One of the most amazing things about car customization is that there are no rules about how it should be done or what you can and can’t do. And that means if you’ve got the skills and the imagination, you can turn any four-wheeled machine into a rolling piece of art, an expression of creativity capable of rivaling anything you might see hung in a museum or played on the radio. Such is the case with this hot rod Ford Model A, created by the talented folks on Velocity’s original series Speed Is The New Black for a rock star client.

Continue reading to learn more about the Heavy Metal Model A.

2018 Heavy Metal Model A

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2018 Heavy Metal Model A
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Heavy Metal Model A Build

- 1931 For Model A Sedan foundation - Owned by Seether bassist Dale Stewart - Built by Classic Car Studio in St. Louis, Missouri

Every good project starts with a solid foundation, and in this particular circumstance, the starter seed is a 1931 Ford Model A Sedan owned by Dale Stewart. Stewart is the bass player for the metal band Seether, and when he’s out on tour, he needs a little something to keep him motivated until the end. As such, he decided to build himself a hot rod.

Stewart found his project car shell in Wisconsin, which he then took to Classic Car Studio in St. Louis, Missouri, to spin into something amazing. Stewart approached Classic Car Studio with an idea to build a classic hot rod, but with a unique touch. He wanted something mean and hot, hard and raw, and with all that in mind, the boys got to work creating this unique machine.

Heavy Metal Model A Exterior Styling

- Extremely low ride height - 5.0-inch roof chop - Raw, unpainted metal look - Curving intake up front - Zebra wood roof - Custom wheels

The folks at Classic Car Studio weren’t given a whole lot to start with, so going into the project, they knew they’d have to design and create most of the car from scratch.

The end result is truly stunning, and definitely ranks as one of the most head-turning hot rod aesthetics we’ve ever seen. The look is aggressive and brutal, a savage thing that looks poised to rip up the pavement at a moment’s notice.

The Heavy Metal Model A rides insanely low, with the body hunched over the axles, the rear wheels rising up and over the rear window line. There’s 5.0-inch chop for the roof, and ground clearance is at a minimum.

One standout feature we’re really into is that curving intake mouth on top of the air filter, which looks like its inhaling the rushing atmosphere with reckless abandon. Up top is a custom wood roof from Goebel & Co. Furniture, made from Zebra wood, an exotic hardwood, and braced by strips of carbon fiber for added strength.

Finally, there’s a set of modified steel wheels in the corners, custom built and painted by Classic Car Studio and sized at 18 inches by 4 inches in front.

Heavy Metal Model A Interior Design

- One-off metal cabin - Everything is handmade - 3.0-inch floor channels - Aviation-themed, bomber-style seats - Distressed leather, brass aircraft rivets - Suspension and drivetrain moved into the cabin

Amazingly, the interior of this beast is just as spectacular as the exterior, with Classic Car Studio executing a one-off metal cabin that truly captures the raw metal vibe. Just about everything in here is custom, with handmade pieces for the seats, floors, firewall, dash, door panels, and transmission tunnel. There’s also 3.0-inch channels for the floors.

The seats get an aviation-themed, bomber-style design, with distressed leather inserts added for a little extra comfort. However, most of the sitters are bare metal, and are sure to help convey that untamed feeling to your backside when on the move.

Brass aircraft rivets add even more awesomeness, offsetting the silver metal with a splash of color. Complementary coloring can be found on the steering wheel, door handles, and shift knob, while the shift boot is done in the same leather material as the seat inserts.

To achieve the dramatic drop, Classic Car Studio had to move much of the suspension and drivetrain components inside the cabin. As such, the seats are just inches ahead of the rear axle, while the driveshaft is directly underneath the arm rest. The radiator was also relocated towards the rear of the vehicle.

Heavy Metal Model A Drivetrain And Performance

- 331-cube Chrysler Hemi from 1956 - Weiand 671 supercharger - Holly 2x4 bbl 600 cfm carburetors - Hot Heads cam - Holley fuel system - MSD ignition - Roughly 500 horsepower - Custom chassis - Coilover suspension - Wilwood brakes - Firestone Tires

A badass interior and exterior are all well and good, but they require an ear-splitting V-8 soundtrack to truly reach their full potential.

As such, the Heavy Metal Model is powered by a 331-cube Chrysler Hemi, a vintage engine from 1956. Stuffing it full of air is an enormous Weiand 671 blower, plus a set of Holly 2x4 bbl 600 cfm supercharged carburetors. Hot Heads did the cam, and a Holley fuel system and MSD ignition round it out. All told, Classic Car Studio estimates peak output at roughly 500 horsepower, while the good noise jets across the doors thanks to a short side-pipe exhaust system.

Routing the muscle is a TCI 700R4 transmission, which feeds a Ford Industries 9-inch rear end.

The chassis itself was all handmade by Classic Car Studio. Speedway Motors provided the suspension setup, including the shocks, steering column front axle, grille shell, and more. Coilovers were used for their adjustability, while Wilwood provided the necessary brake components.

Making the traction (or smoke, as the case may be) are Firestone Tires from Coker Tire, measuring in at 20 inches by 8 inches in the rear.

Final Thoughts

If you see this thing coming down the road, you better get the hell outta the way. We’re loving the unrefined, untamed look that this hot rod is bringing to the party, and feel it’s a fitting machine for the likes of Seether’s bassist, Dale Stewart. The details are impressive, capturing our attention from every angle, and it’s sure to be quite the experience to drive.

Further Reading

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