Feb
2007 picture soon
The "Plan":-
1930 all steel coupe body, unchopped
Chev 350cu inch 2nd gen 240kW (320hp)
Turbo 700/R4 auto trans
Stainless independent front end
Ford 8" rear on stainless 4 bars
Billett "Thruster" wheels, 7 x 15 and 6 x 15
Although I'm not generally a Ford fan, my favorite early car is the 1930/31 A model Ford Coupe. After several years of looking and procrastination, on the 18th Feb 1998, I bought one! Actually, a rough outer body shell only, with a chassis, an 8" diff and front mudguards included in the deal. The body and guards (fenders) need LOTS of repair work. This is the start of my dream hotrod.
They say that an "A" model Ford is one of the easiest Rods to build. This may be so, as many repro parts are available, but it's easy to underestimate the amount of work required on a steel car. Many repro parts are pretty poor quality and need work before they can be fitted.
The chassis was built at Vintage and Classic Garage in Melbourne (thanks Geoff and Ian {now at TCR}) as my expertise(?) lies more in the body work side of things. It has been boxed and stepped up at the rear by 2.75". The chassis now has a central cross member different to the "K" member usually fitted to an A model Ford rod. I didn't want to be the same as everyone else, so my basic idea of a central 4"x 2" cross tube fitted with a pair of fore and aft 1.25" round tubes running from the brake pedal area, back to just in front of the rear axle, was executed brilliantly by Ian.
At the front right hand side, the brake pedal brackets have been incorporated and at the rear, the XA Falcon brake booster and master cylinder. A Wilwood proportioning valve is also fitted. On the left side of the chassis, at the rear, the battery container is incorporated into the tube work also. The battery will be a Mercedes Benz style (DIN 55) which is a low profile type, with recessed terminals. I dismantled the body panels for rust repairs and used a molasses bath to de-rust all the panels, rather than sandblasting, which is too harsh on old metal.
Engine is crate Chev 350, trans is T700.
Mid 1998
For more information on the restoration of the body and other details, click below.
These Rod pages are dedicated to my friend and Mother, Val, who passed away suddenly on May 7th 2000.
No guarantees are given or implied as to the suitability of this material for any purpose whatsoever.
Updated 11-Feb-2007
This page will constantly be under construction, as will the Rod !!!
E-mail, especially if building a 30/31 coupe, or any Hotrod.
Due to spam, copy this address and remove the text in capitals first ! REMOVE-THISglennp@bigpond.net.au
Please make sure you have a suitable subject matter on your email or I will NOT OPEN it, due to the threat of a VIRUS
also, Make sure you have a valid return address !!
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(My other stuff !)
Building a 1930 Ford coupe Hotrod Updated 11-Feb-2007
Some pages are in process of being revamped to new format
When viewing each page, next takes you to next page in list.
Jan. 5th 2003, after some work modifying and mounting front fender brackets, to clear the IFS.
Sitting nice and low and starting to look like a Hotrod now !!
The hood has been made and fitted also. See pages to left.
FEB 2007: Progress, yes I have made some and finally updated the web page !!
Now have virtually the whole car in primer.
A big job though was making the exhaust system. As I am a glutton for punishment, making as much as I can myself, I made the whole exhaust system from stainless steel at home. Well, apart from the mufflers.( I thought of that but decided not to !) I had bought 316 stainless pipe in 2" and also mandrel bends, a long time back, from a place called Alfa larvall, I think. They supplied food piping etc. I don't know if they still exist but the premises I bought it from no longer exists. Anyway, over my annual holidays, It took about 7-8 days of cutting welding, measuring etc to make one side, then trying to make the other side the same (symetrical) was probably the hardest. I don't claim this is the last word in exhaust systems or anything else, but I proved I could do it. Make a passable system. Only thing not done, is deciding to put a slight downturn on the exit pipes or not. I think it looks better...........
I will have some pictures on a new link here shortly............
I need to find a new engineer also, to do my car. It seems that there are not too many left now, who will do a Hotrod in Melbourne. Alternative is to go "Street Rod" reg here in Victoria.
Our trip to York, USA Hotrod Nationals
May 2004 On a business trip to the USA, I managed to visit Brookville Roadsters in OHIO. Thanks Bill & Rick.
What an incredible site seeing so many STEEL A Model and 32 Roadsters under construction. Pity I could not fit one into my suitcase to bring home for a new project LOL
