Hot Rods Ford Model A Coupes - How Good Are They...

I'd like to hear thoughts from folks about what they think of model A coupes.
When you think about it, they make up one of the most numerous groups (make, model and body style) ever used for a hot rod and were manufactured in various version from a standard coupe which I prefer thru to several other configurations which I don't even know all the correct names for!

Tell us what year & style you have and why.
It just seems to me, they are about due for some documented recognition in hot rod history.

For me, I've had a couple from a restored stocker, a resto style hot rod and have vision of a full hot rod build into the future.
As I previous stated, I like the earlier 1928/29 years standard coupe for its plain simple appearance and I some times wonder what other folks see in these cars and why?
I do concede that the 1930/31 coupes sure challenge many 32 Ford coupes in looks when presented right.

 

Where do you start...
Availability for raw materials
The aftermarket
The price!
What I personally like about ‘A’s are the fact there are almost no rules involved, from almost stock to outlandish custom....
Here’s mine, can’t tell you why I have it ...just kinda morphed!


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My second car was a 1931 Mod A coupe. Bought it in 1960 from the original owner for $50 and drove it home. An hour after getting it home I had the swing set assembled in the garage and had the engine and transmission out and started to channel the coupe to the bottom of the frame rails. Over the next few months converted to juice brakes and installed a 303 cu in Olds engine. Wish I had pictures of the car. Took six months to get the coupe on the road and I never could make a 39 Ford transmission last over a few months....

 

It's pretty simple; '28-'29 coupes look good full fendered and un-chopped; while '30-'31 coupes look good on a deuce frame with a 5" chop.

 

I guess that could also include coupster's for which models were the greatest source of bodies.
There has been a few decent build projects for coupster's here on the HAMB.

 

I am a fan of 30 coupes... Have 2. One stocker and one hotrod I saved from scrap.

Nice light nimble cars that a tall guy like myself can fit in. (6'-7")

 

Yeah, a 30 model coupe on a 32 frame is pretty close to the best and I'm a 29 kind of guy.

 

Well, in all honesty, I'm pretty much a deuce kinda guy but the 28/29 model A front fender is the closest thing to perfection in anything ever stamped out of steel.

 

Can't beat a Model A, sturdy body with good styling, the wood is used to attach the interior not structure, lots of original and repop parts available. You can buy them in about any condition for a reasonable price. I have a 29 stocker, a 30 Sport Coupe project with a flathead V8, a 30 pickup with a balanced banger and my avatar is a 28 with a V8 60 I sold years ago.

 

I like to change the menu now and again without to much hassle

 

What ?
Prove this with pictures. (if that is possible)
I can only think of one that comes into that category.

 

And even then it is wearing a deuce grille......

.

 

Personally I prefer a 30,31 over a 32 any day.

 

Nothing wrong with a deuce grille and it is not meant to be a pissing competition.
I prefer the rear trunk lines of a 30 coupe over that of a 32 and while I like 32's heaps, I prefer the slightly lower height firewall of a model A.
The 32 has a bigger engine bay both width and length which is a great attribute when building a hot rod.

 

Not a coupe owner, can I still participate? re Model A vs Deuce, I like how the A windshield angle matches the radiator angle. There is a dissonance with the 32 with a straight up radiator shell and an angled back windshield that to me is less aesthetically pleasing. I like the the visor over the windshield, it just enhances the aesthetics and it pleases my eyes. Stock A's are nice, but IMO a model A with a light chop (3 - 4 inches), and a nose down stance (IMO preferably unchanneled) has just about perfect lines, very hard to beat. While I'm a truck owner, I do appreciate the increased leg room of a coupe, but I actually prefer the looks of the pickup.

 

Without deviating too much from the original subject, I hear you with regard to model A pickups, the legroom is limited compared to a coupe but still more interesting I feel is that legroom in a 28/29 was greater than that of 30 thru to 34 in pickups from what I could tell.
All the pickups from 30 thru 34 lost that B pillar depth that the 28/29 had.

 

Here is my 1st coupe.
That is the one that got me interested.
Later model wire wheels always help...

 

I've built many.. Liked them all.. Here's a few... **clic pic**

 

I like 'em. Fun, plentiful, great aftermarket support, cool looking, and bitchin'..

 

Hard to beat the look of a chopped A coupe, the visor makes them look like they're up to no good. Here's mine.


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img049 by harpo1313 posted Feb 16, 2010 at 10:40 PM

I like the visors.

 

32 5 windows are about as good as it gets but with the price of them today this little coupe that is getting closer and closer to be finished gets me basically the same thing for half the price! (Until I decided on the 409!) Deuce frame and grill. They just have soul




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A guy who has taught me a tremendous amount about hotrods once said , I envy the guys who fall in love with Model As , they are plentiful , cheaper than 32-34 , and the ease of chopping. I myself like a 4” chopped 30-31 fender less on smoothies .


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I really like that louvered roof infill on your coupe.
Mind you I do like most roof infill's especially the ribbed ones.
It sure helps strengthen the whole body up as well...

 

Can't beat a 30 coupe, no chop and fenders, just look mean. Especially with the 425 Nailhead under the hood.



Canuck

 

Like this?

 

Don't own one now, I did own one back in the '70s for a while that was actually built in '58 ( or '59) that I liked real well. a 29, 283 4spd, louvered to the max the hood the roof the deck lid. I was living in Redding, Calif where I bought it, working and needed simple transportation. I loved that little car it was fun to drive and reliable. It was hammered pretty hard and if I built one today I would build it the same except less chop.

 

Production numbers vary but lets say 4,858,644 were built,and hot rodders have always had a obsession with them,I honestly believe there have been more Modal A hot rods built than any other year model ever produced.

What's not to like,I am a admitted Deuce nut but cut my teeth on Model A's,with a 30 coupster,a 31 coupe, a 31 Vicky,a28 Sedan and a 30 pickup.

I still love them and like I have said before the right deal come along I might own another. HRP

 

There isn't a lot that's cooler than a a coupe with a mild chop and full fenders. it says im classy, but im here to party!

 

Danny when you and I were kids they said that the bucket T was an entry level hot rod, but I believed back then and still believe to this day that the A is entry level. Unless you buy a kit the A way easier to build than a T and if you don't get real stupid with the build that can be very comfortable to drive.

The A coupe I had in the '70s was chopped about 5 or 6", the guy did an excellent job on the quarter windows which is rare on an A with a ton of chop, mild channel ( 2 or 3" maybe). You sat on a cushion on the floor which is good for a kid in his 20s but not so much for a man in his 60s.