These pages are to chronicle the buildup of "Old Rusty", my 31
Model A on 32 rails project. It is not supposed to be a step by step guide
on how to build a car, but just random snapshots of progress as it takes
place.
This page, (Page 1): See a summary of the latest work carried out,
a recent pic of the car, and a loose spec of all the major components.
Page2: See what I started with.
Page 3: See the basic building
blocks put in place to give a passable resemblance of a car.
Page 4: See repairs made to salvage
a truly desparate roadster body.
On page 5: See the repairs to
the basic chassis, plus the strengthening added.
On page 6: See the car taking
shape as more items are fitted into place, and made to work.
Added July 2002:
On Page
7: See the windscreen and posts mocked up and fitted in place.
On Page
8: See what was involved in fixing the broken axle.
On Page
9: See what was involved in fixing the broken gearbox.
On Page
10: See how the car looked at the Nostalgia Drags July 2002
Added August 2002:
A few pics added to Page
9 -Welding up the gears!
And on Page
10: See the conversion to Hudson steering.
!!!NEW!!!
Update August 2002
Old Rusty hits the road! I filed all the forms with my local registration
office, and after a couple of weeks, I received a letter with a brand new
tax disc. UK readers will understand the significance of this, but for
all you Johnny Foreigners, that means old Rusty is registered and legal.
Thanks to Chris Sanders of the Early Ford V8 club for his support. I've
driven the car a few times now, and have hit a small local classic car
show, where I got a good reception. I've also braved the 21 mile journey
to work, which was a blast.
Update: July 2002
You guys probably been thinking I've abandoned the project because
I havn't updated this page. Anyone who visits the HAMB (see links page)
however will know the opposite is true. I've been so busy working on the
car I havn't had time to update the page. Well, I'm proud to say Old Rusty
is Running and driving, and has passed it's MOT test, the first strep towards
registration. It hasn't been easy, due to having to re-do both the axle
and the gearbox, but check the new pages to see what I've been up to.
Update: Dec 2001
Have started to do a bit more on Old Rusty, following a 3 month
rest while I worked on my Ford Pop.
I looked at using a F100 pickup steering box, but decided it was
too much work to make it work in a right hand drive chassis. I didnt want
to rework my pedals to left hand drive so the F100 box was shelved. I have
ordered parts to rebuild my 32 steering box, and am waiting for them to
arrive from Mac's.
I have bought a pair of windshield posts off ebay, and a pair of
lower stantions off Mild Mitch on the HAMB. Thanks Mitch for helping me
get the posts.
I made the rear floor, utilising the metal salvaged from an old
locker. See the body page.
I have bought a 32 car grille shell and insert from Holland. So
Old Rusty now has a new nose. Big thanks to Henry, Erwin and Hoving for
making that one happen. See the general page.
Latest pic:
Old Rusty pictured in July 2002 having just passed the MOT test.
It looks like this now, except it has some quickie number plates added.
Spec:
Body: 1931 Ford Model A roadster.
Chassis: 1932 Ford Model 18, added on X brace, 6" kickup at rear,
34 rear crossmember.
Engine: 1937 type Ford V8, Twin Holley 94's on a Thickstun manifold.
Transmission: 1937 Ford V8-60 (top loader).
Rear axle: 32 Ford/ Ford Pilot hybrid, 4.11:1 ratio
Rear spring: 32 Ford, reversed eye.
Front axle: 32 Ford.
Front spring: 32 Ford, reversed eye.
Steering: 37 or so Hudson.
Brakes: Front: 40 Ford hydraulic. rear: 32 Ford, converted to hydraulic.
Wheels and tyres: Currently wide white big 'n' littles on black
40's steels (Borrowed-thanks Phil!)
|