As the title says I found one close by and in good shape. If this deal turns out good, I'll have a hundred questions on my build.
Everything is replaceable and there's a ton of info on " how to replace".. The more complete the better and a title is good to have...
As complete a body as possible is the most important thing. Everything else is likely unusable and will be upgraded if you're planning to build a hot rod out of a stocker. So buy it for the body more than anything.
This Model is truly a traditional hotrod with its A engine with hi compression head, dropped A axle, This one has been thru 4 states in the 16 years I have been driving it. Its all A except the transmission and brakes, 35 rims. Dont believe that part about everything is 'unusable' nota by farmgate, on Flickr oops wrong picture myA by farmgate, on Flickr
Depending on which direction you want to take it, like manyolcars said, everything is usable. And even if you don't want to use it, it's worth $ to someone! they're so simple, I wouldn't sweat too much over "things to watch out for" (just don't spend crazy money on junk!) as everything is available either new or second-hand fairly easily. Good luck!
Well I didn't buy the '31 but picked up a really nice '29 Special coupe. For right now I think I'll just drive it as is. Wife really likes it and I can find another to make a banger hot rod. I really don't have the heart to mess with this one.
As far as I know they still don't repro quarter panels on these. But really, almost everything else you can get, so as long as the body is straight and not too rusty it hardly matters what else is wrong.
In answer to your earlier question on what to look for as far as weak/problem areas on a model a coupe, I would have say for a project car the more complete the better, even though most everything you can get repop! and watch for the usual lower rust problems and maybe stress cracking behind 1/4 windows around belt line. Your '29 special looks clean! I agree leave it and find a coupe or roadster or even one of those c-dans to hot rod!
sometimes the rear sub-rails are rotted out, your little blue coupe looks good. sometimes the vinyl top can hold in water and rust out the body. good luck to you.
Cool special! Looked at really killer one a few weeks back and it looked like it was right out of the 60's with the paint and 348!