While the Ford Model T was wildly successful at every level, it was beginning to age out among buyers after an almost twenty-year run, and in 1928 was replaced by the all-new Model A. The more modern, fresh offering shared no parts with its predecessor, and ended up having a much shorter lifespan, with production ceasing after the 1931 run. Several different body styles were available, with this 1928 Roadster here on eBay certainly among the more desirable from the period. This one still has lots of originality left, but some work has already been performed to make it reliable and a confident driver. This cool A is presently in Sherman Oaks, California, with the current high bid of $5,100 still falling short of the reserve.
The one is described as a solid and unrestored example, and at nearly a century old, there’s a tremendous amount of patina present. The age of the current outside finish, or combinations of, isn’t specified, but it’s probably been decades since the exterior has gotten any real attention. This is the kind of auto that would cause me insomnia at night, trying to decide whether to leave the years of baking intact, or strip it all down and apply a fresh coat of paint. Whatever path is chosen, all of the panels and running boards seem like solid components. It’s also fun to see that this one’s equipped with a rumble seat.
The seller says he purchased this Model A from the second owner, who acquired it from the family of the original buyer, so it’s good to be able to trace some history this far back. He says the car spent much of its life in storage, under proper conditions, and that the engine was rebuilt at some point. It got a .030 bore, with the fuel system and gas tank also receiving attention, along with a modernized distributor. The wiring has been replaced, plus the brakes upgraded, and the Ford is now stated as a capable driver on today’s roads.
Unless you’re eager for something more eye-catching, there’s really nothing wrong with the interior as it is now. However, with the simplicity inside, it’s good to know it would be quick and easy, should a refreshing in here be deemed in order. The seller also mentions some extra parts are included, including 16-inch rims, in case you want to change the stance. I’d be very tempted to do nothing, and just let this 1928 Model A Roadster remain in its current state, which I realize might not be the popular vote. What would you do here?
Where is Archie, and Jughead?
I’d paint it. Maybe with a brush and a tin, but I’d paint it. That’s just surface rust; clearcoating it looks boggin’ and leaving it just lets it rust more.
All academic, ‘cos I’ve bought one car this week already and don’t need another!
Paint it and drive it.
I would coat it annually with linseed oil and just drive it.
He says the car spent much of its life in storage, under proper conditions.
I’d hate to see what it would look like if it hadn’t been stored properly.
I’d wash it with Dawn and a scuff pad. Then clear coat it with: https://www.vicegripgarage.com/products/gloss-wipe-on-patina-preserver?srsltid=AfmBOopg8zS-fepixarVBlENexi9YHm_Vw682Fp-mcwoS86HpebDwt2T
That way you keep the patina and the surface rust doesn’t get worse. It reminds me of Jim Bob’s car on the Waltons.
There’s thousands of perfectly restored Model As out there. Leave it alone.
absolutely. Pristine Model A’s are a dime a dozen.
I’ll take two dozen, please!
Clean it with Dawn and a scuff pad. Then clear coat it with something like:
https://www.vicegripgarage.com/products/gloss-wipe-on-patina-preserver
NO clear coat!!! I can barely tolerate the current patina fad, but clear coating “patina” makes it even worse. What is the net result? Shiny rust??? How real is that??
Sorry but I think it deserves to look like it did when it rolled off the showroom.
This is to nice to leave looking like a rust bucket.
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I would put a modern chassis under it with perhaps a Quad 4 and a 5 speed, lower it, add some artillery or wire wheels, then drive it everywhere, with a lot of road trips.
Here is a question. Would the car be worth more or less if it was cleaned and painted with a brush?
I agree with brush painting it. That shows a well-cared for A, but not a glossy trailer Queen. Very in keeping with depression era.
There’s no bad answer for what to do with this car as long as the Henry Ford steel survives.
My partner in crime is gone ( a few years ) but;
I’d buy me a good brush and some paint and Paint it. Roller to slop it on and dry brush to tip it off. Just like we did with other cars in my teens. Working in the back yard, picking off all the bugs.
What ever one does with this gem is irrelevant, give or take a coupe grand. If you don’t restore it and leave it alone it will get as much attention as any other car at any car show. Leave the stock 4 banger and drive the hell out of her. Or bolt the stock body on top of a custom frame with a blown injected 427 Ford hemi and tubbed rearend, and lay some candy apple plumb crazy purple on the skin. Either way it’s a great start!
