1929 Ford Model A Hotrod

This all steel 1929 Model A Roadster was built by Wayne Rochon of London, Ontario, between 2007 and 2010. Three years and over 3000 hours were spent on the build. Wayne was eminently qualified for the task in hand, being a professor who taught motor engineering at the local technical college.

The car has the ubiquitous Chevy small block V8 under its hood, and of course it’s nothing like standard. Just listen to it snarl in the video.

This beautifully put together hot rod has been painted in a dark metallic blue-black, a GM colour. Smart, elegant, and clearly done to a high standard - impressive stuff. However, this is not a show car or trailer queen, as they are sometimes called; close inspection reveals some stone chips here and there. This car was built to drive; it is agile, quick, comfortable on long trips and safe. The lowered stance has been achieved by the construction of a flat cross-member and notching the frame for spring clearance.

Traditional ‘steelie’ wheels are fitted, 15 x 5.5 with 165/80 x15s up front, 15 x 8 with 235/75 x 15s to the rear. Hub caps are from a 1948 Mercury. The 3-inch chopped windshield and posts are Brookville glazed with laminated safety glass, fitted with exterior rear-view mirrors.

The petrol filler cap comes from a Triumph Spitfire, boot hinges from a 1936 Austin, while it’s believed the rear licence plate lamp comes from an original AC Bristol Shelby Cobra.

Taillights originate from a 1941 Chevrolet with traditional hot rod bucket headlamps up front through which the indicators function. The rear indicators are discreet amber motorcycle lights.

Especially impressive is the new hood, custom made in 2019/2020 by W.A. Ramsey Coach Trimmers in Edinburgh, using German navy-blue canvas; a fitted cover secures the hood when it is down. There’s a matching tonneau cover, ideal if travelling solo with the roof down.

Side screens were made too, making roof-up travel on cold day a much more pleasurable experience. For just such occasions a powerful vintage heater is fitted, originating from a 1939 Dodge van.

The aforementioned trimmers were also tasked with redoing the interior. The finest Connolly navy blue hide was used for both the seats and side panels. Traditional hot rod style pleats were used, the results impressive. Plenty of soundproofing was installed at the same time.

The instrument panel is an original 1934 Plymouth Art Deco piece with column-mounted Stewart Warner tachometer.

The boot has also been fitted out with new wood panels, sound-proofing and suitable trimming. The leather clad steering wheel is a delight both to hold and behold and as a security measure, it can easily be removed.

The original 29 Model A chassis, or frame as the Americans refer to them, is fitted with custom crossmembers, a chrome front end and split 40-Ford radius rods front and rear. The original frame is boxed with a flat front crossmember and a custom centre crossmember with a drop out section to facilitate removal of the transmission. There’s a 7-inch kick to the rear to a Model A rear crossmember that has been laid flat to mount the coil-overs rear spring/damper units.

The front end is a Chassis Engineering drop forged chromed axle, with RideTech shocks up front and RideTech coil-overs at the rear. The radius rods have tie rod ends on the front and ’60s Chevy upper control arm bushings at the rear to eliminate bind. There is a chromed torque arm that prevents pinion wrap and a Panhard rod to eliminate sway.

As the photos of the underside and chassis of the car show, the condition is excellent, showing the care and attention that’s gone into this Model A.

The Roadster’s spec is as follows.

• Engine is a 355 Chevy small block with 461 heads, ported and polished with 2.02/1.64 valves. 9:73/1 Jahns pistons, a Lunatti VDBC 268 cam (duration 268 x 276, lift 542 exhaust 554 intake – that’s a hot rod.) The engine has been rolling road tested and rated at over 230bhp. It’s covered approximately 15,000 miles since being built.
• Fi-Tech Fuel Injection with new custom-made aluminium fuel tank, pumps and lines.
• Custom-made aluminium battery frame, rally standard battery, with cut-off switch (behind seat).
• Stainless steel exhaust manifolds.
• Pertronix Ignition in original distributor casing.
• Custom aluminium radiator.
• Transmission is a manual Camaro Borg Warner T5 five-speed (rebuilt with new bearings).
• An 8-inch Ford Mustang rear end (rebuilt).
• Hydraulic clutch.
• Front brakes are 12-inch discs with a 5 x 5.5 Ford pattern. GM calipers with Ford discs.
• Rear brakes are Ford Crown Victoria disc brakes.
• Wiring is a 12 circuit Rebel Wiring harness with 2 open circuits. Every joint is soldered, not crimped.
• Total weight 2,200 lbs.
• Rear coil-overs currently rated at 175lbs.

The engine compartment is a sight to behold and as far as we can tell, everything looks to be in mighty fine shape, as befits a car that has been loved, enjoyed, and properly cared for.

The roadster meets the regulations for membership of the British National Hot Rod Association, the NHRA. To join the Vintage Hot Rod Association (VHRA) the rear coil-overs would need to be removed, a transverse spring fitted, and the disc brakes replaced with drum brakes.

The previous owner was advised that the cost of making these changes would be around £1500. Crossply tires are also required. With the appropriate roll bar and other safety equipment the roadster would then be eligible to run in the speed trials on Pendine Sands in Wales. Below is an image taken in 2014, whilst in Ontario and before its British re-trim, of it with a rather large trophy!

Our seller bought the car last April from an American who built and raced hot rods in Southern California in the 1950s before moving to Britain. He found the car for sale on a specialist Hot Rod site and journeyed from his Scottish home to America in 2015 to view the Roadster, after which he shipped the Model A to the UK.

He then lavished the car with attention, improving it in many ways to suit his taste and the UK climate. A quality hood was a necessity, as well as side screens too. The interior was completely retrimmed.

There is a raft of paperwork accompanying the car, detailing the work carried out on UK shores the previous American owner. For example, receipts for the trimming costs are available, the final bill totalling circa £7,000, including the Connolly hides.

The current owner has also lavished time and money on the car. In particular, a large amount of attention has been directed on the brakes to make them perform as well as is possible. Please see invoices in the document gallery.

Cars like this appeal to a small but discerning market, folk who appreciate engineering and heritage and the ability to drive fast. Folk for whom a risk assessment is a self-regulated concept that balances danger against fun in a way that most of us have forgotten how to do.

The sort of people who ask “why not?” rather than “why?”.

And for this we salute them – and you, if you decide to bid because you are the sort of free-spirited soul that keeps vintage and hot rod driving alive.

A beautifully executed hot rod in the classic style, built from a proper steel body. The genuine article, rare and unique.

We estimate this vehicle to fetch between £28,000 - £35,000 in auction.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.