Projects Direction change, better or worse?

I started a '27 T roadster build with a general idea of what I wanted to achieve. My first frame, purchased from a dead guy, seemed like a good idea until I realized that MII front and Jag rear suspension wasn't going to cut it on this forum. Not wanting to be like everyone else, I had a good running 289 Studebaker until I decided that flathead was the way to go. After all, I'd had flatheads when I was a kid, shouldn't be that tough, right? I bought a decent roadster body and a Model A frame and, in short time, I came to realize that the 6' tall 150-pound kid I was 60 years ago didn't exist anymore. I'm still 6' but the additional 90 pounds was going to make it very difficult to fit me in that roadster. An opportunity has come up for me to buy a pretty decent '29 A roadster pickup body and, I'm thinking, if I were to replace the T with the A, I might be a little happier. I'm probably overthinking this, but it just seems the simplest way for me to get a roadster. If I do it right, I'm still cool, right? Edit: I forgot to mention that the doors are extended 4 inches.

 

T's are definitely small. I feel like I moved up in the world switching to an A roadster.

 

Is the 29 RPU that much bigger? Sure it's a little wider, but I doubt it's much longer.

 

You'll always be cool.

 

This would be my question as well. The A RPU has a pretty vertical back-of-cab panel (whatever that's called) so if you want the back rest to be anything but straight up and down, you have to move the bottom of your seat a bit forward, where the T is angled a bit.

My '26 T is a tight fit for sure, I know the struggle. I made a dropped floor pan right behind the pedals and I made the thinnest possible backrest attached directly to the back of the body tub, with a low seat to maximize every inch, also the bottom of the firewall is pushed forward (basically flush with the top part of the T firewall) so every inch counts.

I've got enough original pieces to build a steel '34 and I'm hoping to do that sometime in the near future just because I think I'd be more comfortable in a big car. I know why you'd want to do it, I just wonder if you're really gaining anything with the A RPU body.

 

I've owned both a "T" and an "A-RPU" and there is very little difference in inside space.
An A roadster or coupe, you can fudge a little to get more space but hard to do in roadster pickup.

Mick

 

I forgot to mention that the A pickup has had the doors extended 4 inches.

 

Hey, Alan;
Sounds like you have enough parts to build 2 cars. . One for here, one for the late 60s->early 70s. I'm liking the jag, mm2 not so much. Studebaker is a big yes. Maybe one of the photochop guys could do a couple of proportion/sizing pics, so adding in an inch or two to the doors' length + the same for extending the tub length. Should make it easier to maneuver in/out. Looks like you've got the body in decent shape.
Lately, I've found that I have a similar problem, only it's my body flexibility - as in, a lot of what I had, is not there anymore. Mind says it is, body emphatically argues it's not, then proves the point over & over. ;( . So some compromises will have to be made.
IDK about the A roadster for more space, but a tub could be altered for more driver space w/o it looking badly. I seem to remember a thread about this, guy moved the dr seat sheetmetal back a little, maybe lengthened the front doors, kept body overall length the same. ??? 4" might well work. Do you fit in it better & is access easier? May be the way to go, esp if the proportions look good.
Even though people were literally smaller(in every way) back in the early 1900s, I never could understand why the drivers' area was *a lot* smaller than the passengers. Seems to me that a driver was always needed, regardless if any passengers were along. ???
Marcus...

 

I feel your pain, every time I sit in the Whatever project! Same height, but 40 pounds more, sounds like a blivet...

 

Your only cool if you like what you see in the reflections of the big glass windows down town... lol

 

I'm 5'-8" 170 and I barely fit in my T roadster. It's actually channeled a bit over the frame and I can't drive it for more than an hour without a visit to the chiropractor! Kills my back! My advice.....if the A doors are extended 4", that'll work much better than the T. Don't channel the A, invest in a quality/comfortable seat and you'll be a happy camper.

 

The 27 T will go up for sale. A fellow in Texas needed the Studebaker for his pickup. The 59AB in the Model A frame is staying. The frame has been stretched about 10 1/2 inches so that I can use a '48 spring in front axle and a spring behind on the rear axle. Leaves the stock Model A wheelbase. This is the 29 body I'm getting. The seller stretched the doors 4 inches and put a new Brookville rear panel in it. I think it's gonna work.

 

I've always wanted a '27 roadster but I sat in a few and found they were a lot tighter than even my Morgan. Hence the '33 coupe, another car that was on my list.

 

You said you HAD a 289 Studebaker engine.
I know you aren't asking for opinions but I think the Studie engine would be refreshing in a sea of flatheads that have become quite the norm in the current traditional environment.

