Model A replica? any model A experts here? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #1 05-04-2021, 08:41 AM

Back in the seventies (I think) there was a fellow, maybe Canadian, who decided to build brand new exact replicas of the model A, using all new replica parts. It was stock except for the engine which was a flathead ford but was built to provide twice the power of the original unit as it was built for driving pumps and such.

Seems like he had to build a new transmission case, or reusing the case with new innards because nobody was building them.

It was named after the builder....something like Tremulus maybe...

Anyway, I saw one for sale recently but now cannot find the advertisement for it.

I believe it was a roadster.

It was featured in one of the magazines....in my mind perhaps Mechanics Illustrated.

I have searched but cannot find anything about it.

barry12345 · #2 05-04-2021, 02:08 PM

May not be the one you are thinking of. The Shay model A replica was sold by Ford dealers. Yet not manufactured by Ford.Possibly roadster versions only.

A lot of information is on the net. Was manufactured in America.

I do not see myself as an expert on anything. Except perhaps annoying the wife infrequently I hope.

A guy that visited us a fair amount long ago had a Hudson roadster. That everyone thought was some kind of kit car.I think it disturbed him as it was the real thing except for a better power train. Visually it was beautiful.

t walgamuth · #3 05-04-2021, 06:49 PM

Yes, the shays are thick on the ground in comparison. I talked to my machinist about it same age as I am and he remembered them too but not the name.

tyl604 · #4 05-04-2021, 08:24 PM

Didn't you have to step down when you entered a Hudson?

Mxfrank · #5 05-04-2021, 09:42 PM

Alex Tremulis? That cant' be right...

barry12345 · #6 05-05-2021, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyl604

Didn't you have to step down when you entered a Hudson?

Possibly on the 1949-53 years. Not certain yet they looked low to me. Good quality orphan brand.

With unusual styling to me for much of their years. Dad had a 47 or 48. Wet clutch and high nickle content block.

A regional guy collected up hundreds of them. I took a day to examine them all with the intent of buying one after the owner died. His nephew was selling them off but wanted twice what the fair value was. So I declined completing the deal.

The owner had six large barns full of them. He would not part with one when alive.

A local fellow has a very large 1921 open touring Hudson. He has restored it but had yet to do the upholstery. The last time I talked to him.

t walgamuth · #7 05-05-2021, 07:49 AM

The step down Hudsons are pretty cool but the styling keeps me from buying one.

barry12345 · #8 05-05-2021, 10:44 AM

I had a look for the brand name of that reproduction you are interested in. Found no mention anywhere so far. Yet as you said. They where being swamped out by the shays so far at least.

The mind is funny over time. As I was looking it clicked in that I too knew something about this issue. At the same time could not recall the pieces.It was so odd that the recall of whatever it was just was not there.On this it has happened with other things over the years. I can almost depend on the information mentally surfacing at some unexpected time usually. Just out of the blue so to speak.

An interesting discovery in the search is they are making vastly improved new engine parts in China for the model A engine. Including updated block castings and crankshafts and connecting rods. Being fully pressurized and Identical externally.

The company in China casts and machines a lot of car brands engine blocks . Looks like 3,900.00 fob in California for one. The new block is also a five main bearing type over the three main bearing original. This is not pie in the sky as they are already being sold and in use.

As for Hudson's styling in my era it was never really mainstream and very odd to me. At the same time they also produced some excellent styling in an earlier period. Otherwise only a mother could love them.

t walgamuth · #9 05-05-2021, 01:47 PM

Yes. My machinist remembered it too.

t walgamuth · #10 05-07-2021, 02:41 AM

I got the info over on the HAMB hot rod forum. It is a Timmis ford 34. Made in Vancouver for ten years or so. Not an exact reproduction but many parts are. It is a 34 ford roadster with a upgraded from about 75 hp up to about 140 hp.

barry12345 · #11 05-07-2021, 11:22 AM

Good Tom,now I do not have to wait for it to float to the surface of my little brain.

