There are many who will say that hot rodding’s finest years were the 1960s, a time when innovation was strong and you still needed to be a craftsman to create a top quality rod. By that time, traditions had been established but it was still an art form that was more than just buying some parts and bolting them together. The result was a very recognizable look that borrowed from the past and looked to the future by using then state-of-the-art powertrains without losing the spirit of the original car. Model As like this exceptionally rare 1929 Sport Coupe were popular for all the reasons they remain popular today: good looks, practicality, and wide parts availability. And with a great story to tell, this freshly built Model A offers a return to that 1960s sensibility with the build quality that typifies today’s best cars.

We have full documentation on this neat sport coupe dating back to when it was new, including the driver’s license, registration, and other details from the original owner. How it was used in its early years isn’t totally clear, but it was part of the fleet used at Chautauqua Institution’s Athenaeum Hotel and at some point, it was actually interred underneath the building and forgotten. Fast forward several decades, the car was rediscovered in somewhat dilapidated condition, far enough gone that creating a hot rod seemed like the smart choice. The result is this beautifully finished little coupe that preserves tradition while giving it a big dose of horsepower.

The body is 100% original Henry Ford steel, and for those of you familiar with Model As, you know that the Sport Coupe body style is rather rare. Although it looks like it should have a folding top like a cabriolet, it is fixed and covered in black canvas to give the illusion of a convertible but with better weather protection, much akin to the faux convertibles that came back into fashion in the ‘70s and ‘80s. The curving fenders of the ’29 are beautifully tailored to a build like this where the tires totally fill the arches and the endearing Model A grille and headlights leave no doubt about its identity. The bodywork was expertly restored to a very high standard and the whole car fits together quite well, with doors that close with a reassuring solidity and very few squeaks and rattles—remarkable for a body that still has a wooden skeleton. All the original details are intact, albeit beautifully restored, including the brightly chromed radiator shell, large headlights with intricate fluted lenses, and twin taillights out back. Note that the brass door handles were left in original condition to tie the car to its past and details like the cowl-mounted fuel cap and windshield visor are still intact to preserve the car’s character. Shaved bumpers are the only notable modification, but you’ll probably agree that the look is hard to beat. There’s also a steel hood which is easy to remove should you want to run alfresco, which is how the builder envisioned it.

The interior is also a nice mix of traditional and upgraded parts, including a pair of buckets wrapped in ‘60s pearlescent vinyl. The button-tufted detailing, the pleats, and the overall look are all from the ‘60s but the AM/FM/CD stereo with remote, a full array of gauges, and a very trick Borgeson adjustable steering column are modern details that make it a pleasure to drive. The Model A instrument panel remains front and center, although none of its instruments are hooked up to the small block Chevy under the hood, but these little Fords always look odd without it. Instead of making the basic Model A gauges work, a completely new set of Moon Eyes dials were installed under the dash to monitor all the vitals and there’s a big tachometer strapped to the chrome steering column. And with simplicity as the goal, things like the horn button and headlight switch were neatly incorporated into the dash without calling too much attention to themselves. Custom-tailored carpets add a plush feel and help control noise and heat in the cabin, and for ventilation, the windshield still swings open and the rear curtain opens up for flow-through ventilation. The original rumble seat was converted back into a trunk, which houses the 15-gallon stainless fuel cell and remote battery. You’ll note that the craftsmanship is quite good, even in these little-seen areas.

Underneath, however, there’s not much 1929 left. Starting with a brand new fabricated chassis that’s about 500 times stronger than the original piece, they built a solid foundation that makes this car a blast to drive. The engine is a 350 cubic inch Chevy from a 1971 Corvette with 10:1 compression, a Comp Cams 268H camshaft, a full set of roller rockers, and fuelie heads, so it’s pretty strong. And since it’s hanging out there for everyone to see, it was dressed for show with lots of chrome, Chevy Orange paint on the block and finned valve covers, and a gorgeous set of traditional headers that have been ceramic coated for durability. Up front there’s a Walker 3-core radiator with a giant electric fan and the exhaust system is neatly tucked into the splash aprons, so when you don’t want to run open headers, it sounds more muted but still muscular. We love the look.

Underneath, the aforementioned custom chassis was painted satin black for durability and to show off the hardware around it. The front axle is a Super Bell chrome dropped I-beam with matching hairpins and a leaf spring, so it has that old-school look. But instead of the usual Vega steering box, it uses a Uni-Steer rack-and-pinion that gives a lot more precision and makes power steering completely unnecessary. The transmission is a wide-ratio 1969 Muncie 4-speed with an 11-inch hydraulic clutch, all feeding a 9-inch Ford rear end with 3.50 gears and a Detroit Locker inside. Ladder bars and coil-overs give the rear end a great look when seen from behind and it still rides rather well for being so capable. The exhaust system is neatly finished with polished tips under the axle and with Wilwood disc brakes up front, stopping power is pretty impressive. Traditional big-n-little steelies with baby moon hubcaps and trim rings are part of the ‘60s charm as are the staggered Coker wide whitewall bias-ply tires that totally nail the look.

Documented with original ownership paperwork, build photos, receipts, and other details, this is the kind of rod you want to own. It was built by a professional who was building it for himself, and with fewer than 100 miles on the build, it’s very fresh, fully sorted, and ready to enjoy. If you were there in the ‘60s, you know this is how they were, and if not, well, it’s hard not to love the look and the attitude. Call today!