Hot Rods The Hitchhikers Guide:The Hot Rod Ford Model A or AV8 Coupe. Post war 40's build.

[Hitchhiker]

Updates on the last page.

I am back on this one....So follow along, 'cuz I got a story to tell. My other thread was getting a little long in the tooth....So I started another one.

Earlier this year I bought a Ford Model A coupe body and some other parts. You can read about that here. I really had no idea what I was getting into and knowing what I now know I would have bought a more complete car. What I had envisioned would basically be best built by taking a 100 point show car and hot rodding it.

So I've changed my plans.

Here is what I started with. It's a late 31 Coupe. It's top has been whacked about 3 inches and isn't attached...plus it needs lot's of metal work....perfect.

I paid $1000 bucks for it and I think I got a fair deal. It sat outside a body shop in Olympia for about 20 years. The shop owner was the one that chopped it's top in the 80's, then let it sit till I rescued it.







It came with some extra parts like extra visors and drilled front axle and bones...







Now I was part of the "cool kids club"

[Hitchhiker]

So a few weeks after I got the body I found a 1931 model A frame. It's really clean, no broken frame horns or and major pitting, it's just dirty. I paid $200.



I also got 5 of these 35 v8 wires and tires for 175 from a cool old guy out on the Olympic Peninsula named Roger. He's got a really nice stock 30 roadster and a 31 pickup with a B motor.



A few weeks later a friend dropped this 41 flathead off in the garage...



It's seized, but hopefully we can save it. I may be looking for a known good runner....

so far I have about $1375.00 in it.

[Hitchhiker]

And my next find was all this stuff From Hamber Couverkid who answered my wanted ad.





In that pile are some pedals, round back spindles, 40 juice brakes front and rear, 40 banjo rear and bones, 36 rear bones, 36 front bones, and 36 front axle.I think I paid $600 for all those.

I also got these Guide sealed beam conversion headlights for $80 bucks on ebay...score! So that put's me at $2060.00

[Hitchhiker]

I also scored this F-1 frame for free on craigslist...



all for this



And Hamber NoSurf sent me these to help fix my chop.thanks again dude!



as you can see it's kinda curled out at the bottom.



I have more pictures to post but can't get to it all now.

[Hitchhiker]

more of thee crappy chop

[Hitchhiker]

I also saved some Flathead parts from the scrapper.....










came with an aaoooga horn....hope it works!

[Hitchhiker]

Back in May I heard about a model A sale in Spokane, basically it was a guys life collection that the family was liquidating. I was told it was 3 Large barns FULL... I actually tried to buy the whole thing....but the hired prick that was working the deals for the family thought it was a ridiculous idea and blew me off. Probably saw any money that he would make on the deal diminishing...I showed up anyways and bought some stuff. After looking at it all it wasn't worth his asking price anyways. Those 3 Barns were more like a 4 car garage and two small out buildings. though I would have like to have the bodies, it was mostly small box stuff.

Anyways I bought a really nice windshield and frame, a rear spring, another wheel, 50 pontiac tailight, and a NIB repro subframe kit. All for $175.00







no pictures of the subframe or tailights

[RodGuyinCO]

Nice start! Damn! I don't seem to ever have stuff like that fall in my lap...
I want to follow this thread and see how it comes out. Keep 'em comin'.

[Hitchhiker]

I also won a front A spring on Ebay. The seller felt it wasn't nice enough and refunded my money.



I'll have to go dig up some more pictures on another computer...I'll be back.

[NoSurf]

Originally Posted by Hitchhiker

I really had no idea what I was getting into and knowing what I now know I would have bought a more complete car.

Where have I heard that before? LOL!

Originally Posted by Hitchhiker

And Hamber NoSurf sent me these to help fix my chop.thanks again dude!

Glad I could help.


Look's good so far man. You got some good parts there to build yourself a hotrod.

[Hitchhiker]

Here is the first mock up.

[Hitchhiker]

Originally Posted by NoSurf

Where have I heard that before? LOL!

Probably from everyone....

Originally Posted by NoSurf

Glad I could help.


Look's good so far man. You got some good parts there to build yourself a hot rod.

thanks!

[scrap metal 48]

Good parts.. Good start.. Keep going and keep us updated......

[Dirtyest Devil]

Looks like its gonna be neat, good luck.

[Hitchhiker]

So the picture above is current as of today. at this point I am going to get the chassis rolling and then build the body back from there. I'm debating about reversing my spring eyes front and rear.....the only thing holding me up is a set of OG 32-34 spring perches....I'm probably going to end up the P&J's. If I don't find a set to purchase by this weekend.I'll order them up.

[Chris]

Run A perch pins. They are everywere and cheap. Plus then you can run A shackles. If you run 32-up shackles and an A spring you will have to run A shackels but will have to make a thick bushing for the perch pin as they ID of the perch pin hole is quite a bit bigger.

[Hitchhiker]

Originally Posted by Chris

Run A perch pins. They are everywere and cheap. Plus then you can run A shackles. If you run 32-up shackles and an A spring you will have to run A shackels but will have to make a thick bushing for the perch pin as they ID of the perch pin hole is quite a bit bigger.

Thanks Chris. That's the stuff I need to know.

[Hitchhiker]

Stupid newb question......Do I need a spring spreader for the front spring too?

[Chris]

You shouldn't. Easy way to put a spring on the shackles without a spreader:

Put just the main leaf on the rear shackles. You should be able to do this by hand. Get a piece of all thread and use it to line up the center hole on the leafs as you stack them in order on top of the main leaf. Use C clamps to compress all the leafs. Remove the all thread and put your center perch bolt in and your done.

[Hitchhiker]

Originally Posted by Chris

Run A perch pins. They are everywere and cheap.

Just looked up A perches on ebay...I wished I'd known I needed those instead of 32-34 months ago..... This thing would be a roller already.