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Projects ***The "Malcolm" Model A Roadster Build* (Updated 01/23/11)

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Malcolm, Dec 23, 2010.

  1. Malcolm
    Joined: Feb 9, 2006
    Posts: 8,032

    Malcolm
    Member
    from Nebraska

    It's finally time to get moving on my '28/'29 Model A Roadster project!

    I've been gathering parts for this project for over two years now. It started with a stripped down Roadster body and stock 'A' chassis and has slowly transformed into a pile of parts that will eventually be a running/driving Hot Rod.

    This is my first early Hot Rod project and I've learned a TON here on the HAMB, from friends, and from others that I look up to and have talked to at numerous events, shows, races, etc...
    Most of what I've built and worked on in the past has been late '50s to mid '60s Fords ---- from my old '57 Ford Custom to the '64 Ford Galaxie 500XL that I drove in high school.

    Also, I only have a single-car garage, so that's where most of this work is happening. Since Model A's are rather small cars, it certainly helps to have the extra space around it to work!! Working on my old '62 Galaxie in the same garage was a challenge, to say the least.



    This is barely enough to start a build thread, but I'm pretty damned excited, so here goes nothing!!!.......................



    Chassis:
    I was originally planning on building a chassis, starting with a pair of bare '32 rails, and adapting a '37ish X-member, along with new front/rear crossmembers. I had most of the pieces collected and was really overwhelmed with the thought of building a nice square frame from scratch.

    Aftering doing a ton of research, I decided to purchase a perimeter frame from Gary Maxwell at Blackboard Hot Rods in Bakersfield, CA. http://www.blackboardhotrods.com/ (and sold/traded off the other parts I had collected)

    Gary built a perimeter frame to my specifications (and also one for a good friend of mine that is building a '30/'31 Model A Coupe).
    The frames arrived last week and we couldn't be more happy. Gary did a great job on the frames and did exactly as we asked him to do.




    Enough rambling for now --- here are some photos of the progress so far.
    I hope to have a rolling chassis within one month from now.



    Front suspension is very much like the Rolling Bones guys (Ken and Keith) build. Despite all the references to the Doane Spencer Roadster, what they build really IS different. They use split wishbones instead of hairpins and do not kick up the frame up front.
    [​IMG]


    Body:
    As it sits today. Windshield is a Sellers/Hallock frame. I'll be installing lower quarter and wheel-well patch panels, as well as doing alot of work on the doors.
    [​IMG]


    Wheels/tires:
    Front - 16x4 w/ 5.50x16 tires. Rear - 16x4-1/2 w/ 7.50/16 tires.
    [​IMG]





    Nick, aka 'Malcolm'
     
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2011
    brady1929 likes this.
  2. touchdowntodd
    Joined: Jan 15, 2005
    Posts: 4,068

    touchdowntodd
    Member

  3. Malcolm
    Joined: Feb 9, 2006
    Posts: 8,032

    Malcolm
    Member
    from Nebraska

    A detail shot of Gary's welds.....
    [​IMG]


    Will be using this '35 Ford dash with Moon gauges
    [​IMG]


    Rear suspension is a '57 Ford Ranchero 9" with 4.11 gears. Parallel 4-bar with quarter-elliptical (Posie's) springs in place of the lower bar, + panhard bar.

    Engine/transmission is a Ford 302/T5 5-speed.
    A full hood will also be installed.



    Many, many more details and photos will be posted as it progresses....

    Thanks for looking!!
     
  4. Sweet Nickster! I was wondering when you were going to start a thread. I am looking forward to seeing this come together!

    Mike

    Wow! Nice chassis work!
     

  5. Wow! You've got a great start and I love the direction your headed! Can't wait to see your progress.
    B.
     
  6. Malcolm
    Joined: Feb 9, 2006
    Posts: 8,032

    Malcolm
    Member
    from Nebraska

    Here's a photo I took of '2deuces64' RPU rear suspension that I'm patterning mine after...
    [​IMG]
     
  7. Jeebus you finally started!? Cool man!~
     
  8. LabRat
    Joined: Jan 10, 2008
    Posts: 1,551

    LabRat
    Member

    Modest Malcolm .... Looking great so far !
     
  9. olskool34
    Joined: Jun 28, 2006
    Posts: 2,597

    olskool34
    Member

    Man, that is a clean body! Love the build so far.
     
  10. Looking great Nick, couldn't be more excited for you!
    Won't be done in time for World of Wheels but maybe you'll be driving it by the Gretna Days show, eh?
     
