Starting Restoration

[Rex_A_Lott]

I think its pretty cool that you have resurrected a piece of your family's history.
Enjoy it ! As is, or whatever you decide, its yours. As far as being the neighborhood hillbilly, it aint so bad once you get used to it. Dont worry about pissing off the ones with the super-nice cars, some of them are super-nice people too...and some are not, no matter what you're driving.
As far as the carburetor goes, a lot of times a good cleaning and blowing out all the passages is all that's needed. Certainly worth a try before you run out and buy a new one.
Good Luck!

[ian Simpson]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

i dont get pissed off or feel that way about drivers brought to shows...i enjoy it when there are more model A's no matter what the condition....

X2. None of our cars are pristine. They have the scars of hard usage, and we are proud of it. It also means that when we do a show, or do a grocery run, anyone and everyone can touch and/or climb in with permission.

Our 1975 MGB bears considerable scars from the 1987 Edmonton Tornado in its original paintwork . I would not remove them for anything as they remind us all of the thirty plus folks who died that day.

Notwithstanding their external condition, we keep all three as mechanically perfect as possible.

As many others have said - make it safe and drive it!

[HoarseWhisperer]

Originally Posted by jboggess

No offense, but Its all very cute to take to a show a couple times unrestored, but after a while you get the reputation of being the neighborhood hillbilly, and also it pisses the people off who put the labor and money in to make theres nice, a little wet sanding and a cheap coat of paint wouldn't cost much.

Doesn't piss me off either. Good unrestored vehicles are like rare time capsules and serve as examples of "real" vehicles of way back when. I think many of us appreciate and learn from them. I admire those that are fortunate enough to have and maintain an unrestored vehicle. Plus, they do not have the worries of those of us that invested labor and money on shiny new paint jobs.

[zzlegend]

Originally Posted by jboggess

No offense, but Its all very cute to take to a show a couple times unrestored, but after a while you get the reputation of being the neighborhood hillbilly, and also it pisses the people off who put the labor and money in to make theres nice, a little wet sanding and a cheap coat of paint wouldn't cost much.

Not so. If someone with a restored car says you are a hillbilly, then walk your dog over and introduce him to their wheels. As many have stated, just leave it, do the brakes, rebuild the carb, WD-40 that hood and leave well enough alone. A lot of great character in that A. Grandpa would be proud. Just my 3 1/2 cents.

[Not George]

Not hard to pull and repaint the panels, but as others have stated it is beautiful just the way it is.
It is only original once.

Very, very, very cool!

[RonC]

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Paint the truck body on. Just remove the fenders and hood and mask off the rest. It will be a fun project for the summer. Do lots of research on current types of paints. Find a professional to shoot the color paint but work with him on how you should prep and prime

[Gumpy]

A restoration may take years, & then you will not enjoy drivin the car in your youth,...mine sat for 11 yrs until i got to it...drive and enjoy now!

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Gumpy

A restoration may take years, & then you will not enjoy drivin the car in your youth,...mine sat for 11 yrs until i got to it...drive and enjoy now!

I know of two drivers that were taken apart more than 50 years ago, and they are still apart. At least drive it for a year or two before you decide, and you might realize it's great as it is now.

[jhowes]

My advice is to be careful if something doesn't work. Learn to test first and locate the problem, so many start by replacing what they espect could be the issue only to find they have created more porblems. The original parts are usually the most reliable and Model A guys are always helpful. I agree that you should drive it a few years first then you will make a more informed decision. Have fun

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I know of two drivers that were taken apart more than 50 years ago, and they are still apart. At least drive it for a year or two before you decide, and you might realize it's great as it is now.

Tom,
If ALL those cars that have been apart for EONS were ALL finished TODAY, there'd probably be enough cars to start a THIRD National Club!
What should it be NAMED? (Help me, I've most run out of "humor")
Bill W.

[1930artdeco]

Another thing you may want to consider is seat belts. Since you have no side protection-like a door to keep you inside.

Mike

[stewwolfe]

Seat belts are a really good idea. Aside from that, do whatever pleases you, but by all means drive it. Don't let it become a perpetual project. A pile of metal in the corner of the garage just takes up space. A running (maybe rusty, but drivable) car gives enjoyment!

[JohnLaVoy]

Welcome! Looks like you are going to have quite a project that will pass on some family history. I would look at making contact with a Model A chapter close to where you are. visit MAFCA.com there is a list of chapters there with contact information. You will find most of the people in this hobby very helpful and willing to show you how to work on projects.

[jkcrosson]

Central alabama model a ford club is in Montgomery. It's a great club

[BamaFord]

Originally Posted by jkcrosson

Central alabama model a ford club is in Montgomery. It's a great club

I am definitely going to be contacting them. My grandfather was a member of their club here.

[BamaFord]

And just to clarify from comments earlier in the thread, does my Model A have a one of a kind custom wooden body on it?

[CWilson]

The body reminds me of the trucks they use for hunting quail down south, especially Georgia. They run the dogs while hunters ride in the truck. Once the dogs go on point, the hunters hop out and have the dogs flush the quail. Might be a reason there are no sides, and 2 benches. Like this one.

[BamaFord]

Got the Model A all cleaned up! My next step is to clear the fuel system. I see the tank is built in right behind the instrument panel. It will need to be flushed out thoroughly. Any advice on how you guys clean out your old fuel tanks? I may either just flush it with gas/chemicals or if need be I may be able to pull it out. Also I want to get a new carburetor. Which modern version gives the best performance?

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by BamaFord

Got the Model A all cleaned up! My next step is to clear the fuel system. I see the tank is built in right behind the instrument panel. It will need to be flushed out thoroughly. Any advice on how you guys clean out your old fuel tanks? I may either just flush it with gas/chemicals or if need be I may be able to pull it out. Also I want to get a new carburetor. Which modern version gives the best performance?

Welcome aboard !
Heck, you don't need any different paint on your A. It looks great with dirt cleaned off ! Must have had GOOD storage, eh !!

[BamaFord]

The hood on this side is the worst panel on the A. I'm not sure what to do about paint for it. Everything else on the vehicle is in great shape.


Also, check the shared album for high quality photos. I am doing this from my iPhone and can't upload high quality pictures here.

https://www.icloud.com/photostream/#A1JtdOXmJ8YP2I