I'm now 62. For my 14th birthday, my parents got me a 57-60 (not quite sure exactly) Cushman Hilander step-thru motorscooter. I still have it, although it hasn't run since I was 16. Obviously, it needs completely gone through, and now that I have the time, I am severely lacking in $$$. I'm going to keep it. It's parked in a shed behind the house. It's not costing a penny where it's setting. Maybe some day money will improve and I can get busy on it. Otherwise, my family can scrap it when I die! I am very much looking forward to your new creation!!!
I fully agree with your decision! You are ABSOTIVELY CORRECT! Anyone wanting you to save the car needs to dip DEEP into their own pockets and send you the money to do that! I am pretty confident that I wouldn't have even given an explanation for an equivalent decision until well after the Huckster build was underway! I hope nobody unsubs due to this, BUT if they do, they weren't much in the way of supporters, were they?
I wanted to be upfront with those watching the directional shift we decided to take, once we discovered so many issues. Sure, anything can be fixed, but you have to consider the costs too. I am very excited at the huckster build we have planned. The few people who have actually seen pictures of the one version that we are looking at for inspiration are actually in awe. We've already sold the body les the cowl, the rear fenders, and the interior seats, and that more than covers the wood cost of the huckster build. I would say, that overall, that was a definite smart decision. I still plan to very involved with road trip videos just like before. It will just be with a new body. There are plenty of chassis out there. Perhaps this will inspire someone else to build one too. And yes, if someone unsubscribed because I am doing this, well, that's their choice, just like what I am doing is mine. Hate to see them leave over something silly like that but...
I think it's a great idea! You're right, it's your money and you can do with it. What you choose. Can't wait to see the progress. It might also help some people out there To resurrect some old heaps that they didn't know what to do with. Can't wait for the next video.
Thanks so much! I appreciate your comment! Had this been a family car (my dad's or grandpa, I would have done more to just keep it dry and together. But it's not and I think you are right on when suggesting that there are other folks out there like me, who just might have a chance at building one for themselves.
Replacement wood kits are made and sold online. Not a big deal, just an investment in your cars future.order the kits and you'll get them by spring. Get into your local Model A club. These guys are the gurus! Their expertise, will help you get it back on the road.
I Hi and welcome to the channel! I belong to a local Model A club. I am also well aware that would kits are available. But as I mentioned in the video, the complete cost of a full body wood kit including the doors was close to 7K from fordwood.com. then there is another 7-10K in body, paint, glass, and interior. I wasn't writing that check, so a huckster seems to be the direction I decided to head in.
After seeing what needed to be done to fix it right, building a Huckster, just made sense. Almost all of the chassis is done, new motor, rebuilt trans, etc. Gas tank is now out and getting ready to clean and re-seal. In a perfect world, I will be driving again by summer!
A "special" will probably be just as much work and end up costing the same, but will probably be worth a lot more money than a stock saloon, so worth the effort! An interesting project, I look forward to seeing this evolve! Greetings from the UK!
Thanks for watching! I've seen some very nice hot rod hucksters including one with a teardrop camper behind it. I am really enjoying the direction I am heading with this build too.
A token of appreciation for the efforts. You really have your work cut out for you. I have zero experience with the roof situation, thus no words of wisdom or advice. Had I been around for the brakes and steering, I would have jumped right in there with you. Cheer up, there is plenty of cold weather to kill while the A is garaged.
Hey William! I cannot thank you enough for your subscription and for being a super donor! It seriously means the world to me. While this was somewhat a difficult decision for me, I am rather excited to do this. I searched all over the internet looking for people who did huckster builds and I didn't find any. Yes, there are photos of builds, but nobody who actually did a build. So in that regards, it will be fun to pave the way. Hopefully, that encourages those to either build one, or consider it. As you know, there are plenty of chassis out there and I think or hope that others can see that it can be done. Again, thanks so much for being the first to put something towards a major project and for encouraging and uplifting me. Folks like you make this hobby real special!
@@kensmithgallery4432 A few members of the First Coast Region model A club have done their top in the past few years, but I was not able to participate! Rats! And at least one member had lots of wood work on his four door. I can peer in over your shoulders and see how you do it. I've seen a few people on YT stretch the vinyl top and so on, but not the wood work of the header replacement. I'll be checking in on your progress. Keep your chin up! If a guy comes around the corner with boxing gloves, keep your chin down and tucked! Haha! I promise, the A may fight back, and win a round, but you'll win the contest!
