When the utilitarian Model T Ford was becoming obsolete in everyone else’s eyes, Henry Ford still took a lot of convincing. As far as he was concerned, the Model T was all that anyone would ever need (imagine Model Ts in 2022). Once even Henry got on board with a replacement the Model A was born. One of the things that set it apart was Edsel Ford’s touch in the styling department. A mystery, however, is what was the purpose of building convertible body with a fixed top? This 1930 Model A Deluxe Sports Coupe is being sold on craigslist out of sunny Ventura, California with an asking price of $10,000. The question is why did Ford build such a car? Thanks to T.J. for the tip!
If you aren’t too knowledgeable on the Model A Ford, this summary from Hemmings is a great start. Model A Fords are in that short list of cars that are great to start out in the hobby with. Great club support, nearly everything can be worked on by the average owner, and an incredible number of available parts are just three categories where the Model A excels.
This dusty garage find looks to be a restoration from the sixties or seventies. During this period there were tons of Model As being restored in garages across America. My grandfather restored a 1929 Tudor and was active in the Model A Ford Club of America. Thumbing through his old club magazines, it is incredible to see picture after picture of hundreds of Model As that would show up at national meets. My grandmother claimed that the angriest she ever got at my grandfather was when he sold his Model A because the club meetings, tours, and meets were such a great part of their lives.
Having grown up with tons of Model A related reading material, I always wondered why Ford produced the sport coupe models. Sport coupes are basically a cabriolet body (fixed windshield) with a non-opening cloth top. While it has landau bars and a rear window area that you could unzip to enjoy the breeze, you get all of the road noise and aggravations that a convertible brings without the wind in your hair benefits. To make matters more confusing, a standard coupe sold for $495, a deluxe coupe cost $545, and a sport coupe ran in the middle at $525.
As you can see from the photos, this Model A has sat in storage for some time. The seller tells us that this sport coupe is a barn find and has been garaged since 1980. The car currently has the ever so valuable barn dust covering most of the vehicle save the driver’s seat. As it sits it does not run and will require some work to get it back on the road. One area that may prove difficult is the fuel tank. The cowl is basically the fuel tank on these vehicles. Removing the tank to clean and seal it requires a bit of extra effort.
A look inside reveals an intact but aged back vinyl interior. The top is also suffering from some stained areas and quite a few signs of age. The good news is that after a good cleaning this car may be presentable enough to put back on the road and introduce your kids to the concept of rumble seats.
Under the hood reveals what appears to be a bone stock Model A four-cylinder engine and a likely dated six-volt battery. The seller tells us that the odometer lists just 36,902 miles. This could be from the day it left the factory, the day it left a used car lot, or since it was restored. The latter is the most likely option, as it was customary to roll the odometer back when you had completed a full restoration.
While the price may be a bit up there for a non-running Model A in this condition, the good news is that these cars seem to be on an upswing in popularity. Believe it or not, someone is even reproducing Model A engine blocks. A number of younger enthusiasts have become aware of the basic simplicity of these vehicles and prices are on the rise for good cars. Some of these new owners also love the side hobby of many couples who own Model As: vintage fashions. Most Model A meets have awards for vintage outfits to go along with your vintage Ford if you are into that sort of thing.
It’s no secret that the Model A is something special. However, I am still stumped as to the whole sports coupe thing. Since Henry and Edsel are long gone, perhaps a reader can explain why the sport coupe body style exists.
You get the best of both worlds, the look of a convertible and the good glass doors of a regular coupe with roll up windows. They were the vinyl roof cars of their day
The battery is normally located under the driver’s side floorboard. I have seen them relocated like this before but not stock.
The T could come with a “California top” which was canvas but did not fold down. Living in California I can vouch for this set up – in LA the sun is out almost every day and for most of the year it is too hot not to have a top over your head. Begining in 1994 I have had cars with sun roofs which have almost always just stayed shut with the screen shut as well. I have a convertible and I put the top up in the summer, and drive windows down, except on a cool evening. So for California this model would sell.
Nice, its about18 hours away would be fun just to get it running and driving .
As a kid during the 1950s, I used to see the neighboring farmer, a Mr. Cross, driving around in one of these. I wondered why he never put the top down. Now I know.
Normally when I see these old things its days gone by, but for this one it looks like you give it a good bath get it running and drive it
I wonder what it would cost to turn it into a Convertible ???? As it is right now , I wouldn’t want it !!
I own a model a sport coupe. Henry built these because the cloth top doesn’t absorb heat on a sunny day like a coupe. Makes for a cooler and more comfortable drive. These are strictly a dry climate cars because rain will soak right through.
I like the car and the way it looks. The canvas top would be cooler than a metal top and that counts for something with no A/C. Did you notice the huge disco ball? This is an interesting garage!
The seat is apparently a 1980s junkyard replacement.