Metal coupe or wooden wagon?
 

Hi All,

I'm at a point in my project where I can go two different directions.
I have a 28 sport coupe in need of lots of metal work. I can do it, and had every intention to until two weeks ago.

I saw a thead on hucksters. I had seen then before but didn't realize how much I liked them. So the dilemma is......coupe or huckster.

Now before someone replies "to build it as I like", which I appreciate, I want them both. Both aren't on the menu though.

So, from all you guys who have built model a's and learned how you enjoy and use your cars, give me your input.

A couple factors to consider, I only have the coupe sheet metal, no interior, seats, floors etc. but can make almost anything.
From a comfort point of view, I'm 6'3" and 240 lbs.

Please tell me your opinions, I want to hear from those who know vs. my wife who has trouble deciding where to go for dinner.

Re: Metal coupe or wooden wagon?
 

Your height shouldn't be an issue if you go coupe. I am 6 foot 7 inches and 255 pounds and I fit comfortably in both my coupes.

Re: Metal coupe or wooden wagon?
 

Since it sounds like everything needs to be fabricated either way, I wood go with the huckster. Ton of fun to build, can make modifications as see fit and the wood is an added dimension of satisfaction.
Just think the huckster is more fun in the end and Ive owned both.

Re: Metal coupe or wooden wagon?
 

Rustbelt,
I guess it all depends on whether you are going to peddle fruit out of it. LOL.
Really, I think this a good problem to have. Is sounds like the metal work would not be a problem, are you proficient at wood working? In my mind there are a LOT of coupes out there but very few hucksters. On the other hand a coupe is pretty weatherproof.
Oh, and if the wife can't decide where to go to dinner, take her to an fine meal at McDonalds. She'll be able to decide from now on.
Marty

Re: Metal coupe or wooden wagon?
 

A couple pictures of my coupe are featured on page 38 of the 2014, May/June Restorer magazine.
This is what many auto owners did during WWll for purposes of obtaining a little more fuel etc. Private to Commercial. My dogs love it.

Re: Metal coupe or wooden wagon?
 

I have owned over the years a 28 PU, a 31 PU,Coupe, and a slant Fordor, and a 28 speedster, and currently have what I call a "woody cab" (pix attached). The most fun one to drive is the woody cab. But when the weather is bad the coupe gets driven 'cause it has AC.

The woody cab was so much fun to build i an currently designing the plans for a Wood bodied Special Delivery. i jsut like working with wood. kenp

p.s. gotta go back and finish painting the rear fenders.

Re: Metal coupe or wooden wagon?
 

Hi jack of all trades.
Why don't you try one of these?

Re: Metal coupe or wooden wagon?
 

Why don't you try one of these?

Re: Metal coupe or wooden wagon?
 

Our club chose to go the pre-made huckster body from Van Lente, Michigan. It was an easy install on a finished frame, using the coupe pillar from the original vehicle.

Re: Metal coupe or wooden wagon?
 

Will you be selling the coupe body or using the cowl for the Huckster project if you go that route?

Re: Metal coupe or wooden wagon?
 

How about something like this?

Re: Metal coupe or wooden wagon?
 

I did the same thing with the Van Lente body. Great body, great quality work and Jon will let you know what you need for your cowl.

But as you may know, a red oak body is kind of a fair weather body. Wet weather without proper treatment on the wood is not kind to it. So just a consideration for you

Re: Metal coupe or wooden wagon?
 

That would be my first choice. Tour, carry stuff, and sleep in the back.

Re: Metal coupe or wooden wagon?
 

I think I'm going to go the huckster route.

I wonder how much extra weight it is compared to a standard body?

I've reached out to wagon works for plans, but being in Canada I've got to make sure they'll ship outside of the states. It's a shame really because I was just down in Florida.

I was talking today to a guy who offered me plans, but he was a little expensive, certainly more than wagon works.

Oh well, It sure looks like it's worth the effort.

Re: Metal coupe or wooden wagon?
 

My huckster weighs about 2700-2800 and the 29 std coupe is about 2200-2300. The huckster body is made out of solid red oak.

Re: Metal coupe or wooden wagon?
 

Henry had the same idea. ;)

Re: Metal coupe or wooden wagon?
 

Coupe. Because wooden bodies often look like a kid built a treehouse on the chassis and are harder to re-home.

Re: Metal coupe or wooden wagon?
 

A friend put a huckster together a few years ago and didn't use a spring seat and back rest cushion... just foam rubber. Rode like a lumber wagon. Go with real springs or your wife will complain. Rather than tearing your coupe body apart for the cowl, why don't you buy a cowl and the sell the original coupe body while it's still intact to someone who wants an original coupe and has a chassis with no body?

Re: Metal coupe or wooden wagon?
 

The coupe body was completely disassembled by myself when I got it. Someone tried a very unsuccessful attempt at making a subframe out of bar stock.

Basically the body was ready for the scrapper. I'm a glutton for punishment, plus, the idea of scrapping it suckered me into buying it. It also had an original ownership which can be hard to come by honestly in Ontario for a project.

The quarters, which I looked at yesterday closely need to be completely fabricated. I can do it, just not sure if I should.

The trunk lid also is missing the back 6". Again, just time to fix it.

I can build professional cabinets, I've done several kitchens, including raised panel doors, so fabrication either way is not an issue.

So, in short, there's nothing from the coupe to sell other than the rebuilt doors I've already done.

Decisions, decisions.

Re: Metal coupe or wooden wagon?
 

I made a C cab pickup using the Hudson Wagom works plan and it had a removable top, used southern pine for most of it. i used the original 29 tudor cowl.