I had to rejoin because I had forgotten my old user name and p***word. Anyways planning on starting a build on a model a full fendered Vicky on a 32 frame. I know a 32 hood is longer. Are the cowl area's longer on a 32? I know the wheel base is 2.5 inches longer on the 32 and I am trying to figure where the rest of the difference in length is. Thanks
There are no dimensions that are the same between 1931 and 1932. If you are building a fendered 1931, use a Model A frame.
Here's a Model A Vicky on a deuce frame and I'm in the process of adding deuce fenders. You're correct that the wheelbase is 2.5 inches longer on the 32 frame compared to a Model A. I just centered the rear wheel wells over the rear axle and let everything else fall where it needed to. My 32 grille shell is in the stock 32 location on the crossmember front to rear, but it sits lower than it would to line up with the Model A cowl. The A cowl falls right about where a 32 cowl would, but it is narrower, so some frame pinching or firewall spreading in in order.
Your Model A body with fenders will be a difficult to build and look right on a '32 ch***is. Either: Build a Model A highboy on '32 rails. Or: Use a '32 body and fenders on '32 ch***is.
Thank You D-Russ I had watched the build on this years ago. Also saw it on FB with the fenders a while back. I have a pinched 32 frame now that actually has the front cross member a inch forward of where it would be stock. Curious would a 32 hood top work on your car? Thanks again.
Thank You . I do have a model A frame here also. I probably will not mock anything up until early Feb. At least now I can look into my options.
You’ll have to lengthen a Model A hood. It may also be tricky using 32 fenders and running boards on a pinched frame, they’ll need to be modified to fit properly. My coupe is on a pinched 32 frame, there’s a photo of the hood on my build thread.
I'm not done yet, but my plan of attack is bolting the rears on in the rear fender wells similar to stock, but with nutserts installed in tub of the wheel wells. For the running boards and front fenders, I'll make brackets that run under the frame and up onto the inside boxing plates – they'll also install with bolts and nutserts. By doing it this way my hope is to be able to put on or take off the fenders whenever I want for a change of style – there won't be any holes drilled into the side or top of the frame rails. Not sure because I don't have a 32 hood top to try. I'm going to eventually build a custom aluminum hood top with louvers with my pal @MP&C . So your wheelbase is 3.5 inches longer than stock, so I doubt a stock dimension 32 hood will fit.
If my thoughts are right your car has a 2.5 longer wheelbase than original? My big concern while thinking this over was the hood length and fender to grill shell view. I know there are a ton of obstacles but if the Model A cowl lands about where a 32 cowl would land I am only talking about a hood top a inch longer.
Check out Pinkee's Rod Shops Facebook page he's been building an A Vicky on a deuce frame with fenders off and on for several years. Also check his Instagram page. Very nice.
Yes, stock 32 wheel base. Unless you want a factory-style folding hood, I think the easiest path to a hood is just making one from scratch. I'm going to make myself a one-piece hood top, no sides. If you want a folding hood, Rootlieb will make all four pieces to your dimensions and you can trim to fit.
I posted these in the wrong thread last night. I used a stock A hood top along with the front edge of a donor hood and extended mine. I had to reshape the it slightly. I was going to extend the Model A hood sides but came across a set of 32 Chevy hood sides for $20. The lengths of them are just about perfect. The upper edge will need to be cut down and the hinge tubes welded on. It will take some fab work to make it all work. I’m using a 2” chopped 32 Ford radiator( Br***works).
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