Projects Building My First Roadster in San Francisco

I really like you’re t-100 chopper!
And you’re roadster is pretty cool as well


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Just a heads up about your light switch. I have one of those in my roadster and if there is any kind of tension or pull on the wires they fail to work properly. I thought I had a bad switch and bought a second but did the same thing. There is very little contact with the switch parts inside the case so it doesn't take much tension to lose power. Everything would work but the rear parking lights. This was on both switches. Once I put more slack in the wires everything works as it should.

 

What is the reason for using that kind of light switch instead of the stock one in the center of the steering wheel?

Just curious since I'm debating with myself whether to use an original style wiring harness in my car or to make my own using the schematic in the Tardel/Bishop book.

 

I went with the later switch because of using a later banjo wheel plus I added turn signals. I also made my own harness.

 

I don't know if he still has them but several years ago Flattop Bob from Owens Salvage Company in Wellington, Texas had a bunch of NOS steering column headlight wire harnesses for Fords. I don't know if any were for As. He also has a lot of other vintage stuff and he's a fun guy to talk to.
http://www.owenssalvage.com

 

you can use the banjo wheel/light rod/horn button with the stock ford 28 and up switch at the bottom of your steering box, and still make your own wires coming out of it. not a big deal to shorten the rod

 

Keep at it, brother. It's the small details that will make this car "Joey's Roadster".

 

Pedal covers and new rubber on the column mount didn't go unnoticed.

 

Might leave it long until you know were everything is going to land? I’ve gone over switch locations a zillion times and I’m still yet to drill a single hole for it lol

 

PM sent.

 

Love this build. The fact you are doing it in a tiny garage in the City is even better. And man that Country Club Malt Liquor sign brings back memories. When we could "buy up" as underage delinquents that was the drink of choice. Keep up the good work. I'm in Marin, between you and DiFalco. You better stop by when you get it sorted out enough to venture over the Bridge.

 

Awesome Joey

 

I wish I had known you were here in P-Town. I could have come down to say hello! Phyllis' is a phantastic burger place. There's always Brewsters and Taps in Petaluma as well.

 

Haven't posted on the Hamb in quite a while, but I just have to say this is a great thread.
A young guy putting together a Model A in an old 1 car garage with parts collected one at a time just screams pure hot rodding. Can't wait to see it come together and very excited to see the black paint job process.

 

which tire size is installed? looks good!!

 

Considering your environment, a black, brush paint job would work out good for you (won’t get neighbors mad). Be sure to get some sort of “flow out” type additive to minimize brush marks. If the paint flows out better, it reduces, or maybe eliminates the sanding between the coats of paint. Tackle it one panel at a time...should be fun. Hopefully some patina experts will chime in with the many tricks needed to avoid the dreaded fake, non-convincing look.
Oh, cool pic too!

 

I have been " taking " a lot from your thread but not really contributing much. I am only a learner here myself after owning my RPU for 50 something years.
Two things I would mention,
NOTHING wrong with mechanical brakes, there are improvements on the Model A brakes , but hydraulics isn't necessary.
Use a 32-36 axle( it's already dropped compared with a Model A, use the brakes that came on that axle, they are cast iron, (36 will be wide five) , but all the rest are already set up for wire wheels. I would also use the rear brakes from the same car. You will need the tall perch bolts from a 32-34 to keep the parts all in line.
Now you have "Rocky Mountain Brakes" on the cheap, a dropped axle and all Ford parts.
The improvement I would make would be Ted's floaters on all four brakes, AND perfect rods and clevises, brake pedal bushes etc.
Remember Henry used mechanical brakes for most of the 30s and a third of the life of the flathead V8...all they need is a bit of maintenance/adjustment . With Ted's floaters you will outbrake the tires , before you will need hydraulics.

Secondly regarding paint, nothing wrong with a brush painted hot rod.. remember rumor has it that Rolls Royce painted all of their cars with a brush until 1958 I think. Hand built cars were hand painted ???

 

Coming together nicely.
Happy Thanksgiving....

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Love it! That's what it feels like old school hot rodding is all about.

 

@dumprat brush painted his 34’ recently and looks killer. Might go take a look for ideas?

 

I think brush painting is a good idea and can produce a finish as nice as spray paint maybe better than some spray jobs. "Patina" ? Why spend all that time and effort to paint a car so it looks like it needs a paint job? Patina will happen if you keep the car and drive it enough. I like the look of survivor cars but they earned it. Make your A earn it. You are young and have time to let it happen.

 

Back in the 70's I worked on deliveries at a local furniture store, while going to college. One of the sales guys, was Irish, and he had apprenticed in Ireland as a car painter. He told me then, that they used brush painting for their work. Never elaborated if it was coach work, or what, but I still remember that.

 

i have brush painted a couple motorcycle frames i was too lazy to take apart. with a high quality brush and real automotive quality paint you can get amazing results