Hotrod Regrets

[hardtimes]

Put the hood back on the red one , and/or put the red one's wheel setup on yours and you tell me what the difference is to the casual hobbyist ...even HERE !
Many, many here like the more stable/high speed driving rims and tires (16" kelseys). These guys do NOT call their A, so dressed...a hotrod.
The red one has a V8 flathead and probably a '39 trans with synchros and zephyrs...but then you cannot see that, just like you will not see the V8 flathead with hood on. Sooo, what's the 'hot rod', if yours were to have the different tires/rims, say also a '39 trans and maybe a '32 B warmed up to 100 hp. Would you call yours a hotrod if dressed up like that ? I think not . I started my '30 to be restored...from pieces ! I then realized that that was foolish and not what I wanted at all. What I ended up with (so far) is a Model A roadster like guys would have had 'pre-war', with what was available to them back when. Does that make it a hotrod Yes and no, IMO. It sure likes to keep up with the big city boys 100K cars in city traffic..at 45mph ! No one even seems to glance at all the glitter, but will run me down to take another look at how 'they' did it back pre-war.
It was built to MY specs from parts that I scrounged and is still a work in progress. And, I have FUN tinkering/driving/sharing info and parts with other Model A guys. I submit that this nice looking pictured A that you have is an open canvass. IF you own it, then you alone should be the arbiter of what it should look like. If you want someone to keep it safe, until you decide what's what, just let me know , as I have another 100 hp B that needs a pretty A like yours...to rest it's head on

 

[Marvin/TN]

You won't get your investment back no matter original or street rod.

 

[fiftyv8]

I had a stock coupe and could not sell it, did some simple mods and it sold like a hot cake...

Wire wheels, lowered it, dropped headlight bar and 35 Ford front axle.

 

[russcochiolo]

Fellow Barners,
I am on my 3rd A. There are photos of it in my albums. I made a commitment to George Hawkins, Bountiful Utah, the previous caretaker,that I intended to keep it pretty much as it was when I returned it to CA. I have kept my word.
It has '35 Ford wheels and brakes; a Diamond B cast in '36 that is .080 over; Holley 94; 6.0 Brumfield head; Williams "Hillclimber" cam; B trans. with '39 gears; Laycock O.D. (Volvo); 3.54's [sweet spot @ 62mph]; Pannards front and rear; tube shocks in the rear and stock on the front; led turn signals and taillights; 6 volt alternator; and halogen headlights; all "as found".
I've added the third taillight; thermostat; tach; water temp gauge; and F-100 steering.
I've replaced the radiator with a perfect fit BrassWorks one and had to have help fixing the broken cluster, it died of old age!
Is it a Hot Rod? To some Yes, to me it's just not quite as Henry built it.
Here is the last known photo (1958 Pismo) of my 1st A at 14. It started as a complete and running '31 Fordor. Do I wish I had it now as it was when I paid $25 for it and drove it home to build first a "fishing car" that morfed into a Dune Buggy? You bet I do! Was it fun and did I learn a lot? Yes I did! Do I have regrets? None!
My advice.......Do it your way, and damn the torpedos! Russ

 

[1Tudoor]

The irony of this subject is Henry was not a dormant sheep following the herd , just the opposite , who thought out of the box willing to try some thing different .

 

[Garagekulture13]

The irony of this subject is Henry was not a dormant sheep following the herd , just the opposite , who thought out of the box willing to try some thing different .

I would agree but could probably say the same for any successful business owner. In today's time I would consider a hotroder part of the herd. Hotroding today is definitely fed to the masses in bulk. Just go check on any magazine rack, check your local Walmart(or store similar) shirt line, or just go to your local cruise in and you will more than likely see a hotrod. Now on the other hand I don't know that I have ever gone to our local cruise in (over 400 cars) on Friday nights and ever seen a stock Model A and definitely haven't seen them running in packs. So for me the outlaw, the outsider, the one paving his own path is the one resisting the masses to alter his car in anyway.

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[1Tudoor]

Not sure about "fed to the masses in bulk", but looking thru the latest Hot Rod mags, it is all about big money ,off the shelf muscle cars , & an era I cannot become interested in & your thoughts are easily understood .
Our Sat evening 300-400 car cruises usually consist of some 30's type rods , maybe 30 stock 20's to 50's cars , & a lot of new & older muscle cars which are of no interest to me but it is a good group & fun & that's what it's all about .

 

[Russ B]

Well now that I have been persuaded to keep the keep Coupe as Henry built it. What ever should I do with this jewel?

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Sell it to me, it is a thing of beauty.

My current project is a mildly hot rodded 1929 cabriolet, still with a Model A motor that has been modified, and a number of minor and not so minor modifications.

Model A's were made in the millions.

What is special about mine is that my father purchased it new in early November 1929. ...and once it was mine (1958 or 1959), the first thing he said was get rid of those brakes. He hated the brakes even when the car was new. He liked real gauges for oil and water, like his next car, an older 1928 Chrysler, had. My cabriolet also has a 1928 Chrysler instrument panel. This car is a tribute to him, not to what Henry Ford built by the millions. I feel no guilt about what I have created, even though the cabriolet is a less common body style. It is altered to be something my father would have liked.

