The Ford Barn

hotrodalley · 11-04-2012, 08:28 PM

After reading through the " What is the best overhead conversion " thread, I realized that I am somewhat of an orphan. I grew up restoring model A's with my dad who was "stickler" on originality which has contributed to my own set of "rules" when it comes to modifications to my Model A's and Early Fords.

Because I absolutely enjoy driving my Model A's, there are a few things I do to make them a bit more roadworthy, and to give them a bit more power. The "Orphan Complex" comes to fitting into the Ford Barn or the H.A.M.B. Sometimes I feel that I dont really belong in either forum. Here's why.

I have a "rule" that I follow when changing or adding to Henry's blueprint, and that is,

I WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO A VEHICLE THAT CANNOT SIMPLY BE UNBOLTED TO RETURN TO BONE STOCK.

That being said, I have thoroughly enjoyed researching and learning about period correct modifications and searching for these period parts to build some fun cars.

Keep in mind that I do have original/stock Model A's, but I also have Model A's that have "lost" their fenders and have finned aluminum period high compression heads and multiple carbs. Sometimes they even sport 16" wheels as I alternate between 19's and 16's. Again, nothing cut, no frame boxing, no modern billet etc.

I find the Ford Barn Forum great, and feel much more part of it than the H.A.M. B. because I cannot relate to the more major and permanent modifications that are handled on the H.A.M.B.

In addition, I feel that even though I may have a car that appears modified such as a hi boy, it can easily be put back to original very easily. This is in contrast to those "original looking" cars that have cut crossmembers required to install 4 speed or 5 speed transmissions, open drivelines, cut holes in the firewall to accomodate air conditioning and so on.

Those period modifications, sometimes classified as early "hot rods" are actually more closely aligned. In some strange way of thinking, I feel that when following my personal rule for modifications, I am preserving the same era of the Model A as it was used for family transportation as well as personalization and modifications for speed. In addition I feel that I am contributing to the preservation of the actual period use of the Model A in the 30's and 40's in contrast to the "modern" modifications discussed on the H.A.M.B.

Guess I'm wondering how others view modifications and where is the limit to acceptability to the Ford Barn before being relegated to the H.A.M.B.

11-04-2012, 08:28 PM	#1
hotrodalley Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Franklin, TN Posts: 124	Ford Barn Orphan? After reading through the " What is the best overhead conversion " thread, I realized that I am somewhat of an orphan. I grew up restoring model A's with my dad who was "stickler" on originality which has contributed to my own set of "rules" when it comes to modifications to my Model A's and Early Fords. Because I absolutely enjoy driving my Model A's, there are a few things I do to make them a bit more roadworthy, and to give them a bit more power. The "Orphan Complex" comes to fitting into the Ford Barn or the H.A.M.B. Sometimes I feel that I dont really belong in either forum. Here's why. I have a "rule" that I follow when changing or adding to Henry's blueprint, and that is, I WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO A VEHICLE THAT CANNOT SIMPLY BE UNBOLTED TO RETURN TO BONE STOCK. That being said, I have thoroughly enjoyed researching and learning about period correct modifications and searching for these period parts to build some fun cars. Keep in mind that I do have original/stock Model A's, but I also have Model A's that have "lost" their fenders and have finned aluminum period high compression heads and multiple carbs. Sometimes they even sport 16" wheels as I alternate between 19's and 16's. Again, nothing cut, no frame boxing, no modern billet etc. I find the Ford Barn Forum great, and feel much more part of it than the H.A.M. B. because I cannot relate to the more major and permanent modifications that are handled on the H.A.M.B. In addition, I feel that even though I may have a car that appears modified such as a hi boy, it can easily be put back to original very easily. This is in contrast to those "original looking" cars that have cut crossmembers required to install 4 speed or 5 speed transmissions, open drivelines, cut holes in the firewall to accomodate air conditioning and so on. Those period modifications, sometimes classified as early "hot rods" are actually more closely aligned. In some strange way of thinking, I feel that when following my personal rule for modifications, I am preserving the same era of the Model A as it was used for family transportation as well as personalization and modifications for speed. In addition I feel that I am contributing to the preservation of the actual period use of the Model A in the 30's and 40's in contrast to the "modern" modifications discussed on the H.A.M.B. Guess I'm wondering how others view modifications and where is the limit to acceptability to the Ford Barn before being relegated to the H.A.M.B.