today ive been doing a lot of research on how to make the original 4 cylinder go fast, im really starting to like that idea, seems like a few good parts and a strong engine will be key
today i was able to pay another 400 bucks on the coupe, unfortunately today was also payday and im already broke, but in the end its worth it, if anyone has any speed parts for flathead 4 cylinders let me know, im gonna need it for this car, aint got much money but i got some stuff to trade
The best thing about this thread is the time it will take you to get the Model A, if you will be patient and use the advice you get from the guys here, you will benefit greatly. I am impressed by the way you are thinking through the options for the running gear and not wanting to jump at the first idea that comes along. I bought my first project at 16 yrs old back in 1962, it was a 1940 Ford coupe, I went with a 80 horse flathead and a few crome goodies, changed out the K.H. wires for a set of 15" Merc. wheels and a set of VW bucket seats and the rest is history. Use the K.I.S.S. system and you can't go wrong. It's great to see the young guys coming into the traditional world of rodding, best of luck to you! GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE THAT WAIT.....
a little update on this thread, i went and spent some time with the guy im getting this coupe from, he wanted help changing out a water pump on his 30 4 door model A, so i helped him of course, had a pretty good time just messing around, theres a lot of work just to change those, anyways he was excited to get it done and he took me for a ride in it, we got back to his shop and he got outta the car and left it running, so i asked him what are we doing and he said slide over its your turn to drive i havent been so excited in a long time, ive never driven a stock model A, it was great, and eventually of course i had to head home and he asked me "what do i owe you?" and of course i was dumbfounded and ask for what. apparently he thought he owed me money for fixing his car, but i told him he owes me nothing, i do it for the glory and if anything i owed him for letting me drive his car and using his gas, anyways today was awesome and he even said he'll knock off a little bit of what i owe him for my coupe
Keep on going like this & you will probably end up with a life long friend out of the deal. You have the energy & enthusiasm and he has the knowledge. Sounds like a good partnership to me
That's a great story! Sounds like an awesome friendship in the making. Learn everything you can and help him however you can.
There is only one thing more valuable than the cars we play with, and that is the friends we make while doing it! Well done keep us in the loop with your progress.
And to think, 35-40 years ago that was just a normal type of deal. Cool that your learning some old set of values along the way. My hats off to your new friend and how he goes about things.
alil update so far, i havent been able to pay anymore money on this car but i have been working with the guy helping him with his model A and doing some welding for him, and since i refused pay from him he said he'd take away a little bit of my bill anyways im suprise i havent given the history of this car yet. my buddy im getting this car from has had it since 1959 and was parked in 1960 but before then the rear fenders and quarters was remove and the coupe was turned into a saw mill, weve all seen this before or they was turned into a tractor or truck, anyways lucky the guy that had it before kept the removed parts, and they was tack welded back on when my buddy bought it in 59. and another short story for ya car guys, while working on his model A the other day he talked about his 1940 chevy which confused me because hes a ford guy, so i asked him "you have a 40 chevy?" of course he said yeah but its not for your eyes because your a ford man, but i explained to him i love anything old and american... with the exception of few things, but he told me he'll show it to me one day, that one day came 2 days later when i was over at his shop again, the story of that car goes like this. apparently the 1st owner bought this car new in 1940 (obviously) but he died in 1947 or 48, and the car was left sitting in a barn from then to the 80's when my friend found it for sell, he bought it for twice the asking price because it was so cheap, but then brought it straight home and stuck it in his barn, where it still sits. when i saw this car i was in pure shock, it looked like it was driven from the show room straight to his barn but then covered in 1in of dust. but hes been talking about getting it out now that he has my help im stoked to see this car out in the light, just think, besides it being towed a few miles in the 80s this car has been parked since the late 40's, crazy right? ill try to get some pictures of it soon