I enjoy restored cars as much as hot rods and Kustoms. They all have a place in automotive history. A 1957 Chevy was no more, or no less, meant to be a hot rod than was a Model A.

 

[30ccpickup]

The irony of this subject is Henry was not a dormant sheep following the herd , just the opposite , who thought out of the box willing to try some thing different .

I disagree to a point, Henry didn't think the common masses needed the Model A. If he had his way we would all still be driving a T. On the other hand Edsel....

 

[Garagekulture13]

My intent of this post was to hear both sides of the discussion and so far have so. But what I had in mind as far as hotroded was simply as putting a high compression head, down draft, carbs, etc. Sudle as these may seem in the grand scheme of things IMO it's hotroding. Again I still would like to hear from both sides as well as both extremes of the said example. This is the reason I didn't explain other wise. I had in mind high compression head, down draft carbs, drop axle, 16" wheels, but otherwise a stock A. Has anyone ever gone down this road and regretted it? My guess is few ever look back. Your story?

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[Mac_4]

My intent of this post was to hear both sides of the discussion and so far have so. But what I had in mind as far as hotroded was simply as putting a high compression head, down draft, carbs, etc. Sudle as these may seem in the grand scheme of things IMO it's hotroding. Again I still would like to hear from both sides as well as both extremes of the said example. This is the reason I didn't explain other wise. I had in mind high compression head, down draft carbs, drop axle, 16" wheels, but otherwise a stock A. Has anyone ever gone down this road and regretted it? My guess is few ever look back. Your story?

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I have to say, everything you're talking about doing is 100% reversible and probably within a day. There's not really anything to regret. If you don't like it change it back. It's not like you're chopping the roof by 6" or replacing the whole chassis, which by the way is what I'm doing. The chassis that is not the chop. I have a brand new TCI chassis running a dropped front axle on a transverse spring and a 9" Ford rear axle on ladder bars and coil over shocks. I don't regret a thing, but then I want to run a 300bhp small block chevy V8 in my Model A.
I think I said it before. Do what YOU want. That's all that matters...

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[bobpo1]

When I was 20 yrs old, I bought a 1931 Tudor Sedan, less engine and ******. The body was immaculate. $150. I towed it to my folks house, made a cutting chisel, cut the top off, cut the front driver's compartment out and moved the back seating area up front to build a T-Bucket. I spent a lot of time. The bottom line was that I destroyed this beautiful piece of Americana and eventually junked the whole thing. At 77, I think about that a lot, but nothing is going to bring it back.

If you want a hotrod, sell your coupe to someone who will cherish it then by a rod. They don't make the originals anymore.

 

[1Tudoor]

When I was 20 yrs old, I bought a 1931 Tudor Sedan, less engine and ******. The body was immaculate. $150. I towed it to my folks house, made a cutting chisel, cut the top off, cut the front driver's compartment out and moved the back seating area up front to build a T-Bucket. I spent a lot of time. The bottom line was that I destroyed this beautiful piece of Americana and eventually junked the whole thing. At 77, I think about that a lot, but nothing is going to bring it back.

If you want a hotrod, sell your coupe to someone who will cherish it then by a rod. They don't make the originals anymore.

Hi Bob,

I'm also 77 & did the same thing to a 31 coupe when I was 12 given to me by a lady down our dirt road . Yes , regret it now , but it was the beginning of becoming a motor head & a lot of fun .

Bob

 

[Steve_Mack_CT]

While I usually avoid hot rod vs. stock threads, this one caught my eye as I am in the midst of the same thought pattern with my '30 roadster. A 45 + year old "restoration" with some major pluses - pretty good mechanically, very good body, and a rumble seat roadster so kind of a desirable car. Having fun with it now, but it does have some issues as a basis for a high point car - '31 engine, black upholstery, split back bumpers and high windshield says standard but came with deluxe top frame and DSM and cowl lights. So I could go one of 3 ways:

Restoration of a Standard Roadster

Restore it as a Deluxe, which could be worth a touch more even thought it seems it was not "born that way"

"Restore it" as a teenager might have in the 1950s - much like the changes GarageKulture is talking about. I envision replacing the vinyl top (wish it had been better preserved), 16" wheels, and some goodies under the hood, and a simple repaint in the current maroon which may or may not be a correct shade, but pretty close.

Destroying history or a good car? No worse than it is now, and not irreversible. Is it a hot rod? I think 10 guys would have 10 opinions on where the line is. Anything reversible in a day or less, I would think is on the right side of my line anyway.

The flip side is it certainly has the bones to be a fine restoration. But this is not a '34 Packard club sedan with 35,000 original miles. Just an old Model A roadster in need of a re-restoration or refurbishment. And I am not sure which way I would prefer it or enjoy it more, which is more critical to me than resale.

I do understand the dilemna...

 

[aonemarine]

Option 1, leave it alone.
Option 2, leave it alone and sell it to me.
Option 3, sell it to me and ill leave it alone.

