1929 Ford Model A Hot Rod Coupe

Modified 1932 Ford Model B 4-cylinder engine
Triple Stromberg 97 carburetors
Ford C4 3-speed automatic transmission with Gear Vendors overdrive
Leaf Spring suspension
Drum brakes at each wheel

* Second Hot Rod made by Dick Flint after his iconic, 1929 Model A Roadster from the cover of Hot Rod Magazine in May of '52
* Rare four-port Riley overhead valve conversion
* Original car purchased back in 1969
* Great amount of work involved

THE BUILDER - DICK FLINT

Like most of the important figures in the Hot Rod History, Dick Flint's adventure started after WWII under the sun of Southern California. Working at the So-Cal Speed Shop and present at the first Bonneville speed trial in 1949, Flint had the perfect inspiration to put together his first, and almost only, machine - a 29' Model A roadster, directly inspired from the prewar Indianapolis roadster races. Among the heavy modifications the Model A received, the nose might be one of the most recognizable; designed and built in collaboration with Neil Emory at Valley Custom, Flint filled it up with his own built 286-inch '40 Mercury capable of a 143.54-mph pass at El Mirage in 1950.
Seen as one of the most iconic roadsters of its time, the built received various distinctions and recognitions, especially its usage as cover picture for a 1951 issue of Hop Up and the May 1952 cover of Hot Rod Magazine.

In care of a new owner, the car was then put aside for several years before being brought back to life by another owner, Don Orosco, just in time for the 50th Anniversary of the Oakland Roadster Show in 1999. The car was then showed at the second-ever Hot Rod class at the Pebble Beach Concours where it won first in its class.

In 2013, the car was then sold through auction for $577,500, now living a new chapter of its life.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

Celebrating his 75th birthday in 2001, Flint decided it was time to remove the dust from a 29' Model A Coupe bought back in 1969 and undertake a new project. Rigorous in its building process, his first step was to break down the car entirely and have everything laid out as a puzzle. From there, the proper building could start.

Starting with the chassis, Flint took the original Model A rails and had Dagel's Street Rods add one of their X-members and also "Z" the rear crossmember. Dropped I-beam axle went out front while the rear remained the same. Following with the wheels, Flint had two pair of Kelsey Hayes wire wheels installed - 6 inch at the front, 8 at the rear.

The engine was the next big project, and to do so, Flint received help from Taylor Engines from Whittier, CA. The 1932 Model B four-banger received a 1932 C crank, custom Taylor B rods, and a re-sleeving of the block for a set of JEP pistons. A custom-ground billet camshaft (using George Riley's specs) was fabricated, and Isky 185G valve springs with Riley rockers were used with a Riley four-port head from 1936.

The whole block breaths through a trio of Stromberg 97 carbs couple to 4-inch-diameter air cleaners while it is being cooled through a 1936 Ford V-8 water pump, Derale fan and Brassworks radiator.

The power is then sent through a Ford C4 transmission and a Gear Vendors overdrive, the whole being controlled through a Lokar shifter.

Finally, the body was restored and put together by renown Alan Potter from Metalmeisters Coachwork in Ventura, CA and then painted in the car original color – Vagabond Green – with accents of black on the fenders and Tacoma Cream on the wheels.

Taking close to 15 years to complete, the build appears as a beautiful Model A Coupe Hot Rod and is now ready for a new keeper to enjoy.