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Restoring the Car
I did make some small modifications to the car for my own personal preferences. I am using a stock block engine, I am using stock brakes and clutch, the body is stock except for the roof. Model A parts were purchased from all the major retailers that have catalogues, and from the local parts shop in Santee California, Old Cars and Parts. Misc. nuts and bolts were purchased at whatever hardware store had them. Free advice was usually listened to, but not always followed.
The body is off the frame and ready for repair.
The frame is almost ready for paint.
The quarter panels are rusted out, and need replacing.
New quarter panels waiting to be riveted.
The bottom of the doors were cut out and new patch panels welded in.
The gas tank is ready for paint, the inside has a slosh sealer applied.
Engine number one, Babbitt bearings.
Before Mitchell made syncromesh gears for the stock Model A transmission. The trick was to install a 1939 transmission with an adapter kit.
The engine is ready for a test run. I used a modern cap and distributor wires.
The car is ready for a test run. Unfortunately when the clutch or brake is pushed on, the lawn chair tips over backward. Then you have to run after the car and turn off the ignition (yank a wire loose) to stop it.
The body is painted and mounted on the frame.
The body is painted on the inside too.
I wanted a solid roof. I did not want to change it so much as to install a metal roof. I used the stock ribs and bent very thin plywood over the ribs and screwed it down. A little body filler was used where the metal and wood meet.
It took two tries to make the plywood fit.
A view looking up at the ribs and plywood roof.
Engine compartment ready for wiring.
Differential repair.
Installing the overdrive.
Installing engine number one again after being reworked.
Engine number two, and the engine I am still using, arrived from Ron Kelly in Texas the first week of June. I was scheduled to leave for Alaska in about ten days.
The crate is out of the truck and ready to be opened. I did not remove the existing engine until I had the new engine in the garage, just in case I needed to make the trip with the old engine.
The crate is open and my first look at a great running engine.
The crank is counter balanced.
I used a stock clutch.
The flywheel as been lightened, and a vibration dampener is installed.
Ready to install the head.
About ready to install the engine in the car.
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