But a few speed goodies could be alot of fun too

 

[30ccpickup]

While I usually avoid hot rod vs. stock threads, this one caught my eye as I am in the midst of the same thought pattern with my '30 roadster. A 45 + year old "restoration" with some major pluses - pretty good mechanically, very good body, and a rumble seat roadster so kind of a desirable car. Having fun with it bow, but it does have some issues as a basis for a high point car - '31 engine, black upholstery, split back bumpers and high windshield says standard but came with deluxe top frame and DSM and cowl lights. So I could go one of 3 ways:

Restoration of a Standard Roadster

Restore it as a Deluxe, which could be worth a touch more even thought it seems it was not "born that way"

"Restore it" as a teenager might have in the 1950s - much like the changes GarageKulture is talking about. I envision replacing the vinyl top (wish it had been better preserved), 16" wheels, and some goodies under the hood, and a simple repaint in the current maroon which may or may not be a correct shade, but pretty close.

Destroying history or a good car? No worse than it is now, and not irreversible. Is it a hot rod? I think 10 guys would have 10 opinions on where the line is. Anything reversible in a day or less, I would think is on the right side of my line anyway.

The flip side is it certainly has the bones to be a fine restoration. But this is not a '34 Packard club sedan with 35,000 original miles. Just an old Model A roadster in need of a re-restoration or refurbishment. And I am not sure which way I would prefer it or enjoy it more, which is more critical to me than resale.

I do understand the dilemna...

Blasphemy, it is a Model A.... It is interesting how poorly a Model A is viewed by restorationist as being something worth restoring. The dependable one; wasn't recycled during World War II, so it isn't as rare, therefore; not worth restoring. You can't drive a 34 Packard daily. One break down and it is weeks before the part arrives. In reality I think it is all about your friends. There is always peer pressure (I am a school teacher can ya tell) let me be your friend. Keep it original and buy a 2016 Challenger they are fast, dependable and its not blasphemy to a ford guy. (Maybe to a dodge purist, but this is a ford site who cares) Just in fun with a little truth, my truth.... Love my Model A, and my Challenger. Some of us have good wives.

Paul

 

[az58cameo]

My 2-Cents if i may? I am the care taker of my Grandfathers 1929 Tudor Sedan
and he drove it back and forth to his Barber Shop in Detroit Lakes Minn, The car needs a restoration (But Does It?) it was really suppose to be my Dads retirement project but never happened, i have invested money getting it drive able and SAFE to Drive!
i reupholstered the two bucket seats and my intention now is to leave it alone, drive it and enjoy it the way it is. there are story's and Funny Stories that were told by my Mom and Dad of this Car when my Grandfather had it! and that right there tells me to never alter this car from what it is. I am Lucky my Dad bought me a 58 Chevy Cameo Truck and that is my Hot Rod. Also i have a very good friend of mine who has Race Cars and Hot Rods (Fully Blown alcohol Funny Car) and he has a Stock 31 Coupe and he says he gets more"Respect" Driving that old car and really enjoys driving it and usually drives it over any of his many Hotrods!
Allen

 

[Marvin/TN]

Both cars are really nice but I do like the one on the bottom. Looks like it could be brought back to original if somone wanted to. I like that color of red.

 

[Bob-A]

I'm not going to get into this thread to much. My idea of modifying is adding accessories that were available back when the "A" was a new car.
Or only a few years old. These "original" accessories are not easy to find.
But, that is what makes them so neat when you do.

Harley guys found out the hard way years ago. When they realized their old Knuckleheads and Panheads were worth 4 and 5 times higher if not more. As original compared to "choppers"!

Bob-A

PS: I have a '65 Panhead "custom" I've been riding since the early 80's.
That can be easily taken back to stock at anytime.

 

[Steve_Mack_CT]

Paul, if it is about friends I am a mess. On one end of the spectrum I have a good friend from high school who cherishes the first new car he ever bought after working a while - an '87 Honda CRX, which he loved for nearly 30 years. I was parked across from him at Lime Rock Park gathering of the marques last fall and the car, in mint condition, drew a LOT of interest. On the other, a good buddy has a Mercedes 500K that has become too valuable to even drive across town in the 15 years he has had it. My point is a wide spectrum of cars can be interesting. I definitely appreciate the fine point cars, and untouched original Model As, but it's not the only route. I think each car is unique in what routes might make work best for it, if that makes any sense.

I agree on Packard parts - sold a '39 120 sedan a couple years back, and used some of the money to get back into a Model A. We had some fun with the Packard but did not tour too much, mainly shows, which gets boring. Parts are a fortune, and I was literally afraid to leave it anywhere. At least I can leave the A - especially now, in a restaurant or hardware store parking lot without a "guard"

Will be interesting to see the path the OP takes with his coupe. I do not see the mods he is discussing as blasphemy. BTW, Packards are not immune to idiot owners, when I was active with those cars, a young man was on several sites selling drivetrain components from his recently inherited '34 (often considered the best year by Packard guys) to repower with a Chevy V-8. THAT, sir,is blasphemy.