Projects 60's Era Street/Strip Model A Coupe

Thanks so much!

 

At first, I started looking for one really good 1931 grill shell. Then, I got the idea to find another that I could paint differently to switch up the look.

That lead me to have 4. At least two of them are good enough for the car and only need minimal work.



I try not to be a collector but certain things I just cannot let a deal pass by.

 

Ohh I like the green one!

 

I literally just snagged this pic off IG and thought how nice this grille looked and was reminded of your build! Go Brent go!

 

31 shells are my favorite. I think they're Ford's best of the era.

 

I agree, they look like hot rod art!

 

Love the stance!!

 

Hey, we talked on F/B. I’m the one with the heavy chopped green/black A. Cool to read thru your build thread. Car looks great!!!

 

Thanks! It's hard to capture it in pics but once it a while you can really see it.

Hey Ken, thanks!

 

Fixing that hood is something that should be done to all 30-31s

 

What color are you planning on painting the insert areas?

 

One will be black with modest striping, like the body. The other, I'm not sure, yet. I've got some ideas but I haven't thought too much on it.

 

Cool. I’m not real big in the 30/1 shells but I can see a lot of opportunity in them

 

Cool idea with the different grill colors. I thought of something similar on my '31, but used vinyl trimmed to fit instead of paint. tried a few different looks but wound up back with the hand brushed black put on back in the 60's.

 

Let me tell you, I'm not even inching along. I'm eighth-inching along. Haha.

Since the hood was trimmed I've been thinking about stripping the paint but I've sworn to myself that I need to get other things done (OT things) first. However, I found myself with an hour free and the shop was a workable temp, so... what the hell, right?



Most of it was done with Aircraft Remover (the harsh stuff) and that brighter spot is a stripping disc, just to test it out. After I cleaned the hood and wiped it down with acetone, I went over it with a fine scotch bright disc.



So, not all that much of an update, especially since it's only partially done.

I just had to see some progress. Now, I really won't be able to let it sit like this!

 

A little update is better then nothing in my opinion Brent. She looks nice with the hood sitting on .

 

Keep plugging away, you'll get there!

 

OMG, that was hilarious.

Any progress is good, keep up the great work!

 

Are your slicks 8’s or 10’s ??
I bought some 10” Radirs, but now I’m thinking I should have gotten 8”. I want about a 1-1/2” to 2” stick out past my fenders, and my rims aren’t as deep/reversed as yours, but seeing yours I’m wondering if I went to wide??

 

10" wide.

My Olds/Pontiac rear is 58.5ish" and the fenders are narrowed.

 

Must...resist...urge...to make...snide...slight exhaust port misalignment causing minor lean condition...rats, failed...

 

That header has done the same to several others. Ha ha ha

 

Gotcha, I’m running the stock A rearend /fenders, rims are 8 wide, so maybe I’ll be fine??? I’ve got a tire machine so I guess I can switch around rims, but I’m hoping to use my old chrome ones!!

 

Stripping the Hood Top:

I'll get this out straight away, I know very little about bodywork. It's something I've farmed out in the past but I'd like to learn and take on painting this car. The more I read/watch, the more I'm interested in it.

Last night, I got after stripping the other side of the hood top (the bottom side still needs to be stripped on both sides).

What I learned was that beneath the layers of paint was a layer of surface rust. I was surprised to see that it sat there as complete as each layer of paint. I naively assumed that under layers of paint/primer there'd be some decent/clean metal. But, this slow approach to stripping (rather than having it blasted as I did on the body) is pretty informative.

After scraping the second application of the Aircraft Remover I could see the metal beneath the cream color (Bronson yellow).



After it was stripped and cleaned I wanted to see it bare.


Still a bit to go but it's much better.

 

Had a guy with a '31 shell follow me home from a cruise for an hour or so... eyes in the mirror, i fell for the '31 even though i have owned and used many '30s...
different colors rock... go brent go .

 

Looking really cool. Keep up the great work!

 

Awesome PICs

 

A Couple More Hours on the Hood:

First time I've ever metalfinished anything. It was fun, relaxing even, except for the wire wheel biting into the edge and coming after me... that could've been bad.

I cranked up the music, put in some earplugs, and went to work.



I used a stripping disc, a wire wheel for any pits or dings, some 80 grit and then 120 grit. There is still a little bit in hard-to-get areas that a wire brush would probably handle. For now, I'm pretty happy,


The above pic is from last night. I rolled it outside, this morning, while I was pulling some tools and stuff out of the garage. I love being able to stand back and look at it or walk around it and see it from other angles.



I'm starting to really like it with a hood.

 

Almost there!

Have you considered some skinny five-spokes or kidney beans on the front to balance the look of the rears?

 

Yes. I've tried a couple of different wheels but these steelies sit under the fenders best, they're 4" wide, and they're one of my favorite wheels.