Features Roadster Pickup........picture thread

Looking very similar to @Dean Lowe

 

Dean Lowe would NEVER put fender welt between gas tank and cowl
IMO

 

Hello,

Comparing the Model A Roadster Pickup versus the 1932 RPU, it comes down to style and set up.
The 32 has the background and history, but the Model A version looks thinner and more streamlined. For some reason, the designers made a larger grille that looks too big for the roadsters and pickups. The Model A grille is slimmer and looks proportionate.

My brother and I have always like the Model A. our first attempt/idea at a street legal hot rod. But, after our accident in the Willys 671 SBC, we began to think about the next step. We knew there would be lots of negativity and disappointment from our parents about another hot rod for the drags or even one just for daily driving. But, two brothers can think and talk about what comes next.

Despite two bank accounts, anything 32 was out of the picture and my brother was dead set against a 32 anything. He liked the Model A sedan, but not the 32 sedan… older brother influences on a younger head usually works. We discussed the plusses and minuses of each model and wanted a roadster pickup for our fledgling speed shop business.

Jnaki

But in sitting in several RPUs, we noticed that there was not much room in any version of any RPU. even if we moved the seats back as far as it can go, we still would have felt cramped in our driving positions. We looked high and low and had an idea of extending the cab a few inches and shortening the bed for good proportions.


Previous post

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. Even back in 1960, my brother and I had thoughts of a Model A roadster pick up for another project, but realized two brothers would not fit without altering/extending the seating area back into the shortened bed. 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

 

Finally getting back to working on my RPU after some winter blahs and a bout with COVID. I built a custom fuel cell that fits snug under the bed and cab. I also think I have my pedals, clutch linkage and shifter sorted out. A few more things to wrap up and I will disassemble it to finish all the welds and paint the chassis components (not the body).

 

My 29 Roadster PU being shot by Pat Ganahl in 1978.

 

Cherry Bomb

 

Lou Bingham's coupe being towed to Bonneville. ^

 

I saved this a long time ago...

 

That is the same roadster pickup towing the coupe in post 1514. ^^^^

 

Bought this little rpu this past summer. Sadly it was waaaaay too rough once i got down to it, so the body was sold to a good friend to rebuild the car.

 

@loudbang -when I saw that towing picture I thought waaaait a minute, I think I have another pic of that rpu!
Funny how my mind can file and instantly retrieve oddball hotrod stuff, yet I've come perilously close to forgetting my wife's b-day even after 33 years...

 

Just noticed since i posted this pic is that it has a Model T pick-up box. JW

 

Nice group of RPU's, but what the hell is going on with the scoops on the grey 29 in the first photo??

 

Fast filling of petrol? And water!

 

Just HAD the scoops,, wanted to use them....

 

More is better!

 

Air cooled and runs on hydrogen?

 

That is just cool!