A thought just came to me. Use the modern age tools we have like CAD/CAM! No, silly! Not computer stuff. Old tech... Cardboard Aided Design! Cheap, easy to work with and did I mention, cheap?!? Poster board also works as it is easier to cut with scissors. If I have any more brainstorms (even drizzles!) I'll letcha know!
@@williamforbes5826 You are not too far off. If I had to guess, the plans and video I have acquired through Wagon Works were drawn in the early 90's so no CAD back then. My plans have a revised date of January of 1995. All the tools he uses are your normal wood working tools i.e. table saw, drill, radial arm saw, nothing fancy. The video was probably done originally in VHS 4:3 ratio so it's very old school. However, there are variations to the plan that I want to do. First, I have to make sure it fits in the garage. Mama, ain't giving up her garage space. If she's happy, I'm happy. Second, I want to be sure height and length work. I believe it will be fine but just want to double check. The instructions call for building the body off the frame so measuring and creating some sort of template helps to eliminate surprises. Follow that up with other things the plans do not address that I plan to add on to this body, and it should be a fun build and an equally fun series of videos to create.
@@kensmithgallery4432 Happy wife, happy life! And the corollary is, 'If momma ain't happy, nobody is!' Some of the wood pieces are available for sale (in kit form/all or nothing) but a little pricey. All of it can be fabricated at home, but it takes time an patience. The old British cars had use of wood for framing. I heard once that a Brit car had a wooden frame and I thought they were crazy! I was mistaking the word 'frame' for 'chassis'. Big difference, big mistake. Any way I can assist from a distance, let me know.
I actually will be converting this into a huckster. I mentioned that in the video. I was not about to drop all that money for a wood kit, body and paint and be so upside down in a fordor that at best might be worth a third of what I end up putting into that.
sorry to see you have run into the same problems i have. I have to buy a complete kit as well. Nice to see your project going along for me to follow for mine
As I mentioned toward the end of this video, I will be building a huckster body, instead of restoring the current TS body. I easily discovered over 15K worth of work that would have to be done just to restore this to a quality driver and I can build a very nice huckster for a fraction of that. I wish you luck with your project. Do follow what I do with this as I think you will still enjoy the series and I am sure you will find some good crossover content.
Well, I honestly didn't ask but if I'm not, Oh well. I own it to have fun with it, not to appease a club, local or national. Isn't that how it should be? To have fun and enjoy your car no matter what kind of car it is or how it looks.
I agree. Do your own thing. My brother has seen me rip apart a car to modify it to my liking. He came by the day after I bought a used Crown Vic police car. I had all of the wiring from under the hood ripped out. He turned a lighter shade of pale... Nowadays it doesn't faze him. So, yeah! Do what is best for you. I'll hang around to see the car-nage!! Haha! Get it? Carnage!
I have a 4 door that I have been saving to do the same thing. My car is in worse shape but it will be fine because I will only use the cowl then wood from there. I have a sawmill that I am cutting blanks for the various parts in the next month or so. I plan on looking at plans but will design my own body kit. Good luck with the changes. I will watch when I can. Side note is that this is why I try to find cars that are not restored, one for the cost and two I have seen so many cars that have sellers wanting to make money and move on. With a good running chassis your job will be so much easier.
I seriously think you have made the right decision. I know you're going to be extremely motivated to go forward with your project. I'm looking forward to more content for your future projects. Thanks Dean. J.
I think so too Dean. As I mentioned in the video, there is no emotional attachment to the car, other than it was certainly fun to have. While anything can be fixed, I believe that one must way all of the costs and in this case, I think it was a wise decision. I also was not able to find anyone who did a series of building a huckster, so I believe it will be interesting content for all those who either are curious as to what a huckster is, or contemplating on building one themselves.
Wow ! Good for you to find the good in the bad. There must have been some sleepless night over this. Looking forward to your build . Thanks for your videos.
I'm now 62. For my 14th birthday, my parents got me a 57-60 (not quite sure exactly) Cushman Hilander step-thru motorscooter. I still have it, although it hasn't run since I was 16.
Obviously, it needs completely gone through, and now that I have the time, I am severely lacking in $$$. I'm going to keep it. It's parked in a shed behind the house. It's not costing a penny where it's setting. Maybe some day money will improve and I can get busy on it.
Otherwise, my family can scrap it when I die!
I am very much looking forward to your new creation!!!
That scooter sounds like fun!
