1930 Brigs Wood Frame

Macnolos

Macnolos

Junior Member
Good afternoon
My name is Manolo, and this is my first time writing here, hoping I'm not mistaken.
I have a 1930 Ford A-Class Brigs that I'm repairing.
The wood is badly damaged, and I want to replace it.
I've read some posts here about how complicated it would be to manufacture, so I've decided to buy it.
I would greatly appreciate it if you, the experts, could recommend a supplier you've already tried.
I congratulate you on this excellent site with such wonderful information, and I send you my warmest regards.
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Even if you get new wood, it takes a tremendous amount of fussing and fitting to get everything fitted correctly. I’d suggest that you look carefully at your existing wood to see if it just looks cruddy (which it will, it has 95 year old black asphaltum wood treatment on it) or if it is truly rotted. Minor damage or splitting can be repaired with a good marine epoxy combined with fillers or wood plugs or filler strips. From what I can see from your photos the bones of your wood frame don’t look too bad, but obviously I haven’t seen it up close.

I use West System marine epoxy (resin 105 and hardeners depending upon temperature) and associated fillers. If you check their website westsystem.com you will find lots of information, including publications on wood boat construction and repair. All information applicable to repair of the wood body frame Model As. I’m working on a 1930 Murray Town Sedan right now.

I believe Snyder’s sells wood kits if you decide to go that route.
 
Thank you all so much for your kind responses.
Jay Jay, I read your comment carefully. Unfortunately, I don't think it's an option for me.
The wood is in terrible condition, rotten, warped, and hollow.
It's definitely not going to be an easy or cheap solution.
I looked at the prices, and it looks like the wood kits are going to cost more than the car, LOL.
FORDWOOD.COM says they been making wood for Fords for 50 years.
SNYDERS, ECKLERS and MIKE´S also have the kits.
Does anyone have any recommendations?
Thank you again for your valuable help.
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Fordwood.com has a note on their FAQ page that says they don't ship to Mexico.

Snyder's and Mike's are both very reputable vendors with excellent customer service in my experience.

Eckler's rather abruptly left the Model A parts business several years ago.

Most vendors will not stock body wood, but will drop ship directly from the manufacturer. So it would be wise to call the vendor before you make the order to confirm that it is a viable thing to do. I've had vendors list things in their catalog but not be able to supply them because of manufacturer limitations. If it turns out that Snyder's or Mike's gets their wood kits from FordWood (who says they can't ship to Mexico) then you may be in a bit of a pickle.

Whoever you decide, this is a substantial investment for you and you should give the vendor a call to talk through delivery times, shipments, etc.

Finally - if this is such a huge unforseen issue, you might consider walking away from this particular car and finding another, steel-body car. Or at a minimum perhaps find another body to put onto this chassis. I know that's tough but in the end only you can decide how much of your available resources you want to put into a project.
 
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Manolo, welcome to the barn! Great looking car you have there. But then again I am biased as I have the some car. So...I will be following your thread with interest as I am going to be in the same boat in a year or so. That being said, do you have access to a wood shop or a cabinet maker? You are they could replicate each piece that is bad. It will take longer but you will know that they piece is exactly made.

Mike
 
Jay Jay, thank you so much for this feedback.
I'm going to call them and try to explore more with them.
I've bought some things at Mike's and Brattons and haven't had any problems. In the case of lumber, it will be a problem because importing it requires forestry permits, so I'll need to hire a customs broker.
Thank you again.
 
1930artdeco said:
Manolo, welcome to the barn! Great looking car you have there. But then again I am biased as I have the some car. So...I will be following your thread with interest as I am going to be in the same boat in a year or so. That being said, do you have access to a wood shop or a cabinet maker? You are they could replicate each piece that is bad. It will take longer but you will know that they piece is exactly made.

Mike
Click to expand...

I've considered it and actually started making some pieces. I have two major problems.
The part of the rear wheel where it meets the door is destroyed. To make matters worse, the metal of the hopper is also chipped and I need to replace it. The measurements don't match up, and this throws the entire structure out of square. This part is extremely dificult cause its bend side ti side.
Also, the long roof poles are incorrect and don't match up, and the measurements don't match up either.
So, I have a problem with both the wood and the measurements. LOL!!!

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Classic Wood Products is another to check with. I've heard some complaints about Ford Wood Art but I don't think they do model A wood. Wood Art and Ford Wood are different companies. Parts Sources likely purchase their wood from either Ford Wood or Classic Wood Products. There are small shops but they may just do station wagon or depot hack wood framing.

It's good to have the original pieces to be able to fit new wood framing together. They tend to make parts a bit on the large side for fitting to compensate for any shrinkage. You have to fit the stuff yourself to insure your body will correctly fit the sheet metal and doors fit the openings. Having the old stuff helps if it isn't too warped or has too much shrinkage.
 
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rotorwrench said:
Classic Wood Products is another to check with. I've heard some complaints about Ford Wood Art but I don't think they do model A wood. Wood Art and Ford Wood are different companies. Parts Sources likely purchase their wood from either Ford Wood or Classic Wood Products. There are small shops but they may just do station wagon or depot hack wood framing.

It's good to have the original pieces to be able to fit new wood framing together. They tend to make parts a bit on the large side for fitting to compensate for any shrinkage. You have to fit the stuff yourself to insure your body will correctly fit the sheet metal and doors fit the openings. Having the old stuff helps if it isn't too warped or has too much shrinkage.
Click to expand...

I checked the Wood Art page and they started in 1932. I'm contacting the other three to see what they say.
Thanks for your response.
 
Manolo, looking at the photo, the vertical piece you could copy and extrapolate the broken area. The roof part....yeah you are in a pickle there. I know there is a picture floating around here that shows a 4 door wood frame sitting on some saw horses. It is scary to see the wood and what I am in for.

You may end up having to guess in the shape a bit but you can get the actual dimensions from the Benson archives. You can get the actual drawings from them, just contact them and tell them what you need.

Mike
 
1930artdeco said:
I know there is a picture floating around here that shows a 4 door wood frame sitting on some saw horses. It is scary to see the wood and what I am in for.

Mike
Click to expand...

Here ya go. This doesn't even show the doors!

Pretty crazy thinking about them building these bodies on an assembly line.

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Macnolos said:
I've considered it and actually started making some pieces. I have two major problems.
The part of the rear wheel where it meets the door is destroyed. To make matters worse, the metal of the hopper is also chipped and I need to replace it. The measurements don't match up, and this throws the entire structure out of square. This part is extremely dificult cause its bend side ti side.
Also, the long roof poles are incorrect and don't match up, and the measurements don't match up either.

So, I have a problem with both the wood and the measurements. LOL!!!
Click to expand...

You think you have problems now with measurements, ...just wait until you buy a wood kit and then start comparing those measurements!! :rolleyes:



Y-Blockhead said:
Here ya go. This doesn't even show the doors!


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Click to expand...

So my picture is on Flickr? Wow, that's cool! Maybe I should send them the pix of the doors too.
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1930artdeco said:
Manolo, looking at the photo, the vertical piece you could copy and extrapolate the broken area. The roof part....yeah you are in a pickle there. I know there is a picture floating around here that shows a 4 door wood frame sitting on some saw horses. It is scary to see the wood and what I am in for.

You may end up having to guess in the shape a bit but you can get the actual dimensions from the Benson archives. You can get the actual drawings from them, just contact them and tell them what you need.

Mike
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip about Benson Mike, best regards
 
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