Projects Doodle Bug to Hot Rod (Model A build)

Well, I found a Model A doodle bug that I couldn't pass up for the price. As I'm sure most of you know, most doodle bugs have the frame cut off right behind the axle. This frame is just about perfect. The front end, radiator, and grill shell are all in great shape. Other than the rust in the corners, the cowl is very solid.





I started disassembly and every nut and bolt came off easily.

More to come...

 

Also picked up a B head this morning for $10!

 

Love 'em!

 

I always regret not buying this one.

 

That one with the tracks is awesome. If this one had been more hacked up, I probably would drive it around the yard as is.

I probably should have talked a little more about my plans for it. I'm going to rebuild the motor and hop it up a little. I've got the B head which will be worked over and am looking for a B cam.

Body wise, I'm thinking of building a boat tail, full hood, and a track-ish nose.

 

Good on ya! There are a bunch of those up our way. I'm going after one this weekend.

 

Patmanta, good luck. Some of them have a lot of potential, others not so much.



These fins should add about 100 horse power right?

 

Back to a hot rod, eh? I can almost see it now, but it's going to be a stretch. Gary

 

^^^Rimtap!

 

The last Doodle Bug I saw sell at auction brought about $300.

 

Me and the kid were at an auction a while back where they had a row of doodlebugs, we spotted one with a roadster cowl. They were all going cheap until they got to the one we found, turned out it was built with some kind of name brand aftermarket conversion kit and the tractor guys bid it way up.

 

Very cool start. Good luck and enjoy the build.

Here's what my coupe looked like when I started:

 

I didn't end up picking it up this weekend. It was too much to get into the back of my truck and it had a wasp nest in one of the cylinders. I may still get it with the help of a trailer though. We shall see!

How is yours coming along?

What's the rear end it's got on there? Is that an early heavy truck rear?

 

Hmmm, that's about 20hp per fin, but since one's short you'll probably only net 95hp

 

love those old doodlebugs

 

I'm making progress! I don't have any pictures at the moment, but the motor is out and mostly disassembled. The skirts on two of the pistons were broken but everything else looks good. The other two are aluminum.

I got a really nice '39 Chevy truck hood which I'll put on backwards for the boat tail.

I also traded the rear end (30-31 truck) for four 19" spoke wheels that are perfect. I'm pretty sure they have been in storage for the last 80 years.

I can't do much work on the boat tail until I have a rear end. Hopefully I'll find one soon.

Crash Farmer and Rich B,
Around here they usually go for $800-$2500. I picked this one up for $300. I figure the frame and front end are at least worth that.

 

You got a really good deal for nice parts. I don't see much any rust. I have paid more for less and worse up in our neck of the woods.

 

Yeah I've been looking for a very long time. If I come across any more I'll let you know.

 

i found a flathead guru out in amesbury, this guy pours babbits and everything.

 

Cool. I'll have to pay him a visit before I put the engine back together.

Does anyone know an easy way to tell the difference between original Ford wire wheels and reproductions?

I still can't quite believe the deal I got on my wheels and I'm starting to wonder if they're original. I doubt the guy I got them from would have repops but I'm curious.

 

You have the same luck as me. Things will go cheap except the thing that I want.

 

Just a few quick pictures of my wheels and the '39 hood. The engine disassembly is almost done.

 

Have you mocked it up at all yet? Give us a pic!

 

Not mocked up yet. I'm hoping to get I rear end this week and then I'll be able to mock it up and start on the body.

 

What are you looking for as far as a rear end? There's a few banjos up on CL this week in our general area that I've got bookmarked if you don't already have a lead on one.

 

I looking for anything that's complete and has juice brakes. This car has a really tight budget so it's going to take some searching. I think I've got one lined up now.

I'm also trying to find something as narrow as possible. I'm running 400 x 19 tires so I need everything narrow as shit for proportions.

 

I got busy so this has been on hold for a bit, but I finally have some updates. My search for a rear end lead me to a 1950 Ford 226, three speed, and 3.73 rear for DIRT CHEAP. I was looking forward to running the 4 banger but this is going to save me alot of time and money. I drove the car with the motor and tranny in it before it was pulled and it ran like a top.

As usual time and money are tight, but I'm hoping to work on it more often in the coming weeks.

 

That's COOL, IMO!

I bet that'll get you up and running PDQ. Speed parts might be hard to come by, but you don't need all that right off the bat. It'll give you something to look for at swaps down the line.

There was a thread I read into a while back on 223's:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=430978

 

Thanks for the link. Apparently they are pretty good engines. I had the same tranny in my '52 so I know that is good.

As far as speed equipment goes, it looks like my Offy 3 carb intake from my OHV 215 will bolt right up. We'll see.