Projects Model A 3W Coupe Build (pics inside)

A couple of months ago, a friend of mine and fellow ACES member started building his first hot rod. Raphael doesn't have a computer but he's got great talent and fabrication skills, so I decided to start a build thread for him.

It all began with a 1930 model A sedan 4dr. The car was an abandoned restoration project, with all of the metalwork done and the body covered in primer. The price was a steal, so Raphael jumped on the occasion even if he'd prefered a coupe or a roadster.

Raphael's got great metalworking skills so he thought, why not build a roadster or a coupe from the unloved sedan body?

No sooner said than done... But while deciding whether it's gonna be a coupe or a roadster, our young hero started building the frame...

with a mild kick-up in the rear
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lowtech/3541594535/

home built center crossmember

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lowtech/3542402264/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lowtech/3541594769/

mocking up some parts motivates...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lowtech/3541595823/

with the french flathead in place
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lowtech/3542421408/

starting to look like a car

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lowtech/3541613993/

more to come....

 

Here's one of my favorite parts of this project... Raphael built a tracknose inspired grille shell from scratch, made of aluminium. He's restoring vintage airplanes for a living, so that's another field where his inspiration comes from.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/lowtech/3774911672/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/lowtech/3774106231/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/lowtech/3774911386/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/lowtech/3774912098/

 

kid's got talent...gonna watch this one...

 

3 window A model coupe... I gotta see this.

Always wondered what it would look like if someone did it right.

Cool looking shop too.

Keep the pics coming...

Kevin
Ooltewah Speed Shop

 

Nice Work.

 

Sweet ! Lets see the body !

 

This should be a interesting build, I'll be watching this one.

 

Good work.

 

Ok, fast forward several weeks... this is the current status quo in January 2010.

Raphael finally decided on the type of body... So he's building a three window coupe out of the sedan body which means he kept the original cowl, lenghtened the sedan doors, grafted on the rear section from a beat up roadster body and so on. As there never was a model A 3W, it's difficult to get the proportions right. But it looks great, imho.

The body was slightly channeled over the frame, while the top got a 2,5 inch chop.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lowtech/4242239552/

he started building the floor

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lowtech/4241463601/

home made wheel wells

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lowtech/4241464367/

scratch built friction shock absorbers

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lowtech/4242238854/

 

Nice.

 

Yesterday, it was freezing cold (it's winter and we're in Switzerland...), but the sun came out. So we decided to roll it out of the workshop and I got the opportunity to shoot some pics.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/lowtech/4242240172/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/lowtech/4242239846/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/lowtech/4241467841/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/lowtech/4242240886/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/lowtech/4241469337/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/lowtech/4241468865/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/lowtech/4241468543/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/lowtech/4242242288/

That's it for the moment. Coming up next is the fabrication of the roof section, so I'll keep you posted about Raphael's progress on his 3 window coupe...

 

nice start.. the door looks about the right length

 

Awesome... my dream build. love the shocks, is only the center plate fixed? what did you use for the rubber?

 

That's nice, Great build! Look forward to the updates.

 

the nose looks a lttle strange right now, but I'll wait to see what he's gonna do to it...

 

thats cool

 

Looks real nice work so far. Not sure I understand the "beat up roadster body" bit as those quarters look mint!

 

Very nice! Me too on the updates!

 

looks real nice. im digging the grill shell, keep the updates coming

 

Is it just me or does it seem that there is way to much talent in Sweden ?????????

 

learn to hate all young talented people...it works for me...

 

Looking good so far. Looking forward to seeing how he transitions the rear roof lines...

 

wow outstanding work .keep it up

 

very nice.

 

Love what you guys are doing over there.

 

Lovely job! Like the smooth lines of the frame kick. Guys like Raphael make me green with envy! He's definitely a "metal master". Thanks for the pics! Regards, Dave.

 

This is going to be an interesting thread. I've lost track of how many times a 3w Model A has been mentioned all the way from a rumored Henry offering to some rat rod abortion that the scrap yard wouldn't take.
We'll finally get to see what someone with obvious talent can turn out starting with the same concept. Keep the updates coming.

Frank

 

Looks like it is going to be a great car...........

 

Those scratch built shocks are very impressive to me! Nice work!

 

Dude, your buddy rocks!