what should i do to this MODEL A COUPE?????????

If you're talking about long term value, leave it just like it is. With all of the original A's out there being cut up every year, the value of one nice as this will go up.

 

They aren't making any more of them.
Find a shit box to chop up.
I would enjoy riding it just the way it is. Actually the next car I purchase will be a stock Model A coupe or roadster. 45 mph!

 

Sell it, buy something that is needy enough to be torn apart and rodded.

 

I concur. My question is have you looked at how much it actually costs to restore a Model A? Parts are expensive and exchange only most of the time. Leave it alone. There are plenty of cars in worse shape that could use attention and custumizing. This one has been kept and maintained for 80 years, c'mon people need to respect what others have tried to maintain and preserve for future generations to see. DRIVE IT AS IS OR SELL IT TO SOMEONE WHO WILL!-Weeks

 

I have been and always will be a long time lover of hot-rods and stockers alike. But, I'm a hot-rodder first. There was a time when I would have never hesitated to cut up that or any other nice original car. And, yes, it is your car and you have every right to do what you wish with it. I only want to make one point that I have come to realize. Once we rodders cut up all these original pieces of history, they will be gone-forever. Yes, we are hot rodders and don't ever hesistate to modify a car that is a little rough around the edges and anything you can do would be an improvement. But, a car like yours-well, I do believe we have some responsibility in saving those for future generations to enjoy. I wish you wouldn't cut that one up. You can find a better roddin candidate.

Rick

 

One of the best ways to build a hotrod is to start off with a nice body....sell the rest of the parts to restorers and use the money on the model a....but I would not be afraid to chop it a couple of inches....I have a 5-1/2 inch chop on my sedan that I am building ........

 

doo what you want..you could always soup up the banger and drive it until you decide..nice ride...
T. Hilton

 

Upgrade the brakes and drive it for a while. If you really want to cut one up, there are plenty of basket cases around. That one looks too nice to me, but again as someone mentioned it may be full of bondo. Your call!

 

I say don't cut it up. It's too nice. Buy something else if you want to cut it up. I don't know why you'd have something like that if you wanted to cut it up.

 

They'll do 60 if you balance the crank and put a high-compression head on there I know a guy whose boss owns one set up that way. Bone stock except for a few nice internal tweaks and it will run 60 all day long. Fun as hell.


They have said it before and I'll say it again. It's all there. It's complete. It's unmolested after almost 80 years. Leave it be.
You would be wise to either run it as a stocker, or sell it. A bare body is way less than a complete car. If you sell the car and buy a body and frame, you will be money ahead AND not have to tear everything apart. Stripped bodies are everywhere, and not that pricey. Why kill a cherry car to get the same results as a bare body?

And to everyone who says "chop that bitch up", fuck you. Do that to a repro or a shitbox. Who cares if half the steel is gone already? Most of it you would have removed if it was there anyway.

 

I have to agree.

 

Don't EFF it up.

 

I agree, nothing makes me cringe more than seeing something survive this long to see it cut up to be a chopped and channeled ott rod at this stage. See if you can trade for something else that fits your wants and needs. If anything I agree with a few of the other guys opinions by leaving somewhat stock (full fendered), lower it and drop a flathead V8 or an hopped up 4-banger. Buck the trend.

In the end, it's yours to do as you please. Have fun whatever you decide to do.

(OTT ROD: 2000-2009 trend of taking a pre-40's car body to a chopped, channeled, sectioned, z-framed, dropped suicide axle, big blown V-8, lake pipes stage) Don't get me wrong, I like the looks of some of these styles. The new generation of pro or backyard fabricators are outrageously talented. I just think 20-30 years from now, future hot rodders are gonna wonder what the hell we were thinking cutting up all the old original steel.

 

If you start with a good soilid base alot of the work is already done , i know every one i get has weeks of welding n fettling just to get it ready to hack bits back off so go for it and use what you got ......

 

I'd knock on some doors and make some Phone calls to some Model A clubs
Somewhere, there's a Model A Guy that has a car he bought ,"way back when" that he hopes to Unchop, or Un- Hot Rod it and put it back stock someday
you'd be suprised how many are out there
Do some trading
Other wise Buy another Chassis and mount the body on it (Flathead,juice brakes, Quick change,dropped axle, etc
Save the Old Chassis
I like the full Fender-Unchoped look
leave the paint alone
my 2 cents

 

thanks for all the response.
go ahead and please close the thread.
Rob

 

AF/X
i would leave that beautiful survivor the way it is....... its so nice. there are so many that have been cut up ,but they are only original once....

 

Mine was bone stock when I got it, didn't do anything that can't be put back. It's pretty rare to see a Model A that's not stock ,and not cut up, either.

It's banger powered, hydrallic brakes, and later (1937) three speed

 

There are too many primered, rusty and unfinished cars out there still to be hacked up. I'm all for the full fendered unchopped 60's style hot rod look myself. Just loose the spares and the trunk. I'd think you could find a model a restorer that would probably be glad to have them and maybe swap fenders with you. Also don't channel it or you'll loose the rumble seat. Anyone who says you don't need it is just jealous.

 

AF/X, You can't go far wrong with either Chris' or JefferyJames' suggestions in my opinion!
Damn SWEET lookin' ''A'' too, Man you're very Lucky!

Nick.

 

There's plenty of modifications that you could do without touching the body and fenders. The sheetmetal is too nice.

 

Cut it up!

 

I would either leave it as-is, or throw some 16" kelseys, juice brakes, a 40 ford rear, and a flatty. No chop, full fenders, full hood.

That would be awesome.

 

perfect!

 

For what its worth-----There are literally thousands of unfinished model A coupe hotrods setting all over the country in peoples garages. The people either lost interest, ran out of money, or realized that their skill level was not up to completing the job. Your car has far more value in its stock form. Sell it to a model A restorer type, and buy one of the partially hotrodded ones to have your way with. Unbelievable as it may sound, its cheaper to buy a finished or semi finished hotrod than it is to build one.---Brian

 

I'm a rodder with a soft spot for an origional. Having owned both I see both sides of the fence. 50 years ago when I first started I would not have hesitated to chop it up but getting old I appreciate every day I have in this old body, and wonder if cars have soul would they rather be left alone to age gracefully. Why not spend some time and look around to see if there isn't a better candidate to whack away on and if nothing shows up after a reasonable time then have at it.

Frank

 

I wondering if you know what color that is? OK, I know it's green, but do you have a color number or the paint maker or?
I'm thinking of something like that with a little silver flake under it.

 

Cut that sucker...

 

Keep the body and fenders as OG as possible, update the chassis, set it on the ground.....Halibrands or 15" tru-spokes 135's....235's.....a new millenium resto rod.


Whudder you kidding me?!
You want to trade?

 

Ya man really its your call at the end of the day and your car...But if she were mine i dont know if i could cut up a perfectly good model A thats Done up like that. I Love Hotrods but i get pissed when i see builders just start tearing apart cars that could be restored or are restored. Correct me if i am wrong but i cannot remeber any old stories of hotrodder's making hotrods outta brand new model A's can you??