Kelvin Waddington stands next...
Kelvin Waddington stands next to his latest product: an all-steel Model A pickup cab. This is the stretched version wrapped around Editor Brennan.
Back in 2008, we documented the buildup of a new all-steel 1934 Ford phaeton being produced by our mate from Australia, Kelvin Waddington-we then spent the rest of that summer touring the country in the touring car and came away extremely impressed with its quality of construction. A season of running all over the country and there wasn't a squeak or rattle to be heard. The four-door was as tight as the day we pulled out of the office parking lot for the first time.
As we were familiar with the phaeton and the '34 Utes Waddington produced, he was asked during a bench racing session with the author, Brian Brennan, and Tex Smith, what other bodies he had built. Almost casually Waddington replied that a stretched Model A pickup had been created from scratch for a customer and he was thinking about putting them in production. We're pleased to report the thought process reached its conclusion and a new cab is as close as your phone.
Three versions of the pickup...
Three versions of the pickup body are available-completely stock, including the wood framework, cowl-mounted fuel tank, fabric top insert, and reproductions of the original door latches.
While Ford offered a variety of cars in Australia, the closed cab '28-29 or '30-31 pickup was not among them so the new offering is pure red, white, and blue in terms of basic styling, however, there are three distinct configurations. We'll start with the stock version: it has totally original dimensions, a wooden framework around the doors, and for the fabric top, original-style door latches; it even has a stock-style firewall and gas tank (although a legally mandated rollover valve is incorporated in the filler neck). If you want an original Model A this is the closest thing to an NOS body you're likely to find. In fact all panels, including the doors, are said to interchange with originals.
For street rod applications Waddington has included some modifications that will be appreciated-first and foremost everything in the body is steel. The stamped steel B-pillars have built-in seat belt anchors with multiple attachment points to suit the height of the driver and passenger, the roof is steel and rain gutters have been added. As with the original design, the doors overlap the body at the back. Speaking of doors, two types of latches are available, stock reproductions and bear claws that operate by original-looking levers. To accommodate most V-8 engines and automatic transmissions a 4-inch recessed firewall that blends into the floor with a built-in transmission tunnel is available as is a stock-style firewall.
Waddington Street Rod and...
Waddington Street Rod and Restorations first production body was the '34 roadster Ute on the left, followed by the phaeton. Both are still available from a number of stateside distributors.
While the beloved A-bone pickup has plenty of hot rod charisma one thing it doesn't have an abundance of is interior room, so to make the truck more user-friendly a version with a 6-inch stretch aft the doors is available-other than the length all other aspects of the cab remain the same.
Although it goes without saying that building a body from scratch is a monumental undertaking, according to Waddington the biggest obstacles were the doors-the curves, body lines, and the area around the windows were all challenging and it has taken time and a huge financial investment to get them, and everything else, right. Of course another challenge is in fact making everything else. Hinges, latches, and all the little bits and pieces that hold the body together are all made in-house, including the dashboard that is a stamped replica of the stock gas tank face. About the only thing not made in the Australian shop are the garnish moldings and the trim alongside the windshield, however, those are readily available from stateside sources and are options on the new bodies.
If you've been thinking of building a half-ton hauler here are several great alternatives to rust ravaged, bullet-riddled, former farm trucks-and they are available now. Check out the Roadster Ute website for a U.S. distributor.
The biggest drawback to Model...
The biggest drawback to Model A trucks was the lack of interior space-Waddington has cured that problem by offering cabs stretched 6 inches behind the doors.
Two roof options are offered-the...
Two roof options are offered-the original-style cloth top or solid steel.
Cowl tops are available with...
Cowl tops are available with or without a dummy gas filler neck; new stock tanks will be available soon. The pickup bed comes in several lengths to work with the stock cab or the extended cab from Roadster Ute.
This is the wood pattern for...
This is the wood pattern for the outer doorskin. It was used to make the die.
The door dies were challenging,...
The door dies were challenging, due in part to the deep draw necessary around the window opening. The roll of tape is a good indicator of the amount the metal must stretch in that area.
All of Waddington's parts...
All of Waddington's parts and pieces, including the doors, are interchangeable with the originals. Here an original door is installed on a new body.
Steel and Kirksite dies were...
Steel and Kirksite dies were made from the patterns. Dies were tested, the results recorded, then any changes necessary were made.
Parts to be pressed are laser...
Parts to be pressed are laser cut to rough shape. Some pieces may be stamped (called a restrike) up to six times before final trimming takes place.
The upper die for the doorskin...
The upper die for the doorskin is in place, it will press against what will be the inside of the outer panel. This press is unique in that it comes up from the bottom, the substantial portion of it is situated in a pit in the shop floor.
Along with the dies for body...
Along with the dies for body panels Waddington developed the tooling to produce a variety of other parts-shown here are the dies for forming the door hinges.
A 300-ton press is used to...
A 300-ton press is used to form parts. Here the lower die for a doorskin is in place. In this press pressure is applied from the bottom up.
Refining some of the patterns...
Refining some of the patterns took time-as many as nine revisions were necessary before perfection was achieved on a few of them.
The hinges are made from steel...
The hinges are made from steel and will paint or chrome nicely and much better than the original. Until now the closed cab pickup hinge was not readily available in the aftermarket, now Roadster Ute has them for sale.
A finished stock-length street...
A finished stock-length street rod cab with a recessed firewall, dummy gas filler, and a steel roof. Note the addition of a drip rail above the door, something the original didn't have. The header is modified to accept New Port Engineering wipers and carries a modified visor.
Roadster Ute has added the...
Roadster Ute has added the benefit of a driprail.
Along with all the sheetmetal...
Along with all the sheetmetal panels, Waddington is reproducing door latches and hinges. Hinges are made from a flat plate that is folded and formed.
The cab comes in either a...
The cab comes in either a stock length configuration or stretched 6 inches; the addition happens in the quarter-panel area behind the B-post.
For those needing new body...
For those needing new body panels to replace beat-up originals, Waddington will supply individual pieces, including those to stretch a stocker half a foot.
The firewall comes in either...
The firewall comes in either stock configuration or set up for a small-block V-8. The firewall pieces, with 4-inch recess, can be purchased separately.
The '28 pickup comes with...
The '28 pickup comes with a stamped replica of the stock Model A gas tank face and "eyebrow." These pieces are also readily available as separate items.
In the original there would...
In the original there would have been a combination of wood and metal making up the floorboard. No longer, now it is all steel making it stronger and easier to work with.
Hinges and a latch mechanism...
Hinges and a latch mechanism are also familiar pieces but brand new; again they can be purchased separately.
The A-post area is identical...
The A-post area is identical in design to the original but no wood is used. Your trimmer (or yourself) can attached wood tack strips where needed. If you look closely you will see small holes in the inner door panel; used by the upholster to attach the panel clips-like stock.
A piece of flat glass can...
A piece of flat glass can be glued into position and then a trim ring (garnish) can be placed around the glass yielding a neat and finished look.