By Brian brennan Photography by Luke Munnell

ord created the Model A many years ago, so when you hear that a hot rodder is the third owner of one of “Henry’s Ladies,” it’s significant. John Anderson of SoCal was introduced to his 1929 Ford highboy sedan, which you see here, by his wife. John was in search of a new project, something a bit different. His wife, Kim, discovered the sedan for sale in Northern California.

The Andersons are the third owners, having purchased the Model A from the second owner, who acquired it from the original owner’s children. The sedan was also restored in the ’70s by the original owner’s family for their dad. It had been stored for many years, with the odometer showing 52,000 original miles. In fact, the vinyl top was in such excellent condition that John left it intact, replacing only the two vinyl end strips.

The sheetmetal of the two-door sedan, over 95 years old, features a 5-inch top chop and is channeled over the frame by 1-1/2 inches. Another noticeable body modification is the raising of the rear wheelwells by 6 inches and mini-tubbing by 2 inches. Additional modifications include filling in the cowl where the gas tank opening once existed, a smoothed grille shell (now lowered), and a pair of custom-mounted Model A taillights positioned in the corners of the rear quarter-panels. The firewall is recessed and smoothed, featuring a new steel floor. The radiator was then shortened by 4-1/2 inches. John fabricated the hood and side panels, which are now 3 inches longer, and Jimmy Shine louvered the hood side panels. From this point, John handled his own bodywork and then covered the prepped metal with House of Kolor two-stage acrylic enamel in Pitch Black.

The interior features a stock Model A dash paired with Auto Meter gauges, integrated with the hot rod’s electrical needs through Painless Performance Products wiring, all managed by John. Additional features include a Lokar floor shifter mounted to a sheetmetal trans cover painted in body black, along with pedals for the throttle, brake, and high-beam switch. The Ultimate Performance steering column is affixed to the dash and sports a 1940 Ford wheel. The seating is based on 1929 Ford seat frames, shortened by 3 inches and wrapped in black leather by Joe’s Deluxe Interiors. Joe’s also installed the gray headliner and the “salt and pepper coloring” in gray and black carpeting. The storage area in the back showcases the custom baggage that rests atop the hidden compartments containing the battery and gas tank.

The chassis started as a SO-CAL Speed Shop 1932 Ford frame with an enhanced 110-inch wheelbase. John pinched the front portion of the framerails, bobbed the framehorns to achieve a low overall ride height, and positioned the I-beam axle (“suicide”) out front. At the rear, the frame was kicked up 6 inches. These modifications raised the powertrain package by 4 inches, and the steering box was also repositioned 2 inches upward on the frame, providing essential ground clearance. The front suspension features a SO-CAL drilled I-beam axle, chromed front tube shocks, and a Vega-style steering box. The rear axle is a Ford 9-inch with a limited-slip 4.88 ring-and-pinion. Can you say acceleration! The housing is centered using a custom four-link setup and Afco adjustable coilover shocks. Bringing this hot rod to a rest is a Wilwood brake system based on a master cylinder and Wilwood 11-inch rotors and calipers.

The wheel and tire combination features Dayton cross-lace knockoffs (144 stainless steel spokes) measuring 16×4.5 in the front and 18×5 in the back. Additionally, the Excelsior Sport Radial by Coker measures 5.50R16 and 7.00R18. An interesting aspect of the nuts and bolts used throughout is that all the stainless steel hardware is polished. While this isn’t new, seeing it against an all-black hot rod adds a nice touch.

Power for the channeled sedan comes from a 6.0L LS engine, which has been used for years, particularly in GM’s truck line. It features an iron block with aluminum heads, delivering a respectable and reliable 325 hp. John sanded the block smooth and painted it in House of Kolor burgundy. While the internals remain factory, the exterior has received careful attention and enhancements. For instance, the induction system is Holley-based, utilizing a dual-plane intake and a pair of Holley throttle bodies, totaling 1,000 cfm. A Holley 100-gph inline electric fuel pump is used in conjunction and is designed initially for naturally aspirated and EFI-equipped engines. Holley valve covers conceal the MSD coils atop the factory heads using Texas Speed plug wires. Block Hugger headers connect to 2-1/2-inch ceramic-coated pipes that tie into Flowmaster mufflers. Engine accessories include a JEGS electric water pump, a Derale electric fan and heat sync fluid coolers, an LS starter, an OPTIMA battery beneath the rear seating, and the custom aluminum 15-gallon gas tank. Along with the LS is a 4L60E overdrive trans equipped with a Lokar floor shifter and an Inland Empire Driveline driveshaft.

The Model A has been around for a long time, and it seems to have been a staple in the hot rod world for just as long. Congratulations to the Andersons for coming up with a welcome approach to the venerable Henry’s Lady.