Projects My 30 Sport Coupe Banger First Time Build

And here's how it sits right now. Still haven't figured out what I'm going to do with the door frames and stuff, might cut them but not sure yet.

 

I’d leave the doors. Probably remove the rear fenders and get some ’35 wires. That’s me though. Drive it til the wheels fall off. I have a ‘30 coupe with a yblock, all these posts about really early hopped up bangers are really making me want one. That’s a very neat car

 

I'd leave the tops, not many s/coupes stay sport coupes

 

Leave the doors alone. Do one like this!

 

I’m a big fan of chopped sport coupes even if the rest of the top is left off.
@J.Ukrop

 

I’m also a sport coupe fan. That blue one that A Boner posted is just right. I had one (never finished of course). had an extra set of doors that just happened to have the tops torched off. I was going to swap them back and forth. A nice lift-off, padded top could be created… best of both worlds.

 

Thanks for the input guys. Appreciate it. I'm in no rush on the doors/top, so I'll keep thinking about it. I really did want to end up with a roadster (coupester), but I'll keep weighing that. It would be cool to make a removable soft top for it though. Would probably drive it more in the winter.

I'm still debating if I should use the 17" wires I have now (need cleaning and paint, still have to buy tires/tubes, etc) or keep hunting for the 16" I prefer. Not sure it makes much of a difference.

Yesterday I got around to putting on my Snyders 6:1 high compression head. Was an easy job, but my motor is in good shape and the old head came off fine. I have a lot of good parts I need to sell if anybody is looking (stock head, good zenith carb with all new internals, stock intake / gav rod, tons more).


I drove the car a good 50+ miles on Saturday with the kid, went to a Cars & Coffee meetup and just tooled around. It's running good and alot of fun. Been working on my shifting and am getting a lot smoother.











Now to get some miles on it with the new head!

 

Nice build

 

Thanks!

 

Well it's been a few months. Got cold and car is sitting in my warehouse. Finally back to making some progress.

I finally got around to painting my sandblasted 16" wheels.
Went with a copper wheel paint, turned out pretty good.







Then I got my new tires mounted up.
I went with Auburn Diamondback bias-look radials, running tubeless on the wires. They were in stock and free shipping from Summit around Thanksgiving, so I pulled the trigger. Holy shit were they a pain in the ass to get the bead seated...but I finally won on all 4 of them. Went with 750 in the rear and 550 in the front. Perfect look.







Lately I've been working on making my top. I decided to keep the doors as is for now, will put the glass in them soon. Put bows back on and have been making a vinyl top that can be removed with snaps. I have no clue what I'm doing but it is turning out alright so far. Using some marine grade leather grain vinyl I'm pretty happy with.





We'll see how the sides turn out after I get them cut and stitched. It's a learning experience for sure. Will make some interior panels from this stuff as well.

And been working on some striping ideas (already wiped this off, just playing around with colors. Not gonna use the bright stuff, but digging the white and black).



That brings it up to today. Will keep trucking for the winter. Gonna have a lot more fun with this car in the spring.

 

That rolling stock looks a lot better, neat sport coupe, good to see you sharing it with your boy!

 

New rollers look great!

 

There are some great guys that build great traditional rods at Commerce City, CO. I can't remember who their name is, but Bert's model A should hook you up. They are a great bunch who are very creative and friendly too.

 

Thanks guys, it's turning out pretty cool. Lots more to do.

I'll check out the Commerce City guys, thats not far from here. Thanks for the heads up.

 

I'm new to sports coupes too, liking what you've done so far, really like the wheel colour.

Can't decide wether to chop mine or not, they do look great chopped but I'm reluctant to cut mine about and then have to make a new top, so most likely I'll leave it alone.

Following along to see how the removable top idea works out.

 

I like the thought of a removable top or at least the material portion if an effective anchor system can be engineered into the mix, much would depend on if only city speeds will be encountered or an occasional highway. I on a monthly basis attend a coffee cruise via I-80 with my 32 Sport Coupe keeping it at 60-65 mph but the 18 wheelers as they rumble by create quite a wake on my 34-year-old top fabric, just something to keep in mind. And, by the way looks to be an A+ build!

 

I had original plans to cut the window frames off, and eventually cut down the windshield. I'm glad I didn't, I think this will be cool and keep it unique for being a sport coupe. Will post more as I keep working on the top!

