28 Model A

[Desperado454]

Been wanting to build a hot rod for a while, so I picked up this model a body a few months back to make it happen. It's pretty rough overall with the usual rust spots, misc dents and a hacked up roof, but i think it'll all be fixable.



The overall plan isn't set in stone quite yet, but i have a fairly good idea of what I want to do, which includes building the frame. I haven't made too much progress on the project, but have been collecting some essential pieces of the puzzle. Here's what I've come up with so far:

This is the rear part of a sedan i bought so I could fix the rear window and roof area as its pretty hacked and dented:



There's a thread on the hamb where a guy builds a 32 frame out of plates of steel he got for free from his work(http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=671187). Well just so happens the place where i work was getting rid of some scrap, so I wound up with a stack of 8" x 10' strips of 1/8" steel. Going to try and build a frame the same way he did:



Scooped this rear axle out of a 66 acadian, supposedly the width makes for a decent fit:



Transmission for now is this saginaw 4 speed, buy i'm keeping an eye out for a muncie or a super t10:



My mind isn't made up 100% on the engine but i'm pretty sure ill be using this 454 big block chevy, after some upgrades of course:



Dug these wheels out to use a rollers for the meantime:



Finally, I ordered up an axle and brake kit from speedway motors:



So thats where im at so far on this, i''m sure ive missed some details, but im sure ill cover them later. Here's one last pic of a rough mock up, going to be pretty sweet i think:

[Kerry P]

If I were younger I’d probably consider making the rails but time is starting to be too hard to come by for me. I’ve got about 80 hours from bare rails to roller. I still have to fit the box plates but it’s close to being something that is past mock ups. For about a grand the repo rails saved a lot of time.

Good luck on yours. It looks like a great project.

[Desperado454]

Originally Posted by Kerry P

If I were younger I’d probably consider making the rails but time is starting to be too hard to come by for me. I’ve got about 80 hours from bare rails to roller. I still have to fit the box plates but it’s close to being something that is past mock ups. For about a grand the repo rails saved a lot of time.

Good luck on yours. It looks like a great project.

Thanks, figured I might as well give the frame build a shot and see what happens. If it goes south though, a set of rails will be considered. Your roadster looks like its coming along nicely though

Finished putting the front end together and started playing around with frame ideas, might take a few attempts before I figure it out.

[Kerry P]

Your mock up looks like you’re going lowboy. I’d have made the rails if I wasn’t doing a highboy. I’d probably just do it with rectangular tube rails and maybe some “dress up” sheet metal skins from the fire wall forward to give the rails some contour for a lowboy build.


That body looks solid. I have a 30-31 five window body but I need to pretty much re-make the lower six inches. It probably sat on dirt for a long time before I got it. Originally I was going to make a chassis similar to my roadster’s but a lowboy would save enough time to push me in that direction. They look good either way. Keep the photos coming.

[72freak]

here is mine...I drive it about every day.

[Indian113]

All right another Model A is going to be on the road soon. I'm going to use the boxed stock frame I have now and buy a 32 frame next winter then sell my rolling chassis later.

[Desperado454]

Originally Posted by Kerry P

Your mock up looks like you’re going lowboy. I’d have made the rails if I wasn’t doing a highboy. I’d probably just do it with rectangular tube rails and maybe some “dress up” sheet metal skins from the fire wall forward to give the rails some contour for a lowboy build.


That body looks solid. I have a 30-31 five window body but I need to pretty much re-make the lower six inches. It probably sat on dirt for a long time before I got it. Originally I was going to make a chassis similar to my roadster’s but a lowboy would save enough time to push me in that direction. They look good either way. Keep the photos coming.

You're right about going lowboy, the body will be channeled whatever height the rails end up. I though about using rectangle tube, but i want the frame to contour to the side subrails and have a nice kick up in the front and rear. Call it a 32 inspired frame i suppose, but i think i'll forgo the indent on the side since it wont be seen. The pictures don't really show it well but there is rust at the bottom of the doors and the quarters have been patched poorly at the front, so its gonna take some work.

Originally Posted by 72freak

here is mine...I drive it about every day.

That looks awesome, I'd try to drive it everyday too!

