So, what’s in a color? Well, I guess it depends on the precise color and what it’s actually covering. Take this 1929 Ford Model A, for example. Normally, I would have skipped doing a review; we’ve covered so many Model A’s here on BF, what else can be said? They are the gift that keeps on giving, however, because there were so many produced (a bit under 5 million) in just four years (1928-1931) of production – and they’re still everywhere! Nope, it’s the yellow color that caught my attention, and I thought, “That’s unusual, let’s take a closer look.” This old Ford coupe is spending its senior days in Great Falls, Montana, and it’s available here on eBay for a BIN price of $6,750. There is also a ‘make an offer’ option.
The story of the Model A is an oft-told tale that I imagine is familiar to most of our readership. It’s safe to say that it was the right car for the time at Ford due to the age and currency of Henry Ford’s beloved Model T. One of the most amazing aspects of the Model A was the variety of body styles that were offered. What we have here is a typical two-person coupe (three if you’re good friends), one of 178K. But there were other variations on the coupe, as well as a roadster, cabriolet, two and four-door sedans, and a four-door Phaeton. Additionally, there were at least seventeen domestic assembly plants, as well as numerous others in foreign countries – the Model A got around!
One quality of this car is its completeness. Sure, it’s in forlorn shape, but it’s all there, well, mostly all there. Some of the glass is missing, the fabric roof insert is flayed, the chrome plating has lost all of its shiny finish, the spare tire and bracket are missing, as are the headlights, but not the pods, and the wheels appear to be from something else (though three correct wheels are included in the sale). The seller adds, “Minimal rust. The body – cowl, doors, quarters, subrails, etc. – is all very sound. Only minor dents and dings can be found across the surface of the sheet metal. Doors close solidly. The body wood is in good condition; nothing has begun to sag or fall out of square, although the top bows are in need of replacement. Fenders, running boards, and splash aprons are all in good condition.”
To my surprise, the 40 HP, 201 CI, flathead, four-cylinder engine runs – actually, the seller claims that it “runs nicely.” One interesting fact about the Model A is that the driver’s controls (brake, clutch, throttle, etc.) were standardized to match those of the then-competitor brands, something that was not the case with the Model T. A three-speed “sliding gear” manual transmission was all that was offered in the gear-changing department. The seller does not reference this A’s stopping ability, but it is notable for having mechanical brakes – a feature that was fortunately disappearing from other marques.
The interior is, well, it’s inside, but that’s about it for positives. The floor panel, gauges, seat frame (but not the springs), and door panels are all MIA. These are compact interior environments that don’t offer many features or complexities, and this one’s a blank slate for the next owner.
“This is a great foundation for an awesome street rod build or complete enough for a full restoration,” is how the seller begins the listing for this Model A. No surprise there, as a street rod is what usually comes to mind when I spy a Model A coupe. Of course, that activity, as well as full restorations, has been standard fare for Model A’s for decades. Today? I’m not sure that the interest is still there; it is to some degree, I imagine, but not as it once was. So tell me, if you were interested in this faded yellow Ford coupe, what would you do with it?
Considering nicely restored model As can be had for 15k or less ( and that figure seems to drop every year) I would think the asking price is a little high. As much as I like them stock this one will most likely be rodded.
I agree, that’s a whole lot of money for a Modal A that needs a full restoration. It does appear to be fairly complete, but nothing there is reusable in it’s current condition.
It’s interesting the seller claims it “runs nicely” when there’s no fuel line coming out of the firewall mounted fuel filter, and the line is cut off at the carb? The seller says the 3 wheels that come with it are 30-31’s, which are different than 28-29 Model A wheels. I like Model A’s, but even if you’re building a hot rod, you’d probably be better off buying one with an old restoration that more parts could be reused without major work.
Nicely restored coups go for a lot more than 15K. I sold mine a few weeks ago for 24K for example. The floor board is just that, plywood, so it’s easy to replace. 4K buys a complete interior upholstery kit. Someone might restore this as a hobby project but it will more likely just provide a body for a hot rod project. Either way, $6750 is too high a price for this.
Go to the eBay ad and you can see the complete seat with springs and the probably ’40s wheels mounted on matching drums which could indicate hydraulic brakes installed or at least in progress. Agree with Jim, price too high.