 

Ya I agree, it's a good idea but I don't know how well it will actually work. Keeping this version cheap for now. Only into it for $45 for vinyl and $15 for snaps. If I like it but it needs improvement I'll certainly work on an upgrade. I mainly use the car around town though so I don't think speed or nearby traffic will have much of an impact on it.

 

I think you will like the sport coupe with the door frames as they are & the folding top idea would really set it off, my 32 has the Landu bars of which a friend said I need to lose them, but wouldn't think of it, not sure what your thoughts are but searching the various web sites might provide further ideas, I've seen them with & without the landau bars & at least a couple with opera windows, all were tastefully done. As said your color choices really set it apart!

 

I agree thanks. I already sold the landau bars I had, I don't think they would like good with this thin vinyl top. I'm glad you used them though, they are pretty cool and unique. Got any pictures of your car? Would love to see it.

 

Good on you for keeping the Sport in the Coupe...I have a number of shots of my Coupe in the Poormans Thread so I won't share it here. Mine's an Aluminum top that is riveted like a WWII bomber...It was made by a Hamber @Koz here using cardboard for the patterning the pieces then transferred and cut, shaped, drilled, clecoed and riveted. It is removable but I don't take it off...It actually flows like the original canvas top that they came with...Mines also chopped about 3"...

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/canadian-29-sports-coupe.1238654/

...Hamber @Joebrownvw has a neat Sporty that he fabbed a canvas top for and it looks pretty cool...

 

Sorry fadingfastsd, no photos on the Hamb of my 32 Sport Coupe that I recall, it is however my avatar via RB on the Ford barn. Stogy has a unique approach with the aluminum top, a bit of clever bead rolling could even add another dimension.

 

Damn! What a neat ride! I love everything you've done with it. Stogys top was originally intended to be covered with Hartzcloth but it looks even better the way it is. Glad to see so many Sportys doing it on the street. They used to be the ugly duckling but no more.

 

I tend to repeat myself from time to time, but as much as I like the 32's having owned one for several years, whenever a model 'A' is mentioned it's hard to beat the affordability of the 28-31's & the vast parts availability, much has been said of the true American hot rod the 28-29's & 30-31's certainly had a head start by 3 or 4 years & the banger speed parts helped that along for sure. The 32's -34 V-8 power shifted at least a portion of that attention but make no mistake a 28-29 with its distinct cowl lines married with similar beauty mark 32 rails, toss in a V-8 (or not) & the playing field has definitely been leveled.

 

Thanks guys! I love Joe Browns coupe, the look is killer. Definitely an inspiration for where this should end up. Love the aluminum top as well Stogy, nice job Koz. I've got some time today, will be working more on the top, hope to get it mostly wrapped up. Updates coming soon.

 

This is going in a great direction. With this version you get to keep one of the best model a features - the visor, and have most of the openness found in a roadster. As far as wheels go, have you mocked up 17s on the back and 16s up front? Thank you for documenting it.

 

Thanks, appreciate it. I have not mocked up 17s on the rear. I do have a set of 17s, but have them for sale. I'm definitely sticking with the 16s.

 

Got the top mounted for now. I'm ok with it but it could be better. I have plenty of vinyl left and will probably start working on a revision. It unsnaps easily and can be rolled up to the center support bars, so that part works well. Need to add some straps for that. Also have to figure out a rear window and not sure if I will leave the rear sides open or not.

Had to get the car outside since it was fairly warm to day and see how it looks. Overall, pretty happy with it so far. On to working on the paint and some other stuff now. Will pull the skirts off next and paint them. Not sure if they will go back on though, will see how it looks.

Seeing it outside, I get the proportion problem with the sport coupe. I love the look with the top and wheels and tires, but with the rake and sitting a bit lower it really emphasizes the height of the windows and windshield. Not a problem I'm going to try to solve anytime soon, but I get it.

 

@Outback posted this link earlier in the thread.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/model-a-sport-coupe-the-poor-mans-roadster.1121649/


One of the real deal vintage banger sport coupes was Joe Mac’s Cragar banger powered cupcake.
Find that copy of May, 1970 Rod and Custom with it on the cover for some great inspiration.

 

I think the window problem is worse without the fenders, and may even be worse on yours without the skirts.

A modest chop is all they need but like you I'm in no hurry to chop mine, but not too sure it's something I can resist for too long!