Model A on 32 Frame questions

I need some opinions on this idea. I Plan to build a model A highboy on 32 rails. I don't have money to buy a body right now, but I do have almost everything to build a roller less the frame. I would like to get started on this build, so the question is. Is it unreasonable to have rails pinched and weld cross members in without a body? Is it better to pinch the frame to the contours of the body?

Thanks for all help,

Chris

 

if you want to build a traditonal car, pinching the rails isnt a real "old style" way to do it...atleast in the front

i would say though that you either need to find someone with a car your eally like and can copy exactly
or just wait till you can afford the body and then work your way through it

now i dont know what you think of my car, but your more then welcome to take any measurements you want that may help you
and I'd be happy to help any way i can

good luck with it
Zach

also, let me know when your ready for a body, i may be able to help
possibly with rails too

 

Thanks for the info. To be honest im not very picky as to how it looks, as long as it's better than the large gap it has without the pinch. I was thinking i can taylor the body around the pinch as well to pick up an 1/8 or two on either side. Is there a difference on the pinch as far as 30/31 vs a 28/29 body?

 

I am in the process of building a 28-29 sedan on 32 rails. I didn't pinch the frame and it really isn't that bad looking. I am planning on posting the buildup here soon so keep an eye out for it.

 

Wait till you get the body where you can have something to measure by. I'd hate to get a frame built then nothing fit and nothing work out according to plan, then have to redo it all. Here is my 31 the frame has been pinched.

 

you shouldn't have to pinch a 30-31...

the cowl is wider that a 28-29.

A 29, kind of looks off, if you don't pinch it IMHO,,, but do what you like. It's your car.

 

I am building a 30-31 coupe on a 32 frame, and I went no pinch. It may take a little more work to set it right, but it can be done. In the long run, I think it looks better without the pinch. 28-29's can rock no pinch as well. B***' coupe is not pinched.

 

As noted, the 30-31's are a fairly easy swap and don't need a frame pinch although the rear of the frame may have to be pulled out 3/4" so as to lie flush with the inside of the wheel wells.
That's on a roadster, probably a coupe and I'm guessing the sedan as well.

28-29's need a little more work and there's at least a couple ways to do it.
The pinch near the cowl seems to be the most popular, but some opt to fit the 32 frame to the perimeter of the body.
Doing the latter loses the small appearance flavor of the 29 and to me it doesn't look quite right.

You really don't want to set up the frame until you have a body.
Aside from frame-body transverse fit and longitudinal location of the body there are other important decisions to make.

Rear axle location.
Engine fore & aft location.
Engine height.
Front crossmember location which sets the wheelbase as well as has a lot to do with where the radiator sits which then affects the hood length and so on.

Use the time you have now to find parts, find a body and maybe even earn some extra money for the project.
No use setting up a frame and then finding you have to make major changes.

We all want our hot rods up and running like right now, but like all the good things in life, it can take a while.
Being patient enough to wait will get you running that much earlier since you won't have to do things over.

Do it once, do it right . . . nuff said....

 

Thanks for all the help, It looks like i'm going to start work on the motor and trans, and save money for a body in the mean time.

Thanks,

Chris

 

I agree with C9---get all your parts together before you start mock-up. I found my 29 roadster body for $200.00---you can guess it's condition. Found a rough frame for $300.00---just as bad as the body---but it was a start. 30-31's can get away without a pinch---but having a body REALLY helps---no 2 are alike. 28-29 really need the pinch---I really like the cowl line on 28-29's.Here's a couple pics of my roadster---before and after.

Also--in one pic,you can really see how much of a pinch I had to put in the ch***is.

 

I agree with C9---get a body and frame before anything else, Ford did some weird things with their bodys sometimes---not all were the same.30-31's can get away without a pinch---28-29's really need it.

Here's a few pics of my 29---$200.00 body--$300.00 frame. You can guess the great conditon they were in. In one pic, you can see how much I had to pull in at the cowl----