Mercury-Powered! 1929 Ford Model A Hot Rod
Parked since 1958, this innocuous Ford boasts a few surprises that make it even more interesting today. Equipped with a later “flathead” Mercury V8, it also features an add-on overdrive. Together those modifications bring to mind a 1971 song, the one-shot-wonder “Hot Rod Lincoln” by Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. The song car had a Model A body, a Lincoln V8, and overdrive… close enough! In not-running condition, this 1929 Ford Model A in Columbus, Nebraska comes to market here on craigslist.org. Thanks to reader Ikey H. for spotting this fascinating snapshot from the late ’50s. The asking price of $6000 seems like a reasonable entry-point for such a unique ride, but the trailer indicates that today’s buyers missed the real bargain, one sale ago.
The Fenton aluminum heads add horsepower and value, assuming they’re not damaged. A Fenton intake also suggests the Need for Speed possessed a previous owner. The Ford carburetor indicates a limited budget. This sedate-looking two-door may not have been the baddest ride around in ’58, but it probably surprised some people for sure. Ford began installing the mass-produced flathead in 1932, so the transplant is more unexpected than mind-blowing. What’s the accessory mount on the right? Share your comments or other details below.
The fat white walls would have made a statement, adding style to the old-school “A,” and more traction for that V8. The two-door sedan, while not as sporty as a coupe, provides room for four in all-weather conditions. The rumble seat is fun until it’s February and you’ve got a hot double-date.
Hardware store letters on the dash scream “High School,” but what’s wrong with that? Perhaps our veteran hot-rodders can explain the array of unmarked knobs, switches, and levers. Presumably the one to the right of the gear shifter activates the overdrive. Just like today, overdrive lets you run a more aggressive rear axle ratio for acceleration, then “man alive,” you can “shove it on down into overdrive” for highway cruising without suffering high-RPM wear and tear on your engine and eardrums.
The overdrive unit in the center sits just in front of the differential, spinning the rear wheels at a faster than 1:1 ratio. How much depends on the exact unit, but, generally speaking, a 0.50 gear reduction drops engine RPM by 50%, and a 0.70 reduction drops RPMs by 30%. I’m not sure about these old-school units like GearVendors, but that’s the typical overdrive range today. Most five speeds give you 1:1 in Fourth gear, and Fifth is an overdrive between 0.50 and 0.6x. My friend’s 1996 Camaro Z28 has a six-speed with 1:1 in Fourth and two overdrive gears. My 2001 Mercedes C240 has a six speed with 1:1 in Fifth and a single overdrive. At any rate, overdrive is a great invention and a sweet period-correct addition to this depression-era Ford. What would you change on this modified Model A?
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Comments
I live about 2 hours away and am familiar with Model As. Would welcome the opportunity to get out of the house with no shelter in place orders right now if someone wants an in person inspection.
That radiator says something is different, but have to wonder if it even has or had juice brakes. Scary ride but probably rolled down the road. I have no idea what is bolted to the engine on the left side. The heads and generator mount are worth something. Not sure why the generator mount is there with the 2bbl manifold.
Maybe the next modification was going to be the 3 carb manifold and they never got to it. Too much time spent in the back seat maybe?
I’m wondering if it was built earlier (like late 40’s), as no self respecting high schooler would have put “Super Deluxe” on the dash 10 years after the name disappeared from Fords. This is going to be a fun project for the lucky buyer, who may have little competition right now.
The generator is missing from the center-front. That aluminum bracket has a slot & bolt suggesting it is for that generator.
Great period rod – kind of like a Fairmont with a SBC dropped in.
Kind of.
Price may be a good deal, not because it’s a model A, but because of some of the rare parts. If the flathead is in good condition,the price would be very reasonable.
Cool piece of history. Get it running, clean it, restore the stickers and patchwork interior just the way it is
The bracket on the head is to move the generator over to allow for a manifold with multiple carburetors to be mounted. Looks like a stalled project at this point,don’t think it ever ran this way.
Its most likely a 239 100HP, early model 24 head studs with the old monkey head distributer. The heads are awesome , and the thing on the left head is an oil filter, it only filtered like 25 percent of the oil not a full flow type. They are cool but worthless, just change the oil a lot. Odd item is the water outlets on the head that appear to be for a heater? I have never seen them used for anything except temp sending units when I did flatheads. We used the old gas fired southward heaters. yep burning gas in the cockpit! I am sure this puppy is stuck but unbolt those heads with an air gun and flood the sucker with marvel or your choice of penetrant, get her to spin then carefully knock the valves back to life and fire her up. ( she will smoke and gag but it will run, done this before) That distributer is a PITA to set up the points as compared to the newer one.
Levers in the cockpit are the Shifter, the parking brake with the button on top then the overdrive. I never ran an overdrive so I know nothing about them.
Cool ride but there is a lot of work here. If you need a project to get out of the house and into the shop, and who doesn’t, this will def check the box.
With the body as clean as it appears, this is a fun easy project. They are simple to work on, remember the old tool kit for on the road repairs? its only a couple of wrenches! and parts are cheap and easy to source.
ENJOY
Now that I look deeper, this thing probably never ran. the starter wire is not on, the radiator is either wrong ( lower hoses don’t line up), or the new owner would have to go with truck water pumps to raise the engine up to allow for hoses to fit. Def a stalled project that the dreamer figured out just was a pain to make work.
Stay safe gang!
I love this! A textbook example of an early Hot Rod. The Mickey Mouse engineering details only add to the authenticity and appeal. I would love every minute spent sorting this all out.
I hope it does find its way back onto the road sooner rather than later…and with a hydraulic braking system.
This reminds me of those old hot rod kits Aurora put out in the early 1960s
would be cool to bring this back as the original builder planned. Chillywind has some great points to bring her to life. like mentioned, some juice brakes or something newer technology for some whoa. I’d leave that hokey lettering, back in school this was someone’s pride and joy!! The simplicity is too cool.
Cheers
GPC
That radiator looks to have come from a early 40s Ford V8.
What is that pattern on the passengers front seat?
Hot Rod Lincoln was only covered by commander cody. It was originally released in ’55 by Charlie Ryan.
Some AA trucks were equipped with an extra trans with overdrive type gears….which is what looks like what was under it and agree it most likely appears to have not been finished. Stickers on the dash – yep those are period correct……..”and the tail lights was all you could see ” !!!!!