This 1929 Ford Model A roadster, currently listed on eBay, isn’t being presented as a stock survivor, it’s something very different. According to the seller, it started life as a real California barn find discovered in Chico, where it had reportedly been sitting since 1971. From there, it was transformed into a traditional hot rod built in the style of the late 1940s and early 1950s, and it now carries a clean 1929 Ford roadster title.
The build centers around an original 1932 frame, which the listing says has been modified with boxed rails, a C-notch, and a Model A rear crossmember. The original K-member is still in place, and the setup includes rebuilt ’32 pedals converted to hydraulic operation. The seller notes a number of suspension and steering upgrades, including a modified Nash steering box, a dropped SoCal axle, original 1939 spindles with updated components, and a reverse eye spring with friction shocks up front.
Braking comes from 1940 Ford components, and the rear end is described as a 1940 Ford unit with 4.11 gearing, paired with shortened 1946 wishbones and a custom driveshaft. The listing also mentions rear tube shocks and a modified torque tube. It’s the kind of combination that points toward a traditional-style build rather than something modernized or overcomplicated.
Powering the build is a 1940 Ford engine that the seller says has been re-ringed and has less than 100 miles on it. It’s equipped with a Winfield cam, Edelbrock heads, and a pre-war Edelbrock intake running dual carburetors. Supporting pieces include a rebuilt distributor, headers, and a converted 12-volt electrical system. A rebuilt 1937 transmission and 9-inch clutch round out the drivetrain.
The exterior and finishing touches follow that same period-inspired direction. The listing notes a genuine 1932 grille shell, Yankee Owl headlights, and 1940 Ford wheels with caps. Inside, there’s a 1932-style dash and a custom dropped seat riser designed to accommodate taller drivers.
The seller states that the car stops, tracks straight, and has been driven in events including RPM Nationals and Neal’s Hotrod Run. It’s also described as something that tends to draw attention wherever it goes, which isn’t surprising given the mix of early Ford parts and traditional styling cues. This isn’t a project in boxes or a partially assembled idea, it’s a completed hot rod with a clear direction and a long list of period-style components. For someone who appreciates early hot rod builds and the mix-and-match engineering that defined that era, it checks a lot of boxes.
Would you keep it as-is and enjoy it, or start tweaking details to make it your own version of a traditional rod?
Love the car but not the 35K to buy it.
At least the builder avoided all the cliche “modern” hot rod stuff. It’s really tempting, assuming all the “t”s were crossed and the “i”s dotted, as it appears they were.
But for $35 Large, I’d build my own. And probably paint it gloss black, with some very subtle red striping.
When I think of the term, “hot rod?” This car is what comes to mind. If I didn’t need most of my retirement cash? Yeah, baby!
I was loving it until I saw the asking price.
I would keep it as-is, but as many have stated $35K is an increasingly hard to get price in this day and age. Much like stock 30’s cars started doing awhile back with older folks, you’re starting to see my generation (I’m 59) that really valued these traditional hot rods starting to age out, downsize, work on figuring out what they need to do to make it work if they age out of the workplace and have either forced or voluntary retirement, etc.
More folks my age are either keeping what they’ve got, or selling off their hot rods rather than buying or building.
There are fewer under-40 year olds into this stuff, and even fewer with that much disposable income to spend on a weekend fun car. I’ve been seeing cars that are just as cool up for sale on the HAMB listed for $15K less than this and go unsold for sometimes months.
I’m sorry but I see too many nice older hotrods like this for less than 20K to even think of 35K for this one.
I do like the flathead but would prefer a later model. This is old school and the price should reflect that. I assume the OBO will surprise the owner.
Interesting comments, and not surprising when people make assumptions about cars they know nothing about.
This is an accurate recreation of an early Ford Hot Rod and it is done with real parts. No re-pops or wrong generation items. You would be extremely lucky to find all the parts that make up this car for less than 35 K. Also by your observations you wouldn’t know how to assemble them. The steering gear alone is $2,500. Priced building a Ford Flathead lately? The time and effort it takes to source the parts for this build, takes time and knowledge, just to know how to find them. I am glad the price scares you and you’re not interested. If you own this car and are its caretaker, you should have to prove you know what it is and will not do something to destroy the concept of the build and what it represents. Stick to cars that you know about.
Joe, that’s a pretty harsh assessment of many “old rodders” out there that may not share your apparent love for old, period correct rigs. I am 76 years old and got into cars when there were still some cars like this around. My sister even had a boyfriend that bought one similar to this and he immediately gave it the early 60s treatment. Bored 283 with 6 Stromberg’s, T-10, chromed dropped axel with chrome wishbones and Buick finned drums, tuck and roll interior, etc. Now, whoever built this thing most definitely had pretty extensive knowledge of early hot rods, and it is pretty darn consistent with a build from the late 40s to the mid 50s, but unless someone just had a burning desire to own a period correct “clone”, this would not be a great choice.