I fully agree with your decision! You are ABSOTIVELY CORRECT! Anyone wanting you to save the car needs to dip DEEP into their own pockets and send you the money to do that! I am pretty confident that I wouldn't have even given an explanation for an equivalent decision until well after the Huckster build was underway! I hope nobody unsubs due to this, BUT if they do, they weren't much in the way of supporters, were they?
I wanted to be upfront with those watching the directional shift we decided to take, once we discovered so many issues. Sure, anything can be fixed, but you have to consider the costs too.
I am very excited at the huckster build we have planned. The few people who have actually seen pictures of the one version that we are looking at for inspiration are actually in awe. We've already sold the body les the cowl, the rear fenders, and the interior seats, and that more than covers the wood cost of the huckster build. I would say, that overall, that was a definite smart decision.
I still plan to very involved with road trip videos just like before. It will just be with a new body. There are plenty of chassis out there. Perhaps this will inspire someone else to build one too.
And yes, if someone unsubscribed because I am doing this, well, that's their choice, just like what I am doing is mine. Hate to see them leave over something silly like that but...
Not disappointed at all! Fabulous idea, and fun. Looking forward to the build.
Thanks Keith! I am very excited to do this build!
I think it's a great idea! You're right, it's your money and you can do with it. What you choose. Can't wait to see the progress. It might also help some people out there To resurrect some old heaps that they didn't know what to do with. Can't wait for the next video.
Thanks so much! I appreciate your comment! Had this been a family car (my dad's or grandpa, I would have done more to just keep it dry and together. But it's not and I think you are right on when suggesting that there are other folks out there like me, who just might have a chance at building one for themselves.
Replacement wood kits are made and sold online. Not a big deal, just an investment in your cars future.order the kits and you'll get them by spring.
Get into your local Model A club. These guys are the gurus! Their expertise, will help you get it back on the road.
I
Hi and welcome to the channel! I belong to a local Model A club. I am also well aware that would kits are available. But as I mentioned in the video, the complete cost of a full body wood kit including the doors was close to 7K from fordwood.com. then there is another 7-10K in body, paint, glass, and interior. I wasn't writing that check, so a huckster seems to be the direction I decided to head in.
@@kensmithgallery4432 I'm not a purist, Matter of fact, my favorite Model A would be a Speedster. Good luck! I'll be watchin'!
This is what I sudjested at Gilmour. Can't wait to see what you create! Wish I lived closer so I could help out.
God bless.
After seeing what needed to be done to fix it right, building a Huckster, just made sense. Almost all of the chassis is done, new motor, rebuilt trans, etc. Gas tank is now out and getting ready to clean and re-seal. In a perfect world, I will be driving again by summer!
Excelente vídeo ,from Brasil.
Thanks for watching!
A "special" will probably be just as much work and end up costing the same, but will probably be worth a lot more money than a stock saloon, so worth the effort! An interesting project, I look forward to seeing this evolve! Greetings from the UK!
Hey Austin! I am very excited for the direction this is heading in. This will not be your normal huckster!
Excited to see the project come together. I would like to make a hot rod Huckste.
Thanks for watching! I've seen some very nice hot rod hucksters including one with a teardrop camper behind it. I am really enjoying the direction I am heading with this build too.
A token of appreciation for the efforts. You really have your work cut out for you. I have zero experience with the roof situation, thus no words of wisdom or advice. Had I been around for the brakes and steering, I would have jumped right in there with you. Cheer up, there is plenty of cold weather to kill while the A is garaged.
Hey William! I cannot thank you enough for your subscription and for being a super donor! It seriously means the world to me. While this was somewhat a difficult decision for me, I am rather excited to do this.
I searched all over the internet looking for people who did huckster builds and I didn't find any. Yes, there are photos of builds, but nobody who actually did a build. So in that regards, it will be fun to pave the way. Hopefully, that encourages those to either build one, or consider it. As you know, there are plenty of chassis out there and I think or hope that others can see that it can be done.
Again, thanks so much for being the first to put something towards a major project and for encouraging and uplifting me. Folks like you make this hobby real special!
@@kensmithgallery4432 A few members of the First Coast Region model A club have done their top in the past few years, but I was not able to participate! Rats! And at least one member had lots of wood work on his four door.
I can peer in over your shoulders and see how you do it. I've seen a few people on YT stretch the vinyl top and so on, but not the wood work of the header replacement.
I'll be checking in on your progress. Keep your chin up! If a guy comes around the corner with boxing gloves, keep your chin down and tucked! Haha! I promise, the A may fight back, and win a round, but you'll win the contest!
