[JLutz]

Hello all!

I am wanting to build a traditional style (aka rat rod) two door sedan and have to make a choice. Ford model A or Chevy? I plan to do the typical fenderless chop and channel job and have found two possible two door sedans. Both are 28's. One is a Ford model A and the other is a Chevy. Both are equally solid and unrestored. the Ford is about $1k more than the Chevy. I like the fact that the Ford has less Wood structure. However I have seen that a guy in Va makes the wood kits for the Chevy. Does anyone make the inner supports in steel instead of wood? It appears that the rear of the frame of the chevy would need to be cut off to channel the body, neccesitating a different rear suspension. Would an aftermarket A frame work under a Chevy Body? Any advice or input is appreciated.

Joe

[Deuce]

Not to open a can of snakes.........but the Ford will always be worth more Money to most folks.........and it has a great aftermarket and reproduction supply of parts and pieces.

Information on the Ford is a lot more available also.....

You can even sell some of the original Model A parts off that you do not want or need to reduce the buy-in price.......the Chevrolet stuff is vastly less popular.......and all that wood is trouble.....

[Nightfire]

Wood kits are $$$...BUT, how many people with a chevy do you see around? Get the chevy, chop it and put it on a model A frame.





Mike

[Henry Highrise]

A lot of folks replace the wood with square steel tubing. Of course it has to be tweaked and bent etc. to fit properly. Its not a real hard job to do, just takes a little time. I agree with Deuce go with the Ford, you can sell what you don't need and get some of your money back that way. Those Fords originally had wooden floor boards, but anyway to channel it over the frame you will have to fab up a framework to support a new steel floor so If you can cut and weld good enough to do that then replacing the body wood with square steel tubing should be a piece of cake.

[home brew]

I'd say go with the Model A for the simple reason that the Ford styling in this case is better. As well the Ford will have less wood to cut or replace during and after a chop and the channeling. If you like the Chev styling better go with it. You can use a Model A frame or build one out of 2X4 rectangular tubing on either body.

I've seen 28 chev frames used to build highboy Model T's. I think Boyd used one on his Model T coupe. You can use just about any frame if you are willing to cut it up enough and fabricate you own crossmembers and mounts.

[JLutz]

Thanks fot the input. I believe the Model A is the route I will take. I found a complete wood kit for $2800, but the Model A would still be cheaper by the time I bought the wood.