Model A Triple Play

Here are Some of Our Favorite Fenderless Model A’s

By Chuck Vranas – Photography by the Author

Injecting a personal style into your hot rod has been a mainstay of the hobby ever since it got started. Regardless if you were stripping it down for greater speeds at the dry lakes or trying to give it a more aggressive stance with plenty of attitude for the street, one thing for sure is that the modifications gave it a fingerprint distinct to the owner. By taking a look at the cool fenderless Model A’s in our latest Triple Play you can see just how unique each one is from the other. Regardless if you dig a chopped highboy, un-chopped and channeled style or chopped and channeled, this trio covers all the bases. Know that we’ll have even more to follow as there are plenty of wicked cool examples out there.

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Chassis: Solid Axle Ford Rearend

Dave DeBaar of Byron Center, Michigan, blended plenty of tradition in his 1930 Ford Model A. Starting with a JW Rod Garage frame, he worked with his dad to add custom center and rear crossmembers. Outback a Ford 9-inch rear packs Moser 31-spline axles spinning 3.50:1 gears. It’s suspended in place by Shadow Rods radius rods matched to a 1940 Ford transverse leaf spring and NAPA tube shocks. Up front, a 4-inch dropped axle from Super Bell was deftly matched to 1946 Ford spindles, 1939 Ford split ‘bones, Speedway Motors transverse leaf spring and Chassis Engineering tube shocks. For the right stance, a set of 1946 Ford steelies wear big ‘n’ little’s from Firestone / Coker.

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Engine & Trans: 295-inch Ford & Holley 94-Series Carbs

CD’s Engine Service 289ci Ford block, massaged to 295ci with Ford crankshaft linked to matching rods capped with Keith Black pistons getting bumped by a stick from Elgin. Tweaked Ford iron heads are matched to an Offenhauser dual quad intake with an owner-designed adapter to mount four Holley 94-series carbs. A Ford C4 from Tom Marklevitz links to a driveshaft from Neal’s Truck Parts.

Body & Interior: Nason 1969 Mercedes Blue & 1950 Hudson Gauges

Dave stripped the body, proving the steel was in mint condition. Mike Boerema of Gas Axe Garage then gave the roof a perfect chop, removing 4-inchs front and 3 ½-inches in back. Bodywork was handled by Dave along with his dad, Gordon, and Conrad Dejong. Paint by John Ruiz is Nason 1969 Mercedes Blue. A 1935 Ford dash was adapted with the original gauges. A 1955 Ford steering column and shifter is topped by a 1940 Ford wheel from LimeWorks. Joe Vieau stitched the pleated interior in camel and black leather.

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Chassis: Solid Axle Ford Rearend

Andrew Landick of Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada, channels perfection with his 1931 Ford Model A. The owner fabricated frame from 2×4-inch rectangular steel features custom crossmembers along with a 4-inch front and 12-inch rear kick. Out back a Ford 9-inch rear spins 28-spline axles to 3.89 gears. It hangs in place with 42-inch ladder bars combined with Panhard bar and QA1 coilover shocks. In front a 4-inch dropped Super Bell axle wears 1941 Ford spindles linked to 1930 Ford split ‘bones supported by a SO-CAL Speed Shop transverse spring and matching tube shocks. For a classic look, 1940 Ford 16-inch steelies are capped with rubber from Firestone/Coker.

Engine & Trans: 330-Inch Oldsmobile & Stromberg 97-Series Carbs

Rob Verhoeven bumped an Oldsmobile 324ci block to 330ci and Andrew filled it with a refreshed factory crank linked to matching rods wearing an Egge Machine slugs getting bumped by a stick from Ross Racing. Warmed over iron heads meet an Edelbrock intake topped by a trio of Stromberg carbs wearing owner-designed air cleaners. A 1939 LaSalle trans links to a custom driveshaft by Andrew.

Body & Interior: Axalta Kodiak Brown & 1937 Ford Gauges

Andrew reworked the tired body by first replacing all the lower areas with fresh stock, crafted new floors and incorporated a deep 4-inch channel. He then metal finished the body, set all gaps and laid down a coating of Axalta Kodiak Brown. A 1937 Ford dash packs original restored dials while a 1962 Corvair steering column and wheel is matched to a Hurst shifter. Terry Mick covered the custom bench with honey-toned vinyl while Andrew handled the balance of the interior.

Chassis: Solid Axle Winters V8 Quick-Change Rearend

Ron Lasker of Eggertsville, New York, slammed his 1931 Ford Model A to the ground. Owner-modified stock frame from the firewall back with 2×4-inch rectangular steel, widened to contour inside the body complete with custom crossmembers. Out back a Winters V-8 quick-change spins 4.15 gears, suspended in place by 1934 Ford split ‘bones, 1936 Ford transverse leaf spring and QA1 tube shocks. Up front a 4-inch dropped Magnum axle links to 1941 Ford spindles, 1931 Ford split ‘bones, Mr. Roadster mono-leaf spring and Speedway Motors tube shocks. It all rolls on 16-inch 1935 Ford wires with big ‘n’ little wide whites from Coker.

Engine & Trans: 239-inch Ford & Holley 94-Series Carbs

Ron built a 239ci mill starting with a 1953 Ford block filled with a refreshed Ford rotating assembly and cam. A set of Edelbrock finned aluminum heads are matched to a Hexagon Tool & Die intake wearing a pair of reverse-mounted Holley 94-series carbs topped with louvered air cleaners. A GM T5 trans with a Flat-o Products adapter meets a driveshaft from Fleet Pride.

Body & Interior: PPG Ivory / Kansas City Teal & VDO Gauges

Ron worked with Dennis Davern and Darryl Stachura, chopping the top 6 inches, adding a 16-inch channel, modifying the cowl sides and other body updates. Scott Fentzke fabricated the new custom floors and The Miracle Workshop prepped the body and laid down the PPG Ivory. Rondvoo finished with the PPG Kansas City Teal scallops. Inside, a 1949 Mercury dash is packed with stock and VDO dials, custom steering wheel and shifter. Upholstery Unlimited covered a pair of vintage movie theatre seats for comfort. MR

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