Technical Articles: by Larry Jenkins

[Mitch]

With a tremendous amount of advice and encouragement from Mitch, I present a Series of older Articles I wrote pertaining to the restoration of the 1928 to 1931 Model A Fords. These articles span from 1976 to 1998

This is also in recognition of those current VFF Members who asked to see my old Articles here on VFF after reading my opening statement when I joined the VFF. Thank you! Most appreciated.

Some go into great detail; some are general and some are purposely vague to inspire further development. Being innovative is the fun part of restoring our Model As.

Also recognize that the articles were written a long time ago. We now know there are better ways to restore certain components, and realize that the Judging Standards have changed.

Each of the Articles will be prefaced with purpose and results. Objective comments most welcome.

Larry Jenkins

INDEX


FENDER REPAIR FIXTURE 1976

RESTORING STAINLESS STEEL 2 ARTICLES 1985 - 1995

PAINTING THE MODEL A FORDS 2 PARTS 1997

DIARY OF A MAKEOVER 1984

GILDING THE LILY 2 PARTS 1998

[Mitch]

Article #1

This idea came to me when I started the restoration of my first Model A. It was a 1930 Coupe that I later converted to a 1931 Deluxe Roadster, both having the same rear fenders. The ones I that came with the Coupe were a little banged up.

The idea for a rotating, fully positionable fixture popped into my mind.

Patterns no longer available, but if you have the flat back Coupe, Roadster or Pickup fenders, you can lay them onto 1/2" ACX plywood and make one. Read on....


Larry Jenkins

[Mitch]

Article #1 Fender Repair Fixture


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[Mitch]

Articles #2&3


Way back then, we didn't have the funds to pay someone to restore the stainless steel parts for out Model A. In that I had a nice, larger bench grinder, I decided to try and do it myself.

Using my Canvas Draw Program I designed and made some simple tools to aid the removal of the imperfections.

Take a look at the article and see if this is for you. The ending beauty is what you make it.


Larry Jenkins

[Mitch]

Article #2 Restoring Stainless Steel Auto Parts


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[Mitch]

hold

[Mitch]

Article #3 Restoring Stainless Steel Antique Auto Parts

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[Mitch]

Articles #4&5


I felt pretty good about this two-part article. My objective was to pass on some ways to paint your A assuming you knew nothing about painting. Recognize the time period where the paint used was almost all acrylic lacquer. Today's paints are way more sophisticated.

The basics of preparation are almost the same. On a scale of 1 to 100, when you reach for the paint gun, you are at 98. Read carefully. There may be something of value for your A.


Larry Jenkins

[Mitch]

Article #4 Painting The 1928-1931 Model "A " Fords

Part 1- Preparation and Priming

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[Mitch]

hold

[Mitch]

Article #5 Painting The 1928-1931 Model " A " Fords

Part 2 Finishing and References

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[Mitch]

Article #6

This article was written after I bought my first Model A, a 1930 Coupe from a guy in Gibbon, Nebraska. We lived in Newton, Iowa at that time. It was in pristine condition, not requiring most of todays restoration procedures. Enter bug up the rear.

Why not convert the 1930 Coupe to a 1931 Deluxe Roaster? Here's the fabulous trip. The ending resulted in a 1984 Black Pontiac Firebird for my Wife.

Larry Jenkins

[Mitch]

Article #6 How A 1930 Model " A " Ford Coupe Became A 1931 Model " A " Ford Roadster In Nine Years


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[Mitch]

Articles # 7&8

I like the Title I came up with. It suggests a change to something by adding trinkets and new stuff to it. This article is just that. Some of you purists may take offense at this article, but I had a penchant to do one a little different.

The parts of the article are somewhat vague.. on purpose to inspire further refinements on your part. 2 parts. Not bad reading.


Larry Jenkins

[Mitch]

Article #7 Gilding the Lily! Part 1

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[Mitch]

reserved for future info

[Mitch]

Article #8 Gilding the Lily! Part 2

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[Mitch]

Larry
I am very impressed over your published articles. You are a great asset to the hobby past and present. Thank you for sharing these with all of us and again Welcome to the VFF.
This is what we're all about

[DaWizard]

Amen!

[Tony Hillyard]

A real goldmine of important information. Thank you for passing it on for all our future use.

[Big hammer]

Thank you Mitch for talking Larry into the posting !
More importantly THANK YOU Larry for your sharing !

[JDupuis]

X2

[Mike V. Florida]

Great information!!

[Mitch]

Larry
I like that fender repair fixture stand. So do you still have it or did Jerry VanDenBerg keep it? I wonder what folks like Brent or Dave use now to work on a fender? Horses?

[George Miller]

Nice job Larry.

[Larry Jenkins]

Thank you all for the kind words. Back then, I was full of P&V. Yes, I actually did everything I talk about in the 2 "Gilding the Lily" articles. Drew all the drawings on my Canvas Draw program. No fears when I was a lot younger.

Mitch.. I gave the original Fender Repair fixture to Marshall Daut. He resides on the Dark Side. Email him. I have nothing left of it other than the memories of how well it worked.

Larry

[Mitch]

These articles will be saved in a special place or places for the future of the hobby.

[Larry Jenkins]

Thank all of you so much. Means a lot to me. That was a long time ago. I will still try to respond if I think I can still add value..

[BNCHIEF]

Larry those are some wonderful articles, valuable information that would be lost if not passed on many can learn a lot from your articles. Thanks for sharing them.