Tanks, Inc. Hot Rod of the Year Finalist ’30 Model A
Some projects come together quickly and others, well, they take more time, for any number of good reasons. This 1930 Model A coupe, built by Chad Adams at Adams Hot Rod Shop for Pete and Nick Rudanovich, was one of those longer-term efforts.
“This Model A coupe was purchased in 2007 as an original rust-free, all-steel car,” Chad says. “Our intention from the beginning was to build a traditional-looking, Flathead-powered hot rod. The build took 16 years and had many changes and challenges along the way, but we feel we have always held true to the original intent of this build.”
Chad is correct – this 1930 Model A coupe definitely captures a classic hot rod look. That started with a Pete & Jakes frame, which was modified with a rear kickup and C-notch to accommodate a Winters quick-change rearend with modified ’40 Ford bells and ’36 wishbones, all riding on a Posies transverse spring. Up front, a Super Bell dropped axle was located with hairpins and outfitted with Boling Brothers Lincoln-style drum brakes. Steel 16×4.5-inch wheels add vintage hot rod attitude, with 5.00-16 and 7.50-16 Firestones providing a rubber rake.
The 274-inch Flathead was built by Tony Price using a French block, 4-inch Scat stroker crank and rods, and a Schneider camshaft with Chevy valves and Isky springs. It’s topped with polished Navarro heads, while an Edelbrock Slingshot manifold supports two Autotrend EFI units capped with Nystrom air cleaners. A custom crank trigger and modified crab distributor light the spark, while Red’s headers connect to a custom exhaust. Power is transferred through a Hurst-shifted T5 five-speed.
There are more metal mods on the body than you might initially notice, starting with the 1-inch top chop, which Chad says is “just enough to take the edge off the height of a 1930 Model A coupe.” He also incorporated ’32-style front and center roof panels, while keeping the Model A visor. A Deuce cowl vent and grille enhance the look, along with modified engine compartment aprons and hidden firewall, cowl, and radiator mounts. Commercial ’34 headlights lead the way, while the rear has bobbed fenders, a ’32 gas tank, and Pontiac taillights. The custom-mixed PPG beige paint was applied in-house at Adams Hot Rod Shop.
Like the paint, the upholstery was done in-house at Adams Hot Rod Shop. It consists of brown leather stitched over a bench seat and custom door and side panels, plus coordinating square-weave carpet. The ’36 Ford dash was filled with Classic Instruments and fitted with a Limeworks column and ’40-style wheel.
Sure, the build might have taken longer than expected. But the result speaks for itself and will be something Pete and Nick can enjoy for decades to come.
Photos: Marc Gewertz, John Jackson
