Pro-touring Model A or 32' Build?

[caudill_danny]

I have been on and off this site for a while, but never post anything. I'm 29 years old and a real car nut. I have been wanting to build a pro touring Model A or 32' either of which will be fiberglass. Does anyone know of anyone building one? I know about the ridetech 33' but hell that thing might as well have a nascar chassis under it, lol. I was just recently laid off, thanks Obama, (yes I am a coal miner) so I might get off to a slow start but will definitely be starting on it soon. Any advice, input, or info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks and remember COAL KEEPS THE LIGHTS ON!!!!

[MonzaRacer]

I have been on and off this site for a while, but never post anything. I'm 29 years old and a real car nut. I have been wanting to build a pro touring Model A or 32' either of which will be fiberglass. Does anyone know of anyone building one? I know about the ridetech 33' but hell that thing might as well have a nascar chassis under it, lol. I was just recently laid off, thanks Obama, (yes I am a coal miner) so I might get off to a slow start but will definitely be starting on it soon. Any advice, input, or info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks and remember COAL KEEPS THE LIGHTS ON!!!!


Well go check out www.ridetech.com (http://www.ridetech.com), and no its not nascar chassis its part Ridetech part factory five kit,and they have a factory five roadster that just beat a lambo in Hot Rods handling test. had couple other ok cars there too.
Bret really knows how to build suspension too!
If Bret hadnt done it I doubt the 33 would have any where near as good. Not to say Factory Five stuff isnt good, but Bret and crew MADE that car competetive. And he built for not breaking, but I think slightly different rearend, different engine trans might still be a runner. BUT the Ridetech suspension parts really made it work best.
kind of like Bret pulled out his magic polishing cloth to polish an already awesome kit package. But then Bret usually does that anyway.
All other kits are built to cruise or sit in grass and look pretty. For the most part.

[caudill_danny]

I know its not a nascar chassis, I was just being sarcastic. I wish I could afford that kit, but I will have to do like most people and buy it a little bit at a time. Thanks for your input though, I appreciate it.

[shmoov69]

I have looked over and over and can't find the pic where there was a BITCHIN fenderless 32 5 window that was on 17 or 18" black 5 spoke wheels. The car was blacked out and was ether yellow gold or greenish gold, can't remember. I got a pic on my computer at work, but can't find where I got it from on the web. I'll keep looking.

[AutoX_a_Truck?]

This road race '32 was posted awhile back

https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?86880-Anyone-know-of-this-32-Ford-at-Laguna-Seca

Donny (dontlifttoshift) has an awesome and fast pro-touring style '32 Ford too

[caudill_danny]

That's close to the look I'm after, thanks for the inspiration. That black 32' is wicked.

[caudill_danny]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[caudill_danny]

I have looked over and over and can't find the pic where there was a BITCHIN fenderless 32 5 window that was on 17 or 18" black 5 spoke wheels. The car was blacked out and was ether yellow gold or greenish gold, can't remember. I got a pic on my computer at work, but can't find where I got it from on the web. I'll keep looking.

Is that it?

[Twentyover]

Not a 32 and not a Ford... but I think it's cool

http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/113_0703_1935_chevy/

[dontlifttoshift]

Yes, the gold 5w is the one Jimmy was talking about. I saw that car in DesMoines and then Louisville but I have never seen it again. Love the way the car sits but I never saw it once turn a tire in anger.

To the OP, when you say pro-touring what are you looking for? Is it about having a car that actually handles?

[carbuff]

FWIW, you can purchase the Factory Five kit in stages as I recall. Buy the chassis now, start doing the work on it, then buy the body later as funds allow... Just a thought.

[caudill_danny]

Yes I want one that actually handles, something to drive and beat on, and if I'm around one auto cross it too.

[caudill_danny]

It doesn't have to be a NASA engineered vehicle, but I want something that works. I've owned quite a few newer model mustang's but this will be my first ground up build, I just want to make sure I've done the right research to get the results I'm after.

[shmoov69]

Yes that's the one....... Whoooa mama!!! That's the one!!!!
I am more of a traditional style "hot rodder", but that gold 5 window is BITCHIN!!! Prolly won't turn for crap with the straight axle, but looks sweet!!

[71RS/SS396]

We are doing one as a company car, Brian Fuller has been hard at it. This video has a few sneak peeks of it. http://fullerhotrods.com/fuller-frenzy-video/

[dontlifttoshift]

Prolly won't turn for crap with the straight axle, but looks sweet!!

Sprint cars have straight axles........

[cornfedbill]

This road race '32 was posted awhile back

https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?86880-Anyone-know-of-this-32-Ford-at-Laguna-Seca

Donny (dontlifttoshift) has an awesome and fast pro-touring style '32 Ford too

That is one cool ride!

[cornfedbill]

I have always thought a track style Model "T" done in pro-touring style would be cool. The other bonus is that the kits are cheap (at least relatively speaking). http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway-1927-Track-T-Roadster-Kit,4010.html

The biggest problem would be chassis flex. A full cage would be in order to make it stiff enough.

