Projects 60's Era Street/Strip Model A Coupe

Great project!

 

Hunting the right vintage part is like a treasure hunt for me, the "thrill of the hunt" ...by the way, did I say "hunt" enough times?

 

Inching closer. Ryan put some time in on these ladder bars. They're 95% done. When everything is squared away we'll get some proper pics up.

 

Man! It’s a shame to cover that chassis with a body! Maybe make it a rail job.
Very cool build and thought out work!

 

Perfect! Looks great brent

 

I don't think it needs a body, I'd drive it just like that! Haha

Sent from my CLT-L09 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Haha! I appreciate that, guys, as I'm sure Ryan does, too.

But, I'll be the first to say - I CAN'T wait to put the body and fenders on!

 

A little closer shot of the ladder bars mocked in place.

 

Brent, I really appreciate the close up pics, they are really helpful in seeing how the F1 box/column fits in with the SBC and the hairpins. I need to find an F1 pitman arm now and an early steering arm which i can use with the F1 pitman arm! thanks

 

Brent, I hope you post some detailed pictures of the ladder bars and mounting.

 

Thanks, I am happy to share.

I'm not going to use an F1 pitman. I cannot remember the # at the moment but I will share it when I have a chance.

 

Will do. They're not 100% yet. I'll post up when I can do a detailed post.

 

Fabricating an Offset Panhard Bar Bracket for a Model A Ford Chassis:

Because of the parallel ladder bars we fabricated a panhard kit to keep the axle centered. The bracket started off as a pre-fabbed item and was heavily chopped up. The offset clears the crossmember and the 3rd.

There's such little suspension travel that the slight angle won't be an issue.

 

I like the rounded over gusset. Very beefy looking

 

Engine Limiter Rod - SBC w/ Muncie in a Model A:

Limiter rods will be on both sides, set up the same way. They're tied from the bellhousing mount to the crossmember. This will stop any front/back movement.

 

It's sleek, now, compared to its original shape and size. It was a 4x4/offroader bracket and the beef wasn't necessary.

Ryan's modification makes the bracket "simple, sexy, and functional." His words... haha. I can't deny that, though. It's a pretty damned sleek looking.

Here's the bracket before:

 

Night and day

 

That bracket looks organic, like it grew there. Its the details like that which have me hooked on this build

 

Engine Limiter Rods in a Model A:

Here's a twist. Ryan added these to the rods to make tightening easier.

 

Ladder Bar Front Mounts - Model A Ford Chassis:

Thrash-proofing some ladder bar tabs/brackets.

After a few more frame odds and ends, the body will get placed on, so the ladder bars can be finalized. They were left a little long so the rear could be set where it's supposed to be. Once that's set. it'll get trimmed to allow for the jam nuts.

 

Man he does some quality work.

 

He's got skillz to pay the billz...

 

This may be a little above my pay grade, but can I ask what part the limiters play? I wouldn't think they'd be necessary with an open driveline and hydraulic clutch?

 

Yeah, that last pic looking down on the frame from above is a helluva testament to the vision, cooperation, effort and execution put into this build.

 

Clever, I like it.

 

The limiter rods are to prevent any forward or backward movement of the engine and trans. While my car isn't as high horsepower as a car that would typically run these, there are two main reasons we wanted to incorporate these. 1st, this car is going to be driven and I want to drive it hard. 2nd, we thought they'd really help protect the tri-5 bellhousing mounts, which are of a design that's known to have some drawbacks.

 

Whenever I see a question like that (not that it isn't a valid question or informative answer) I always think of this episode of Invader Zim.



Because it's cool...

 

@patmanta, I mean that's why we build most things, isn't it? Haha.

 

Pitman Arm Splines Modified to Fit F1 Pitman Shaft:

Not all that much to see. However, it is pretty rewarding to file away the keyed areas so that the pitman arm can be clocked to whatever is needed.





This arm is going to get rebent to work on my car. As well, it's going to get a ball installed. I picked a 32 bolt on ball and, wouldn't you know - it fit perfectly. Henry et al. knew what they were doing.

The replacement ball will have the threads trimmed off and welded in. I'll share more when its done.

 

1st Real Mockup - We HAD to Know:

I've owned this coupe body for nearly 12 years. Last night, for the first time, I didn't have to imagine what it will look like as a roller.

In order to make some decisions on a few things, we wanted., needed... HAD to see it mocked up.



This is mocked - not final. There will be some changes, some adjustments, and there's still a shortlist of things to do.