Descriptions used by sellers often confuse me. Sure, I can be a bit thick but when something doesn’t interpretively compute, I’ll keep reading the details to see what I have missed. Take this 1929 Ford Model A for example. The listing states, “1929 Ford model a roadster survivor. One owner since the early 40s and chopped around the same time“. How can it have been chopped and still be a survivor? There are other visual aspects that don’t add up so let’s investigate and see if we can sort out this Ford. Located in Yorba Linda, California, this Model A is available here on craigslist for $11,500. A tip of the hat is due to T.J. for this discovery!
The initial image caught my attention, this Ford is wearing or trying to wear, a hot-rod vibe with its baby-moon hubcaps and white wall tires. It’s a period look but belies survivor status. As far as “chopping” goes, I don’t see that either. Usually, it involves lowering the roofline, or in the case of a roadster, at least the windshield frame; am I missing something here? Other than the aforementioned tires/wheels/hub caps, this Model A looks original. The finish is faded, there is surface rust present, and the bumpers are missing but the body is in pretty reasonable shape. The seller states that this Ford has been a garaged, California resident since the ’60s.
Said to run, drive stop, there are no images of what should be a 40 HP, 201 CI, in-line four-cylinder engine joined to a typically found three-speed manual transmission. We’ll have to run with the assumption that the engine is stock.
The interior, as simple and as spartan as it is, also gives one a perfectly representative image of where the term “floorboards” originated. The door panels and seat bottom are missing but those are minor items. Additionally, the seat backrest and folding top are going to need some assistance if the next owner chooses a stock restore direction.
Which begs the question, if you were the next custodian of this old Ford, what would you do with it? I like the direction that this Model A has started to take – though I don’t know about this chopping business. I could see an improved powertrain but maintaining its exterior, as it sits, would be my preference, you know, some modification, but nothing overt while maintaining a lot of its originality. Some may balk at that idea but there are so many of these Model A’s still in existence – we cover them all of the time, that I don’t think a non-stock direction is exactly going to thin the herd, wouldn’t you agree?
I didn’t understand the “chop” either when I saw the listing. I like the looks of this, I think continuing with the hot rod vibe may be the way to go – don’t touch the finish and insert a 59AB flathead.
….and put a dropped axle up front.
It’s differently a survivor ,did I miss where something has to be original to be a survivor?? It’s definitely had mods, original wheels where spoke wheels,it survives.
Changes made 70-80 years ago….yes, a survivor.
The aftermarket Montgomery Wards Riverside under dash AC and cassette player are both period accessories in my ’63 Valiant at this point. They’re “survivors”.
Like the NOS Ampco Oiler unit I added under the hood. It, too was a survivor accessory.
I think ‘original’ is the correct word and even then this looks like “mostly original”.
Bumpers would have to go back on though.
Considering that this 1929 Ford Model A Roadster is 93 years old, what’s not to like. It’s in better shape than some American cars manufactured in the ’90s.
And while you’re at it, how ’bout some juice brakes too. It looks like just the
windshield frame has been chopped
and nothing else. You might want to
consider a ’39 gear box as well.
The original owner must be around 100 years old if hes owned it since the early 1940s
I like it. If only it was painted blue (green is one of my least favorite colors). It also would be a shame to take this car out of California which has helped keep it in its current condition. I can imagine fixing it up for a local cruise/show car. Put the top down and just enjoy.
If it’s a “survivor, what’s with the wheels?
he windshield is not chopped. This is a Deluxe roadster which has a lower windshield than the standard roadster
Deluxe roadster didn’t happen until 1930. 28-29 roadsters all had the same windshield posts.
Looks like it could be ‘originalized’ with a bit of money. Start by getting rid of the silly modern wheels and find something that looks more appropriate to 1929. Hope it still has its original four cylinder engine. I KNOW, I’m being an old grouch!
I as far as I can tell, the “chopped” part might be the top bows. The top itself also looks modified. If the windshield posts have been cut down, it would be so minimal, as to fall into the category of why bother?
Could it be that the car was originally a coupe and the top was chopped off to make it into a convertible?
No that’s a convert body.
I live not far from Yorba Linda and would like to see it in person. Can that be arranged?
Larry,
The Craigslist ad says…….
call or text:
(714) 864-6090
I’d say “survivor” means that the body and paint didn’t get eaten by the tin worm. Once that happens, it’s dead.
It is obvious seller does not speak vintage HOT ROD or understands , their are specific definitions for these terms. But time and interest ,or lack there of make them get mis used. Even in the comments some one refered to the car as a convert, meaning convertiable, This car is definitley a real Model A Roadster. It is not chopped, channeled , sectioned , diego axel, or juice brakes. I could go on ,but who relly cares, you either know or you don”t. How many Old time Hot rodders does it take to change a light bulb ? You don’t know , you ween’t there.