Another new H.A.M.B. guy.

[Hitchhiker]

Hey everyone! I wanted to introduce myself. I came from the H.A.M.B. you'll find me there under the same handle. I'm building a 1931 Model A coupe. Yes it's going to be a hot rod. But I want to make it a very "period" car. Iwant to utilize factory assembly techniques. I will be using as many original parts as I can. I would like it to stay very close to it's factory construction and build methods. I will be going as far as to replace the missing wood body structure with more wood. I want it to look like it was built in the late thirties - early forties. From what I understand I have a late 31 standard coupe. I have a 31 A frame. A 36 front and rear axle and juice brakes. I'm still thinking about the engine. It will either be a 4 banger or v8......flathead that is. Anyways here are some pictures. btw I didn't chop it, it was like that when i got it. I'd also like to get a matching restored car one day.

 

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Wow, .....hhmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

 

[Hitchhiker]

Wow, .....hhmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Don't like that it's going to be a hot rod? Sorry, I'm not trying to offend. I'm not going to come here and talk all day about my car as it obviously doesn't fit with restored cars and isn't what this site is about. But I do have questions about original build techniques and methods.

I do restored as well....I just thought you would like to see what I was working on.

 

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Sir, I believe you put words in my mouth there 'hiker. I did not say that I did not like it, did I? I was merely commenting on which direction to go since you appear to be uncertain too!! Nice '15 BTW.

 

[Mike V. Florida]

I'm not trying to offend either, but in what style is your hot rod going to be built and will this site really help you?
I mean, I thought that the HAMB site was for the Hot Rodders? Even the administrator has said "We will stay focused on restoration over here. Hot rods and customs are for the hamb."
If it will help then please ask away, you will find a wealth of information from some of the finest people that ever restored a Model A.

 

[Hitchhiker]

Sir, I believe you put words in my mouth there 'hiker. I did not say that I did not like it, did I? I was merely commenting on which direction to go since you appear to be uncertain too!! Nice '15 BTW.

thanks, sorry. I was being a little defensive I wasn't quite sure what your post meant. I just don't want to offend you guys. There's a great wealth of knowledge here and I'd like to be a part of it.

 

[Hitchhiker]

I'm not trying to offend either, but in what style is your hot rod going to be built and will this site really help you?
I mean, I thought that the HAMB site was for the Hot Rodders? Even the administrator has said "We will stay focused on restoration over here. Hot rods and customs are for the hamb."
If it will help then please ask away, you will find a wealth of information from some of the finest people that ever restored a Model A.

I understand and think this site will be very help full. I won't be filling this place with a bunch of hot rod stuff, But Imagine it's 1946 and you just bought a stock Model A coupe to hot rod. I want a car that accurately represents the era. I want to replicate all of the original ford techniques of construction. to be honest if the car wasn't chopped already I would have left the roof stock... don't let my friends hear that.
Here are some examples. I'd just like mine to look a little more finished.

 

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

thanks, sorry. I was being a little defensive I wasn't quite sure what your post meant. I just don't want to offend you guys. There's a great wealth of knowledge here and I'd like to be a part of it.

You know, you DO bring up an interesting observation. As the 2413th person to join H.A.M.B. (now a site with over 113,000 registered members!!) I can unequivocally state there is a huge wealth of information at the H.A.M.B. site that can/will accurately answer the very same question(s) you will ever have with regard to original build methods or techniques. The only thing that "might", ...and I repeat MIGHT not be as prevalent there is knowledge with regard to highly accurate restorations or build procedures in how the vehicle was assembled at the factory on a certain date, --however I tend to think THAT is not really the type of information you would be requesting for the type of vehicle you are desiring to build. Therefore, by you admissions that you were a little "defensive" might suggest you knew posting your pictures might create some stress for some members here. So, with the vast amount of accurate info available at H.A.M.B. with regard to the very questions you have with your car, why ask these type of questions on a site such as this one that is trying to cater/focus more to the restored Model A, ...especially when the potential is there to offend some of its membership on this site?

