Soo...After the "Rolf Coupe" was finished I was all set to build the "Rolf Roadster" I even got a frame, body and a bunch of parts. When I went to bed that night sometime in 2007 my only worry was if it was going to be a Nailhead again or maybe a hot small block? That next day I learned that my wife had an aggressive form of breast cancer. Life changed overnight, it all became about family and NOTHING else. Having cancer in the family is extremely inconvenient!! Hot rods and other cars became VERY un-important. I sold off the roadster and did not look back. I know I am not the only one having shit to deal with, but this was tough. Well...after about three years of hell and sometimes bliss my wife is in remission and we are moving on. I am thrilled to be back working on hot rods...that's my story and I am sticking to it. I am building a Model A hot rod for a customer, collecting parts for a full fendered Model A roadster and recently this thing followed me home: As found: All steel 1932 Ford. 1056 Olds power, auto (uck!) with a nine inch rear hung in 1936 rear 'bones. The car makes use of a lot of 1956 Oldsmobile items such as the column, steering wheel and instruments. Also, the 1956 Oldsmobile gave up its 324 engine and transmission. It runs well. I am sure some of you recognize the cars as a fellow HAMBer's. The original '32 steering box is obviously period correct, but it leaves quite a bit to be desired. I am going to install all new shackle bushings, wheel bearing and spindle bearings. One deviation from this period correctness will be a Vega steering box with cross steering. Also, I like a hot rod with a bit of a rake. Since I need to work on the front end anyway I am going to install a dropped axle and install tube shocks. Everybody builds a car they way they see fit, and no one is right or wrong. If they were all the same, they would all look like the Graffiti Coupe! Mike did a great job capturing the era, but l just like my cars to be very drivable and predictable and that may mean some compromises. Visually...in my humble opinion...this front-end needs to be cleaned up. Head light bar, friction shocks, blinkers, chrome head lights and steering arm all need to go. With most pieces off it will become my new canvas. Stock 1932 Ford axle. Some folks will argue until end of time that ALL 1932 axles are "heavy" and some say that Ford introduced a lighter axle at the end of the production year, like the 1933 and up. Whatever it is, I personally like this beefy model. Axle porn...if you are in to that sort of thing... A total of four inch drop should make the car sit right in my eyes. I am glad I elected to drop the stock axle instead of buying an aftermarket axle. Then the whole schmear was covered in a super high tech performance coating only used by astronauts and a few Swiss nuclear researchers... ...it is called Krylon Semi Flat black. In a former life I would be busy removing, smoothing and de-burring all the casting "flaws", and I may still do that if it was a reproduction axle, but knowing that this is Henry steel I feel like I should honor the work that went in to it. Quick stance test...with the new spring pack it did not change the altitude all that much, but I like it. What is more important is that I gained suspension travel, and that means better road manners and comfort. It's a good thing...now I have to get busy with the steering. This is what's left of the head light stand. The J shaped bolt is the old steering loop that has been heated and bent. It will now serve as the upper shock mount. I quick test fit...this should work fine. The Olds steering wheel had a key way slot in it because of the original '32 steering box. I just used another '32 shaft and made a DD shape at the bottom. This way I do not have to splice the shaft. Here is the new column with the joint attached. I painted the part that shows in the engine compartment black as I don't want it to "stick out" I painted the grille shell in the body color...That looks better. Now the grille shell looks part of the car. However...somebody pointed out that the matching headlights looks very 1980's...funny how that is,,,I tend to agree...Black maybe? These 1940 Chrysler sealed beam lenses looks really cool. The problem is they are just that: sealed...and 6V...and burnt out. This is a Halogen lens that I cut out from a cheap new sealed beam. Then I married the two...now I have 12V halogen vintage looking lights.
I moved the Hollywood light to the top of the panel, I think it looks cleaner. Yup, black head lights looks better. The jury is still out on the fog lights, but for now I am using them as blinkers. The car drives great with the fresh front end and Vega box. I also replaced the tires and rims. Rear tires are mounted on 5.5 truck rims and the fronts are 4.5 Next: To replace the rear spring and remove the lettering on the doors. The plan is to be ready for the Bellevue Ford Meet in June.
was just wondering the other day where you had gotten to Rolf, I was looking at a photo of your coupe and wondered if that burnt you out. glad to hear life is back on track and your busy in hot rod direction again. looking forward to the coupe updates.
Glad the wifie is doing well....mine has been cancer free for ten yrs now! Car is lookin sweet....care to share the how to on the headlight mod?
I love that car! ,seen it many times.....I always thought the front end was too high and the front tires too tall........the rake idea is cool......personally I like the race numbers...........have fun with it..........
Welcome back Rolf! Glad to hear things are better! Your Nailhead powered 5 window gave me much inspiration!
I'm really glad to hear your wife is in remission. I can't wait to see where you take this 5W! Welcome back.
The jury is still out on the fog lights, but for now I am using them as blinkers. Well they look a lot better than what was on before. Went through that breast cancer shit at our house about 20 years ago, and everything is fine. Hope you can say the same in 20 years.
Very nice, Rolf. I really like your shock mounts. Great idea. How do you feel about the stance now? Or, is your plan to address that with the rear spring?
I dig the dash Great to hear of your Wifes remission..its never fun when you have an Ill member of family to care for..it becomes the most important issue
Great to hear your wife is doing better man. When family member's are sick there is nothing worse. I am writing this while I am in the hospital since my son had surgery yesterday morning to repair a birth defect in his bladder. Sucks seeing those loved one in pain for sure. Now as far as the car goes, you always do a killer job and this one is no different. I love me a 5w, I love me a Olds engine, I love me a hot rod!!!!! Looking good!!!!
Glad to see you back. Sorry to hear about your enforced "holiday" but I'm sure it did wonders for your sense of perspective. That coupe looks good...but so far I like the A better.
Man, you've got the eye. I look forward to seeing it live at the Ford Picnic. The hubcap aircleaner is a nice touch too. The straight on side shot on your site gives a better perspective on the new stance too. Glad the wife is on the mend.
Hoping for nothing but the best for your wife. Love the Olds power and what you're doing with the car, keep posting updates.....please
Rolf, your nailhead powered 5-window, and your instructional posts were very instrumental in giving me the courage to get into my own Model A. As a cancer survivor myself, may I say, welcome back to 'normal'. The very best to your wife.
Rolf, good to have you back! And especially because it's that your wife is in remission. I haven't talked to you in a couple years, I think Hotrod-a-rama where we talked about her cancer and I think about you and your wife all the time. I was worried, but the hell with the cars, glad to have you back!
Great work as always Rolf. Glad to hear that your wife is doing better. We will be sure to keep her in our prayers.
Rolf, Got your PM. Thanks. I am glad that your wife is doing better. Tell her I said hello. The 32 will get the Rolf touch and it will be bitchin'. I bet you have a chrome windshield frame in your sights as well. I like the mods on the frontend. Good call on the lettering as well. It looks out of place. You know me. I am always in favor of Olds Rocket power. Looks good. I'll be watching from the sweltering SW. Dale
what theeeee hell? That looks sweet, Like it was meant to go in the model a dash! Consider that idea Idea stolen!
Glad to hear Mrs. Rolf is doing well! My Mom's a breast cancer survivor and I'm a brain cancer survivor. Keep on keepin on! Car looks great, definetly prefer the fog lights, gives a nice color balance, and they're in a good spot.
Thanks all for kind words. I know I am not the only one dealing with health stuff, but this puts a different perspective on life. I dedicate this thread to all survivors of whatever. Let's live life to it's fullest.
The Jalopy Journal
