Up-date from the shop, Nailhead powered '31 on '32 rails...

I must say I haven't been HAMBing much lately, the summer has been full of activities to do outdoors, not in front of a computer, but I enjoy short visits just to stay in tune with you guys...

Ryan: Thanks for all the work you do... And thanks to the Society for helping him...some great folks on this site...

Well, the fall (with lots of rain) came to Washington state, and you know what that means: Back in the shop !!



I like the protruding model A firewall, but with the long nailhead, I had to make some room. Instead of carving a big hole, I tried to follow the outlines of the motor somewhat, making it look like it belongs there...






Also, I didn't like the aftermarket column drops, so I made one using the lower part of the model A drop.





I was going to move on with chopping the lid, but I got my radiator, so I could finally hang the grille. It is 2 inch lower than the stock '32. Once that was done, I just had to make the head light/shock mount to get the big picture. They are just standard issue F-1 mounts, with the stud moved lower, and the top part replaced with a model A "cup"

I have restored some fifties and sixties cars, but this my first hot rod. This shit is FUN !

I don't know about you guys, but I am f---ing excited. Did I say I was excited??!

To see your very own hot rod starting to take shape, all with parts you have collected, swapped, begged and bought etc...







Yeah, yeah, the 'ol standby Pontiac light...but they look great.




Steering wheel is 1957 Ford, and the gauges will be 1950 DeSoto.

I just need to tack my visor and make sure the windshield frame fits well, then it should be time to whack the lid.

I'm thinking 4 inches...

 

Rolf, Looks so bitchin'! Maybe I'll get a chance to see it this weekend. Swindlers run should be great. Wish for clear skies. Later my friend! Love that treatment of the firewall. Look killer with the motivation in place. Dale

 

That firewall look's great. As well as the rest of the car.

 

It's lookin great, you must be excited. We are in the same boat. Keep up the good work, the firewall gives me a good idea...hmmm...

Adam

 

Looking good !!! Keep us posted..

 

Very neat work,I think the Pontiac tail lights even look right. What box are you running behind the nailhead??
The 4 inch chop will make it look killer.

 

It's looking really nice Rolf.
I love the way you recessed the firewall and it's great to see another nailhead in the works.
Keep us posted on your progress.

 

Rolf
Now that thing looks great? Right everything for my taste, I don't think I'd even chop the top.
Judd

 

looks great!

like skippy said, what trans and rear are you running?

 

Nice work Rolf!!!!!!!!.......OLDBEET

 

Looks like you are building the perfect "A" 5-window. Is it going to have all the requisite finned goodies on the nailhead?

 

Rolf, it's good to hear from you again, and the coupe looks bitch'n

 

I've been following your progress on the A, and it's going to be a winner. I love the look, and your choice of powerplant. I think this car is going to sneak up on you when it's done, reel you in with a clean look then hit you between the eyes with details.

Frank

 

Great work on the firewall Rolf. Keep it up. dug

 

Lookin good.
I especially like the way you set up the firewall.

Watta ya think about bobbed rear fenders and either no fenders on front or cycle fenders on a clever bracket setup?
I'll let you figure the brackets out.

4" chop top?
Will that be too much for your height and/or seat ergonomics?
Why not make the first cut, get the lid loose then block the lid at say 3", then later 4" etc.?
That way you could try the entry/exit bit out over a period of time and see if you really do want 4".

It's my opinion that cars are chopped too much nowadays although 4" sounds reasonable.
I think guys get into a "let's chop the snot out of this thing so everybody will know it's chopped" bit and end up with cars that are uncomfortable, not that good looking and are a pain in the ass to drive.

Give some thought to a 1 1/2" chop.
That would give the car a subtle touch not seen in other cars.
Makin em wonder is better imho than showin up in another whack-lid "A".

 

Your 31 is looking good, if it was mine I would be excited too.
I agree with C9, if your set on chopping it try a small chop first.
I don’t think I would go anymore than two inches.

