I'm not sure if this is the right section or if it is allowed. If not I apologize and the mods can move or delete it. I'm sure I'll run into snags where I'll need help and all those questions will be posted in this thread.
I picked up this project in September and started the restoration process.
A little backstory:
It started its life as a 1929 Ford Model A Coupe. I don’t know what happened between ’29 and the 1960’s but eventually a farmer in South Carolina bought the car in the 60’s. Some years passed and he decided that he needed a hunting truck more than he needed a coupe. After cutting off the back of the body and using wood to create the bed and the back of the cab he now had a truck. He painted everything blue, when I say everything I mean everything: spark plugs, battery, engine, body, wood, everything and kept it in his barn. Unfortunately he passed away and the family removed the truck from the barn, placing it under a small carport. It sadly sat there for over 20 years, developing some nasty rust.
About a year and a half ago the farmer’s niece and her husband get the truck and tow it up here to Michigan with the intention of restoring it. Although some parts were removed the project was abandoned so they decided to sell it as a “parts car”.
My fiancé and I went to Greenfield Village’s Old Car Festival this year (2014) which allows people to drive their classic, pre 1934 cars through the 19th century based village. We enjoyed the festival so much we decided to buy a Model A and build it in time for next year’s festival. That night we hopped on Craigslist and found the ad for the Model A. At that point there were no pictures posted but for the price we were definitely interested. A quick phone call later and we were on our way to go look at it. I’m not going to lie, it was pretty rough. Mother Nature has definitely been busy rusting this thing to pieces. We told them that we would think it over and get back to him. By the time we got home we decided to go for it and called the owners once we got home. A few days later we trailored it home. Everything seems to be there except the exhaust and the doors.
I have been working on it every so often, usually only one day a week but I must say, it’s coming along quickly. Plans are to restore the truck back to its former glory. The plywood backing of the cab is getting replaced with sheet metal from a Model A pickup, All the rust is getting repaired, the engine will be stripped down, painted, inspected, and new gaskets will get installed. The body will have all the rust repaired; panels that are too rusted to repair will be replaced. Almost all the wood for the body will be getting replaced. The bed will be sanded down, stained, and clear coated. The interior will be completely redone with a stained wood floor, new paint, and custom built doors. All the work will be done by my fiancé and myself with only minor engine help by our friend that owns an auto shop.
Day One: September 10, 2014
Initial teardown started. Removed the passenger fender, side board, radiator, radiator support rods.
Day Two: September 14, 2014
Removed driver’s fender, windshield wiper motor, dash, front floorboard, and disconnected all the wiring.
Day Three: September 20 2014
Removed fuel tank, cowl, broken windshield, and got the cab ready to be lifted off. Lug nuts seem seized, may have to snap the lugs to remove the wheels.
Day Four: September 27, 2014
Removed the engine, transmission, and cab.
Day Four and a half: September 28, 2014
Put the engine on an engine stand, removed the passenger side apron, steering wheel, and extra leaf springs the farmer added.
October 13, 2014
Got 6 wheels with tires for really cheap. Tires should be replaced but will work for the time being.
Day Five: October 17, 2014
Got the front end down to the frame, removed the passenger side splash apron, and removed the emergency brake control bar. Started cleaning and organizing the garage in anticipation of pulling the rear end once I get a spring spreader. Also took more pics of all the parts. Definitely need to get a front crossmember and I’ll be replacing the spring u-bolts as I have to cut the front ones off.
I picked up this project in September and started the restoration process.
A little backstory:
It started its life as a 1929 Ford Model A Coupe. I don’t know what happened between ’29 and the 1960’s but eventually a farmer in South Carolina bought the car in the 60’s. Some years passed and he decided that he needed a hunting truck more than he needed a coupe. After cutting off the back of the body and using wood to create the bed and the back of the cab he now had a truck. He painted everything blue, when I say everything I mean everything: spark plugs, battery, engine, body, wood, everything and kept it in his barn. Unfortunately he passed away and the family removed the truck from the barn, placing it under a small carport. It sadly sat there for over 20 years, developing some nasty rust.
About a year and a half ago the farmer’s niece and her husband get the truck and tow it up here to Michigan with the intention of restoring it. Although some parts were removed the project was abandoned so they decided to sell it as a “parts car”.
My fiancé and I went to Greenfield Village’s Old Car Festival this year (2014) which allows people to drive their classic, pre 1934 cars through the 19th century based village. We enjoyed the festival so much we decided to buy a Model A and build it in time for next year’s festival. That night we hopped on Craigslist and found the ad for the Model A. At that point there were no pictures posted but for the price we were definitely interested. A quick phone call later and we were on our way to go look at it. I’m not going to lie, it was pretty rough. Mother Nature has definitely been busy rusting this thing to pieces. We told them that we would think it over and get back to him. By the time we got home we decided to go for it and called the owners once we got home. A few days later we trailored it home. Everything seems to be there except the exhaust and the doors.
I have been working on it every so often, usually only one day a week but I must say, it’s coming along quickly. Plans are to restore the truck back to its former glory. The plywood backing of the cab is getting replaced with sheet metal from a Model A pickup, All the rust is getting repaired, the engine will be stripped down, painted, inspected, and new gaskets will get installed. The body will have all the rust repaired; panels that are too rusted to repair will be replaced. Almost all the wood for the body will be getting replaced. The bed will be sanded down, stained, and clear coated. The interior will be completely redone with a stained wood floor, new paint, and custom built doors. All the work will be done by my fiancé and myself with only minor engine help by our friend that owns an auto shop.
Day One: September 10, 2014
Initial teardown started. Removed the passenger fender, side board, radiator, radiator support rods.
Day Two: September 14, 2014
Removed driver’s fender, windshield wiper motor, dash, front floorboard, and disconnected all the wiring.
Day Three: September 20 2014
Removed fuel tank, cowl, broken windshield, and got the cab ready to be lifted off. Lug nuts seem seized, may have to snap the lugs to remove the wheels.
Day Four: September 27, 2014
Removed the engine, transmission, and cab.
Day Four and a half: September 28, 2014
Put the engine on an engine stand, removed the passenger side apron, steering wheel, and extra leaf springs the farmer added.
October 13, 2014
Got 6 wheels with tires for really cheap. Tires should be replaced but will work for the time being.
Day Five: October 17, 2014
Got the front end down to the frame, removed the passenger side splash apron, and removed the emergency brake control bar. Started cleaning and organizing the garage in anticipation of pulling the rear end once I get a spring spreader. Also took more pics of all the parts. Definitely need to get a front crossmember and I’ll be replacing the spring u-bolts as I have to cut the front ones off.
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