With the new year looming, many of us are formulating our resolutions for the coming year. With all of the insanity surrounding us, perhaps an additional emphasis on hobbies is needed to help mitigate the madness and help us focus on the good things in life. May I suggest adding a car like this 1930 Ford Model A rumble seat coupe for sale on eBay in Cincinnati, Ohio to your garage? As a collector car, Model A Fords are about the best choice around. These vehicles are simple to repair, parts are widely available, and the two Model A national clubs are incredible examples of support and fellowship. With bidding currently at 10,750, would this neat little coupe be the perfect addition to make the new year more enjoyable?
As we partake in that slow, but restful time between Christmas and New Years, it is prudent to reflect on the past year and begin to plan out the next. This country has done some struggling lately, and it is easy to get overwhelmed with the bad news that is out there. It can be downright unhealthy to focus on this misery and even more debilitating to look ahead to yet another year of political and economic uncertainty. We all need a diversion.
Thankfully, collectible automobiles are that diversion for many of us. We spend hours reading about cars, trucks, motorcycles, and everything else with wheels to entertain us. However, many of us don’t even have a car to enjoy, or the one we have is in a constant state of repair. We are missing out on cruise-ins, Sunday drives, car shows, family activities, and the comradery of clubs. The start of the year is the perfect time to pull out of the ruts we are in and start enjoying our hobby to the fullest. One of the best ways to do that is to put a running and driving Ford Model A in the garage.
Why a Model A? The main reason is that the Model A is arguably one of the best all-around prewar automobiles out there for someone just starting in the hobby. Ford made nearly five million of these vehicles, and each was designed with Henry Ford’s laser focus on simplicity. Mechanically, parts were the same across the car’s production range of 1927 through 1931. They still were simple enough that the owner with a set of tools or a decently talented mechanic could repair anything on them. Another thing to consider is that they were incredibly reliable for the period. There are Model As out there that have hundreds of thousands of miles on them.
If you want to add miles to a Model A, then the best bet is to join one of the two major national clubs. The Model A Ford Club of America and the Model A Restorers Club are absolute juggernauts in the antique automobile club scene. While both clubs could once boast national meets with car counts that made the Hot Rod Power Tour look like your local Saturday night cruise in, thousands of people still belong to these clubs. On the national level, they each produce award-winning magazines, have terabytes of past articles available to help you solve any problem, and both are supported by local clubs that are active in touring and promoting activities for the whole family.
The websites for these clubs can also be a tremendous resource for anyone contemplating a Model A purchase. From classified ads to informational articles, the first step towards Model A ownership is aided in every way. They also do a great job explaining the plethora of choices available to prospective buyers. Body styles range from jaunty coupes to dignified Victorias, and the mechanicals can range from bone stock to modified engines and drivetrains intended for reliable and efficient touring. These websites also connect you with aftermarket parts vendors, local experts, and even tips on how to dress yourself to match the Model A period for shows.
As for a Model A to add to your garage, this 1930 Ford Model A deluxe rumble seat coup is a great start. Being sold out of the estate of a former Model A aficionado, this blue coupe with cream wheels presents well. Sporting dual side mount front fenders, the car is said to be rust-free. While there are a few areas with touch-ups and the usual signs of wear and age, it is a running and driving example ready for use. The seller tells us that “it starts, runs, drives, shifts, handles, brakes and sounds great.” Looking at the multiple pictures in the ad reinforces that statement. This has the appearance of a driver-level car that was likely sorted out mechanically a long time ago.
The other curious thing to consider is that Model As are bucking the trend as far as depreciation. Prices on good Model As are rising. We have profiled numerous very nice prewar cars of other makes on Barn Finds that are selling for a fraction of what they used to. Part of that is the fear of a new generation that they will purchase a car with little support regarding parts and know-how. The other part is that they just don’t see themselves behind the wheel of a prewar car because they have no personal connections. There are sadly few people who grew up in the prewar era left, and nearly all of those folks are limited in their ability to restore, drive, and enjoy such vehicles. The incredible support network for Model A Fords alleviates a number of those concerns.