A thought just came to me. Use the modern age tools we have like CAD/CAM!
No, silly! Not computer stuff. Old tech...
Cardboard Aided Design!
Cheap, easy to work with and did I mention, cheap?!?
Poster board also works as it is easier to cut with scissors.
If I have any more brainstorms (even drizzles!) I'll letcha know!
@@williamforbes5826 You are not too far off. If I had to guess, the plans and video I have acquired through Wagon Works were drawn in the early 90's so no CAD back then. My plans have a revised date of January of 1995.
All the tools he uses are your normal wood working tools i.e. table saw, drill, radial arm saw, nothing fancy. The video was probably done originally in VHS 4:3 ratio so it's very old school.
However, there are variations to the plan that I want to do. First, I have to make sure it fits in the garage. Mama, ain't giving up her garage space. If she's happy, I'm happy.
Second, I want to be sure height and length work. I believe it will be fine but just want to double check. The instructions call for building the body off the frame so measuring and creating some sort of template helps to eliminate surprises.
Follow that up with other things the plans do not address that I plan to add on to this body, and it should be a fun build and an equally fun series of videos to create.
@@kensmithgallery4432 Happy wife, happy life!
And the corollary is, 'If momma ain't happy, nobody is!'
Some of the wood pieces are available for sale (in kit form/all or nothing) but a little pricey. All of it can be fabricated at home, but it takes time an patience.
The old British cars had use of wood for framing. I heard once that a Brit car had a wooden frame and I thought they were crazy! I was mistaking the word 'frame' for 'chassis'. Big difference, big mistake.
Any way I can assist from a distance, let me know.
Thanks for sharing. I appreciate the honest, direct communication regarding your decision making. I'm cheering you on from Colorado!
Thanks so much! I believe it is going to be a real fun project and build!
What a can of worms! Glad to see that you're going to "restore" the top the correct way.
I actually will be converting this into a huckster. I mentioned that in the video. I was not about to drop all that money for a wood kit, body and paint and be so upside down in a fordor that at best might be worth a third of what I end up putting into that.
sorry to see you have run into the same problems i have. I have to buy a complete kit as well.
Nice to see your project going along for me to follow for mine
As I mentioned toward the end of this video, I will be building a huckster body, instead of restoring the current TS body. I easily discovered over 15K worth of work that would have to be done just to restore this to a quality driver and I can build a very nice huckster for a fraction of that.
I wish you luck with your project. Do follow what I do with this as I think you will still enjoy the series and I am sure you will find some good crossover content.
Good choice to build a Huckster. Will you still be eligible to be a member of your Ford Model A club?
Well, I honestly didn't ask but if I'm not, Oh well. I own it to have fun with it, not to appease a club, local or national. Isn't that how it should be? To have fun and enjoy your car no matter what kind of car it is or how it looks.
I agree. Do your own thing. My brother has seen me rip apart a car to modify it to my liking. He came by the day after I bought a used Crown Vic police car. I had all of the wiring from under the hood ripped out. He turned a lighter shade of pale...
Nowadays it doesn't faze him.
So, yeah! Do what is best for you. I'll hang around to see the car-nage!! Haha! Get it? Carnage!
I have a 4 door that I have been saving to do the same thing. My car is in worse shape but it will be fine because I will only use the cowl then wood from there. I have a sawmill that I am cutting blanks for the various parts in the next month or so. I plan on looking at plans but will design my own body kit. Good luck with the changes. I will watch when I can. Side note is that this is why I try to find cars that are not restored, one for the cost and two I have seen so many cars that have sellers wanting to make money and move on. With a good running chassis your job will be so much easier.
I have had a lot of fun with this car, so I can't complain too much. I am excited to build a huckster and modify the plans to fit our needs.
I seriously think you have made the right decision. I know you're going to be extremely motivated to go forward with your project. I'm looking forward to more content for your future projects. Thanks Dean. J.
I think so too Dean. As I mentioned in the video, there is no emotional attachment to the car, other than it was certainly fun to have. While anything can be fixed, I believe that one must way all of the costs and in this case, I think it was a wise decision.
I also was not able to find anyone who did a series of building a huckster, so I believe it will be interesting content for all those who either are curious as to what a huckster is, or contemplating on building one themselves.
Wow ! Good for you to find the good in the bad. There must have been some sleepless night over this. Looking forward to your build . Thanks for your videos.
There is always something to see on a positive note if you are willing to look for it. I am very excited to what is in store for the future!