ford model A tudor

Hi I am new here I am looking to add to my for collection I have a 92 mustang built to the hilt and a stock 05 gt , I am a ase master tech and really love the old ford model A's... I am looking to get one, doing some research would it be cheaper to buy one already finished or buy one and do my own, although I don't have alot of free time, do the frames need to be changed to put a v8 in them? I have a feeling it ends up being cheaper buying one already finished .. the only problem is I find one online I like and can afford and of course I write the person and it is already sold, anyone know where a good place to look for one is? I can find alot of "stock" ones and pretty good prices but I don't know if I have the time or funds to acutally build one... any advice would be appriciated...

thanks,
simon

With your comment on frame and V8 I would suggest you buy one already done. Do a ton of research and go to a lot of rod runs, ask questions. Hang with a local street rod club and learn about them first.
Then you might have a better idea of what to look for and where, in order to add to your "collection".

Earl

Welcome to the forum. Since nobody ever gets out of a rod what they have in it, you can save some money by buying someone else's unwanted project or finished car. However, and this is a BIG however, it is tough to find a well built car because of all the junk out there. You have to be very careful and look at how things were done. I'm not talking about minor changes to make it your own, but rather shoddy workmanship and substandard components.

For every 10 or 20 cars I see for sale, I see maybe one that is worth buying. You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you meet a Prince, as they say. :D :D

Don

Welcome to CHR. What Don said. You never know what you are inheriting. In my case dangerous brakes and old rear axle, shot motor welded in wrong, but well! Getting one with a factory frame built by a specialty shop, or in rolling chasis form, that someone abandoned might be your best option. Then you have a place to refernce parts from, otherwise it can be difficult identifying modifications and replacing stuff as needed. Sounds like a fun project!

I'm with everone on this but I also have to say.....doing it yourself make it your own! I like 'Itoldyouso's mention of partially built. There are a lot of unfortunate souls out there going through financial problems, divorces, or just plain burned out. Should be able to find one that has been started. Just be weary about one that covered up in primer. Cant see what they did underneath. :D

A perfect example. I'm looking at a 67 Nova right now. The price is an absolute bargain....and the guy has already swapped a 408/700R4 and put a Alston front stub with disc brakes. The car has been bead blasted and is still bare....exposing the nasty holes in the floor and rockers. At least I'll know what I'm in for. Thinking about building this for my son.

Dave G

Sounds like a great car for a teenager! I'd have loved a classic nova in highschool!