft cover versions.


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Just a few thoughts:

An asking price is, well, an asking price. People can set the asking price where ever ever they want. A selling price is what someone paid for something. Often times, the asking price is somewhat higher then a selling price. Cash often has a way of reaching a selling price that more closely resembles the available cash. How much attention a vehicle has seen at a specific asking price may well effect where the selling price ends up.

You can buy a bunch of books, but there are threads here on the HAMB and other places that list eras of car builds, "40s style cars: 50s style cars. Early 60s cars." There is a lot of info available without buying a bunch of books, but you get to keep looking at the books once you've bought them. I've bought books over the years, some open right up to the pages of something I really liked.

I think you have a good attitude, I believe your really going to love this hobby. Gene

 

Mixed up the books, the one listed is good, but The Birth of Hot Rodding by Grant and Cox is great


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Thanks F-ONE!

 

Tony - This is what I am most excited about. I really appreciate the concept of the progression. Once I get a good running Model A I can come in as the ‘Backyard Teen’ and build from there. Yes, I am following Joey’s build thread. That is where I made my first H.A.M.B. post. Thanks!

 

Gene - Yes, this is where I am right now. I have been in dialog with a few guys selling Model As (FB Marketplace and Craigslist). Goal is to get the best condition car I can for the money. As far as the books go. I ordered a couple yesterday and I can’t imaging I will ever get to the end of the good information here on H.A.M.B. Thanks for the encouragement. I’m already having fun.

 

31Apickup - Thanks, I will check them out!

 

Here’s a couple more and some GMs incase ya like wood working

 

So the GMs had wood? Someone was trying to tell me that the Model As had a lot of wood too.

 

Models As do but not to the extent GMs did at the same time.
GMs has a lot more structural wood in the late 20s and mid 30s

 

OK. Lets inject some reality.
You have basic skills. Are these skills enough to maintain and enjoy a car? Sure!
Are these skills enough to build a car, the 1940s era hot rod you desire? Sure!
Can you do it? Maybe.

There's other variables.

Space....( On here I have seen a nice project car, a nice one, deteriorate. The fellow works on it. He posts regular but the car has gone down hill. He keeps it in his yard, on the grass, in the rain. He does the best he can do and maybe one day it will come together for him. The fact remains; his car now, is nowhere near the car he bought due to poor storage.)

Time...

Commitments....relationship, job, other interests, loss of interest.... In other words.....Life.

Money....This is last. I find that for projects, it's not the money but the time, space, commitments and enthusiasm.
You'll see cars for sale or 30year builds where the seller or builder says,
"Life got in the way"....

Take a realistic look at where you are at and your capabilities. How will this fit into your present and future situation?
Be completely honest.
I have to mention this...
These are uncertain times. Who knows what the future will bring, so...
Smoke 'em if got 'em because tomorrow you may be out.

In just about every aspect of traditional hot rodding, or hot rodding in general, you rob Peter to pay Paul. In other words, what you give to the top end, you take from the bottom end. Pay now or pay later. In the end it's pretty much the same.

The Buy it route...
Decide what you want, what you really want and save your money and buy it.
I'll tell you right now you are not going to get into a 1940s period A-V8 for 10 grand. Don't even start to look until you have $20,000.
Most of us cannot (at least I can't) poop out 20 plus grand for a hobby car.

The Build it route...

Research what you want. It's good that you are doing that right now so Kudos to you!
Research your state laws on titling and registering projects and builds. Can you title and tag a car with a new frame and an old body? Most states you can but classifications vary. It can be a confusing quagmire that even your local DMV may not understand. Is it a replica or a genuine antique? These are things you'll need to know to build a car. States vary on this. Most get a car with a title but beware, is it still valid if you change frames or bodies?....
These are the things you need to find out.

Building from the ground up...
Get a chassis. Get a engine. Get all the drive train axles springs ect ect ect.....Gather all this stuff. Get a body. Mock it up and start putting it together.
It's easier said than done. Remember space, time and commitments. The most important though, is enthusiasm and drive. It's going to be a long haul. It's going to take a long time.
Tools, equipment and the 20,947 trips to the hardware store. A lot of it on stuff you wind up not needing....all this adds up.
Learning curves.....making mistakes, breaking rare parts. It's all part of it. Again, pay now or pay later.

Building that "one car" from your stock Model A Coupe into a 1940s A-V8. Truthfully you destroy the "car" in a way to do this^^^^mentioned in the building paragraph above.

Building one car from multiple cars....a Solid Model A and parts car from late 30s-40s. Use these two to build one. Do the research to choose wisely.

The Compromise...
I would love to have a black '57 Chevy Bel Air hardtop just like my Dad had. I don't have the cash to buy one outright nor the inclination to build such a car from junk. The same goes for a 32 Ford, '39-'40 Ford coupe. Those cars are out of reach for me. On the other hand, a car I truly love; a Shoebox Coupe, was within reach.
I'm happy with my 51 Ford Coupe. It's a nice one too.

I think you need 2 cars. A driver (maybe a good beater) and a builder.
To get your feet wet, get a driver. That's my advice. Personally I believe a late V8 sedan or coupe (1946-1948) would be the better car for you than a stock Model A. Those cars are more modern and are viable on the road today. A Model A can be, but it has a lot more limitations. What they did to build a A-V8, was to take a Model A and put late model components(1940s) into that 1920s car. Having a decent 40s car...gives you the taste and helps build that experience with this era car.

In closing....
Buy a good driver. Enjoy it. As you enjoy this driver, (it could be a 47 fordor or a stock 31 tudor sedan...a good beater or older restoration) start gathering parts for your rod. The experience with the beater driver will only help you with your rod project.
There's more than one way to skin a cat. These are just some suggestions.
Whatever you do, have fun and don't take it too serious but serious enough.

 

F-ONE- lots of good information here. Thanks for your insight. I have a plan. My plan is to buy, enjoy, and learn from a good condition, running and driving model a coupe. I will slowly go from there through some of the phases of building a traditional hot rod (to whatever level my skills, bank account, time, and interests allow). I know a plan never survives first contact with the enemy. Looking for a car now.


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I have made an offer on a good condition mostly stock 1930 model a coupe. Planning to pick it up later this week. I have also started thinking about the initial mods - drop axle and juice brakes. I am finding way too much information. Seems all over the map. I guess I am looking for more straight forward instructions. What to buy and where to buy it. Initial goal is to lower it and stop good.


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Axle. Send off the original to be dropped or purchase a FORGED new axle. Stay away from cast.
Juice brakes can be 1939 up Ford pieces or early F-100, pieces. Tons of info here on the HAMB.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/how-to-juice-hydraulic-brakes-model-a.1096743/
The old school way would be locate 39-48 spindles and brakes and swap em over to the axle with the appropriate king pin
Some have converted the stock backing plates
Complete kits can be purchased.
Several options