It would ride and drive like a dump truck, and I can assure you that more than about 100 miles at a time would be about all you would want. Also, no matter how good of a mechanic someone is, this is 80 or 85 year old equipment and will require constant maintenance, sometimes even on the road.
Personally, I would never buy something like this, first and foremost because I do not think that it is worth 35K,(at least not to me) and second for the reasons listed above. Even though owning a street rod has always been a dream of mine, I would want one that is reasonably comfortable for 4 or 5 hours, doesn’t require periodic “road maintenance”, and isn’t a chore to drive. Now, that may or may not be someone else’s priority, and that is fine, I just don’t think that it is fair to say that someone else’s idea of what they want isn’t right, and that they won’t care for it the way you would.
Joe, unfortunately, as you already know, a car’s resale value is not the sum total of the parts. And nobody but the owner/builder knows what they really paid for the pieces. Maybe they had a cheap donor car for a lot of it.
Resto-mods can cost $500k to build. The owner plays with it a few times, then takes it to Mecum and gets $150k for it. No harm for a mega-millionaire.
On a more practical level, guys buy all manner of performance parts and tack them onto a muscle car. When they sell it, there is no chance that they will get even close to what they paid for the car and all those parts, regardless of a stack of receipts.
This is a nice rod, built by a hobbyist (or maybe a pro) who knows what they are doing. No doubt.
But getting your money back out is rare in this business. People want it cheap, or they pass.
Would love to see more OLD RODS and customs here.
This is a great looking rod. The price is ridiculous. $10k is maybe realistic.
Very cool and well done. An “original hot rod” that doesn’t bow to easier, lesser quality parts. It would be a gas, just to tool around in this car.
Nostalgia to the max on this car!
When did 35K become the new 10K?
2021
When was the last time you paid 10 K for a nice car?
I enjoyed the video of the car idling. Great sound. I imagine it would be a lot of fun to tool around in this. Better keep a weather eye peeled, though. I’m not knowledgeable enough to know what the car is worth but it seems like with all the hop up parts listed and the knowledge required to design, source and build this the asking price becomes more understandable. GLWTS.
Old Hot Rodder, I am sorry I think you missed my point, I was not trying to be harsh on old guys. Just the opposite, I was being harsh on young guys who have no idea what this build is, which is obvious by their comments. I am 83 and still have and drive the 34 5-window I bought in 1963 when I was 19 years old. Of course it is not the same car it was in 1963, although it looks the same. It has had 5 different engines, several transmissions, rear ends and lots suspension up-grades, disk brakes and many tire and wheel combinations. Cosmetically, I have painted it 5 times. But in 1963 it had basically the same drive train as this roadster, so I know what a vintage Hot Rod is and how it drives. Time passes and now we are paying tribute to this era of Hot Rod history. Which I think is very cool, probably because I was there. This roadster does an excellent job doing that, I would love to own it and not change a thing and explain its heritage to anyone who wants to know. My comment was directed to those who obviously don’t know or care.
Joe, that must be a fascinating story – the evolution of your own 5-window over the years. All those mods most likely were out of choice and maybe some even out of necessity.
Joe, your history is similar to mine except I kept finding cars I liked and traded or bought them. My ’32 Merc powered 5 window got traded for a ’34 just restored pickup with slight mods and the original V8. Then the ’54 Chevy 210 hot rod, then the Olds powered ’53 Studebaker, and on and on…… Love to see a picture of your car.
Bob, I sent a reply to your question, but I did on the B/F original listing and it might be hard to find now. Let me know if you find it, if not I can try again…..joe
Joe, fair enough. Have a good day.
Full beautiful TROG Racer! Outstanding!
It is interesting that the title goes with the body, in the UK it goes with the frame (or chassis) unless a unibody, then it goes with the body. I am not sure how our authorities would treat it if someone were to import it.
Bobhess, You are 100% correct our histories are very similar, except my 34 was never For Sale. However, everything else was, it was a game of robbing Peter to pay Paul, hoping the next one would be an improvement on the last one. Most were early Hot Rods, several 32’s , other Model 40’s, some 35,36, 37 Fords and Multiple 40 Fords and a string of fat fenders 46 to 48. Then a love affair with a half dozen F-100’s 53’s mostly. Now it’s late Model Chevrolet 2WD P/U’s or Tahoe’s. Then the list of odd balls is pretty long too. My point is I love cars and I have tried to have as many as possible on a limited budget, meaning usually one at a time! But the 34 has been my forever car and is now my one only and I have a driver, a SC, SB, 2WD, Lowered 2006 Chevrolet P/U.
I would like to send you a picture of the 34, problem is my computer skills are not good. But I can tell you where you might see it. Street Rodder Magazine June 1978. Lost Hot Rods a book by Pat Ganaul. Ol School Hot Rods,a book by Alan Mayes. Several publications by Dain Gingerelli, one was a pocket size book Hot Rods Field Guide American Icons.
Bob, sorry for a long response to a simple question, but you asked! Thanks joe
Love not being alone in the car world. I’ve had a blast and it sounds like you have too.