It’s almost impossible to watch an episode of the 1960s TV show The Untouchables and not see a Ford Model A show up in scene after scene. The Model A dominated the automobile world in the 1920s and through the Great Depression and apparently, it was the gangster car of choice! This 1931 Model A pickup truck looks to be a solid survivor that has been placed with an auction house in Hesperia, California, and available here on Bid Fast and Last where the current bid is $8,250.
Henry Ford was truly an automotive pioneer and had two successful launches back-to-back. The first was the Model T, which saw production over 18 years that led to 15 million cars produced. The second was the Model A, which was built between 1927-31 but sold as 1928-32 models. They were noted for being available in colors other than black (like grey and green). At the peak of production, there were no less than nine body styles of the Model A, including the pickup truck like the one seen here.
The Model A would see sales approach five million copies during its five-year run. The advent of the 1929 economic crash impacted sales, as production in 1931 fell by nearly half of what they were just the year before. Trucks would represent about 15 percent of overall Model A production and a bit more than 100,000 trucks exited Ford factories in 1931, the year this truck was built. There was only one engine and transmission choice: a 201 cubic inch L-head, Inline-4 paired with a 3-speed sliding gear manual transmission.
This 1931 edition looks as solid as any 89-year-old anything could look. It started out life with green and black as the paint colors which has migrated to light patina over the years. The tailgate currently wears primer red, but there is no evidence of rust on the truck which bears current license plates. The body, bed, interior and engine compartment all look quite acceptable and if any of it was repaired or replaced in the past, it was done well. The wire wheels look remarkable and I can’t imagine what it would cost to source just one of those gems today.
The odometer reading says just 763 miles, which surely can’t be correct, but maybe it is. There is no mention of how well the trucks runs, but I’d be shocked if it doesn’t feel like 1931 to be behind the wheel of this great old truck. There’s even a video embedded into the auction page so you can see and hear the truck in action. It would be surprising if the bidding doesn’t go past $20,000. Thanks to Wikipedia and AHooga for Model A background information.
Looks pretty good for a near 90 year old! It’s had some changes/upgrades along with some freshening up here and there at some point. I see it’s sporting an alternator and quite a few new bits under the hood. A recent seat cover, newer black paint on the fenders, some aftermarket gauges and plywood in the bed show somebody put some effort into this classic to get it up, running and presentable. Overall, it looks like a great vintage Ford pickup that’s ready to enjoy. Gotta love the look of the wire wheels and Boyce moto meter, too.
Snuck in a dropped front axle too. Great truck. Had a ’33 with the same features except for the V8 introduced the year before. Wish I still had it.
These are really fun rides. One of the guys that I restored cars professionally with had a sedan and truck. This was his personal transportation most of the year. I got to drive it from time to time. Perfect grocery getter, part truck, and with your companies advertising on the side everybody knew who you were. We figure it brought us as much work every year as the truck cost. An amazing investment if you consider it that way.
Not as fuel efficient as one might wish, not very warm in the winter and air conditioning was of the flow thru the floor boards and open windows type but it was not as bad as one might think. Something else is that other drivers with very few exceptions give you a wide birth to protect something that is both rare to see and rare to see in use and practice. Most certainly not a current F-150 but very very special to have and use on a near daily basis. We did and lord was it fun.
Cool truck! Looks like one you could use and enjoy without worrying about the $10k paint job. 👍🏻
Not sure where the author came up with the notion of a ‘32 Model A. 🤔 Model A production ended in March of ‘31.
Unbelievable truck. If someone wanted to restore it to oem condition, that would be good. If not, then maybe a replacement frame with modern suspension and brakes along with a modern drive train. Long as it could just be lift the body from one to the other without modifications, that would be a good solution too IMO.
Changes in addition to the ones mentioned include aftermarket sealed beam headlights, chromed windshield frame, and Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels. This is a late 31 all steel cab wide box model, one of the more desirable models. I’d swap my 28 pickup for it.
Wheels are ’34 or ’35…?
I love these old Ford’s and this one is about as cool as it gets. However, I wonder how my 6’3″ 265 lb body would enjoy driving it. So cool and original.