 

Not clear, the doors are stretched 4". Is the cab back panel extended 4" or stock length?

 

Actually, I was looking for opinions but the Studebaker going to Texas came about as a result of my finding a solid bodied running 46 Merc 4 door about 30 miles away from the fellow who bought the Stude. He needed one, I needed to go to Texas and I'd already made up my mind about getting rid of the first frame and going with a flathead. A good Model A frame came up about the same time. I don't know if it was serendipity, coincidence or what, but something is getting built, even if it isn't what I visualized at first.

 

The doors and openings are extended 4 ".

 

I’m 6’1 and had a bung hip which wouldn’t allow me easy access into the T body so I drilled out some rivets, moved the rear section back 4” and made new doors. Lowered the floor down to the bottom of the A chassis and now fit well.

 

I've never sat in a RPU so i'm not sure how much room they have. But if you make a custom seat bottom and a minimal seat back I could see it working. Sounds like a cool build with the parts you have gathered.

 

Sounds like a plan! More pictures! We all love pictures!

 

I'm 78. I want this thing to work well and be as comfortable as I can make it so I can make the trip from Tennessee to @Marty Strode 's place and back. If I can, I'd like to meet some other HAMBsters along the way. That's not too much to ask for, is it?

 

Alan, that will be a trip you won't forget, I had better get hot on my '29, so we can have some fun while you are here.

 

Alan
I'm a couple blocks off the Interstate and Marty is about twenty minutes west of me.
Come on down!

 

If you don't plan on running a top, you could blow the cab back out, push the seat back all you want. Then the thing would be comfy!

 

Yup. I think that'll work better, & you'll be happy.
FWIW, if you haven't seen this thread, it's worth reading. The seating info still applies :
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/the-bucket-of-ugly-a-de-uglifying-thread.824491/
Chip explains it well.

Marcus...

 

Alan, you'll always be cool in my book! But if I had the choice, I'd rather have a roadster pickup. Not channeled. I said I wasn't gonna build anything else for myself besides an FED, but I would love to have a RPU.

 

Well hell, Lloyd! If you say it's so, then I can take it to the bank. Hang on to the FED idea, I'd like to see that in action.

 

@Dean Lowe , I just got around to reading the story you wrote about your '29 and in response to your question of what changed in the last 60 years, I'd have to say nothing. Inside, I bet you're still the same 15 year old kid wanting to know what's next.

 

Hello,

Many years ago, for our next hot rod project, my brother and I talked about a RPU for our fledgling speed shop business we had started. A pickup would be necessary for various parts hauling and our emphasis was going to be engines. So, one that would fit everything would be best. We liked 56 Ford pickup trucks, but it would not fit in our garage.

So, we saw a Model A RPU and both of us sat inside. We had orignally started with a Model A coupe, but sold it due to the lack of space for the two brothers inside to sit comfortably while racing or just crusing around. Even the 40 Willys Coupe we eventually built was tight when both of us were inside. Then as the years rolled on, modifications were tossed around until that period of our lives just took a sharp turn and poof, history…

But, over the years, the RPU still tickled my mind when my wife and I were in the market for a project, a 46 woody was the choice and when that fell through, was a nice Model A RPU. This time, since my wife is not as big as my brother, there was room inside, although some modifications were going to be necessary to give my 6 foot plus size more room to feel comfortable while driving around.

Jnaki

Here are some drawings I did to satisfy my mind as to what a modified RPU would look like. A shortened bed is a must if proportions are to be kept to look good. A long bed makes the “rear end look too big…” which is never a good thing to say, anywhere!! Ha!

We had driven up to Santa Barbara for a photo shoot session and the yellow RPU was one of the best looking ones we had seen in quite some time. It was well finished and we wished it were in our garage or with us driving it down the Coast Highway. So, years later, I drew what I thought the proportions would be for a lengthened RPU for a Friday Art post.
Normal with rake + Buick Skylark Wire Wheels
Extended with rake + Buick Skylark Wire Wheels

Also, sitting in an open roadster with your height might be a challenge. Most roadsters were a little cramped as the generations grew in our society. So, the only way to get comfortable for the bigger folks is to extend the cab. The bed will be the item that gets shortened to keep the proportions right.

There is only so much room modifying the seats and pedals without compromising driving comfort. Extended arm driving versus cramped bent elbows and the steering wheel intruding on comfort, is no one’s idea of cool cruising. Or safety for that matter… here is an orange Model A drawing I have been tossing around for ideas.


There is even a nicely finished, red Model A RPU, extended, here on the HAMB built for more room in the cab… check it out...YRMV
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/28-rpu-build-thread-it-will-be-red.703537/
@Never2old