Model A Speedster build

[BigIrish]

It begins again! Decided I didn't want another sedan so I sold the body & fenders to the '31 slant-window. Ended up with a free rolling chassis and some extra $$! Picked up a used engine and have spent the last month rebuilding the chassis, brakes, axles, etc. It was totally disassembled in the 70s and tucked in a barn.

Anyway, here is where I am...

 

[BigIrish]

Think I need some new tires? Got the engine running but not that great - pretty sure the 80 yr old carb is shot (or I suck at rebuilding carbs).

Got the cowl just wide enough to clear the clutch pedal.

 

[Tripper]

Can you say... garage rat!?!?

BoB

 

[PA41]

Cool--the real deal--not just a scrounged up modern chasis replica..

Thanks for the pics--What is your plan with the body?

PA41

 

[earthman]

I was hoping you would start a build thread for this!

 

[BigIrish]

Gonna have a boat-tail rear but much lower height than the cowl. Hard to explain but its in my head....

Cover it in 20 ga steel. Shiny paint and some sort of racing number on the sides. No doors. Hood with no sides to show off my 40 hp.

 

[riverrat44]

Great start. Wtg for more build pics.........[P

 

[earthman]

Well seeing that you are fabbing you own cowl, i am going to let the cowl that i was going to bid on slide. So the pressure is on now BI, 'cause i have to watch how you do it so i can do mine

 

[BigIrish]

Made some great progress today. Got the rest of the body pretty much framed out. As you can imagine, making 4 identical curved pieces for the boat tail took some patience.

 

[BigIrish]

More pics. The boards show where the seat is going to be.

I'm making all the sharp angles on the cowl and door sills with an elec conduit bender I picked up at lowes for $30. Works great.

 

[earthman]

How are you going to attach the sheet metal to the conduit? Any trouble welding the conduit? Thanks for the photos BI. Looks like nice proportions.

 

[BigIrish]

Well it's not conduit, its regular 1/2" steel square tubing, 1/16th wall. I'm just using the conduit bender to make the curves - it works for any thin-walled tubing, best for round but will work for square too.

For the gradual curves I'm just using the bench vise. Easier than you would think.

Now if I can just get that banger running properly...[S

 

[desertRAT702]

all i can say is that i love it! cant wait to see more progress!

 

[earthman]

Now if I can just get that banger running properly...[S

Come to find out all my problems were just debris in the tank plugging the shutoff valve.

 

[earthman]

What are your plans for seats?

 

[BigIrish]

Well I found that carb in my box of parts where they had been for who knows how long. Tore it down, dipped it, new carb kit but runs crappy at all rpms. I heard this motor run with a different carb beautifully. I'm going to break down and get myself a 2bbl Weber downdraft. Not cheap but I want reliable and a little more hp's (like 7).

Not sure about the seats. I want a bench most likely. Bomber seats would look really cool but its damn hot down here and metal-backed seats would be miserable. Probably a low-back bench, wood framed with an open-weave cloth uphoulstery of some kind.

 

[earthman]

What do you plan for exhaust pipe?

 

[BigIrish]

I have a used original Model A exhaust being sent to me. Prob cut out the muffler and make a straight pipe. I'd love to run it down the passenger side of the car like a racer, but rather not have my wife getting burned on it. So it will just run underneath.

 

[earthman]

Thanks for the replies BI. [P

 

[RoddingRon]

Here's some inspiration BigIrish. These were taken at the Goodyguys show in Charlotte last year