Bidding for this car is currently sitting at $10,750, which is a fair price for a Model A coupe with an older restoration. That number is also pretty close to the price of a decent used car nowadays. While it is hard to go out and have fun in a five-year-old Kia sedan, you can have the time of your life in a Model A like this. It can also function as a second car if need be. The only question here is if you are ready to cast off the concerns that weigh us down and start making memories in our great hobby.
Are you looking at adding a collector car to your garage this year? Would a Model A Ford like this one be a strong candidate for that spot in your garage? Please share your thoughts and plans in the comments.
Nice car, I have never seen a rumble seat, always wondered, they say grandma or mother in law in the rumble seat , how would they get into it, a kid or young adult no problem, but an elderly person , or lady with a dress? Just wondering. Or was it only made for kids?
Well, thats a legitimate question. There were little treads on these cars, and you can see some of them in the pictures. You had to be careful and fairly agile. When you see one of these cars you get the idea of how people would be able to climb into the rumble seat
Stand behind the vehicle on the right (passenger side) by the bumper. See that round metal pad just above the bumper? Left foot on that, the step up to the pad on the right rear fender with your right foot. Your left foot/leg is now in position to step into the rumble seat area and be facing the correct way.
If you go in from the running board side, you’d have to spin around once in, which would be hard or awkward to do if there’s already someone else (small) sitting on the other side of the rumble seat.
I could still get into one of these easily, but someone like my elderly mother would not be able to (at least without a lot of help).
My grandfather restored a bunch of these, and other cars, so as a kid, I had lots of experience with them. I wish I still had one today, but no room for one right now.
The other Chris, That’s exactly what I thought those were for, as I was looking for how to get in after reading the comments.
Connecticut mark: You step on the running-board, then there is a rubber piece atop the rear fender — it’s easy, even for someone my age (unless compIetely crippled from time) to get into and out of a rumble-seat — easier, frankly, than climbing down-into, then up-out-of, my 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis! And DON’T challenge me to climb into the back-bed of a pick-up truck without a step-ladder. There is one of these rumble-seat Model As — a 1929 — often tooling around here. And the owner takes it out regularly — it’s reliable, if not truly highway-fast. Shows-up at flea markets and grocery-store parking-lots. Always looks like fun! And, isn’t that the POINT?
Thanks, I will have to try to get into one one day.
Buy this or one of those fancy golf carts. These have really softened in recent years.
Nice car. Only thing I don’t get is why you would put a plastic fuel filter on the carb under the exhaust manifold when there is a metal/glass one mounted on the fire wall. Good way to turn a neat old car into a crispy critter.
Or maybe clean the dang gas tank.
A Model really is a great way to get into owning a classic car. They are easy to work on and are very reliable. After three years of owning mine something finally broke, the starter drive spring. It was an easy and quick repair that does not even require crawling under the car. A member of our local Model A club had one so I didn’t even have to run down to the parts store. Parts are inexpensive and plentiful and club support is great. I give Model A driving classes at the museum where I volunteer and folks find Model A’s very easy to drive.
Neat!
Nice write up, Jeff. This is certainly a nice car for any hobbyist. I’d love to add this to my collection but my “collection” of hobby cars now consists of just one. Quite frankly my days of multi hobby cars are past. I’m happy with what I have but this Model A is tempting. If only I could talk the wife out of her half of the garage lol.
Just like my dads first car that he bought in 1940. He said he bought it after working all summer for a farmer at the end of summer the farmer traded the coupe in on a new Ford and my dad bought it, he said it was like new. Every time I see a 30 coupe it makes me think of him telling me about it.
This car would appear to have just come out of storage. Judging by the tread patterns, the tires are ancient, but I bet the paint would respond well to some TLC. The dual side-mounts, rumble seat, striping, and luggage rack give it a little pizzaz. A good one!
A friend of mine put a 60hp V8 in his with a Columbia two speed. It ran down the hiway really good.