Hello, It always seems that deals of a lifetime only come around when you cannot afford them. A local wrecker company/body shop is eliminating a 1931 Model A Pickup that has been in storage there 30 years. The owner is into muscle cars and is tired of the A Model. The scoop on the truck is this, complete 30-31 model, solid and it runs, comes with 4 wire spoke rims. He said the first $1000 gets it. I love Model As and have always wanted one. I will haft to eliminate my 63 250 project and parts truck to get this A Model. If I got it what way should I go with it? I love the sound of the 4 banger and also the elegant but somehow innocent charm of a stocker. A flathead, primer, 1934 16" wire wheels and whitewalls with fenders or without, a pure early 50s hot rod has also been a favorite of mine. OHV V8 chrome reverses blackwalls slick paint, a John Milner early 60s rod also comes to mild. What does not is, billet, big inch wheels, mags whith spinners, IFS, 350/350, 302/C4, tweed, air conditioning, quad lights (yuk!!) and about every trend in hot rodding since 1962 except traditional. I want a stocker or a pre 1964 era hot rod. Any coments would be greatly appreciated. Also I have a good 1950 R series flathead and also a 59 mercury 312. The flathead conversion is popular with lots of information available but what about a Y block in a Model A does any one have any comments? Thank You , Travis

 

You could always look into some speed goodies for the stock 4 banger. There have been old overhead conversions and such for them...of course those parts are kind of expensive. I would go traditional...flathead V8, period speed parts. You could go with the Y-block, but it's not as traditional looking as a flattie. The 312 made some good power, I have one in my '57 Ford...so it would make sure that little A would scoot. The Milner style late '50's-early '60's ride would be a small block Chebby if you wanted to keep it looking period, maybe a nailhead Buick. The only prob with stock would be it would not be as practical to drive on the streets due to the little motor, stock mechanical brakes, tall and skinny bias plies. Hot rod it a bit and you can have something that can better keep up with todays traffic.

 

I think that either of those engines would work great. Heck you can even put a t-5 behind that flathead for highway fun. I love the look of highboys with finned heads, or the finned valve covers that are available for the y-blocks, and multiple carbs. Say didn't that red-haired guy on Happy Days have a model A pickup?

In my few years of tinkering with old vehicles, I've decided that it's best for me to stick to one vehicle at a time until it's done, becasue if I don't I'll never get anything finished. So if you are really willing to give up '62 completely, I say go for it. Bargins like this don't come around many times.