Thanks for the add.

R

Revvin’ Kevin

Junior Member
Recently purchased a 1930 RPU. It’s my first A. Though I have a couple projects before this, I’ve wanted an open A for a long time.


She’s by no means pretty. I want to do some mods to her, such as 5.5:1 head, Stromberg 81 or 97, FSI electronic ignition, Mitchell OD, cast iron brakes. Plan on making a somewhat traditional pre-war hot-rod out of her, without altering anything radically at all in the event it should ever get restored by the next caretaker. I’ll pull all extraneous sheet metal (fenders and boards are re-pop steel), install offset bias ply-looking radials, obligatory painted red wheels (body is primer black already), possibly lower front end.

Basically, I want to make this into a nice little daily to run around my small town in, as well as being able to do long highway commutes in (hence the proposed mods). I want to keep it looking the way it is, but fix all things mechanical and mod it to be reliable and fun without taking away too much original charm.

My inspiration is the car owned by the late Larry Shinoda on page 12 of “How to Build a Traditional Ford Hot Rod by Bishop and Tardell. The car has a ’32 windshield, which doesn’t quite fit, so I may just run it without one.

I’m excited to be a part of this community, thanks again.
 
Revvin’ Kevin said:
Recently purchased a 1930 RPU. It’s my first A. Though I have a couple projects before this, I’ve wanted an open A for a long time.


She’s by no means pretty. I want to do some mods to her, such as 5.5:1 head, Stromberg 81 or 97, FSI electronic ignition, Mitchell OD, cast iron brakes. Plan on making a somewhat traditional pre-war hot-rod out of her, without altering anything radically at all in the event it should ever get restored by the next caretaker. I’ll pull all extraneous sheet metal (fenders and boards are re-pop steel), install offset bias ply-looking radials, obligatory painted red wheels (body is primer black already), possibly lower front end.

Basically, I want to make this into a nice little daily to run around my small town in, as well as being able to do long highway commutes in (hence the proposed mods). I want to keep it looking the way it is, but fix all things mechanical and mod it to be reliable and fun without taking away too much original charm.

My inspiration is the car owned by the late Larry Shinoda on page 12 of “How to Build a Traditional Ford Hot Rod by Bishop and Tardell. The car has a ’32 windshield, which doesn’t quite fit, so I may just run it without one.

I’m excited to be a part of this community, thanks again.
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other than cooling system, leave it stock, they are by far most reliable when they are as henry made 'em. My 31 wide bed steep top has over 600,000 on the clock and I drive it every day. I don't care where I drive it, it will handle anything I throw at it. the number 1 thing to leave alone is electrical, especially ignition. electronic ignition never runs right. I even converted my 1991 s10 to points since the dum thing will never start in the cold. if you have a decent zenith or Tillotson carburetor and time it right, they will start even when it is crazy cold outside. cast iron drums are fine, keep with the woven linings and they will work great. 5.5 head is ok since henry made a police head for them new, but it really isn't necessary since the a makes gobs of torque as is. and you will lose the multifuel capability the stock head gives. overdrive is fine if you want to get amazing fuel economy, but try not to lug it. I have tried to modify a's to "make them better" it really can't be done, all it really does is Band-Aid a problem that can be fixed. Strombergs were more for v8's and they always seem to be hard starting when cold on an a motor. I can see od, cast iron drums and maybe a 5.5 head, but all else is just opening pandora's box.
 
A friend is doing exactly this to a basketcase 30 Coupe. He wants to make it a little speedy, but go with the "bobbysox" era.


One thinks of "Bye-Bye Birdie" Disney movie. A car to go get ice cream on a warm Friday night.


fc820d37482f7d0d74ddb8d12b2391c0.jpg
 
Joe K said:
A friend is doing exactly this to a basketcase 30 Coupe. He wants to make it a little speedy, but go with the "bobbysox" era.


One thinks of "Bye-Bye Birdie" Disney movie. A car to go get ice cream on a warm Friday night.


fc820d37482f7d0d74ddb8d12b2391c0.jpg
Click to expand...

We have a 'Sonic' drive-in being build in my town, and I hope to be there opening day. Just a stock Tudor, but the thought is the same....
 
I have almost the same truck as you. Mine is an early '31 RDPU. I would leave all of the extraneous sheet metal and restore the external "by the book" (as in the judging standards). I would leave the black painted radiator shell and light buckets. It it is a very low production vehicle. Being a commercial and open vehicle the survival rates were probably lower than average. This would make it stand out because of its uniqueness. I would suggest you read the article in the July/August 1973 issue of Ford Life" magazine on the open cab trucks. Final thought, you should put your general location in your profile.

Charlie Stephens
 
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Welcome, I hope you stick around and contribute with your perspective.

It’s your truck to do as you please an in your style. What you describe has been welcome here for a long time and many people on here use the same parts you plan to use.

My only recommendation, go for a higher comp head. 5.5:1 is still weak!
 
nice roadster! nothing quite says Rod & Custom mag, small size, to me quite like an open car, open front end and motorcycle fenders over front wheels!
 
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