[High Plains Mopars]

Not a 32 and not a Ford... but I think it's cool

http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/113_0703_1935_chevy/



You might want to consider doing something along the lines of this car.

Build a chassis based on an IMCA modified, which is a tweaked and tuned GM perimeter frame from the doors forward. Rear section is fabricated three link, 5 link, torque arm or truck arm set up. Then you can build whatver body style you want on top of it. Beauty of this approach is that you can utilize widely available "read that as inexpensive" GM oval track parts to get very good handling for very little coin.

[caudill_danny]

Sprint cars have straight axles........

Yes they do!!! lol. I have some questions maybe you can answer. I really want a tube axle, I like the look of them with hair pins but are 4 bars more functional and adjustable? Thanks for any advice.

[feeble]

I have always thought a track style Model "T" done in pro-touring style would be cool. The other bonus is that the kits are cheap (at least relatively speaking). http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway-1927-Track-T-Roadster-Kit,4010.html

The biggest problem would be chassis flex. A full cage would be in order to make it stiff enough.

I've been thinking about this for quite a while and will probably be my next project when my Mustang is done. Independent front suspension, 3 link 8" Ford rear and a 4 cylinder engine. Very cheap and light with great weight distribution. I think a tube frame underneath the body panels would take most of the flex out without resorting to a full cage on such a light car. Think large go-cart.

Plus, Speedway is about 3 hours from me.

[dontlifttoshift]

Yes they do!!! lol. I have some questions maybe you can answer. I really want a tube axle, I like the look of them with hair pins but are 4 bars more functional and adjustable? Thanks for any advice.

I really don't like tube axles. They don't twist like an I beam does and it affects ride quality regardless of your axle locating device. I prefer hairpins over a four bar for aesthetic reasons but they also package better. The lower bar on a four bar hangs under the chassis in most applications by about 4" where the single rear mount on a hairpin can tuck up tight to the bottom of the frame. With a tube axle you should run a four bar because the urethane ends give you the compliance you need to make up for the lack of twist in a tube axle.

For the Speedway guys, there is a reason their kits are so cheap.

Danny, I might have missed it, are looking to do a coupe or roadster?

[caudill_danny]

I have actually considered a coupe and a roadster, each have their good and bad points. Thats one thing I haven't decided. I'm partial to a coupe but really like roadsters.

[shmoov69]

Sprint cars have straight axles........

Yes, and different size tires and only turn left and drive on dirt!! LOL!!
I'm sure that there is a way to make them turn, kind of, I'm just not sure how would be the best way.

[novaderrik]

i've always wanted something along the lines of the Quadradeuce..

http://www.summitracing.com/expertadviceandnews/featuredvehicles/q-deuce-redux-summit-racings-all-wheel-drive-32-roadster/slideshow

[qnitro]

Holy crap that's a cool car



Not a 32 and not a Ford... but I think it's cool

http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/113_0703_1935_chevy/

[cornfedbill]

I've been thinking about this for quite a while and will probably be my next project when my Mustang is done. Independent front suspension, 3 link 8" Ford rear and a 4 cylinder engine. Very cheap and light with great weight distribution. I think a tube frame underneath the body panels would take most of the flex out without resorting to a full cage on such a light car. Think large go-cart.

Plus, Speedway is about 3 hours from me.

I would use a Locost 7 style chassis. http://www.amazon.com/Build-Your-Sports-Little-%C2%A3250/dp/1859606369

I bought the book. It looks too easy not to try.

Low weight. Stiff chassis. With a track T body it would look classic.

[Jetfixr320]

I think Sprint cars slide or "Drift" more then they turn. :-) But, I would drive one in a Second.

[cornfedbill]

I think Sprint cars slide or "Drift" more then they turn. :-) But, I would drive one in a Second.

I think the lack of a clutch and transmission would be a handicap in the speed stop competition. Just maybe.

Actually sprint car racing is the only racing that I can watch for any length of time. Normally I do not consider racing a spectator sport.

[Compaan-Designs]

Wow, Pro-Touring HotRods, awesome :)

[caudill_danny]

dontlifttoshift... I looked through some build pics of your car, and noticed you don't run a front spring or it didn't look like it. Can you explain this? Am I missing something?

[dontlifttoshift]

Yeah, there is a spring. I don't have it in any of the build pics until final assembly. I don't build any cars with springs in them as I am constantly checking clearances through suspension travel and it just makes it easier to leave it out.

I tried a few different springs before and after the rebuild and ultimately the Posies dual leaf rode the best. A monoleaf was sprung to stiff and a full spring pack took up too much space.

As far as making a car with a straight axle turn, its just like anything else, put a fast ratio box in it and go. I bent 1 1/2* degrees negative camber into the axle (can't do that with a tube), I run caster at 8 1/2*, a good set of shocks (ridetech DA in the front) and meticulous setup/assembly. I always wear out the outside of the tires before the inside and it is the best riding axle car I have been in to date........but I did everthing the hard way and learned a lot from it. I went through at least 8 different combinations of pitman arm/steering arm/steering boxes before I settled on what I have now.

By the way, coupes are for chickens! Think of the money you'll save by only buying one piece of glass and not having to have a headliner.