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Projects The Chris Casny Coupe, Model A build pics

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Chris Casny, Apr 25, 2008.

  1. Chris Casny
    Joined: Mar 13, 2006
    Posts: 4,874

    Chris Casny
    Member

    Alright, I feel I’ve gotten enough done on my 30-31 Model A coupe, to show you guys some progress pictures. I have been working on it since December 2007, and slow progress has been made.

    Here is a thread about how I got it:
    http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=230914

    Sitting in a Burbank backyard
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    Aaron and Eddie pushing the car out of it's hiding place.
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    Back at my shop, Eddie, Jerry and myself are looking over the body.
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    I basically started stripping the primer off, that had been applied 6 years earlier, to keep the freshly sandblasted body from corroding. Man was I suprised to find an almost rust free body under the paint.
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    Some rust repair
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    4” chop, I’m looking a little scared after taking the roof off of the nice body
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    From the beginning it was clear to me that this model A would be sitting on a 32 frame, at first I was going to just buy the rails, pinch, and box the frame myself, but Duane frome Kiwi Konnection talked sense into me and said that “without the propper jig, it wasnt going to come out right”, so he did all the squaring pinching and boxing, and it was well worth it.
    The old model a frame has since been sold.

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    Engine choice. One thing was always clear that this car deserved a good powerplant, I concidered a Hemi, Flathead, Rocket or a Nailhead, but then I got a call that there was a running 322 Nailhead just a few blocks away and I should come check it out, and drive the car, so I did and purchased the Nailhead.
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    Of course I cant leave anything alone, I started tearing the nailhead apart, luckally I did, since there was a cracked piston that could have bit me in the ass later.
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    Dash: I’m taking the easy, “less is more” approach, filled in the original gas tank, gauges and drilled holes for the Stewart Warner gauges.
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    The transmission.
    I could not go the auto trans route and a 39 Ford 3 speed was chosen (a nice rebuilt unit) but now I’m looking for a flexplate if anybody has one.

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    Using a 36 rear axle and wishbones I realized upon installing the rear wishbones, that there was going to be a serious clearence issue, with the 32 frame, so I Z’d them (seperate thread).http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=248001
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    Last edited: Sep 13, 2013
  2. Chris Casny
    Joined: Mar 13, 2006
    Posts: 4,874

    Chris Casny
    Member

    Rear axle:
    Opening up the 36 Banjo rear axle and counting the teeth, I found out I had 4.11 gears. So I quickly needed to find a better “freeway gear”. 3.54 was what I wanted but 3.78’s were found and installed. A quickchange will hopefully be installed down the line.

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    Body on the frame: The fame was pinched to accept the model a body. I set the body on the frame, and I saw a gap that was just bugging me. I took about 30 minutes and a few cuts underneath the subframe to slightly channel the body, about 1/2”.
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    Mounting the engine: Damn that nailhead is long.
    Makin sure I could keep the Buick’s mechanical fan, I moved the engine slightly back into the firewall, checking and double checking how Rolf did his.
    The wheel base is going to be stock 32, 106” I didnt move the front cross member, but the radiator will move forward about 3/4”.

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    Thats all for now, here are some shots from yesterday.
    Things are coming along, and more progress pictures will follow.

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  3. cruzr
    Joined: Jan 19, 2006
    Posts: 3,127

    cruzr
    Member

    Looking good...............ya gonna paint the finished car or what?

    nice work on those bones !!
     
  4. BadLuck
    Joined: Jan 7, 2006
    Posts: 3,055

    BadLuck
    Member

    That thing is sooo rad....thats going to be a fun project...congrats...:)
     

  5. Royalshifter
    Joined: May 29, 2005
    Posts: 15,579

    Royalshifter
    Moderator
    from California

    Beautiful work as always Chris.....see ya in Santa Maria.
     
  6. very nice, what a body. Bodies like that back here in the midwest are non existent.
     
  7. zealot9802
    Joined: Aug 20, 2005
    Posts: 894

    zealot9802
    Member
    from SoCal SFV

    Brilliant. You making it out to the show tomorrow?
     
