Hot Rods Homogenized ‘28 roadster build

A ‘28 roadster on a ‘32 frame with a ‘32 shell and a small block Chevy, just like everyone else!

Drove out to California last summer and picked up the pretty nice cowl and doors and the ‘57 Pontiac rear end (with PSI ‘35/6 style spring hangers). Found the quarters locally though both are pretty rough. Decklid sourced via Instagram. The engine is a ‘57 283 block with some early ‘60’s power pack heads. T5 transmission.

Ive been collecting parts for quite a while for the “next” hot rod and they include a chrome Bell axle, I think PSI bat wings (all 2” perch). Old chrome round back spindles. I don’t know who made the hairpins as I got them second hand, but they were cheap and will be modified some for a better look before being chromed. Hope to snag a set of Bass’ conversion brakes the next time he does a run. Buick drums and Wilson Welding hubs. King Bee lights with old aluminum stands. F1 shock mounts. The grill is an original that has been chopped 4" but I think it's 2" too much so that will likely change.

I elected not to build my own frame this time. I didn’t need anything crazy or really have the time (or effort) to do it. I chose to go with an RJays perimeter frame and am really happy with it. It’s pinched and bobbed for an A, step boxed, ‘33/4 style X-member, A front crossmember. I grabbed one of his pedal assemblies too that should work great. I had thought I would swap the rear crossmember for a flattened original ‘35-‘40 but will wait and see.

My goal is the Gathering at the Roc next year. After a short recovery period for my pocket book I’ll have a few more parts on the way. The plan is to get the chassis about 99% wrapped up before I start on any sheetmetal work. Don’t think I’ll use these rear wheels…I do think it’ll get small window “Halibrands” up front. The end look will have a lot of inspiration from Sam Conrad, Dick Megugorac, Jack McDermott, Bill Burnham, etc.

 

I very intentionally wanted an early small block in this car, but wanted to dress it up a little differently. I also really like 2x2 intakes. Inspired by Sam Strube, I made my own from a Weiand 4-barrel and a 2x2 4-71 blower top. I'll be running Rochester 2G carburetors. The valve covers are original Corvette that I shaved.

 

That intake is awesome!

 

Nice work on that intake!

 

Wow!!! That intake!!!

 

Your build sounds awesome and great collection of parts but that intake is wicked cool and ingenious

 

Fuck this is gonna be rad!

 

dare to be different is Cool

 

Holy crap, Batman!

 

Lots of hours in that intake. Ameracana alive and well

 

Nice.

 

Just a lot of planning and about a weeks worth of lunch breaks!

 

Model A roadster - check
32 frame - check
Short Stroke Chevy V8 - check
3 pedals - check

Lots of good reasons for that particular tried-and-true recipe.

 

Small update. Got a parts order and assembled the front suspension. Made some mounting tabs for the hairpins…I think Chassis Engineering used to offer this kind and I really liked them, so I just made my own. That’s as far as that went, since the threads on the end of the hairpins need to be re-tapped from that gnarly weld at the end, and I don’t have the right tap at home.


I didn’t want a factory aluminum bellhousing for this one, so I finally bit the bullet on this Ansen one that is about as heavy as the engine block, but it’s pretty cool. I don’t know if it was worth the cool factor there with a T5 bolted to it, but I like it. With the hurst front mount, and using the T5 rear mount, I needed something plenty strong in the middle since I’ll have no mid-mount.


Then I made the engine mounts. The tubing is way overkill on thickness but I had it, and it was the right OD. The width of the Hurst mount worked just right with the pinched frame so that I just notched the upper lip of the frame and the tubing sets flat agains the stepped boxing plates. They’re just tacked for now until I get the trans mount made.






I also got my Buick drums fit to the the Wilson Welding hubs.

And due to my ignorance on the subject, it turns out that the rear end I got for this is not the right one…it’s an earlier rear axle. I have a budget friendly solution to this issue planned, but we’ll see how that goes.

 

Nice build. I like those headers.

 

Love a creatively done early chevy motor, looking forward to watching this one.

 

Been a while since I got to sit and stare at a hot rod in the garage! Hairpins sorted out and the rear mounts tacked on. Trans crossmember bent up and clamped in place, final engine position looks good to me.

 

Little updates. I was provided with a flat transmission crossmember plate with the frame, but it was too wide and needed a drop. I tossed it in the press brake at work bent it about 1.5” in the middle, then welded up the mounting holes, trimmed the ends flat, and drilled new holes. Got it bolted to the frame today so the engine and trans are mounted.


Here’s what happened with the rear end. I did not want to see a 9” in the back of this car, as it will be pretty visible. I really wanted an Olds/Pontiac 9.3 and thought I had one but was wrong and had acquired an earlier rear end. Not being able to afford the good version, for sure not one with low gears and a posi, I decided to fake it. I don’t know if this earlier housing is dimensionally the same as a 9.3 but it looks the part with the perfectly round rear cover and tapered tubes. With a bunch of measuring I figured out this would hold a 9” pumpkin. So I got a used Ford housing center section and cut out the mounting flange. After removing the old brackets from the Pontiac housing, I cut the center out and fit the Ford flange in there and welded it up. At first the axle tubes were offset to the back from the center line of the third member but I figured I would correct that when I welded new ends on. But by the time I was done welding the center flange in, it pulled the axle tubes into near perfect alignment. I cut off the original ends plus 3/4” more from the passenger side to center the pumpkin, and tacked on some new big bearing Ford ends. So now I have a 9” rear end that I can get a cheap third member, axles, and brakes for that doesn’t LOOK like a 9” rear end. I don’t know if it was worth all the effort, but I’m happy with it. I’ll fully weld the ends on once I have the spring hanger and ladder bar brackets welded on.

 

That's crazy! I've never seen anyone go through the work you did for the "look". Sure hope it works out for you, and if it does it will probably be less costly than rebuilding the original axle. Just a lot of labor. A real lot.

 

Only about 6 hours…I have more time than money anyway.

 

You seems to really like shaved rockercovers.
Really nice work on the rearaxle.

 

I was amazed at the intake work, then the rear axle mod blew my mind! Good for you in spending time to make the details right. As a guy who can't do much more than order parts, I'm inspired to get some practice in the fab department.

 

I really like the modified smooth 9" housing, too! It's an obscure, rarely done modification that I'd forgotten and hadn't considered. But you've inspired us. Thank you!

 

The custom intake and 2 piece Tri-Y headers are really bitchin, as is that bellhousing even if it will be hard to see. By Wisconsin standards, that body is really pretty good, too!

 

Thanks all!

I was looking over my drivers quarter panel yesterday and have just about decided to get a reproduction, it is really really rough.

 

A Samoram! TM

 

Some people say it makes a difference to go the extra mile. I think you're going the extra 5 miles!