Joe had originally bought a '35 Ford delivery to have as his project, but with an ever growing family, he decided we needed a rod to fit everyone in, so with help from a couple of friends, he went looking for a new project. After looking around for a while, they came across the Model A, which looked in fair condition, until he bought it home. On closer inspection Joe realised it was a basket case, which meant he would have to start from scratch.
The chassis came first. It was stripped and sandblasted, all the welds redone and smoothed off. At this stage the rear was tubbed 6". The front end has a TCI dropped I beam, with 4 bar suspension and aluminium callipers. On top sits a 307 blown small block Chev. All the engine machining was handled by JB performance at Granville, and put together by Joe, and Joe's buddy, Mark Lewin. Joe custom made the 2" extractors, with a 2 1/2" exhaust system, coupled with stainless mufflers. Also mounted underneath is the custom made battery box. With a little more help from Mark Lewins, the A Model has 2 aluminium fuel tanks fitted underneath.
The trans is a Powerglide, which was upgraded by Ross Burgess of Seven Hills. An XY steering box is held there with a hand crafted bracket made by Richard Botica. Brakes are XB master cylinder, 200B power booster using HX Torana callipers. The master cylinder and booster are mounted under the double steel floor, made and fitted by Joe. The narrowed 9" Ford diff housing is held in place by the stainless steel triangulated four bar suspension, and the adjustable coil over shocks. Front rims are 15x6, and rear rims 15x10 Dragways, fitted with Micky Thompson tyres.
The bodywork, all done by Joe, includes a 3" chop on an all steel body with custom made Ford tailights, a customised Commodore fuel flap, custom firewall and bonnet. Joe, also with the help of his extraordinary wife Tammy, filled the roof with a sheet of 6' x 4' steel. Joe made templates for the windows, and the glass was cut at the Pilkington factory. Joe completed the final bodywork and preparations at Western Smash Repairs workshop, Seven Hills, where it was given a gleaming coat of-early in the morning, "look in the paint tin", "Just hit it"-dark blue 2 pack paint.
Trim was left in the capable hands of Brad Brown at Riverstone. We chose a light grey and dark blue wool cloth, with patterns recessed in the door trims. The A Model also has a heater/demister, with a fully working 4 arm washer/wiper set-up.
Joe would like to thank his wonderful family for their patience, and unending help, to finally enjoy their great looking hot rod. "It pulled an 11.6 at the hot rod Nationals drag day on Good Friday!"
Story by Tammy Jurado.
