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model a door hinges

5K views 11 replies 6 participants last post by  scootertrashmike 
#1 ·
does anyone know of any hidden hinges for a model a 2 dr sedan 1930,thanks scootertrashmike
 
#3 ·
Most hidden hinges are not just a bolt on installation. The ones I have used require a pretty good degree of fabrication to install. The doors have to open correctly and I haven't seen any that just bolt on, even the ones on 'glass bodies operate entirely different than the originals.
 
#4 ·
Why - originals are very small in relation to the car?? They aren't much more then a house door hinge as an OEM item

Unless you "suicide" the doors, you will find that the upper hinge will be nearly impossible to pocket and hide as the 'A' post has virtually no cross section. Then if you do suicide the doors, you might even run into some problems again with the upper hinge as the 'B' post/door jam, i.e., it, again, has a very small cross section there. Another problem with a Model A with original front hinged doors is lack of real room in the foot area, especially if you have a recessed firewall, for the lower hinge. My 'A' roadster is tight with a 5" recess and my size 12 feet, a brake and gas pedal plus a dimmer switch.

But with that said, many have been done. All it takes is some ingenuity and a lot of choice words along with a few bucks.

Dave W
 
#5 · (Edited)
It can be done, I made up a set very similar to the ones that speedway sells, but scaled down to fit a model T roadster, and they were mounted in front. The problem with an A is that the body tapers in so much at the bottom. So a pair of hinges sized to fit inside the doorjam will make the door swing down as it swings out. The problem with that is it looks funny when the door is open, and it swings out as gravity takes over..which can be a problem in a parking lot if you are parked close to another car.
I also designed and made several sets for 29 roadsters, that let the door swing 90* open and stay somewhat level, but each hinge was different, left and right, upper and lower with the lowers being so big that they stuck into the footwell about 3/4" when closed.

It took a fair amount of mocking up, moving pivot points around and making the hinges clear the jam when they swung to make it all work.

I have seen several setups with a single wide hinge mounted a bit higher in the door. You will lose the upper hinge, and consequently the door will rattle some.

And yes it is a bunch of work..no matter how you do it..I've installed a couple of sets of the speedway ones, and it ain't a one day job.

Those hinges in the picture are 1 1/4" wide steel, and the channel that the hinge pocket is made from is 1 1/2 wide, by 1 3/8" thick to fit in the doorjamb.


Later,
mikey
 

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#6 ·
powerrodsmike said:
It can be done, I made up a set very similar to the ones that speedway sells, but scaled down to fit a model T roadster, and they were mounted in front. The problem with an A is that the body tapers in so much at the bottom. So a pair of hinges sized to fit inside the doorjam will make the door swing down as it swings out. The problem with that is it looks funny when the door is open, and it swings out as gravity takes over..which can be a problem in a parking lot if you are parked close to another car.
I also designed and made several sets for 29 roadsters, that let the door swing 90* open and stay somewhat level, but each hinge was different, left and right, upper and lower with the lowers being so big that they stuck into the footwell about 3/4" when closed.

It took a fair amount of mocking up, moving pivot points around and making the hinges clear the jam when they swung to make it all work.

I have seen several setups with a single wide hinge mounted a bit higher in the door. You will lose the upper hinge, and consequently the door will rattle some.

And yes it is a bunch of work..no matter how you do it..I've installed a couple of sets of the speedway ones, and it ain't a one day job.

Those hinges in the picture are 1 1/4" wide steel, and the channel that the hinge pocket is made from is 1 1/2 wide, by 1 3/8" thick to fit in the doorjamb.


Later,
mikey

Mikey - roadsters with their scrawny <15 pound doors seem to work fine, it's the sedans with their slim A and B "pillar" that are a b@#$% to do and that's what guy is working on :welcome:

Dave W
 
#8 ·
Irelands child said:
Mikey - roadsters with their scrawny <15 pound doors seem to work fine, it's the sedans with their slim A and B "pillar" that are a b@#$% to do and that's what guy is working on :welcome:

Dave W
I knew that Dave. Compromises have to be made to do hidden hinges on a coupe or sedan. Those hinges that I pictured would do the job if scooter made them with thicker leaves. Like I said, a fair amount of mockup is needed.

Later, mikey
 
#10 ·
The first set I made for a 29 roadster it took me a week to get the swing and arc right, tacking bits of steel together and moving my pivots around....Then I had to build the real set, and install them.

Later, mikey
 
#11 · (Edited)
powerrodsmike said:
The first set I made for a 29 roadster it took me a week to get the swing and arc right, tacking bits of steel together and moving my pivots around....Then I had to build the real set, and install them.

Later, mikey
That is exactly the problem I am having. This is probably the most frustrating job yet, not helped by me making my own door, door sill and everything else. A movement of a thousand of an inch or so on the hinge puts the other end of the door out eighth inch or more. oh the joys of making your own body. Thanks for making me feel a little better.
 
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