Sounds exactly right. Good sourcing Tom. Funny I found no easier mention. Yet since it was a nineteen thirty four understandable. I had also forgotten about that. I was starting to think they produced perhaps only a handful and quit.

One of our daughters and her husband have a lucrative auto salvage type operation in Timmins, Ontario. They ship everywhere in Canada and are tight with the insurance companies.

There was a guy in the northern part of the west coast of America. That had a good but expensive headlight reflector replating operation in Hemmings. That was starting an all metal car reproduction as well.Some years back now.No ideal of how it went. Probably a thirty four Ford as well.

Took a minute and looked them up. Steve's auto restorations Portland Oregon on the web. Decent website showing their current products. Thirty three and thirty four ford metal body components included. The grill is really impressive to me. Something still built in north America as well.

Last unrestored 33 ford coupe I remember seeing was one a buddy of mine drove up in one day. Really decent condition still for a hundred dollars. Needless to say this was not yesterday. This was about the time I had my 39 ford two door deluxe sedan. No miles on it to speak of and in great condition . I paid 125.00 for it and the reflector headights almost killed me one night.

No damage to the car but it was quite the event. It was a dark rainy night on the old highway. The road suddenly curved right or left. I could not be certain so I drove straight ahead into the woods. Swerving around trees.Some of us old goats have a hundred stories.

In the day. Most of us had part time jobs while in school and it was no cost issue to have decent older cars while still in school. The American gallon of gas was twenty cents. The imperial Canadian gallon was 33 cents. Nobody wanted old cars then. Only my father saw the future. He said I should not be selling many of the cars I got. Storage was an issue in the big city and it would have had to be good storage.

Who knows what lasting influence a father has on you? When they were just about giving away decent Mercedes diesel cars on very early ebay. I suggested to a few local friends. I was going to buy a few and perhaps they should think about it as well. I purchased several just in case I landed up old and poor. Through circumstances beyond our control.I was accurate at getting older as one can never be certain at least.

Or new cars by then where not practical.For me to maintain. Any appreciation in value was not a consideration.

Now as it turns out at 79 in two months. I still do not have the time to drive them.Different members of the family have spoken up about wanting each one. So their fate is sealed probably. I had thought about it. I would have liked to have one of my fathers cars. I did get his last one but it was modern junk compared to what he he owned over the years. At that time.

I am cluttering up this thread but the original issue was solved. By the original poster.

I hope it offends no member. I seldom look back in time yet it is even interesting to me on the rare occasions when I do. The changes are both ongoing and staggering. The comparisons almost unbelievable to the younger generations. Good older cars for less than todays price of a decent tire.

t walgamuth · #12 05-07-2021, 01:55 PM

Thanks for your timeless ramble through the good old days! I just talked to Andrew Timmis the man behind the timmis 34. He is alive and well and must be at least my age, running a used car lot in Vancouver. He is going to call me back.

vwnate1 · #13 05-09-2021, 01:46 PM

Never, EVER apologize for fleshing out a thread or adding content once the original discussion is done ! .

I still remember listening to and learning from my Elders , not everyone wants to take the time or effort .

I'm an ex 'A' Model Ford owner / driver / repairer and enthusiast .

just a few years ago I chanced upon a elderly gent who had a nice unused Shay Roadster in his garage , he would have sold it to me for under $3,000 and it was pristine ~ after purchase I don't think he ever drove it more than a very few times .

Please keep the stories and memories coming ~ they're what I like best about forums .

t walgamuth · #14 05-09-2021, 05:03 PM

Thanks Nate! I always enjoy your thoughts too.

vwnate1 · #15 05-09-2021, 06:42 PM

You're welcome Tom .

As a child I saw many 'A' Model Fords doing yeoman duty Down East .

Decades later I still saw them rattling around Southern California and so bought one it was fun and easy to drive, cheap to operate and repair, soon and so forth .

I still have my set of four MAFCA (?) service and repair tips .