Replica of Vehicle in Grand Rapids Museum, 90% finished

A VERY UNIQUE SPECIALTY MODEL A FORD POPCORN WAGON

SOLID MAPLE BODY BASED ON A MUSEUM VEHICLE

A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY WITH MOST OF THE WORK DONE!

This vehicle started life as a 1928 or 1929 (has early features but title states 1929) Model A Ford Tudor.   Due to a tragedy in my life I was in need of a project in 1994.   "Model "A" News". a publication of Model A Restorers Club. had a featured cover vehicle in their July/August 1994 magazine. of a popcorn vehicle restored/built by the "Grand As". a Model A Ford Club in Wyoming Michigan and donated to the Grand Rapids Michigan Museum.   I decided to replicate it so visited the museum several times and took photos and measurements and drew up plans.   One of the pictures I included is of this magazine cover.

First I rebuilt the sheet metal and mechanics.   The engine was rebuilt by Integrity Automotive Machine 2858 N Cicero. Chicago. IL 60641.   New pistons and rings and seals were added along with new valves and hardened seats.   The rod and crank bearings were rebabbitted and line bored by Effingham Regrinding Inc. Effingham. IL.   Integrity also resurfaced the flywheel and installed new clutch and pressure plate.   The transmission has new bearings and seals. new universal joints and the differential was rebuilt with new seals.   3. 54 gears were installed in the differential along with matching speedo gears. for better cruising speeds on modern roads.

A new radiator is installed. The water pump is rebuilt with stainless steel shaft and new seals.   The front bumper is polished stainless steel and the radiator shell is restored and replated.   It has new original type lever action shocks. new leaf springs. and suspension parts.   Bob drake repro steering wheel.   The two major deviations from originality are the hudraulic brakes and 6V alternator.   The wheels are powder coated.   The chassis is painted with Imron black. A new wire loom was installed and it was kept as a six volt system.

The body is the pièce de résistance.   I built it all of solid maple with rail and stile construction.   The floor is full length tongue and groove solid maple.   The secondary wood on the drawers is all soid maple and they are dovetailed front and back.   All the cabinet doors and body doors are built and need installation (except for the windshield frame).   All of the drawers are built and fitted.   The glass is all 1/4" tempered plate glass with 1" bevel on all edges and it is all provided (again except for the windshile which should. of course. be safety glass).

If I keep this vehicle I would repaint the sheet metal with modern materials. finish the interior with spar varnish as the exterior is. Do the exteror graphics in a more authentic fashion than the museum vehicle. install the electric lights and put on a fabric top. as originally used in this era.   If the purchaser is interested. I will include. free of charge. the original magizine with the interesting story of the Model A Ford club which restored the museum vehicle.   It is intertaining and shows some of their construction photos. I have an original 1929 Cretors popcorn machine with the rotating cylinder and the clown.   It is original with beveled glass doors.   It would be sold separately.   I also have a fully restored brass nickle plated National cash register which is the small model used in candy stores.   It also would be sold separately if a buyer is interested.    

I put a lot of time. and work into this vehicle and hoped to use it for our "Hospital Day" at Shriners Hospital when finished.   A lot has changed in my life since 1994 and I've started and completed several other projects since then.   Shriners Hospital no longer has this celebration and I'm well into restoring a 1961 E-Type Jaguar and don't see myself finishing the Ford for a few years yet.   If someone is interested in a very unique specialty vehicle that has been built with incredible attention to detail. this is an opportunity for you.  

It is stored in an enclosed structure at: Rochelle Storage Co. c/o Connie Ross PO Box 392150 N. 15th St. Rochelle IL 61068.  

 It's about 85 miles from my home in Chicago.   If someone is seriously interested and wants to view the vehicle we'll have to make arrangements to meet there with the storage facility owner.   Shipping would be up to the purchaser but I would be as cooperative as possible to assist.  

Don't hesitate to ask further questions.

Also published at eBay.com

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