 

[Hitchhiker]

You know, you DO bring up an interesting observation. As the 2413th person to join H.A.M.B. (now a site with over 113,000 registered members!!) I can unequivocally state there is a huge wealth of information at the H.A.M.B. site that can/will accurately answer the very same question(s) you will ever have with regard to original build methods or techniques. The only thing that "might", ...and I repeat MIGHT not be as prevalent there is knowledge with regard to highly accurate restorations or build procedures in how the vehicle was assembled at the factory on a certain date, --however I tend to think THAT is not really the type of information you would be requesting for the type of vehicle you are desiring to build. Therefore, by you admissions that you were a little "defensive" might suggest you knew posting your pictures might create some stress for some members here. So, with the vast amount of accurate info available at H.A.M.B. with regard to the very questions you have with your car, why ask these type of questions on a site such as this one that is trying to cater/focus more to the restored Model A, ...especially when the potential is there to offend some of its membership on this site?

I do see your point, But I think you over estimate the Hambs abilities. I have not found one post that accurately describes the installation of wood framing or what the correct paint would be for this... etc. While it is a very informative site for building a hot rod. I have not had much luck with finding the type of information I seek. I keep getting the " why do you want to put the wood back in, steel is stronger" or why do you want wood floor boards type of answers. I think the Hamb has become flooded with too many opinions and not enough facts. I take pleasure in the little details. You can't deny that there is MORE experience here on the correct assembly of restored fords than the Hamb.

I'm sorry that the pictures of my car might ruffle some feathers. That was not my intention. but it is what it is. I purposely bought it because it was already in pretty sad shape. I'm sure that most of you will admit that with the roof already being chopped off when I bought it that it makes it pretty much garbage as a candidate for restoration. I never would have bought a nice car to do this with, which I sure would ruffle more feathers here.

I just wanted you all to know my intentions for my car, Instead of trying to fool you that I am a restorer, I'm telling you that I am building a hot rod, and why I want to be a part of the community...I am very interested in the correct procedures and finshes of restoring a stock A. I would LOVE to have a stock one. but that will have to come later in life. I felt it would be better to be honest with what I am building, than lie and say I'm restoring it.....that way you can decide if you want to help me.


Basically I want a restored A turned into a hot rod, But I don't want to destroy a restored A. See my point?

 

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Basically I want a restored A turned into a hot rod, But I don't want to destroy a restored A. See my point?

Quite honestly, ....NO!


.

Would it be improper to ask you if you have already asked those two questions at the H.A.M.B. site first to see if you received any responses?

I truly believe if you did, you will find at least one person to correctly answer about the type of paint and how to install wood. (The reason I know this little fact is I am at least one of many that will answer it there.)
.

 

[Roadster62]

I think this discussion is a needed one, many people need/want to know how Ford assembled cars originally, and how to go about "restoring" different areas. My post about installing the D shaped captive nuts is a good example. I enjoy passing along info and advice, I feel it is payback for stuff I've picked up along the way. Bob

 

[Hitchhiker]

I think this discussion is a needed one, many people need/want to know how Ford assembled cars originally, and how to go about "restoring" different areas. My post about installing the D shaped captive nuts is a good example. I enjoy passing along info and advice, I feel it is payback for stuff I've picked up along the way. Bob

you sir "get it"

 

[milo]

Hey Hitchhiker, hopefully they all are not snobs on here and will let us co-exist on this site and learn from them as I'm sure they could learn and probably have from The hamb site.......

