“A” Sweetheart

Through the years, February 14 has revolved around chocolates, roses and romantic candlelit dinners with a special somebody. But Al Lindstrom’s sweetheart wasn’t a leggy brunette or a blonde bombshell — it was a red-lacquered Model ‘A.’

Based on a 1929 roadster pickup, “’A’ Sweetheart�? was powered by a three carbed 371 ci. Oldsmobile packed with Jahns, Isky and Howards internals. Exhaust was routed through a set of chromed zoomies, and an owner fabricated aluminum hood shrouded the whole setup. Four rows of louvers were punched for good measure.

The car was built on an ‘A’ chassis, supported by a 2 ½ inch dropped ’32 Ford axle. Out back, the ’40 Ford banjo rear was painted in a candy-striped motif, adding a touch of flair. Lincoln drums were installed on all four corners and sprayed metallic blue to match the nicely detailed mill.

Other than the bright red paint and white naugahyde top, the biggest attention-grabber of the deuce-shelled ’29 was the rolling stock. According to the two-page feature in the October 1963 Rod & Custom, the wheels were, “Handmade from ¼ inch plate, welded and chromed.�? Early one-off wheels often tend to look out of place in street applications, but this set constructed by the N.W. Wheel Company seem right at home on this ‘A.’

So this Valentine’s Day, be thankful for your sweetheart, no matter who — or what — it may be.

-Joey Ukrop