  11. TexasSpeed
    Joined: Nov 2, 2009
    Posts: 4,631

    TexasSpeed
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Texas

    Looks good! I'm building a '28-'29 Coupster and am also waiting a little bit before I start my build thread, so I definitely relate with the whole "early start" bit. You're far more ahead than I am, so I'm looking toward watching this one progress.

    I'm definitely liking the rear suspension idea. Looks pretty cool to me! Are you planning on dropping the front axle, or keeping it stock?

    Good luck with the build!
     
  12. -Brent-
    Joined: Nov 20, 2006
    Posts: 7,349

    -Brent-
    Member

    Very cool, Nick. I'd seen mentions here and there but never pics... looks like a solid body. Can't wait to see more.
     
  13. McFly
    Joined: Oct 10, 2001
    Posts: 1,169

    McFly
    Member

    I remember that body for sale...nice score Nick. Looking forward to your build.
     
  14. NTAPHSE
    Joined: Feb 5, 2006
    Posts: 1,028

    NTAPHSE
    Member

    Nice! Diggin the dash.
     
  15. Nick32vic
    Joined: Jul 17, 2003
    Posts: 3,050

    Nick32vic
    Member

    Awesome Malcolm! Cant wait to see this one go together.
     
  16. sololobo
    Joined: Aug 23, 2006
    Posts: 8,378

    sololobo
    Member

    Nick, I love it man. Nice work by Gary on the rails,those are some slick beads he laid down, nice choice. This is going to be a genny ass kicker bro. Keep us posted. Best wishes, ~sololobo~
     
  17. kisam
    Joined: Feb 28, 2005
    Posts: 1,922

    kisam
    Member

    Nick, I was wondering if we were going to see a build thread. Looks like your off to a good start, I'll be watching!
     
  18. povertyflats
    Joined: Jan 8, 2007
    Posts: 8,282

    povertyflats
    Member
    from Missouri

  19. HotRodMicky
    Joined: Oct 14, 2001
    Posts: 1,783

    HotRodMicky
    Member

    Looks good so far!

    Why do you coose that kind of rear suspension?
    Gary makes really a cool ladder bar setup.

    Will be Interesting to see how the 5.5s will look on the front end.
     
  20. Great start! Can't wait to see this one progress.
     
  21. brady1929
    Joined: Sep 30, 2006
    Posts: 9,253

    brady1929
    Member

    great start on an awesome hot rod
     
  22. JeffreyJames
    Joined: Jun 13, 2007
    Posts: 16,628

    JeffreyJames
    Member
    from SUGAR CITY

    Go Nick Go!!!!!!
     
  23. lowtruck
    Joined: Aug 26, 2009
    Posts: 259

    lowtruck
    Member
    from Omaha

    Hell yeah man. Looks like a solid start and I like what you have planned for it.

    Will we see it at the HAMB drags?
     
  24. Gonna be following this one...........Subscribed
    Any updates? Ha Ha
     
  25. general gow
    Joined: Feb 5, 2003
    Posts: 6,407

    general gow
    MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    this car is gonna be dope. nice start nick.
     
  26. 63Compact
    Joined: Feb 14, 2007
    Posts: 1,178

    63Compact
    Member

    Was wondering how things were going, glad to see it under way.
     
  27. zman
    Joined: Apr 2, 2001
    Posts: 16,730

    zman
    Member
    from Garner, NC

    Looks like you are well on your way. Very cool....

    You better get your butt in gear on yours then, :eek:

    You stole my line... but no one cares. :p
     
  28. Itsa roller already man:)
     
  29. Malcolm
    Joined: Feb 9, 2006
    Posts: 8,032

    Malcolm
    Member
    from Nebraska

    Thanks for the kind words, everyone!


    I've actually been thinking about setting a goal to have it in the Omaha World of Wheels show (in the Rebel's club area) ---- as a roller, with the body on, and we'll see how much else I can get done in the next few months!

    My ultimate goal is to have it driveable by this summer. It certainly won't be finished, but I want it to be a safe, bare-bones driver for the summer.


    Thank you!
    I'm planning on keeping the '32 heavy axle stock, undropped.


    Gary (Blackboard) is now using Pete & Jake's rear ladder bar parts, which ARE very nice products.

    I really like the functionality and packaging of the hybrid 4-bar and quarter-elliptical rear suspension. I've heard really good things from the guys that have used it, too.
     
  30. Royalshifter
    Joined: May 29, 2005
    Posts: 15,579

    Royalshifter
    Moderator
    from California

    Gonna be watching.
     

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