Since the first car rolled down the road, it has been a never-ending pursuit by car enthusiasts to improve their vehicle's stance and braking power. Rodders have always led the pack in this arena, but with nostalgia bigger than it's ever been, many companies are now offering pieces to optimize stance and stopping while still maintaining a vintage look. Two leaders in the production of modern nostalgia suspension components are Chassis Engineering Inc. and MT Car Products. Both of these companies were called upon recently when the mission was to upgrade a totally stock '29 Model A Tudor Sedan that was in desperate need of dropping and stopping improvements.
When the pieces arrived from both companies the quality was exact to the high standard both companies are known for. The desired outcome was to combine the new parts with original pieces to make a timeless installation you could have seen under a well-heeled rod 50 or 60 years ago. The final result is a car that now sits a whopping 9 inches lower in the front and stops and rides almost like a new car.
If you have a ride you would like to improve, yet keep that vintage look, check out what Chassis Engineering Inc. and MT Car Products have to offer--guaranteed you'll be very glad you did.
With components from Chassis...
With components from Chassis Engineering Inc. (axle, spindles, and steering arms) and MT Car Products (brake components and shocks), you will be well on your way to making your Model A sit and stop much better. The brake kit from MT Car Products has every piece you'll need for a hydraulic brake conversion; all you need to supply is the labor.
The starting point was essentially...
The starting point was essentially a totally stock '29 Model A with a set of Kelsey Hayes wire wheels and big 'n little Firestones from Coker Tire. Note that even with the smaller tires in the front, the car sits level. A lot of drop would be needed to give this car the proper attitude.
The original frontend components...
The original frontend components with mechanical brakes leave a lot to be desired and plain just don't look cool. At some point, this axle had been flattened out (see tire camber) which raised the car even higher than stock.
An option available from MT...
An option available from MT Car Products if you elect to retain the original Model A spindles are these modified '40 Ford backing plates which bolt right up to the original pieces. Also included are special bearing adapters necessary to use the later drums.
We wanted to go the full hot...
We wanted to go the full hot rod route, so a pair of Ford-style Chassis Engineering Inc. spindles were mated to one of their forged 4-inch dropped I-beam axles. One of the many advantages of a fresh forged axle is added strength over an old fatigued dropped unit or an inferior cast (non-forged) axle.
Freshly reconditioned ready-to-install...
Freshly reconditioned ready-to-install '40 Ford backing plates from MT Car Products were tapped on to the Chassis Engineering Inc. spindles. Very close manufacturing tolerances of the spindles make for an interference fit just like the factory units.
Bolt-on "deep drop" steering...
Bolt-on "deep drop" steering arms from Chassis Engineering Inc. go on next and make it possible to mount the tie rod under the stock Model A wishbone.
Starting to look like something,...
Starting to look like something, the assembled frontend using a reversed-eye main leaf and original wishbone is ready to go under the car. One leaf was removed from the original leaf stack that now uses eight leaves.
With the dropped frontend...
With the dropped frontend bolted in place, the '40 Ford drums are slid on after packing all the bearings with grease. A big safety reminder is to replace all cotter pins with new ones, as reused cotter pins will easily fail.
The '40 Ford style backing...
The '40 Ford style backing plates has four adjustment points (two for each brake shoe). Adjust both points until the shoes just begin to make contact with the drum with out dragging. Later style "self adjusting" backing plates have just one adjustment point.
The installed MT Car Products...
The installed MT Car Products "friction-style" shocks make the frontend installation complete. Note that original style spring perches are required for this type of installation, but also many other different year vehicles could be fitted with this slick set up.
The complete frontend is a...
The complete frontend is a huge improvement both visually and functionally. An old swap meet "hair pin" steering arm fit the Chassis Engineering Inc. dropped axle like a glove. Retaining the original Model A drag link and tie rod with early-style, spring-loaded ball mount ends gives the installation even more of a vintage flair.
The original Model A battery...
The original Model A battery box mounts under the driver's side floor and sits right next to the original accentuator rod (see arrow) for the original mechanical brakes. All will be removed.
The new heavily constructed...
The new heavily constructed battery box from MT Car Products is a well engineered piece designed to bolt right in place of the stock unit and uses a clever arm that attached to the stock pedal to operate the Ford truck-style master cylinder.
See how neatly the new powdercoated...
See how neatly the new powdercoated battery box/master cylinder mount slides in next to the original Model A transmission. Just attach the clevis to the original pedal and you are in business.
Back on the street, the car...
Back on the street, the car sits a whopping 9 inches lower that where it originally started! Results will vary depending on the original condition of your vehicle and how many leaves are ultimately used in the front spring, but guaranteed this setup will get your car down in the weeds and stopping much better. The back end will be coming down from the stock height very soon.
Comparing the last two images,...
Comparing the last two images, it's very easy to see the dramatic difference...
...made using the pieces from...
...made using the pieces from Chassis Engineering Inc. and MT Car Products.