Seat springs, yes; seat frame, no.
JO
This looks like some kids jalopy, from way back when. When these A’s were around $50, for a runner.
Looks like John Boy’s car from “The Waltons”.
https://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_377870-Ford-Model-A-1929.html
I know I will probably take some heat but I’d make this a 60’s rod. Possibly a flat head 8 with a stick.
I’ll go you one better than that! Find a good Lincoln V-8, a 4-speed, and build your own Hot Rod Lincoln! I’m sure that Charlie
Ryan and Commander Cody would approve.
I’ll go one better than that,
The original hot rod Lincoln that inspired the song “Hot Rod Lincoln” is a 1930 Ford Model A Coupe powered by a Lincoln V12 flathead motor. This car was built from a 1948 Lincoln chassis shortened two feet and fitted with a Model A body. The V12 engine, which was a flathead, displaced five liters and powered the rear wheels via a three-speed manual gearbox. The car’s unique design and performance features were a significant influence on the song’s lyrics and melody.
Carscoops
And here, I had always thought that the Charlie Ryan and Johnny Bond 1960 versions of “Hot Rod Lincoln” had been based around the Arkie Shibley (1950) country song, “Hot Rod Race”, involving a Mercury and a Model A, as I recall. There were two 1951 hit covers of “Hot Rod Race”, by Tiny Hill, and by Ramblin’ Jimmie Dolan. Are you familiar with that [spoken] song? At my age, I know “Hot Rod Race” better than “Hot Rod Lincoln”, and I have no knowledge of a “Commander Cody” artist, I’m afraid..
Thanks for the info on Hot Rod Lincoln. It never made sense to me to call a Model A a hot rod Lincoln just because of the engine. The line “That Model A body makes it look like a pup” makes more sense too. One small point. ‘48 Lincoln V12s displaced 292 cubic inches. In Liter-Speak that’s 4.8L.
Unfortunately, I think that this car is overpriced. Of course the seller can ask less if it doesn’t sell- doesn’t work well the other way around… GLWTS
I found out about the Arkie Shibley songs when I wondered why ” We’ve all heard about the hot rod race when Fords and Mercury’s were settin the pace”. There were actually 4 songs by Shibley about that race – troubles with the judge! Suspect you can find them on Google.
I recently traded for the 28 Model A above. It was modified in the late ’40s by using another Model A sedan body to extend it by about 18 inches. They added a rear door similar to a sedan delivery and used it as a school bus in the Black Hills of South Dakota until 1954. I’m going to make it run and stop and leave the rest as is. This one has patina to no end!
3rd try to get a picture in. Notice the shop-made wheels. 28-29 wires centers with the spokes cut off and bar stock welded to 16 in rims. 21 inch tires hard to get by the late ’40s. The brothers that modified it were real craftsmen. The rear door fits and closes very well, better than the stock Model A front doors and has a latch mechanism that looks like it’s from a ’30s GM car.
Looks like it won’t post with a picture, just get the wait forever line.
Harrison, good to read you here. We may have had this conversation before about Commander Cody’s version of “Hot Rod Lincoln”. He was sort of rock-a-billy style, fast paced, at least in this version of the song, sort of manic but catchy, nevertheless. Other of his songs were much slower country, tongue-in-cheek. My favorite was “Momma Hated Diesel (So Bad)” “I guess it reminded her == of dad”. He passed away a year or so ago.
CC and his LPA did a whole album of truck driver and ’50s reboots back in the early ’70s.
The rear window has been cut out to much larger than stock.
This would make a nice project to just get running & road worthy. Then upgrade or modify as you go. Maybe a 60’s period rod with some kind of ford power under the hood. You wouldn’t need a lot hp in this thing to have fun on the road.
But, a bit pricey.
Made a nice mess of the rear window.
This is a leatherback coupe so the wood frame for the window is missing , not a mess
They are great to Hot Rod but have you ever seen one that has been in a modern wreck at highway speeds.
It is gruesome. Absolutely gruesome.
I believe this coupe is a leatherback so the rear window was not cut out it was wood framed so the wood is missing and as for the asking price the ad does say obo, what ever happened to the art of negotiating , plus I always get my old cars to run from a portable gas tank , just saying.