My father graduated from UNC in 1940 with a degree in chemistry, rode across the country in a friend’s Lincoln Zephyr 2 weeks later and went to work for Shell Oil in San Francisco and Emeryville staying with them until he retired in 1978. With this newfound affluence, (I have all of his W-2 forms dating from 1940) he was barely able to afford a well used 1928 Model A Tudor which got him through the war, then a transfer to the refinery in Torrance in 1946, and then another transfer to Houston and the Pasadena refinery. When the war ended in 1945 my father had put his name on an order form for a new Ford business coupe. The demand for new cars was tremendous and deliveries went first to those folks deemed most worthy or those having the type of grease that makes things happen. He was still driving the Model A in December 1948 when the local Ford dealer called him to say his new Ford had arrived and to come and get it. My father left work early and drove the model A straight to the Ford dealer. Upon entering the showroom he identified himself and was immediately escorted by the sales manager to his brand new, bright and shiny blue 1949 Ford Custom Convertible.
“That’s not mine, I ordered a business coupe.”
They said, “Sir, that’s the only car we’ve got. Take it or leave it. If you don’t want it we will offer it to the next person on the list and you can go back to waiting for your business coupe of which we have no idea when that might happen.”
And that is how my father took ownership of the coolest car he ever owned. My father saved all of the paperwork and correspondence with the dealer. There is no indication that the Model A was taken in trade. I don’t know what happened to it but knowing my father he probably gave it to someone who needed basic transportation. As luck would have it my father and his new convertible were transferred to the Shell Oil Headquarters in Rockefeller Center in New York City in April of 1949. He drove from Texas to New York and parked his new Ford right in front of his hotel the very first night. Naturally it was towed and impounded while he slept by the NYPD for being parked in a passenger loading zone. Plus it had Texas plates which was likely an affront to New York law enforcement. “Welcome to New York, Tex.”) I learned this after my Mom died and when I sorted through the love letters from my father which she had saved. I have the keys to the 49 ford and also keys to a Model A that my father had kept in his top dresser drawer ever since about 1955 when he nearly killed himself and his brother after he fell asleep at the wheel and hit a concrete bridge abutment at 5-10 miles an hour. They had driven all night from NYC to North Carolina for their Uncle Pete’s funeral. They were within 2 miles of their destination and it was sunrise.Needless to say the convertible was a total lose. My father broke his left foot and ankle, several ribs, some teeth and was hopitalized for 6 weeks. His brother was pretty banged up but nothing broken and was out of the hospital in 2 weeks.And that’s how my father lost the coolest car he ever owned. I have 2 small black and white photos of it and one of the Model A. I’m sorry he didn’t get to enjoy the convertible for a longer time but 6 years with 6 winters living in the NY metropolitan area was a hard life for a soft top car so they probably would have replaced it in a couple more years. I just remembered, I have the original Texas license plate and most of the New York plates. I also have some California plates from the 1940s which must be from the Model A. If you have read this far I want to thank you for your interest.
My father graduated from UNC in 1940 with a degree in chemistry, rode across the country in a friend’s Lincoln Zephyr 2 weeks later and went to work for Shell Oil in San Francisco and Emeryville staying with them until he retired in 1978. With this newfound affluence, (I have all of his W-2 forms dating from 1940) he was barely able to afford a well used 1928 Model A Tudor which got him through the war, then a transfer to the refinery in Torrance in 1946, and then another transfer to Houston and the Pasadena refinery. When the war ended in 1945 my father had put his name on an order form for a new Ford business coupe. The demand for new cars was tremendous and deliveries went first to those folks deemed most worthy or those having the type of grease that makes things happen. He was still driving the Model A in December 1948 when the local Ford dealer called him to say his new Ford was sitting there waiting for him to come on down and take it home. My father left work early and drove the model A straight to the Ford dealer. Upon entering the showroom he identified himself and was immediately escorted by the sales manager to his brand new, bright and shiny blue 1949 Ford Custom Convertible.
“That’s not mine, I ordered a business coupe.”
They said, “Sir, that’s the only car we’ve got. Take it or leave it. If you don’t want it we will offer it to the next person on the list and you can go back to waiting for you business coupe of which we have no idea when that might happen.”
And that is how my father came by ownership of the coolest car he ever owned. My father saved all of the paperwork and correspondence with the dealer. There is no indication that the Model A was taken in trade. I don’t know what happened to it but knowing my father he probably gave it to someone who needed basic transportation. As luck would have it my father and his new convertible were transferred to the Shell offices in Rockefeller Center in New York City in April of 1949. He drove from Texas to New York and parked his new Ford right in front of his hotel the very first night. Naturally it was towed and impounded while he slept by the NYPD for being parked in a passenger loading zone. Plus it had Texas plates which was likely an affront to New York law enforcement. “Welcome to New York, Tex.”) I learned this after my Mom died and when I sorted through the love letters from my father which she had saved. I have the keys to the 49 ford and also keys to a Model A that my father had kept in his top dresser drawer ever since about 1955 when he nearly killed himself and his brother when he fell asleep at the wheel and hit a concrete bridge abutment at 5-10 miles an hour. They had driven all night from NYC to North Carolina for their Uncle Pete’s funeral. They were within 5 miles of their destination. Needless to say it was a total lose.
Ended at $8,900.
Reserve Not Met.