Hello, Of all the cars that would have fit into our original concept of a hot rod Model A Coupe, this Root Beer color Model A Sedan Delivery hit the spot when I photographed it for a photo story. Sorry, the original photo(s) from the color Ektachrome slides are gone. The magazine has the best versions, they’re gone, too. These are copies from the actual published magazines. My brother and I started with a Model A Coupe we towed home from a neighbor’s back yard. We had big plans to make it a full street racer-drag strip gas coupe combination. It had to be a daily driver to high school and weekends at our local Lion’s Dragstrip. Our friend already built his 34 Ford 5 window coupe and it had a big Oldsmobile motor and a LaSalle three speed transmission. It was a trophy winner in A/Gas, was his daily driver to high school and to his after school job. It was one fast hot rod. But, the initial ride locked me into the great feeling of being in something so cool, yet so powerful. When he was finished accelerating and slowing down, he looked over and had a big smile across his face. What he saw was the same smile across my own face. It was stupendous and exhilarating to be inside of the 34 coupe and flying down the street. Now, I knew what I wanted to build and my brother had the same idea. So, the Model A coupe was now in our backyard. Jnaki But, as things come and go, the Model A Coupe disappeared within several months of having fun driving it around the block. My brother’s Oldsmobile sedan also disappeared and a nice new 58 Chevy Impala arrived on our driveway. So, for the next 8 years the whole concept of a dual purpose Model A Coupe was gone. A dual purpose, fast Impala was front and center, now. When my wife and I were in the range of finding a hot rod project, the Model A Sedan Delivery was a good choice. Privacy in the back, security for our traveling bags and photo equipment and a place to sleep in campgrounds on our long coastal journeys, if necessary. But for several years, we found a 327 powered 40 Ford Sedan Delivery and after many months of hard work, repairs and replacing a bunch of stuff for safety, it became our daily driver, work vehicle and total coastal cruiser But, in the long run, it, too had to be sold to buy a house for our growing family. So, over the million years, out came the drawing book and ideas flourished, even to today. So, gone were the coupes and sedan hot rods, and in comes the idea of a coastal cruiser that was different, but interesting. Since I was handy with wood working and refinishing, a “woody” would (pun intended) be right up our alley. Sticking to the cl***ic Model A versions, much modifications would have to be in place, roll up/down windows, lockable rear window/door, secure lockable doors, etc. The original Model A woody was a little tall in the overall look as a station wagon. So, it has been a concept that could go either way left tall for head clearance or slightly chopped to give the overall look of an at***ude. So, a Model A Woody was drawn, but modified with front opening doors and a slightly chopped top. Longboards would need to go on top as the overall length was usually too long. The right side blind spot was gone with windows allowing good vision. As for privacy, curtains could be installed. Later on, when the surfboards were down in size, they would have fit inside easily. But, additional privacy was necessary, so perhaps a full body of sheet metal siding color matched to give it a one of a kind steel sedan delivery/woody. Note: When the idea of an El Camino style woody pick up bed was created, the normal height top and extended cab area was added. Now, the cab looks normal and has room for a couple of tall adults + dog, in a daily driver mode. YRMV (for security, a under the floor bed section for lockable goods would be installed, similar to the real El Camino bed section)
The Jalopy Journal
