Grants Pass has a reputation as being the home to some of the best and most creative hot rod and custom car builders in the Northwest. Randy Grubb, Steve Simons, Don Tippet, Bill Schoenleber John Huering and then our own buddy, Dave Hamilton. In Dave’s case, he is helped along by being the owner of Ham’s Auto Body and it is from that experience and support that all of his creations have been a clear statement reflecting the theme and build quality of the times represented. Nothing over board, but everything completed to a 100% representation of what might have been built in a time past, by creative thinkers working with Model A’s and the cars that followed, in the infancy of Hot Rodding in this country.

Dave’s passion for these cars started with a visit to Bonneville about fifteen years ago to witness the Speed Trails. In the parking lot of one of the Hotels there was a display of vintage Lake Bed Racers. After the WWII, a need for thrills led builders to build fast cars from what was sitting around. Nothing was impossible and they soon found themselves pushed from street racing to Speed Trails on the Lake Beds of Southern California forming the Southern California Timing Association. One of the first specialized cars to come out of this movement was the “AV8”, the Model A body on a 32 Ford V8 pinched frame. Model A cowls were narrower then the 32 Ford and pushed less wind then a 32 did at speed. All of Dave’s previous builds have been modeled along this theme and the AV8 Roadster Pickup is the latest and greatest of the previous five.

The Body and Chassis are almost all brand new parts. An interesting note, everything that is the color black has been powder coated except for the frame rails which was powder coated in primer before being painted. The Pinched 32 Frame is from Blackboard Hot Rods, narrowed at the front of the body cowl to fit the A firewall. The front of the body shell was modified to accommodate the frame rail height at it’s intersection so the need to raise the whole body was negated. Pete and Jake’s Ladder Bars locate the Ford 9” Limited Slip Rear End and SoCal Hair Pin supplied the locating parts for the Front End. A vintage Model A Front Axle Modified in period by Moore Drop Axle supports the 1940 Ford Spindles carrying the 1939 Lincoln Front Brakes with added cooling air scopes. Suspension is supported by Posse Superslide Springs front and rear. Steering is through a Flaming River Vega style Steering Box. The Wire Wheels were custom made by Rally America to Dave’s specific off set order and then covered with Firestone Bias Ply Tires.

The 1964 Chevrolet 327 was hand built by Peckham Precision Engines. It was bored .020 over for new Aluminum Hypereutectic Pistons. 202 Fuelie Heads were installed, controlled by a 280 degree Comp Cam and fed by a new Hot Rod Carbs Tri Power 2 Jet Carburetors operated by a progressive linkage. Roller Rockers chase the cam, a vintage Mallory Distributor, converted to Pertronix Electronic Ignition, supplies the spark and a Zipps water pump riser allows a mechanical cooling fan to keep the temperature under control by pulling the right amount of air through the New Walker Z-Line Radiator. Gear Drive created custom Lake Style Headers using the rear axle drive flange of a vintage Ford for the collector Flange pattern. Gear Drive Block Off Plates allow the gases to be channeled into a Mandrel bent Exhaust System, Thermal Coated, out to the Smitty Mufflers. A new Tremec 5 Speed manual transmission runs to the custom driveshaft and on to a Ford 9” with a 4:11 Limited Slip Spool.
Finally, the body. The new Stretched Brookville ’31 Roadster Pickup body was properly channeled at the front of the bottom cowl for the pinched 32 Frame. The bed also required some minor modification to fit the frame without spacers or a less then professional method. Oak Flooring comes with the body and was beautifully finished before being opened up to fit the filler neck on the custom aluminum fuel tank sitting between the rail frames. In the bed, a custom locking Highway Products Utility Box was installed. Headlights come from a 35 Buick, Tail Lights from a Model A and not wanting the body to be completely new, the front radiator support is original Ford Model A (Dave is very proud of that particular part).
Inside was more of the same. A Limeworks Steering Column with Column Drop is capped with a 1940 Ford Steering Wheel. The 1932 Style Finned Dash made of Cast Aluminum is filled with Stewart Warner Mechanical Gauges. The simple Interior was done by Greg’s Upholstery in Grants Pass with the Glide Seat covered in Free Range Hides (with the scares and marks from the open county still showing). Under the dash is a restored Vintage Arvine Heater for those days when the 2” Chopped Windshield lets a little too much cool air in. For warmer days, a mechanical 32 Cowl Vent was installed.
Finally the car was painted in Glasurit 22 Line Single Stage Paint. Don Tippet did a masterful job of hand Pin Stripping the entire car in a tasteful and understated manner. As you can see in the images, the whole package presents itself wonderfully and I for one can not think of better colors or combinations for this creation. This is one beautiful Model A. What could be better?
The selling price is $39,995. For other interesting bikes and collectable vehicles, visit our web site http://www.automaniagp.com 541 479 8888 or come by and see us at 895 SE Gladiola Drive, Grants Pass, Oregon, 97526. Oregon Dealer DA1287.

Automania is a Consignment Oregon Dealer selling quality, privately owned vehicles including Aprilia, Buell, BMW, Citroen, Ducati, Harley Davidson, Honda, Hummer, Kawasaki, Moto Guzzi, MV Agusta, Nissan, Ossa, Piaggio, Suzuki,