1928 Ford Phaeton/Huckster
 

I'm new to the site, I generally build jeeps and have a passion for working and buidling things with my own hands. I wanted to share my progress on my current project. This was my Grandpa's car/truck, he bought it a little over 30 years ago. It started life in Tampa, FL as a 1928 Ford Phaeton and in the early 30's someone completed a Huckster conversion on it. I have some pictures of it when he brought it home I'll dig up.

In 1990 in its "original" Huckster state, it was sucked out of one of his barns by a tornado and mangled pretty bad. I insisted on putting it back together and he agreed. We had a fella build a metal frame in Huckster fashion and my grandpa being an interior finish carpenter wrapped it in oak. We used oak hand rails recycled from the local convent remodel and rough sawed oak from a friends woods. It was planed and fitted. That was the stopping point of the refinish. He lost interest and I was to young to do it on my own.

Fast forward to now. It was put in my position 6 years ago, but life got in the way. I'm now getting back to working on it. It is a driver and the purists probably won't like the direction its going, but it is somthing my grandpa and I are working on together. Luckly at 83 he still gets around and is dang good and telling me how to do things! Here are a few pics. I'm working on finishing up body work, and getting ready to paint. I'll update teh thread as I continue to move forward. Hope you all enjoy it as much as we do.

Re: 1928 Ford Phaeton/Huckster
 

That's a great story and a great project ! We'll look forward to seeing more as you progress.

Re: 1928 Ford Phaeton/Huckster
 

Welcome to Ford Barn. Yes be very interested in your progress. Looks like an interesting project. We have a huckster and it is great for hauling grandkids in parades.

Re: 1928 Ford Phaeton/Huckster
 

Thanks for the welcome. Here are the pictures of the day he got it. Grandma surprised him with it. The story was he saw it sitting on the side of the road for sale, she told him they couldn't afford it, then she bought it for him as a surprise. He was pretty excited. His best friend is also in the picture, he is not with us anymore. He was keeping it in his garage so grandpa wouldn't find it while grandma was waiting to give it to him. I'm the kid in the picture. I'll be 35 in September. I remember that day like it was yesterday.

Re: 1928 Ford Phaeton/Huckster
 

I was curious did these cars come with brass headlight rings? Most I see have chrome? The lens rings I have are brass or at least they look brass to me. I was thinking of having them chromed. Thoughts? Also a couple of pictures of the underside. I used a chassis paint called chassis saver. Stuff dries like an epoxy. It will definitely outlast me. I also started working on my "paint booth" . its coming along decent.

Re: 1928 Ford Phaeton/Huckster
 

The 1928-9 headlamp rims were nickel plated brass.

Re: 1928 Ford Phaeton/Huckster
 

Blocked it down with 400 tonight. Worked on the "booth" getting ready to lay some more primer down and block one more time.

Re: 1928 Ford Phaeton/Huckster
 

yjwrangler95,

Even a purist like me gives your project two thumbs up. This is a great project and even a greater story. Please keep sending updates and photos.

The what and why of your story is what this hobby is about. Your grandparents are very lucky. You honor them in an amazing way.

Dean

Re: 1928 Ford Phaeton/Huckster
 

Thanks Dean, I layer some primer down on the body and hood yesterday. It looks decent. I need to finish up some small parts and the bed. It should be ready for some color this coming week.

Re: 1928 Ford Phaeton/Huckster
 

Years ago I completely restored an original 1928 Model A Huckster. Unlike the "woody" look bodies many build today, this one was completely skinned in sheet metal and had a very professional-commercial look. As I disassembled the body I carefully measured and did a complete set of dimensional drawings of every part. Here is a link to my dropbox album of the restoration including all the drawings. I hope it is some help with your 28 Huckster project.

https://www.dropbox.com/photos/album/PW2vGoLBUZHOjMz

Re: 1928 Ford Phaeton/Huckster
 

Thanks for the info pgerhardt. I've been priming and sanding. Nothing to exciting to report. I did notice the ford script in my running boards, never saw that before. It was pretty cool to see it. It really is pretty awesome to be able to work on somthing that is 86 years old and still be able to drive it.

Re: 1928 Ford Phaeton/Huckster
 

Interesting project. What are your plans in regard to the underside of the body? Do you leave it alone, mask everything, and shoot with the body mounted on the chassis, or do you plan to remove the body and then paint it separately?

Re: 1928 Ford Phaeton/Huckster
 

I already painted the underside of the body, as well as the frame and running gear with chassis saver, its a black paint that sticks to anything. I plan on masking everything and shooting the body black as well. The wheels will be painted or powdercoated bright red. I haven't decided to paint or bowder yet.

Re: 1928 Ford Phaeton/Huckster
 

Laid some color down. Its not perfect but it will do

Re: 1928 Ford Phaeton/Huckster
 

It looks nice, and I'm envious of that nice workshop and country living.:D

Re: 1928 Ford Phaeton/Huckster
 

Absolutely beautiful work! Keep it up.

Re: 1928 Ford Phaeton/Huckster
 

Great job !!!

Mike

Re: 1928 Ford Phaeton/Huckster
 

Thanks everyone. I don't have much experience painting, but it turned out good enough for a driver. I just ordered a ton of parts from snyders and macs, should starting showing up Wednesday. I plan on painting the bed frame and accessoreis Monday.

I'm pretty fortunate to live in the country Tom. I just built my barn last year, it makes for a nice workspace.

Re: 1928 Ford Phaeton/Huckster
 

More painting and some new Parts.

Re: 1928 Ford Phaeton/Huckster
 

Nice shop! Awesome job!!!