 

[Rowdy]

Were not snobs, but not Hotrod builders either. Many are abit thin skinned when it comes to it as it seemed on the Foldbarn we were alwys being aksed for advice on how best to detroy Model A's. That is why Shelly put the Rodder section on there. Many battles were fought before that happened though. Our goals for the most part mirror those of the national clubs MARC and MAFCA. Before Ryan bough the barn, many of us were wanting one of the national clubs to buy the rights to atleast the A pages. Might be best to know some history before critising our veiws as a group. Best of luck to both of you in the projects. Rod

 

[Hitchhiker]

Hey Hitchhiker, hopefully they all are not snobs on here and will let us co-exist on this site and learn from them as I'm sure they could learn and probably have from The hamb site.......

thanks, but I don't think calling them snobs is helpful. I respect what these guys do, it's not easy restoring one of these cars to show room specs. I'm sure in fact it's a lot easier to hot rod one.

Were not snobs, but not Hotrod builders either. Many are abit thin skinned when it comes to it as it seemed on the Foldbarn we were alwys being aksed for advice on how best to detroy Model A's. That is why Shelly put the Rodder section on there. Many battles were fought before that happened though. Our goals for the most part mirror those of the national clubs MARC and MAFCA. Before Ryan bough the barn, many of us were wanting one of the national clubs to buy the rights to atleast the A pages. Might be best to know some history before critising our veiws as a group. Best of luck to both of you in the projects. Rod

Rod, I meant no disrespect. I know a lot of you probably think I'm ruining something, But I really don't think many of you would be up for unchopping and restoring this car. I'm not here to name call or talk about how much faster or better a hot rod is or why 100 point restored cars are so awesome. I'm simply here to learn about original assembly techniques and finishes so I can apply them to my current project and hopefully use them again on a good candidate for restoration.

I feel there is a lot more history to this debate, than what is here. I'm sorry to have offended anyone....you too Brent. I hope we can be friends. I will do my best to respect you guys and your culture. Hopefully I can integrate myself in here somewhere as well. thanks.

 

[Rowdy]

I am not at all offended, just wanted to point some things out. One of our biggest fears with this move has been the HAMB guys would come and try to take over as they already knew the tricks and loop holes of the site functions. While I am restoring my car I also help a freind that builds ratrods, but i try to keep my stuff from there off of the A pages. Easier for me to keep things straight. I dabbled with Hotrods and fast cars in the 80's and find my time in the shop well spent no matter what I am working on. Rod

 

[Hitchhiker]

I am not at all offended, just wanted to point some things out. One of our biggest fears with this move has been the HAMB guys would come and try to take over as they already knew the tricks and loop holes of the site functions. While I am restoring my car I also help a freind that builds ratrods, but i try to keep my stuff from there off of the A pages. Easier for me to keep things straight. I dabbled with Hotrods and fast cars in the 80's and find my time in the shop well spent no matter what I am working on. Rod

great looking cars rowdy! I can totally understand the "Fear". I really didn't mean to upset things. I just figured I should be honest about what I am building and why I am here.

 

[Hotrodladycrusr]

Hence one of the reason I didn't "intro".

I think alot of the new folks that have register recently would have done so a long time ago if the previous site was more user friendly. I know I've visited here in the past but never hung around for long cuz it was so time consuming to read just one thread.

Anyway, most of the folks that have come over from the HAMB to check the place out know the focus of this board and of course the focus of the HAMB and realize that each place is unique in its own right and don't plan on trying to overlap the two. There is no reason to.

Just like the folks on the HAMB board like buying traditional parts from guys that are "streetrodding" their car, the folks here should like the fact that there will now be more guys on here selling orignial parts off their cars, cars that they are putting tradtional style speed parts on. Get it? The for sale section in the swap meet forums will have more parts for the purists....and that's a positive for this site, right?

 

[Mike V. Florida]

Basically I want a restored A turned into a hot rod, But I don't want to destroy a restored A. See my point?

What you are looking to do is called a Restomod. It is a car that has the same outside and inside as originally built but with updated mechanicals as if the car was factory built in receint times.

You should get answers to your questions on the A forum, but not for the mechanical section of your car.

 

[Rowdy]

I have worked on all of them, but other than the delivery on my Avatar, none of them are mine. I was just showing I am not closed minded, just keep things seperated. As far as wood, paint and upholsty we likely can help. Rod