nothing much new here as far as updates, ive been collecting some parts but thats about it, tomorrow im gonna start looking for a 2nd part time job, i have a good job now that will probably get me somewhere but i still have spare time during the day where i could make some extra money to pay for this car if i dont do something its gonna take forever
You seem to be a fine young man and I know when I say this I am not alone. I don't know you but you make me proud of you. Lippy
slowly and surely ive been paying on the coupe, only $4,150 to go, but almost 2k in 2 monthes is pretty good i do think, but today i went to go put some pb blaster down the cylinders in hope it may get unstuck in the next few monthes while im paying for it since it has been sitting 50 years, but then the guy im getting the coupe from brought out his old crank handle and said i dont believe its stuck, and sure enough it wasnt! i was like wtf? after 50 years its not stuck. but then he told me he comes out every year and turns it. how great right? ive been preparing to rebuild this stuck engine and hell its not even stuck. so i told him when it comes time we're gonna drive this car outta the building and he just smiled and agreed. today has been great
I'm really liking the direction this story is going. You've earned the respect of a good friend-Congrats
Nick....You've really hit the jackpot. The friendship and memories you have made is worth way more than your car will ever be....And you scored a great car to boot. It's really cool that this guy has taken you under his wing, You must be a good kid. Anyways, I' m just saying....Keep on hanging with the Seller and learning and helping him. You'll have the car paid off in no time, a great friend, and priceless memories. I'm looking forward to the day you drive it.
wow,what a find ....I'd give one of my nuts to find a nice model A coupe like that up here in the northeast..and for 6k I think I might even give my other one!
Wow, Nick, great story and great car! Keep working with the guy, you're going to end up with a wealth of knowledge that couldn't be bought! Might I ask WHERE in North Carolina are you?
and yes, this guy has been awesome and a great friend, i told him today since the motor wasnt stuck we was gonna drive this car outta that building, he drove it in there in late 59 and im gonna drive it out maybe late this year or early next? I hope, i also told him since he took me for a ride in his coupe I owe him a ride in mine and all he could do is smile and said thats a deal, im soooo ready, this may not be my 1st old car but its definately gonna be my favorite and hes so excited im leaving the original motor in it, i actually caught him bragging to some hot rodder about me keeping the flathead 4 in it and just hopn' it up. its gonna be great! and thanks everyone for the replies its keeps motivated even more, ive been really broke while paying for this car but its really gonna be worth it in the end when me and my friend is crusin in our coupes through town
Hey Nick, come over to Haw River on Saturday October 22. We're having a show there to help out the local Hospice Home. It's an open show so we'll get a little bit of everything... would love to meet you and talk about your car--I'd love to have a Model A myself, so I'm digging on your whole story with this one. If you don't know, Haw River is between Burlington and Mebane, and the show is at the Hospice store on Main Street.
Cool story, sounds like the old guy is a real car man. I admire your determination, and initiative getting a second p/t job. You're making your own good luck.
nickk, neat deal you've got going. One question I have is, how old is the fellow you are getting the car from, and is he in good health? The reason I ask is that, way back when Moby Dick was a minnow, I had a friend who was making payments on a car that he way buying from an older gent. The old fellow passed away unexpectedly, with none of his children knowing about the deal that had been struck. My buddy ended up not getting the car, and losing what back then was quite a bit of cash. I know it sounds wierd, but you may want to get something documented regarding the agreement, money paid so far, etc. Maybe you already have, in which case you can ignore this post. Good luck, looks like a solid Model A to start with.
oh yeah we've already talked about this, we both have copies of how much has been payed, hes actually in his 70's but still kickn it good, and im really close to his dad (93) and his son (30's) too, so I feel real comfortable about it, over the last few monthes ive became close friends with all of them and i think if something happened like that id still be able to get the car
Good. I'd hate to see something like that happen to a youngster like you who's obviously going to carry on the tradition. One deal gone wrong at an early age might sour you on the hobby. Enjoy the A!!
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