As I'm sure many of you know. I've been doing alot of research lately. Throwing ideas around, drawing pictures, reading books, just lots and lots of thinking. All of this has been leading up to starting a new project. I have the oppertunity to go into this build with a clean slate and alot of brand new parts. When my last project left I took a bit of money and picked up a new Brookville 28 roadster body and i set aside a little cushion to build this car. While its not near enough to bring it to completion, its enough to get me rolling with out having to deal with a rusted out hulk of a foundation mixed with bent and beat up parts. I've been torn with my feelings on building a reproduction body. But I've come to the conclusion that, this is not a real old car. I'm going to be building almost the entire car from scratch with new metal. So why not start with a body thats built from new metal but meets the original dimensions of a real Henry Ford "Model-A". Besides, in the past it was easier to go find a nice "non-rusted" body. My plans for the car are to stick to a build date of 1949 as closely as possible. The style will be a cross between a track roadster and a lakes roadster. I'm picturing this car as one built in a well equipped home shop. Built with knowledge gained from working during WWII. Inspiration, influence and knowledge passed down from previous generations of car builders and drivers. In reality its just me Zach Suhr, 25 years old, here in 2007 with a pile of old books and a desire to travel back in time. I'm intending to keep up to date with posts every so often as i complete steps along the way. I'll always welcome input and ideas that anyone may have. My goal is to build the best car i can with the technology of the past. I hope everyone enjoys the updates. thanks, Zach
Here is what i have done so far. I took quite a while to decide on a frame design. What i finally came up with is a chromolly tube frame. The main rails are 2.25" O.D. .120 wall and the support rails are 1.25" .095 wall all 4130-N tubing. I'm basing the car on a 110" wheel base. The springs will be hung on the end crossmembers with a perch. The rear spring infront of the axle and the front over top. The body will not be channeled on the frame but a belly pan will be added to hide the rails. I'm stopped for a few days while i gather some more information and parts. so the frame is just the perimeter sitting on the axles. Its entirely welded in a jig that i made from an old pallet cart and appears to be almost perfectly square and level. I found a geometry book ©1943 that i used alot in figuring the cuts and angles on the frame. I'm really happy with how it came out. This is the first complete frame that i have built. So needless to say, i was a bit worried trying to get it square. Plus the added factor of the round tubing didnt help in measuring. I have built alot of BMX bicycle frames so i was not going into this tube fitting entirely blind though. All in all i think it took about 4 days so far to complete to this point.
thanks guys hiboy32, yes it will have a belly pan of sorts....atleast sides to simulate one to hide the frame.
I thought I was the only one with a garage that small, that's why all I build are modifieds. Great looking project, be very interesting to watch this build, nice job.
Nice work Zach Keep the pictures coming Banger or flathead? I guess I need to read the whole post...stepping up to a V8 are you?
Very nice Zach. Great introduction to the new project. Looking forward to updates. The frame looks great! Chris
Awesome So - how hard is it to weld that 4130-N Chromoly?? Lots of practice I assume, Doesn't it have to be stress relieved by heating and slow cooling or somthing? Maybe I'm thinking of something differant. Looks great - when you get big can I have a job?
Zach, Great classic design. With the exception of the Duvall style windshield it looks very much like the Bill Niekamp roadster, built in 1949, it was the the 1st winner of the AMBR trophy in 1950. The Niekamp roadster is truly a classic hot rod, and was, I believe, built by another "regular guy" in his garage. Obviously, it can be done! I'm looking forward to your updates. It should be an awesome car when complete.
thanks everyone for the good words and thanks Ryan for the comment on the jalopyjournal arkracing...the 4130 welds very easily when its nice and clean....after alot of research i decided against the post heating of the frame...i dont think its necissary in this application with this thick of tubing chop&drop....obviously Bill Niekamp's car is a big inspiration for this one. I'm really drawing alot from all of the classic "track nosed" cars of that late 40's/early 50's time period The nose will probably be something more similar to Eddie Dye's Dye and Niekamp both had their's built by Whitey Clayton who is pretty much my idol when it comes to this metal shaping I'm hoping this car comes out looking reminiscent of his style and handiwork....
Awesome frame. I dig the pierced tubes at the back. Looks well very well thought out. Thanks for sharing, Gary
hahaha... man gotta love the intro to the project... gonna be fun watching this one... of course, I can have a front row seat if I want
The first hot rod I read about in Hot Rod Magazine was Bill Niekamps roadster. It's what got the juices flowing in a 12 year old kid and 51 years later nothing is more inspiring when it comes to traditional hot rodding. Maybe I'll get to live the dream through your build. Frank
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