Thanks to tip-finder Zappenduster, the Wayback Machine produced this 95% restored lipstick-red 1931 Model AA for our viewing pleasure. Finding any surviving Model AA is tough enough, let alone an example enhanced by substantial work to its mechanicals and cosmetics. The result is a truck that’s likely far nicer than anything Henry Ford ever manufactured. Find it here on craigslist, priced at $17,500 with a “must sell” notation at the top of the description. No word whether it runs and drives, but at least it’s located in one of the most charming towns in Oregon – Shady Cove.
When this handsome truck rolled out of the factory, Henry Ford was still months away from introducing his first production V8, so the engine bay shares the same powerplant as every other Model A – a 201 cu. in. flathead four. The AA truck is rated at 1 1/2 ton, so rather than persisting with a three-speed manual, Ford switched to a four-speed with a “granny gear” after August of 1929. Still, with only 40 hp on tap and those dual rear wheels, top speed will be about 45 mph. Rebuilt four-wheel mechanical drum brakes and an emergency brake handle the “whoa”. The seller notes that this truck’s tires are new, and the wheels are powder-coated.
The interior is fresh in all respects. Two aftermarket gauges measuring oil pressure and water temperature are mounted beneath the factory set. The front windshield cranks out – the tried-and-true way to provide ventilation back in the day. The seller indicates that the odometer is broken.
When Ford first introduced the notion of a truck in 1917 – the Model TT – it was sold as a chassis. The buyer was responsible for installing a suitable body. By 1924, the TT came complete with a body from the factory. The Model AA expanded on that notion: not only were countless configurations available, but the buyer could still order a chassis and send it out for customization. The AA was offered in three wheelbases – 112″ (late in the production run), 131.5″, and the big daddy at 157″. Compared to the smaller, user-friendly Model A pickup, the AA tends to sell at half price. This striking ’31 Model AA flatbed failed to find a buyer at $14k in July of this year, while a 1929 dump truck sold in a no-reserve auction at $8450 a couple of months earlier. What price do you think it will take for this nicely restored Model AA to find a new home?
This is one sweet looking old truck. It looks like they did a really nice job too. It’s kind of funny seeing that little Model A 4 cylinder under the hood, but that’s what was available at the time and it worked. I hope it finds a good new home, you’d need more of a barn than a garage due to it’s size. Thanks Michelle!!!
First, let’s clear something up. The author has repeatedly used the term “Wayback Machine” in the posts, yet I challenge her if she was actually old enough to remember the original “Wayback Machine”, part of the Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, 1959-1964 in which Mr. Peabody, a talking dog professor, and a brainy kid named Sherman, used a machine, an early form of computer, I reckoned, the size of a room, to go back and revisit history.
This is an awesome find and great write-up. The AA was probably the most common truck sold during the Depression. While no specific breakdown, Ford sold 482,000 commercial trucks 1927-1932, most the AA, not including the global market, including GAZ 1932-1950. The cab and chassis cost about $475 new, and aftermarket back, maybe another couple hundred, it was without question, Americas truck.
This is a wonderful find, I see 12V and alternator update, and author didn’t mention, that opening windshield, while letting in air, also let in bugs, Eagles and what not. Love a 4 spoke steering wheel. I bet for a shifty person, it’s really easy to drive.
Thanks for the compliment, Howard! Rocky and Bullwinkle was a staple in my household. Through the magic of what’s called “reruns”, the show lasted well into my childhood. In fact, I have phrases stuck in my head that I still say to myself from both R&B and the Flintstones, sometimes the Jetsons too. Those were the days.
Ok. I’ll throw my hat in the ring…
How about Dick Dasterdly and Mutley?
“Drat… Drat…. and Double Drat!!!”
And of course Looney Toons too.
Thank you again Michelle, this is a great write up, I really like this truck.
Great feature. 👍 Every anniversary 🎂
I send my Wife the clip from the Flinstones lol 🎹 love that Happy Anniversary song lol.
That’s all Right! I do the same thing. Wife gets up and as soon as she wakes up her computer, she’s greeted with Flintstones “Happy Anniversary.”
I love these old AAs and BBs. They’ve got a lot of personality and could be a lot of fun. No powerhouse for sure. A lot of farmers upgraded their AA’s with the B engine, which offered full oil pressure lube, a fuel pump, automatic ignition advance, and another 10 hp. If you went another year down the line you could get a counterweighted crankshaft. I knew a bunch of guys my Dad’s age that used AAs on the farm right into the 50s…
Stop the press! What’s that handsome beast on the hill! … great photo, two wonderful machines. I’m going to export your photo to my desktop, who wouldn’t want to look at this for a screensaver!
Always enjoy your “as new” photos, Geo, even though the 2 machines( shovel and dump truck) are worlds apart. Either hand shovelers or draglines loaded these trucks. Still, all took notice when “——“came into the gravel pit with a new Ford dump truck. It never looked this good again,,,until just now. I read, while things were pretty grim, road building was actually gaining steam, WPA around the corner, and anyone with a dump truck could have a job. Many farmers converted the old stake bed into a dump.
The farm in N.Wis. I stayed at, had,,,HAD,,,a similar Ford dump truck, was the guys grandfathers. It sat in the woods for years, no cab, grill missing, but his dad said it still worked. Well, time marches on, grandpa and dad long gone,, and several (many?)years ago, before coming to Co., I lived on the farm, I asked him, what happened to your grandpas dump truck? Oh, he said, we had a metal drive, and the truck was hauled away,,:(, along with his uncles ’58 Buick. Just shows to go ya’, one persons gold is truly another persons junk.
Michelle: Just razmatazin’ ya’, I too remember those shows through reruns, thanks again for the great features.
Geomechs, I’ve said before you should write a book, but in addition to that, have a book with all these geeat pictures you always post on here. I seriously mean it.
Been working on the book. Dealing with a couple of deadlines for projects ahead of it. Some differences of opinion with an agency, which is typical but still doesn’t help. One of these days…