Is there anywhere on here to ask if anyone has a particular part for sale? I'm after 2 wheels and would like to put it out there without falling foul of any rules. Thanks
I have the same issue. I’d like to post a wanted ad for a particular type of car but cannot post to the WANTED section yet. I read above that I have to contribute a certain amount to gain access to the WANTEDs but literally have nothing to contribute as I am setting out to buy a car to learn on. I am brand new to hot rodding. Any ideas?? I don’t want to post 10 worthless statements as that adds zero value for anyone.
hi, I am looking for a roadster project. My father has a ‘29 with a flathead and I’d like to finally buy my own to work on and learn from him with. I know I know….. everyone wants a roadster but I’m sincere about making it A true Father-son thing…. Thanks for your message!
Bits and pieces are easy to find (not including the flathead). I would concentrate on finding a frame with a ***le. Once you do that, as far as the state is concerned, you have a "vehicle". That's the biggest initial obstacle when getting started. California does have a special construction vehicle program, which is doable, but harder than just having a ***le in-hand.
Thanks. I’ll keep hunting and may start part hunting also. Problem is that I dont know jack about cars before 1965 and dad only visits a few times a year. Was strongly desiring a roller but maybe a frame and parts is my angle but I fear wasting money on wrong parts. Thanks so much, I’ll find something eventually. I remain hopeful. J
Building a Model A roadster is about as straightforward as a hot rod can get. I have knocked several together. There is not any mystery to them. No "gotchas". It is a good avenue to get into the hobby. (Now you are up to 5 posts).
You can go from mild to wild. That's a 1929 Model A closed cab pickup in my avatar photo. It has a blown Chrysler Hemi, behind the cab, in the middle of the truck!
If you aren't exactly sure what kind of car you want or even what part you want the best I can offer is get out and go to events were traditional cars will be and even the swap meets.. Start taking and saving photos of what you like. Pretty soon you will notice a trend for most of them to be a certain model and a certain style within that model. The one thing that I have to say is DO NOT SETTLE for something just because it is an old car and maybe the only old car in your budget range. I've seen too many stalled or abandoned projects because someone bought the wrong old car to work on.
i totally agree! I’m in love with the 29-32 roadsters. That’s going to be my runway, period. I also love the 3 and 5 windows but I’m not settling on less than a roadster for now! For example, I grabbed a 60s car recently, I like it but don’t love it - not doing that again.
Vern Tardel has an excellent selection of books on how to do this sort of thing, starting with this one: https://www.verntardel.com/store/p308/How_to_Build_a_Traditional_Ford_Hot_Rod.html Many more here: https://www.verntardel.com/store/c16/Books.html It's a well-paved road, but with enough space to put your own mark on it.
Hahahahhh Without dads local guidance, I need someone to push me off the cliff. I just need to find one and commit!
Unless you have the patience and the coin for a flathead V8, hundreds of smiles-per-hour can be had with the original 4-cylinder, if you can find one in working order (not very hard). You can start out with that, and have a car that drives, while you work towards upgrades. That, after all, is how a whole lot of folks did it back in the day. (And now you only need 3 posts)
Thanks for all the advice everyone! Now to find that roadster project. FYI - the wife has approved the purchase so I just now need the main character to show up!!!! And it better show up fast as the approval I’m sure has an expiry date. Hahahah
Some things surprise me, so maybe you can clarify for me. You live in SoCal and the LA Roadster show and attached BIG swap meet was only a few weeks ago. I ***ume you went?
Kids will do that. Good that the wife has signed-off on the project. Now post again, and then you can use the cl***ifieds!
Hi X38. I attend most all local events with my 60s car and am well networked locally in the car community. Though I have attended both historically, The LA roadster show fell on my birthday this year and weekends are very hard to get away. I have 3 very young daughters and weekends are reserved for family - dragging them through isles at Pomona swap meet is unfortunately not family time. I’m full of excuses!!! Pomona runs again august 7, maybe I’ll make the drive out….
Another big thing for parts or a whole car is to find local swapmeets (any Ford club T, A, early V8), they're more packed with parts you'll need...more then the "big name" swaps (especially if time is tight). Where are you at (you can just give a county).
That's exactly how I wound with a Model T tudor. Hey Dreamer J, I used to take my daughter and her cousin, or friend of the day, to meets. Started age 6. One time whada ya kno they bumped into some buddies.
When I was a little guy, we’d go to Carlisle and Hershey and others. Good memories, maybe dragging them to a meet promising cotton candy and funnel cake will do the trick?
Look through the clubs that have a website and then look at their calendars, there's a few swaps coming up. Also some will have cl***ifieds also. https://www.mafca.com/chapters/CA.html https://www.mtfca.com/chapters/#ca https://www.earlyfordv8.org/Regional_Club_Directory.cfm
like a car… love a car… loving a car hasn’t happened to me yet. maybe i better hurry up. i’m 72 and time is running out…
That deal is different from the roadster show. They don't compare with the more hot rod/old car focused LARS meet. But hey...
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