Cher once sang about what she would do if she could turn back time, and if you bought this 1929 Model A Roadster, it really would be like turning back time. The car was constructed in 1967, but it underwent a cosmetic refresh, including the addition of some pretty impressive looking murals, back in 1976. Barn Finder Darrun referred this absolute beauty to us, so thank you for that Darrun. If you would like to get your hands on a real old-school piece of custom history, then you will find this Ford listed for sale here on eBay. It is located in Stanwood, Washington, and the owner has set a BIN price of $29,950 for this rolling art gallery.
This Ford certainly screams “old school.” The steel body sits on a custom chassis, and the 1976 refresh has really stood up incredibly well over the past 43 years. It isn’t perfect, but it looks like some careful wet sanding and polish would have it looking pretty incredible. You can’t help but love the murals that grace the car. I well remember the 1970s, and for those who could afford it, having murals hand-painted by someone with talent and an air-brush was the ultimate statement of individuality. That looks to be the case with this car, and the effect is quite stunning.
The interior of the Roadster is fairly simple, but it does look to be in good condition. Once again, a mural takes pride of place on the dash, and nicely ties the interior and exterior of the car together. The rest of the interior trim looks like it is in good condition, so there won’t be any real work needed there. The car doesn’t appear to have any sort of stereo, but that wouldn’t worry me one little bit.
The original builder of the Roadster seems to have pulled together an interesting collection of components to get the car up and running. While the engine is a 350ci Chevrolet item, the transmission is a TH400, the steering and brakes came from a ’67 Corvette, and the front suspension previously graced a Corvair. That was all part and parcel of the scene in the 1960s and 1970s, and it is a philosophy that is still pertinent in areas such as the rat rod scene today. The owner refers to the car as a great driver. He also states that the car was featured in its current guise in the June 1976 edition of Rod Action magazine. He is including a copy of that magazine with the car, along with a collection of stories from the original owner.
Way back in the 1970s, I really wanted a car like this. Unfortunately, I was too young and poor to afford such a luxury. I’d still love to own one today, and while I am older and wiser, my financial position hasn’t really improved enormously. This Ford may not be as famous as John Milner’s coupe out of American Graffiti, or as desirable as a car like a Hemi ‘Cuda, but as a snapshot of a particular era and genre of car, it is still significant. It is a car that deserves to be preserved, driven, and enjoyed for what it is. I really hope that this happens, and it would be a true bonus for me if the person that does buy it was one of our passionate and enthusiastic Barn Finds readers.
Not a big fan of wire wheels, black paint, or Chevy motors in Fords, but this is one nice looking hot rod.
Surprised it doesn’t come with a copy of “Street Rod” magazine with this car on the cover.
Oh, those wheels.
Buyer would be wise to allow a SKILLED paint person to restore that paint job.
An amateur could easily ruin the underlying paint murals with an improper or overly-aggressive attempt to remove the tired clear coat.
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Personally I would prefer the same car in a solid color, with maybe a few pin stripes or a ghost flame job. Something subtle that doesn’t distract you from the lines of the car.
Although a skilled painter did the paint job that kills any notion of buying it for me. Prefer one color, flathead and either steel wheels or period correct style spokes wheels. To each to his/her own however!
I agree this car would look amazing in solid black and more modern wheels, but this is the epitome of 70’s show cars. If a person is into nostalgia, you’re not going to get much better than this. It certainly takes me back to my youth, reading and admiring what is not considered gaudy paint jobs, Oh how times change.
Did you look closely at the mural on the trunk? When it’s open, the upper part merges perfectly with the lower part – even the reflection of the grille. Nice work!
I don’t know who is calling this A a 28/29 but it is a 30/31. Question is: what does the title read? And those 26/27 Model T windshield stantions are about 5″ too tall to look proportional on an A body. I couldn’t justify spending that value and then contemplating what iot will take to straighten out this car.
The 70’s were not the best examples of Hot Rods and what has carried over to present day. This car is agreat example of, a butt ugly show car built in the 70’s. For me it has no social or historical meaning, other than not all “Old School” buiids are that cool just because of, the era they were built in.
“A piece of rolling automotive history” ROTFLMAO. The only history is that it is a bunch of old car parts stuck together rolling down the road. Still I would own it.
I must be in the minority today, I like it just the way it sits & even more so if it -were a bit lower front & back. Rough crowd today, practicing for April Fools day ?
Hello,
Thanks for the nice comments about this great car, I am the daughter of the original builder and I remember my dad building this car when I was a little girl. It is so neat to see this car in its 95% original form so many years later. My dad is still building bad ass hot rods to this day.
If anyone is into collecting a 70’s Rod. This one is perfect. Best of luck to the new owner.