Slide in pickup conversion

[Railcarmover]

I'm buying a '29 50A that had a wooden pickup box conversion slid into the trunk.The box looks like it 'store bought',from the braces to the gate hinge..were they sold as a kit at one time?

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

As to whether yours was a kit or locally fabricated is unknown however there were companies that did manufacture these in a kit form out of sheet steel. The popularity of these was strong during the gas rationing years which allowed the car owner to receive additional gas stamps due to the vehicle being classified as a truck.

[Big hammer]

That's cool ! Don't change it ! It's part of our history !

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Friend, Ted, had a Coupe with a metal box & they "spread" the trunk opening to squeeze it in. It was quite a FEAT to get the quarter panels pulled back in place!!! "They" even WELDED the box to the BODY!
Bill W.

[Railcarmover]

That's the question,I haven't made up my mind yet about the build.The body is in excellent shape,and would make a nice "original" restoration...the box is cool enough to be a basis for a WW2 era 25 dollar go job...as you say,it is a part of model A history.

[w.michael]

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The sport coupe is the most beautiful Model A ever produced. (That's a fact, not just my opinion!) Therefore if this car is good candidate for restoration, I would restore the sport coupe, and save the pick up box for use on a standard coupe or ragged roadster that may not be complete and restorable. The pickup slide-in IS a part of Model A history--but it is neither very practical nor very attractive. Perhaps it would make a good "patina" car project.

W. Michael

[Tom Wesenberg]

Years ago my friend bought a 1930 Coupe with the slide in box, and he left it just as he bought it.
I think he did the right thing.

[Railcarmover]

Originally Posted by w.michael

The sport coupe is the most beautiful Model A ever produced. (That's a fact, not just my opinion!) Therefore if this car is good candidate for restoration, I would restore the sport coupe, and save the pick up box for use on a standard coupe or ragged roadster that may not be complete and restorable. The pickup slide-in IS a part of Model A history--but it is neither very practical nor very attractive. Perhaps it would make a good "patina" car project.

W. Michael

You have a point about the pickup box...and about sport coupes in general,I agree they are a good looking car..the box kills the coupe body line That being sad,the box is a fine example of workmanship...

[midgetracer]

I don't know who decided on the beauty of sport Coupes, but I for one don't see them as attractive as some other body styles...eg Victorias, roadsters or Phaetons to name a few. I think attractive is a personal preference just like with the opposite sex.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

My favorites are the 5 Window Coupes & the Tudors. I know they're the most COMMON, but I'm COMMON too! BUT, my DOG is SPECIAL!
Bill Plain

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by midgetracer

I don't know who decided on the beauty of sport Coupes, but I for one don't see them as attractive as some other body styles...eg Victorias, roadsters or Phaetons to name a few. I think attractive is a personal preference just like with the opposite sex.

Yep, and the oval window coupe is hard to beat.

[midgetracer]

A talking, thinking Dog is special everywhere. Long live Buster T.

[w.michael]

OK, Mr. Wesenberg, I'll give an "honorable mention" to the oval window coupe, which is the first cousin of the Sport Coupe.

W. Michael

[Railcarmover]

Ain't gonna argue with a talking dog,ya both get muddy and the pig likes it. Dont find too many folks who kept the box..Ive got to think on it some but Im visualizing a Sport Coupe commercial car,something along the lines of a delivery car..basically restore the car and rebuild the box with oak..festoon the doors with a period florist logo..

[JDupuis]

I like it the way it is. If I were to restore it to original, I'd restore it to a "trunk" rather then the rumble seat. Easier storage of tools, groceries, ect.... Good looking car. Jeff

[1930artdeco]

Here is my two cents worth. It looks like someone did a really really good job fitting that box to the car. How about putting a "rough time worn" top on it and 'faded' door lettering so that it looks like it just came from the 40's? I think you would get more looks and more interest in the car. I like it as is.

Mike

[Railcarmover]

A 25 dollar WW2 "go job" is an option I'm considering as well...leave it rough, "antique" the areas already sandblasted and go full on patina it fits the cheap prick I am,patina is a fancy word for "lowball"...and spend the dough on the 'go' part,see if I can squeeze 60 horse out of her and freeway speed without giving Mitchell my first born male..

[Beater]

prity cool as-is my vote is clean it up and leave it how it is

[Brentwood Bob]

Gas rationing could have encouraged this modification. My first a was out of a Redlands, CA orange grove. Had a gas ration sticker on the windshield along with a similar wooden hauling box where the trunk lid usta be.
Bob

[CHuDWah]

Originally Posted by Railcarmover

Ain't gonna argue with a talking dog,ya both get muddy and the pig likes it. Dont find too many folks who kept the box..Ive got to think on it some but Im visualizing a Sport Coupe commercial car,something along the lines of a delivery car..basically restore the car and rebuild the box with oak..festoon the doors with a period florist logo..

I'm partial to Sport Coupes having restored one with my Dad. But they aren't that rare so I wouldn't argue for a stock restoration as much as I would for an unusual body style. The box is part of the car's history and does make it more unique. More generally, it is illustrative of what happened to a lot of A's. So I think you should keep it whether you "patina" the car or make it shiny. I vote for the latter as I'm not much for patina. Maybe not as historic but it would make a very classy delivery car.