Thread: Model A roadster project

Tweet

I have been trying to find some good forums on model a street rods. Anyway my father in law restores model a`s and model t`s. He has offered to give me a 28-29 model a roadster body and a frame with all the parts, It is all in pieces. I was thinking of building a street rod. Maybe with a sb 350 in it since i already have a block and some parts. Every site that i go to all i see is 32 models, why is this? Is there alot of difference between them? I think the father in law has an extra 32 frame, will it be better to use and will a 28-29 body fit on it. All this is new to me, first street rod project. I have built a few hotrod jet boats, but no street rods. Any input will help. Are there any other forums that i can check out too. Thanks for all input

A 32 frame has to be narrowed and shortened to work under an A body, but it is a much nicer frame when you are done. You will also have to fabricate or modify all the crossmembers, etc. If you have a Westcott catalog, there are measurements in there for stock deuce frames, and a deuce frame with an A body. Hope this helps.

Any Model A rod is almost as old a tradition as there is in hot rodding. A Model A roadster on deuce rails ('32) is near quintessential.

To expand on Dave's comment, the '32 frame needs to be "pinched" at the cowl to match the way the A body tapers at the front, otherwise the frame sticks out almost an inch on either side of the front corners of the cowl. Also,tapered "stringers" need to be formed to fill the gap under the body as the bottom of the A is flat and the '32 rails have a slight arch. The frame would only need to be shortened if you insisted on the original A hood and fenders, but to my eye it would make the car look "stubby". If you intend on fenders there's no sense in doing the deuce frame. A custom hood to fit the chasis is the best way to go if you do a hiboy. Below is a pic of a '29 on '32 rails, it was originally built by Dick Megugorac, better known as Magoo. He was a master of these, through his shop he probably built a few hundred of them.

A hiboy A on an A frame looks a bit "skimpy", as the frame is of a narrower profile and is tucked under the body. The best solution I've seen for these is to put rolled side panels on the bottoms of the body sides and rear to create a smoother look.

Don't pass on a good '32 frame, good being the operative word, and even if the crossmembers are junk, the side rails are gold. If you have access to it, take it and store it. As you get deeper into this hobby it'll probably come in handy. Or.......................you could give it to me!

My guess would be they're custom fabbed as I don't recall seeing any available commercially. Maybe the drag racing guys in the comp classes would be a source. BTW, they look to be silver ceramic coated rather than chrome..................don't blue that way.