Originally Posted by Indian113

All right another Model A is going to be on the road soon. I'm going to use the boxed stock frame I have now and buy a 32 frame next winter then sell my rolling chassis later.

Be on the road sooner than later I hope!


Picked up a dash out of a 52 ford today, thinking it should work out nicely after i cut it down some:

[Kerry P]

Without trying to make all the “dimples” the frame rail build would be a lot easier. I had planned to make another chassis using ’32 rails for a highboy A. After making the chassis for the roadster I got lazy and thought about just boxing the original frame. I think your mock up looks prefect. I could see making contoured rails from the firewall up and tying that to something simple and unseen from there back. If I ever get to mine I now think it will be channeled.

That dash should work quite well (with just a little trimming).

[Indian113]

I don't know about you guy's -But The older I get the smaller my Model A get's

[Dieselwrencher]

Awesome project you have going on here and I love the stance and direction you have going on. I want to build one of these with a heavy 6 cylinder some day.

[FnLow69]

Ill be watching this, Im building a 31' coupe. I Just posted my build thread.

[Desperado454]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Awesome project you have going on here and I love the stance and direction you have going on. I want to build one of these with a heavy 6 cylinder some day.

Thanks! Looking forward to actually getting some work done on this thing. I think you'd get extra points if you could keep it at a 103.5 wheelbase with one of your big 6's

Originally Posted by FnLow69

Ill be watching this, Im building a 31' coupe. I Just posted my build thread.

Right arm! I've been following your 53 dodge build, so I'll be all in to see your 31 come together. Looking forward to see what you do

So here's the latest on my parts gathering. Added a 32 grille shell and scooped this hood on a whim. Need's a little tweaking, but it should come into shape if i decide to use it.

[Dieselwrencher]

Looks sweet man! Stock wheel base would be sketch on interior room for sure with a big 6.

[72freak]

Added a new one to the collection about a month ago...

[Desperado454]

Making progress on the frame. Couple pics:

[FnLow69]

the frame is looking good man!

[Dieselwrencher]

Great work on your frame!

[Desperado454]

Originally Posted by FnLow69

the frame is looking good man!

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Great work on your frame!

Thanks guys! Picked away at this today and got the front and rear crossmembers tacked in, gonna try and fit the x-member next.

[68Timber]

That came out pretty enough for shiny paint and pin-striping.

[Dieselwrencher]

Looking good! I am in the middle of boxing and finishing up a tubular X member for my 40 Ford. I kind of wish I would have made new rails similar to what you have done. Keep up the great work!

[Desperado454]

Originally Posted by BRUISER

That came out pretty enough for shiny paint and pin-striping.

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Looking good! I am in the middle of boxing and finishing up a tubular X member for my 40 Ford. I kind of wish I would have made new rails similar to what you have done. Keep up the great work!

Thanks guys! Pretty happy with how this thing is turning out. Finished up the welding and grinding on the rails themselves, x member is just tacked in an approximate spot for now. Glad that's over with though, was alot of welding and grinding!

[Dieselwrencher]

It looks awesome! I've been gettign tired of the grinding on mine too. A lot of work that will never get seen once my body is back on.

[Desperado454]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

It looks awesome! I've been gettign tired of the grinding on mine too. A lot of work that will never get seen once my body is back on.

Thanks again man! Grinding blows! Wish there was a better way

Started picking away at the rear end, but haven't made it too far yet. Just hacked off the old leaf spring mounts and mocked it up in place with the spring. Was going to buy some repop u-bolt bars, but after reading some stories of questionable quality I whipped up some of my own. Hopefully figure out some sort of bracket for the spring shackle soon.

[Dieselwrencher]

That's some nice welding! Is your frame table made from bridge planking? Just curious.

[Desperado454]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

That's some nice welding! Is your frame table made from bridge planking? Just curious.

The "frame table" is just an old office table frame i widened and beefed up with angle iron. Not sure the origin of the 2 pieces of wood on top but I do know they are straight boards and made for a nice surface to layout a couple of frame rails. Not nearly as nice as most you see, but it worked for me



Made up a couple axle brackets for the spring, then tacked them on the axle where i think they need to be. Just need to get the spring hooked up and make sure its all good