Model A/4 Project Update #4

Update for today. Got a bunch done. See it up and down.

Finished the top and installed the motor. Thougth I would go as far as mocking up the speed goodies I have for it as well.

 

That will be a vision in paint! And yeah the metal work does look great. What color?

 

Thanks alot!

Dearborn Blue (or maybe black but probably not). Wires match gold in 38 guages, 40's styled Offwhite/tan tuck and roll interior, tan top. Extra Tonneau cover in tan (gold like) to go as well.

Grill shell will host the body color, with insert gold matching

 

This car is sweet!

 

great looking car! very good work!

 

My vote is real leather interior, I know it's expensive but that caliber of car deserves it. Everyone has vinyl, big deal. Leather is CLASS. But you're not a homo if ya go tuck n roll. The difference could be thousands.

 

It never hurts to just look right? A good friend will be doing the upholstery here locally. Ill see how much of my butt, I mean wallet I will have to shell out compared to vinyl.

 

Great job on the build man. You are one helluva fabricator and have some serious engineering skills to get that top to work as well as it looks like it works.

Can't wait to see more progress.

Mike

 

Norm The Roadster is looking really cool. You have made some great progress. My "A" is progressing. The right side has most of the patch panul in. He has also come up with a simple floor to match up with the channelling. Looking forward to seeing your Roadster on the road.

41 Dave

 

I would like to know the same thing ....

What a great looking project !!

 

What I did was section the door at the top (approx. 1" ) and tapered it down to the bottom. I custom made the top and inner metal panel to curve into the dash to add better asthetics to the overall picure, but also to be able to bring the outside color of the car, more into the interior.

I threw a bead on the top of the door to get away for the typical cut and cap method.

Hope this helps.

 

great looking little roadster! banger powered deliciousness.

btw are you looking for an alumnium OHV Valve cover? or a tappet cover?

 

Happy Thanksgiving to all. Im a bit late but hey what the heck right?

Got home after the festivities and decided to finish what I was doing last nigh. Im getting the steering box (F-1) mounted, swapping mounting flanges and getting the column drop to sit right under the dash.

I also had to cut the steering column to put the 40 Ford steering shaft on the end so I can have a tapered end to fit my nice new wheel.

In the mean time, I wanted to once again mock up the trans and pedals to make sure everything was going to clear and fit nicely on the floor.








Last but not least...im not very happy or questioning the distance of the top of the steering wheel from the top of the dash. It seems a bit far (at 6 7/8") and looks out of place. When I try to get in and out, its a tight fit under the wheel for my legs at first. Like squeeziing 6 lbs in a 5 lb bag.

 

.....

 

That is a hell of a lot farther than a stock A yes, Now is the time to fix it I suppose. My coupe is tough entering and exiting in stock form being six foot. As far as looks go I think you might being making a mountain of a molehill. I didn't notice it. People put big goofy 50's wheels in A's all the time. ( I am not talking about YOUR wheel choice)

 

I dealt with the same problem with the looks of the steering wheel on my roadster pickup. Although I'm not that big, the problem was it just didn't look right. I ended up changing the angle and moving it in about 3", and now it looks and feels right. I think you should tend to it now, or you won't be happy later.--TV

 

Im over the steering wheel setup, its great where it is, and im confortable in the car. Getting in and out is only an afterthought right?

I did more on the pedal setup and got everything in its "final" place, now I can final paint and start installing.

I had to bend the brake pedal in 3 different places to get the right swing, chop down the shift stick a few inches and put on the e-brake handle I have been saving for the past year. Finally It's installed and im really liking it.

Every day that I work on this thing, I get more and more excited. This build is very gratifying for me. I really cant wait to get it on the road.

Had the my Upholstery guy over to look at the car, were picking colors for the top and interior. As of now, the top will be going Black w/ Tan thread, and interior black with tan/gold matching trim and inserts. Tuck and roll just like the 40's. The exterior colors are Dearborn Blue w/ the gold wheels matching the early Ford gauges.

 

That looks great. It's going to be cool when it's done.

 

Norm, That certainly has come a long way. Nice work.

 

Another good day to report. I finally got the front end dialed in and im again excited of the results. I was able to keep the bones unsplit and give myself 7 degrees caster in the mean time.

Here are pictures of what I have done. Hope your enjoying the show.

 

looks good man keep them coming.

 

thats looking fantastic.
one thing, is that superbell logo on the axle only on one side?
if so, turn it round.
they dont need the advertising, and you dont need it messing with the forties vibe of this thing.

 

Norm. I don't know too many people who would have tackled what you started with. You are a true craftsman. That's going to be a killer color combination too (body and wires). On the steering wheel thing, that column drop looks like it's out of a 40's big Ford truck, maybe a COE. I have a couple of them that look just like it and they're longer---drop the column lower-- than a car drop. That could put the wheel in your lap.

 

Yeah, Im a sick pup and get get away from this thing. But, I might have an opportunity to enter this thing in the GNRS in January and I want to be as far as I can when the time comes.

For another update, I spent most of the evening rebuilding my steering box, re-installing in the frame and getting the steering arm bent where it should be, and setting the tie rod between the steering box to the arm in place before paint.

Again, im extremely happy with the results. I tried to get the angles as close as I can to the stock wishbones; the final result is almost dead on.

I can finally steer it from inside the car...after almost 6 months.

BTW: Anyone got a nut for an F-1 Steering box...I could really use one

Enjoy!

 

...

 

Any more progress on the car????

 

None, to be honest, im loosing interest.

 

I've read that you've been having some troubles lately, but keep your head up man. Things always turn around.

 

Don't you guys worry, he'll snap out of it.

Norm, head back in the game, buddy. Pick a plan and stick to it. Keep changing things and you'll get thrown off track again.

You can do it, I know you can.

 

Norm. I want to see this complete. GNRS '09...YOU CAN DO IT!! KNUX!