  8. eric
    Joined: Jun 4, 2001
    Posts: 1,643

    eric
    Member

    Chris.... i HATE you, with your cool ass cars!! keep up the good work dude!!!:D
     
  9. Looks excellent, coupe+nailhead=can't go wrong
     
  10. chaddilac
    Joined: Mar 21, 2006
    Posts: 14,021

    chaddilac
    Member

    great job dreadman!! That body was cherry!
     
  11. ARCHANGEL
    Joined: Jan 5, 2007
    Posts: 1,437

    ARCHANGEL
    Member

    [​IMG]
    GOOD JOB CHRIS .
     
  12. Atwater Mike
    Joined: May 31, 2002
    Posts: 11,625

    Atwater Mike
    Member

    The dash is brilliant. It's what it was supposed to be, yet not what it's supposed to be.
    Frame is smoooooth, deserves that perfect body. Careful fitting is evident. Great posts.
     
  13. lookin kick ass man!
     
  14. Another one of those"I don't know what i'm doing" threads!!!!! You got more car talent then some of the "fulltime" car guys I know. I just can't believe how you make it look so easy! When I start my car,YOU are gonna be my mentor. Looks great Chris. Just make sure I will fit in the passenger seat,LOL!!!!!
     
  15. DYNODANNY
    Joined: Aug 9, 2006
    Posts: 1,411

    DYNODANNY
    Member

    Hey Dread the progress is good, your coming along real good. I havent seen you in a couple months maybe at back to the beach? Nice work keep it up.
     
  16. ABBoston
    Joined: Dec 13, 2005
    Posts: 275

    ABBoston
    Member
    from Boston

    now that's a cool car!

    AB
     
  17. Harris
    Joined: Feb 15, 2007
    Posts: 863

    Harris
    Member

    Great progress pics, thanks for the inspiration, and keep us posted!
     
  18. -Brent-
    Joined: Nov 20, 2006
    Posts: 7,349

    -Brent-
    Member

    The dash looks so cool. I've been debating how much I want to chop mine... looking at yours it makes me wonder if I want to go more than 4. I had 4.5 set in my mind at first but there's a quality to yours I really dig. Keep up the awesome progress.
     
  19. COOP666
    Joined: May 8, 2007
    Posts: 724

    COOP666
    Member
    from Austin TX

    Wow, you've done a lot in a short amount of time. Now I feel even worse that my phaeton is still sitting in pieces in my studio!
     
  20. HOT ROD DAVE
    Joined: Jan 4, 2008
    Posts: 1,467

    HOT ROD DAVE
    Member

    great work, love it
     
  21. stude_trucks
    Joined: Sep 13, 2007
    Posts: 4,755

    stude_trucks
    Member

    Model A and a nailhead, damn nice combo and good looking work!
     
  22. Chuckles Garage
    Joined: Jun 10, 2006
    Posts: 2,365

    Chuckles Garage
    Alliance Vendor

    someone has the midas touch!
     
  23. slddnmatt
    Joined: Mar 30, 2006
    Posts: 3,685

    slddnmatt
    Member

    i knew i should of been a wood worker!! looks great chris!
     
  24. Malcolm
    Joined: Feb 9, 2006
    Posts: 8,032

    Malcolm
    Member
    from Nebraska

    Thanks for the update. Very nice work, Chris!

    Malcolm
     
  25. WILD30
    Joined: Jan 10, 2008
    Posts: 12

    WILD30
    Member
    from Australia

    Very nice work mate. Please keep the pics coming.
     
  26. awesome work-that dash is kick ass
     
  27. Looks good, you're a craftsman
     
  28. buckeye_01
    Joined: Jun 20, 2005
    Posts: 1,441

    buckeye_01
    Member

    Looks great man. Everything is flowing nice. I dig the nailhead, but then again I'm kind of partial to them. Keep up the good work man.
     
  29. Tindall
    Joined: Jun 7, 2007
    Posts: 399

    Tindall

  30. Bert
    Joined: Feb 22, 2005
    Posts: 404

    Bert
    Member

    Nice...........that old ford steel has a pure quality to it that shines different to todays cars.......clear coat it and your done.:)
     

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