It took Henry Ford almost 20 years to move on from the Model T, but when he did he caught up with the advances made in automobiles in the previous decades. Unlike the Model T, the Model A has electrical and ignition systems, brakes on all four corners, a geared transmission and clutch, a standard pedal layout and much more. The model A has the basic components as a modern car and can be driven in modern traffic. This Model A is listed here on eBay in Lake Elsinore, California. Bidding is over $18,000 with the reserve not yet met. This is puzzling because similar Model A coupes in much better condition sell for about $15,000. Take a look at this one that sold on eBay recently and this one as well. This Model A doesn’t even have a rumble seat. The seller claims that his car is original though.
Usually, cars like these are actually older restorations, but parts of this one look like they may actually be original. The engine has been rebuilt at some time and the original blue paint still shows in places through the black repaint. The seat upholstery might be original, but the top and bows are certainly a much later addition.
You can see here where the black repaint has rubbed off showing what could be the original blue paint. It’s confusing, as the seller says this Model A was originally blue and it has the original blue paint. Does he mean it’s original paint under the black paint? But then he also said the body panels were “replaced and all Henry steel”.
The engine was rebuilt sometime recently, but it was redone in the original configuration.
I prefer original cars over restored examples, especially those in good original condition. I don’t believe there’s very much left that is original on this car. The previous owner knows nothing of this car’s history before 1950 when the car was already 20 years old. The seller claims the top bows are original and the top may be original. They are obviously a very recent addition. This is a nice old Model A. It would be fun to own and drive a car like this (I regularly drive a similar car to events for the museum where I volunteer). This one, though, does not appear to be as original as they claim. Personally, I would purchase a restored Model A for a much more modest price and just enjoy it.
Why would anyone in their right mind pay thousands more for this over a nice shiny well running restored one? I recall riding in Model Ts at the Henry Ford museum, and ya know what? They were restored! I would feel much safer and more comfortable riding in a car with brakes that are not worn, tires and suspension pieces, the same. Sometimes car people get some crazy crap in their heads deciding what is valuable. Of course value is subjective and people who think unrestored cars are worth more, probably have one they want to sell and make cash from. Yes, if it had been in a sealed room for 80 years and appeared new, different story, but this is a ratty old smelly car.
Billy you are 100% right.
Traditional hot rod builders really love 50 year old patina that isn’t so full of rust people consider it a rat rod. This car has a great weathered but not trashed patina that would make a real stand out of a vintage rod. You just can’t duplicate age and that’s why this car is bringing a premium.
A roadster will almost always bring more money than a coupe or sedan. Not that difficult to flip the decklid and install rumble seat. Still….too pricy for me.
Unrestored originals that are all there and in great condition are getting extremely scarce. I’d much rather have it than a restored one. You can see what you’re getting with this one and you’re getting a good, solid car with genuine Ford components. You don’t know what you are getting in a restored car. Shiny paint does not impress me. I don’t know what’s under it. A restored car is likely to have reproduction parts and may have patch panels and plastic filler all over a rough body.
Why is this Ford worth several times over the value of the similar era Chevrolet recently listed here?
Fords have always have been worth more and it is a fact and always will be:
1. The early V-8’s were faster.
2. Less wood in the inner structure.
3. They just look better to most people
4. There popularity created more parts because of the demand, therefore
cheaper to own and restore
5. They were a better buy because of they took less work and money for the
young kids buying them
6. Some things just are, why Tri-5 Chevy and 32 Fords and Corvettes ,WHY?
A funny thing about #1. Yes, the “Ford 60” (for the rated HP of the V8) was FASTER, but the Chevy 6 would out pull it on a long hill. You see this even in more modern vehicles. Ford pickups with the 5.0 (302) V8 are pretty good all around. However, if you want to PULL something, you opted for the 4.9 (300) I-6.It makes its maximum torque at something like 1600 RPM.
The BIG reason is the one you point out in #4. There surely were, and are, “better” cars out there, but the production numbers and parts supplies are what keep these Fords on the road. As long as it doesn’t get a SBC and a lot of chrome, this will make somebody very happy.