Projects ***The "Malcolm" Model A Roadster Build* (Updated 01/23/11)

Great to see you get started on your roadster, I know you've been collecting and scheming for quite a while now.

Keep the pics coming, you're headed in the right direction!

 

Again, thanks for the comments and input everyone, I appreciate it!

Thanks,.... Gary!? Didn't know you were on here -- very cool!

See ya at Bonneville!

I will certainly keep you in mind -- thanks, John!

Yeah, I'll be leaving the shell alone. After looking everything over, it should look just fine stock.
Will be using '29 headlights with it, and need to get them mocked up, also.

 

Well, so far it has been pretty easy! The hard part is coming up... After getting the rear suspension in (Andy has graciously offered to help with that), and engine mounts in, it's time to square the body up and work on the subrails and body bracing. A little daunting, but it'll get done!

Bob Thrash did a sketch, and I paid him to do a more detailed one, too.
1-1/2 years later, I'm still waiting. He did tell me, yesterday, that he'd work on it this week.

Thanks, Joe! Post up some photos of the Moran Coupe!

I hope to have it at the Des Moines Goodguys event -- see you there?

Will get some photos of the other parts I've collected.
Have the following:
-'28/'29 Model A headlights
-F1 shock mounts & tube shocks
-302/T5 + Weiand intake, Edelbrock carb, Trickflow cam, etc.
-Vega steering box, '57 Ford column, Bell-type 4-spoke steering wheel,
-Brookville patch panels,
-Triumph hinges for the decklid
-'68ish Mustang master cylinder & all brake rebuild parts. F100 brakes on front
-'57 Ford Ranchero 9" rear - just got the rebuilt center section back yesterday. New 4.11 gears, bearings, etc.
-'37 Ford taillights
-'35 Ford Dash & set of 6 Moon gauges
-Chrysler minivan 3rd row seat (this may be temporary)

That covers most of what I have.

Still need to get:
-'60s Mustang radiator & hoses
-'trunk' mounted gas tank, probably a new one from Tanks, Inc.?
-simple wiring kit
-steering parts -- tie rod ends, drag link, etc.
-fuel and brake lines/fittings
-glass
-misc. bolts & fasteners
-need to figure out what headers will fit. Going to run the exhaust under the car and dump before mufflers under the frame rails. Will have caps for the dumps and run all the way out back, probalby through Porter mufflers.


I'm sure I'm missing something on those lists!!!

 

Nick sweet ride I'm glad you are getting started this little roadster will be a killer build.Like the use of the roller 302 an T5 very reliable.When you get it done I have a great little Galaxie I'l trade ya??

 

Using a Vega box for steering (*gasp!*), as long as it works with this front suspension set-up.


Nick, you should have no problem using the Vega box. I just did mine last week on the sedan. Mine is set a lot lower and it still worked. You can come take a look anytime, just give me a call. Looks Great!!

 

Great list, I knda hoped that I could send you somthing you didn't have yet...
I guess you'll get no free parts from me..

GG Des Moines is on the list this year.
Maybe WOW Omaha, if you have it done real fast.

Jeff

 

Hey Nick, make sure I got room for a ride, OK?

 

Haha... How IS the Galaxie treating you, anyways? I hope you're putting a ton of miles on it!

Sounds good! By the looks of things, I may not even have to bend the steering arms... especially since I'm not using a dropped axle.

Haha... well, it was certainly a nice thought - thank you!
I do hope to have the car entered in the Omaha World of Wheels in March. Certainly won't be finished, but it'll be a roller, hopefully with the subrails/floor/patch panels installed.

No problem, Ken!

 

Very cool. I was going to offer with help with the 9" but you already have that checked off your list. If I can help with anything else just me know. Can't wait to see you cruising it around town.

 

Nice roadster, the body looks really straight.

 

Looking good Nick. I'm still a fan of 32 grill shells, but I like the way yours is coming together. Gary

 

Quick headlight mock-up tonight.
I think they'll end up a little higher, so the tops are even with the top of the tires?

 

i'd leave them down there if it was mine as the car is pretty low slung i think they look good mounted low.

 

I like them mounted low. Looks good!

 

I thought you were using E&J's?

Looking good by the way! What motor are you running?
(edit: I see that your running a 302).


Chris




Sent from my iPhone using TJJ.

 

Looking good !

 

Damn, that's going to be cool, Nick!

 

Nick ya other than Ice & heavy snow the Galaxie is driven,Im getting ready to park for a short time an get the front & back seats done an also try to re-shoot some color back on it before spring.love your roadster project lookin good.

 

The low look IS kind of growing on me... I might raise them about 1".

My original thought (with the '32 grille shell) was to use E&J's or Crafty B's smaller versions.

When I switched to the A shell, I picked up the A headlights and decided to go that way.

I sold those E&J's that I had picked up recently.
Really, as much as I'll drive this car, I don't want to worry about those expensive headlights hanging out there.
Nothing on this car is extremely rare, to where I'd worry about parts disappearing. (Maybe it's dumb to worry about that stuff, but you just never know!)

 

looking good nick ! i'm interested to seeing the engine trans set in ! are you gonna recess the firewall majorly so you dont have to run the shorty waterpump or run the pump and only recess it 4 inches or so ?

 

Nick that looks awesome. I can't wait to see it together this summer.

 

WOW! Nick, I didn't even know you were building one. Where have I been.

Anyway, I really dig the treatment. The Duval and the A shell and lights, black steelies. Bitchin!

 

Great looking build, love the style and like your frame choice( I went with a perimeter frame from Gary also for my roadster) looking forward to seeing more progress on this one!

 

Good start... Hard to beat a Model A on Deuce rails...

 

Your project is really coming along. Have you ever studied Mark Mortons 29 Highboy built in the early 90s. In my humble opinion it set a new standard for 29 highboys.

 

Is this his?
I took this photo in front of the Hop Up booth at the 2009 GNRS...

 

That's a nice one but not Mortys. His sat quite a bit lower and had a Duvall. Also used 33 hood sides which matched the curved reveal on the cowl along with a deuce shell. I've always thought if I could pull myself away from these dam deuces I would do something like his.

 

Looked around and couldn't find a photo of Morty's Roadster....

but your description reminds me of Don Kendall's Roadster... Very cool car.

 

Dons roadster is very close but Mortys sat lower and was dehorned. When I come back in from the shop I will have the SR issue it's in. Required reading in the can!

 

Found this one in the "Dream Garages" book.