Start of Something Good

I knew what I wanted to build.  Here is a few examples of what I am shooting for...

I started scouring the ads on the HAMB & The Ford Barn looking for parts.  I found a frame, and a rearend, and a set of '37-'41 spindles, so I bought it all. 

Today Tabb and I went and picked up the frame and rearend:

So I got a super nice, un-molested Model A frame and a COMPLETE '40 rearend.  Wheels, brakes, torque tube, driveshaft, and wishbones. 
The spindles should be here this week.  I plan to send the axle off to 296 V8 Greg for a drop job soon as well. 

I am hoping to get time in the next 2 weeks, to start working on the frame to take off all non essential brackets and such, and weld the crossmembers in. 

Stay tuned...

The Plan

If you have ever built a car, or had a project vehicle you know that you must have a plan. You also know that the plan ALWAYS changes. Here is my plan' or should I say, here WAS my plan:

I did not have much cash, but I had a cool vehicle to sell.  I had this:

So, the plan was, sell the van and get a complete Model A Tudor Sedan.  Bubba had enough Flathead pieces I could buy so I was going to try to piece together a complete engine, and drivetrain an little at a time.  Once it was complete, drop it in and go. 

As everyone knows its a bad time to try and sell stuff.  I was not having much luck.  I had a few offers for trade on Model A's but they all fell thru eventually. 

I decided I would drive the van this summer, and have fun with it and still work on piecing together a Flathead drivetrain. 

Then out of the blue I started getting some nibbles, people were interested in the van!  I then got a message from Bubba, saying he thought I needed to talk to him about the van before I got rid of it.  Here is where the plan changes...

After talking with him, we agreed on a trade.  He gets the van, and I walk away with a just built 8BA Flathead, fresh from the builder, and all the goodies, along with a toploader 3 speed transmission.  Set up on a stand and running.  So, now I have a killer complete drivetrain, but nothing to put it in...oh boy. 

So the crew decided that now I will piece together a chassis and hopefully end up with something similar to this...

Then all I need is a body.  See where this is going now?  Change in plans is not always a bad thing...

The Cast

Me- I'm Doug, aka Slick Steve on the HAMB.

Tabb- My best friend since junior high school, who is also building a Model A Speedster.

Bubba- aka GMC Bubba, aka Jim Linder. Good buddy, mentor, driver of the Winnebago, and all around good guy. He is the owner of Bubba's Hot Rod Shop.

Wally- aka Grumpy.  Walt is retired and had his own shop for years.  He is a great guy and a freat mechanic.  He is always ready and willing to help!



Richie- aka Dyman. Richie is an engine man by day, and an unbelievable wealth of knowledge, hell of a machinist. He also just built a killer '29 RPU Model A.

More to come...

How did I get here?

Hello and welcome! I guess the proper way to start this blog is with a little history. I have always been a car guy. I have had several classic (OK, old) cars and trucks. As my tastes and interests changed so did my cars.
So, why a Model A?  I had never had much interest in Model A's, Flatheads or anything in that era.  But then it started, I started dreaming about them.  Dreams of building, and rebuilding them. How do you dream about something you know nothing about???  I got Flathead Fever and started reading any and all books I could find. I stared asking "the old guys" questions and listening.
We, (my wife & I), decided to start gathering parts and coming up with a plan. Her only condition was, I could not sell, or trade HER "hot rod", the '63 Dodge Dart we have.

Hold on, here we go!