 

Gotta agree with C9, the 1 1/2 "chop would be the crowning touch for this car. He's right about ending up with a car cut too much and that's what I'm fighting with my '32 5w. I really want a 4" chop, I can't get into a car with more than a 3 1/2" chop w/o eliminating the lower seat cushion, and I think a 3" chop isn't enough. However I just found a picture of a '32 with a 1 1/2" cut that looks sneaky right.

Frank

 

Rolf, your work sure doesn't look like this is your first hotrod, nice workmanship and a clean shop...WOW

 

Sweet work Rolf! I like the firewall and the sharpie gauges.

 

Sweet!

 

Rolf, your car is awesome! I'm attatching a pic of a 4 3/4" chop for you reference. It works out to provide equal spacing between the door hinges. It is low, I have one of those minivan seats sitting on the floor. I've learned to tilt my head to the side when approaching a big bump. .

 

[ QUOTE ]
Makin em wonder is better imho than showin up in another whack-lid "A".

[/ QUOTE ]

Looks better as a whack-lid A, wouldn't you say Jay?
It looks F.A.S.T. just sitting there...


Damn Rolf your A is looking good

 

[ QUOTE ]
Looks better as a whack-lid A, wouldn't you say Jay?
It looks F.A.S.T. just sitting there...


[/ QUOTE ]



I gotta admit, it looks fast and it sure looks good.
Just gotta balance looks against ergonomics.

Even so, I like subtle....

 

beautiful, I also vote for little or no chop. just my $.02

Mootz

 

I like the whacked look, screams old skool. Love it so far keep the pic's coming!!

 

Looks like we're on the same page on the firewall, except I havent finished mine yet, hope mine comes out as good!

 

[ QUOTE ]
I like the whacked look, screams old skool

[/ QUOTE ]

Not so sure about this old school stuff . . . the only chopped top A's seen around SoCal back in the day were at the dragstrips.

I note that today, most custom enthusiasts go for the chopped top - and it does look great - but the truth is, chopped top customs were a rarity as well.

It took people like Barris and Valley Custom to pull off a major thing like a chopped top, and those for show cars for the most part.

Wanna build a period correct Merc?
Lowered, not too far, duals, TJ tuck & roll, nice paint, whitewalls, maybe skirts depending on where you lived, nosed and decked, maybe door handles shaved and that was about it.

It did make for a practical usable car.
Thing to remember here is; most times the hot rod or custom was a guys only car and things accomplished had to be done over the weekend as very few people owned two cars.

I watched - for about two years - a local guy running an Olds powered - mildly built - Deuce three window highboy. It was the only highboy coupe most of us had seen on the street.
It was his only car and he drove it everywhere.
Used to see it sitting outside in the rain with the nice black lacquer paint getting filthy and wonder if the hoodless wonder would start.
It did, every time, but it was a surprise to me, bein a the owner of an easily drowned flathead and all....

Not on a rant here, but it seems to me that a lot of the 50's era cars could be set up as a mild custom and hit the streets a lot sooner than some of the full-on custom creations we see today. Today meaning built today and driven today.

Here's a pic of a nice little car that says 50's high school hot rod all over it.
Most of these ran the stock flattie and a few ran Cads & Olds with a few pioneers running nailheads.

 

After seeing Ryan's photo chop, I think that answered our question.

I was tempted to leave it un-chopped even, but it does take on a mean "husky" look with a chop. I actually drilled the visor knowing I would need to see through it at the stop light!

I have spent considerable time on the ergonomics based on a 4 inch wack, I am 6 foot, so everything from pedal distance to seat height is important.

Bobbed fenders: Hell yes, love that "east-coast look". I picked up a 36 Ford spare cover at the swap for that very reason.

Drive line: This is going to be a driver, so I am using a Borg Warner 4 speed, installed on a Buick OEM bell housing. Rear end is a Ford 9 inch posi with Moser axles hung in P&J ladder bars and a Model A spring. Should be bullet proof, I hope !

Finned covers: Well, I like the vintage look of chromed stock covers on the nailhead. That, and the matching spark plug covers, and at least a trio of 97's should look nice.



These are mid fifties cover, so they don't have any PVC holes etc. I will run the crank case ventilation from the valley cover instead.

Back to the shop !