In May of 2018 I found this 31 sport coupe on Craigslist. It was stored in a makeshift shelter for twenty years on Cedar Swamp Road in my hometown. The owner used it as a parts car for his 29 coupe so there were a lot of small parts missing. I couldn’t believe this car was just over two miles from where I lived for all those years. Armed with only a check book, the owner wouldn’t move very much on the price, and I didn’t want to waste any time because he was getting a lot of action. So, I bought it. Back to the title; When I was young kid growing up, my aunt would tell me my grandfather was just an old Swamp Yankee, and you’re one too. I think the term means rural people from the North East who’ve been from this area for several generations. Anyway, I couldn’t overlook the coincidence of both our roots stemming from the Monson swamps. Here's the add on Craigslist. This next one was taken just after we agreed on the price. And here it is later that day just after I brought it home. Needless to say its been over two years since the day I bought it, and I've made a few changes along the way. I'll bring you along and explain what I've done to it, until I reach the point that I'm at now in the build.
Great score! I have a question? The first pic shows Add price of $3,000 Second pic states after we agreed on a price. At $3,000 why Negotiate, that was a Very reasonable low price.
Did you wear a mask? Only because i think you robbed him... Nice find and glad you went to buy, not just site see. Deals like that are far and few between.
Thanks Eddy, To answer your question. I didn't want to put Low Baller Swamp Yankee in the title. Of course I'm joking...
The first thing I did was take a vacuum to it and sucked up the mice and wasps nest. I was amazed how solid the body was for being stored so poorly for all those years. I removed the exhaust and shook the acorns out on the lawn. The former owner took the carb and left intake exposed so it was free run to the critters.
I guess the way I look at it is, when something is for sale there are two prices. The price the person is asking and the price he's willing to accept. The way things are done around here, is try to find the the price the seller will accept first, but if you really want it be prepared to pay what's he's asking. When in Rome.
I got ahead of myself.. This pic is with the 19" wheels. They were so far gone and dry rotted, I switched them over to the pickup wheels you see earlier.
In 2015 I found this 31 coupe body on eBay, it was located in Missouri. The guy I bought from had a friend that transported cars, so he arranged a good deal to have it shipped. I broke the body down and put it in storage until I was ready.
The summer of 2019 I puttered with the sport coupe, I took the head off and did a valve job to get it running a little better. I also converted it to 12 volts so I could let it run for extended time. To my amazement it never overheated and the rear main didn't leak. Still though... I really wasn't sure what I was going to do with it.
Recon it want that far back daht while i was out swampin' i heared bowt was what was left of an ol Banga down Monson way... guy had a sport coup, wuz gunna make 'er inta a coupe... and yup theya wuz a swamp coup too... and on the slab ready to get cut up... the yank that owned it was willin' to part wid sum xtrah parts... good sport coup tulip an dem lowa coup quatarz are in my yahd on a pallit... boat of em will be welded gainst my nex koopstar... the yank wuz dam good on price and diliverd them up out of the swamps... gut a cowyl n doars sittin' in my grahge jus a waitin'... . nice to see pix of the two As ... can't wait to see the two grafted together... ... go swamp yankee go!
My Grandfather (Mother's father ) came from around Stowe VT. My Father's father from Sweden , his wife also. My Mother's mother from Denmark. I was told I was Swedish, Danish and Swamp Yankee, and like my Father a stubborn Swede. Paul in CT
Just want to say thanks, I really appreciate all the likes and kind words. As Smitty alluded to earlier, I made some changes to the body and I finally settled on how I want to move forward with this build. More to come...
Badass Sport Coupe man! I bought my first A when I was 18, and it was a sport coupe. Here's a pretty rad video I did of it.
Very rad video.... Well done the way you blended the patina of your A with the surrounding buildings. The 30 in my avatar has some B parts added for a little extra, plus I did the 3sp overdrive conversion. I really appreciate four bangers, I love the sound I guess. Nice job with the 39 tail lights and down draft carb. Very Cool and Original Car. Thank you for sharing.
Back to 2019... That summer was spent doing upgrades to my 30 coupe. As mentioned above, I did the 3sp overdrive conversion. Installed a B cam, intake, carb, and topped off with a Snyder 6:1 HC head. Afterwards I was pretty happy with the 30 and thought I wouldn't continue on with the Sport coupe. So I listed it on here and Ford Barn twice. For $4,500. but I got no interest... Zip! So I put it away. Here's a pic of the 3sp conversion when I was just about finished.
So the spring of 2020 comes around and everybody is stuck at home, and I can't take my 30 out to cruise nights. One thing leads to another and I start getting the itch... Like many Hotrodders I've always wanted a traditional hot rod... And only a coupe will do it for me.. That's when the wheels started turning and this started happening in my head.
The Jalopy Journal
