There’s always a lot to look at with a traditional build. This can especially be said for the Ford Flathead powerplant. In this case it’s a 276-inch motor. (One can achieve this displacement by using a ’48 or earlier Ford Flathead at 255 inches and bore it. Throw in a ’49 and later Merc crank with a 4-inch stroke and you’re in business. From here you begin with a 3-3/16-inch bore and 3-5/16-inch stroke. Increase the bore by 1/8 inch to 3-3/4 inches and the stroke by 1/4 inch to 4 inches. When you are done you have a 276-inch Flathead.)

Rick Schnell took a running Flathead out of a ’40 Ford and began the rebuild. He processed the machinework through final assembly, which included the obligatory porting and relieving oftentimes performed on a Flathead block. Edelbrock cylinder heads with a Thickstun high-rise dual carb manifold was bolted to the block and then a pair of Stromberg 48 carbs were attached. Feeding the fuel is a Carter pump and you will note the Thickstun air cleaner. Adding to the vintage appearance are cloth-covered wires with Rajah 90-degree plug ends, a Blue Streak coil, and a PerTronix distributor. Exiting the spent gases are a pair of custom-built headers coupled with straight pipes measuring 2-inch stainless tubing all fabricated at US&S. We would mention mufflers but we are pretty sure we would get a “Hell no!” Other engine accessories include the Powermaster starter and PowerGen alternator and a GC High Performance fan.

Backed up to the Flathead is a Chevy S-10 T5 via a Cornhuskers trans adaptor with a Lokar shifter handling the mechanics. US&S spun up an adaptor that links the Millworks Hot Rod Supply Early V-8 Top Loader shift knob to the Lokar mechanics to move between the gears. This combination then moves the power back to a ’40 Ford “banjo” rearend stuffed with 3.78 gears. The axles were converted by Hot Rod Works out of Idaho, allowing for the OEM Ford large bearings that are compatible with the Lincoln backing plates. Also used are slide-in-style 9-inch Dutchman axles. Lincoln drum brakes conversion from Boling Brothers are used in the front and back. From here US&S cut venting holes into the backing plates and added drilled screens. The master cylinder is a cast aftermarket reservoir.

The stamped repop Deuce framerails were modified by US&S. These ’rails were recontoured to better match the flow of the Brookville Model A roadster body. The front framehorn area was also “pinched” to bring together the frame to the width of the Model A grille shell. Look closely and you will notice that the body has a subtle 1-inch channel over the ’rails enhancing the appearance. The boxing plates were drilled and dimpled, US&S then used their dimpled X-members. US&S Model A–style front and rear crossmembers were then fitted yielding a one-off frame.

The front axle is a ’32 Ford “heavy” (originally a truck application) with the transverse leaf spring mounted behind the axle. Other front suspension items include early Ford spindles (’37-41), a pair of SO-CAL Speed Shop tube shocks, and a ’40 Ford steering box. Next came the US&S custom steering column fitted with a Schroeder four-spoke wheel via a removable mount and vintage turn signals. In back the use of ladder bars, a transverse leaf spring, more SO-CAL shocks, and Boling Brothers Lincoln drum brakes can be seen.

You will find that this hot rod rolls around on Ford artillery wheels with a “wide five” bolt pattern (5-on-5.5). The original 16-inch wheels are wrapped with Coker/Excelsior Stahl Sport, 5.50R16s in front and 7.50R16s in back.

Already mentioned is that the Brookville body is mildly channeled. Well, along with this mod came the shortening of the cowl by an inch. These modifications allow for the “straighter” Model A body to better fit the reworked curve of the modified framerails.

(Editor’s note: For ’28-29 Model A fans you will notice that the vertical bodyline, where the cowl, just forward of the door hinge mounting position, meets the frame, there’s a slight forward upward “swoop.” On a stocker, just below this point, you would see a leftover mounting point from the days when these bodies were originally crafted by woodworkers who made wooden wagons before steel bodies. Every now and then we see builders remove this element; nice touch. —B.B.)

US&S also made custom floorpans in both the passenger and trunk compartments. This was done to accept the contour of the body to the frame and to accept the rubber floormat inserts. In the trunk this was done to provide a cover for the transverse leaf spring as it “intrudes” and to cover the rear frame kickup. Another custom touch was the moving of the seat riser back several inches to accommodate Jon’s taller stature.

The grille shell is another interesting style point. The “widow’s” peak was removed by Jon. Then US&S went to work by shortening the grille and the radiator fill cap area was removed. The grille shell was now smooth with the opening reworked for a newly fabricated stainless grille insert and surround. This necessitated a US&S custom-made aluminum three-piece hood. It features louvers and custom recessed “bump outs” for the Dzus fasteners, giving the roadster a lakes race car feel.

The foundation for the Dark Brewster Green (an original Model A color that came in a light and dark version) on the Brookville Roadster body was handled by Shane Hanson of Paint by Shane. From here the nifty pinstriping was applied by Jeremy Pedersen of Relic Kustoms. Lighting is a combo of stock Model A headlights (stainless buckets) with fluted lenses on a US&S custom-made dropped bar and ’46-48 Keiser/Frasier taillights. There’s also a custom-made “bump bar” that serves a purpose as well as an added detail with the twice pipes peeking from below. There’s an external race car–style gas filler for the trunk-housed gas tank. Both the tank and AGM battery (leather covered) are held in position with US&S-fabricated leather straps.

In true hot rod fashion, there’s a minimal approach to the upholstery with no door or kick panels and only rubber mat inserts used. The repositioned riser is home to a custom bench seat made and upholstered by US&S. It’s covered in a saddle color Italian leather and uses a pair of Hooker Harness four-point belts. The dash is the traditional use of a ’32 matched to a Model A eyebrow. From here Classic Instruments’ five-pack collection of Hot Rod gauges (black face with white markings and needles) are used. The speedo is also home for the 8-grand tach. (Bet this Flathead won’t be seeing these limits anytime soon!) Also fitted to the dash is the headlight switch and, we like this, the choke. Don’t see this often.

It was Dickinson who penned the quote, “Drive ’em, don’t hide ’em” that fits so well with the intention of this build and the reality. (More on Union Speed can be seen on their website: unionspeedandstyle.com.) We couldn’t agree more. There’s no doubt should you get out often there’s the chance your paths will cross.