Projects Model A Pickup Project started this weekend

I started work on a friends Model A this weekend. Plan is to re-paint it the correct Ford colors, replace most of the wood, and tighten up a few mechanical issues.

I'll post the progression as it goes: it might get a little boring for some of you guys and gals because he wants it all back stock.

 

This could be a good thread, not boring at all. As I have seen very few rod's start out as "complete" A's. Sort of a "reverse engineering of a hot rod" type of thing...OK, what ever, I'll stop. Rick.

 

Dito, not boring.

 

Nice little truck! What is that original Model A color green you have on there?

 

I too would enjoy seeing one go back to stock. Keep posting!

 

I'm guessing it's Apple Green as I have a buddy that's painting one that color this month. He's a restorer and it's the trucks orig color.

 

I didn't realize that the apple green was offered back then ?

Anyway, neither one of us really care for the color scheme that's on the truck now so we're going to paint the fenders black and the body forest green.

This is my first Model A restoration and am really appreciating the simplistic design. I usually don't like to disassemble and paint panels separately but I think that is going to be the only way to do this one the right way. I'll just have to spray everything the same day if possible.

 

It's really amazing just how many colors were available on A's. The friend that's doing the resto has a book with sample plates of all the available colors and the combo's. I can't recall the name, but I'll try to get it on here asap.

 

Man, that brings back memories! When I first bought the cab to my '30 back in '79 it was nearly that exact same color. It was the original paint, and in fairly good shape. I've still got it and when my son gets old enough, we're gonna give it a freshen-up, but not really change anything. Please keep posting on your progress, even if it's stock, there's still a bunch of stuff that applies to rods.

 

Model A Trucks, especially AA's could be ordered in fleet colors, so nearly any color could be possible. Mine was originally black and somewhere down the line had a yellowish orange only on the upper body.

 

Opened up a can of worms last night. Anyone know where I can buy a partial wood kit ? All the other structure looks good except the sides and the front piece.

 

www.fordwood.com may have it

 

Vintage ford.

 

Keep posting, I like seeing the work thats done, and I like Model A's. Will be interesting to me as you progress.

 

A little more progress on the Pickup this week. Did a little sanding to see what was under the paint. Pulled the old top off. Disassembled the bed.

Panels all look really good from what I can tell, so I'm going to take everything down to bare metal this weekend to start on the body work.

I ordered some new wood and top kit for the cab and new wood for the bed this week, so hopefully, everything will be coming in soon.

I'll post more photos next week.

 

I got the chance to do body work on a stock model a at my work and I did a one week body work and prime on it . It had a prefect body on it and the paint was chipping and old, a few dents. The boy work turned out great,got it all done and in primer and sanded.

The painter at the time*****ed and when he painted it he ran all the paint and dirt and fisheyes. it looked horrable when it was done. I tryied to do a nice job on the body work and he f'd it all up. then he gave it back to his buddy like that it was an abortion. I felt bad for the guy that owned it because he was old and didn't want to complain about how it looked. It was his "friend"

I would have told the painter to shove that paint job up his****. but there was nothing I could do because it was not my place to say any thing. I am shamed to have said I worked on it even though the body work was done right. I somtimes feel as if my time labor is just waisted. that painter dosn't work there any longer but there are some jobs you never forget. that painter has no respect for old cars and should have fixed it or at leased taken the time to do a nice job.

The reason for telling this boring story is to say that it is nice to be on the hamb wher people have respect for one and other. THE END.

 

Just an update on the pickup. I have most of the body work done and am planning to set in all in primer this weekend. I even managed to accomplish a lot of paint removal on the smaller parts with my*****py Harbor Freight sand blaster. I'll be cleaning up glass beads for months now.

 

Nice.. keep the updates coming.

 

right on nice to see

 

Cool man. . . keep us posted

 

Looks great!
I also agree with a lot of the others. Doesn't matter if it's going back to stock or getting crazy rodded- a model A build is always cool to watch and usually inspirational.






But seriously....how much are you going to chop it? Three maybe four inches???

Keep the updates coming as you have time.

Jay

 

Got most of the panels in primer this weekend. Plan is to get the block sanding done within a couple of weeks. I can see now that I'll have to pick up another gallon of primer, one gallon isn't going to cut it.

 

Quick update on the pickup. Got the cab blocked and painted today. Bring on the color sanding.

 

Very cool. I am a softy for a restored A. I went to my local A restorers club meeting last night ( thinking about joining ) and I had to be the youngest person there by at least 20 years. I am old beyond my years.

 

that looks killer, great job. u get wood????

 

Yeah Cactus....I'm the same way when it comes to these old 4 bangers...automotive history can't be denied.


Moon man.... yes I did get all my wood delivered. I ordered most of it from Ford wood and Snyders; everything looks top notch. Now if I can only remember how it all goes back in.

 

Cool A..........

Which meeting did you go to? The one at the "church".......I have been to both and the are two peas in a pod from each other for KC restorer's........hahaha.....Oh yea, I was the youngest guy and the second youngest guy was in his early 60's.......(I am post-30)

Chris

 

Been a while since the last update on the pickup. This weekend I finished up the paint on all the "green parts" and am moving on to the fenders next.

The gas tank was at the radiator shop for about a month. They repaired about 15 leaks and removed about a 1/2 a pound of rust from the interior.

Also got the new wood installed in the bed and starting fitting in the header and all the wooden top parts. I've had to do a lot of trimming and sanding on the new components to get them to fit right, but everythings falling into place.

Memo to self: Take more pix before disassembly and spend the time cataloging misc bolts and small parts. I should have had less confidence in my memory and how things go back together.

 

Man I love what you are doing to that A !
I have are soft spot for those pick ups but can't afford them !
Keep us posted !

 

The project is getting closer to being done. Started on the top over the weekend and finished the final trimming up last night. Next plan is to remove the wheels, sandblast, and re-paint either green or black.