A couple months ago I was given and 1930 Model A four door chassis minus most of the body parts. As a retirement project I want to build a Speedster or Gow Job. I have a few questions. My Model A frame is complete and stock....will a fiberglass T bucket Body fit right on top of the Model A frame. Will a Model T radiator work with a Model A engine. If I went the Speedster route....Can a 1929 Model a radiator and grill shell be used with the 1930 cowl and gas tank that I have. I've been watching lots of TROG videos and see 1929 grills used on 1927 T roadster bodies. Just wondering if there ae any unwritten rules. Is fiberglass a total no no? I'm not a big fan of the stainless 1930 Model A grill shells. Gary
Why not build your car like a poor man's Stytz Bearcat or Mercer Raceabout. Then you just use the radiator of your choice, a hood and firewall, and a pair of old style bucket seats. Could be cheap and easy. Look them up online. Good luck with your project.
For "unwritten rules" I'd suggest you check out what others have done in the Northwest Vintage Speedsters photo gallery: https://www.nwvs.org/members-speedster-gallery/ Click on each name to view images.
Here is my last speedster. 1930 Chevy. 292 six, turbo 350 trans. I also have a brass 4 core Model t radiator that is a vintage t bucket item, meant to cool a big block Chevy.
The 292 Chevy was awesome, but not old school by any means. Should have used the old Chevy six cylinder and transmission that can with the frame.
Back on track after a summer of car shows. Got the glass in my windshield frame and got it mounted to the leaned back windshield posts. Now it's time for a brake job. Gary
With My Chevy Speedster, wind was a major problem. Seems like the wind coming over the radiator and small wind screens put the passengers in a major turbulent area. This time we will have some wind protection....maybe not as stylish....but better protected.
Good call. Those little fold down windscreens (Brookland/Aeroscreen) look cool, but are purely decorative. They do not screen the wind.