Model A – Turning a Surprise Project into a Reliable Cruiser

Dennis's Model A – Turning a Surprise Project into a Reliable Cruiser
Dennis purchased his Model A hoping to avoid a full-blown project. He knew there were a few issues to address, but he was aiming for a light refresh—not a complete overhaul. However, once the car arrived at FFR and underwent our full evaluation, it became clear that much more work was needed to make it safe, reliable, and enjoyable.

The car still rode on its heavily modified original 1932 chassis, which featured a poorly installed 4-link rear suspension, a questionable Mustang II front end, leaking brakes, and failing steering components. The engine and transmission were leaking badly, the wiring was in disrepair, and the floor supports were rusted with rotting wood panels.

We started by removing and discarding the original chassis, replacing it with a modern TCI setup featuring an improved 4-link rear suspension, independent front suspension with a steering rack, and four-wheel disc brakes. We replaced the wood floor with steel pans, installed a recessed steel firewall (replacing the original one that had been glued in and sealed with duct tape), and fabricated a proper transmission tunnel.

The engine was solid internally, so we resealed it, performed a valve job with hardened seats, and refinished it in gloss black. We rebuilt the transmission and installed a Ford 9" rear axle. The entire car was rewired using an American Autowire harness for modern reliability.

For comfort and usability, we installed ProCar by Scat seats, modifying the passenger side with custom brackets and hinges to fold forward for easier rear seat access. We also integrated electric power steering assist and an electric parking brake actuator.

What began as a simple fix-up turned into a beautifully updated and highly drivable hot rod. Dennis’s Model A is now a stylish cruiser, ready for the road—as long as there are plenty of gas stations along the way.