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There really is something cool about finding an old hot rod that was actually built during the early days of hot rodding! This 1930 Model A is said to be a period hot rod with all of the popular upgrades of its day. I can’t say whether it really is period or not, but it definitely has all the right parts and upgrades! You can check this sweet machine out here on eBay in Tucson, Arizona with a BIN of $21k and the option to make an offer. So do you think this one was really built back in the day? It has the right look, but that doesn’t mean it really is period. Either way, I sure like it!
Sounds like a mixture of old and new pieces to me. New frame, modern audio and a dash that looks to fancy to have been built up in the ’40s or ’50s, with a lot of old-time hardware underneath.
Could be a lot of fun! Of course, whether it provides $22K worth of fun is up to the individual.
I think the “new TCI frame” answers the question about whether it was built back in the day. If this well built, half as good as it looks, and is your cup of tea, this may be the best 21K you ever spend. Imagine trying to gather the parts and build the same car.
Looks like fun, except for the engine. Great build with awesome speed parts. I think I want to put the engine on a stand for my office and drop in a V-8. As I recall, we are taking about 50hp plus for the 4 banger and whatever the speed parts may add, 75hp? I think the later models were a lot better looking and you could get a V-8. I think most of us prefer the V-8. The 1933 had better lines to me, perhaps looking a little more aerodynamic. I doubt it is worth that kind of money as it sits, but I paid $12 to go to the movies the other day, so who knows.
I admit it: a flattie from ’32 or later would make this more appetizing to me. But then, a ’37 with all the early hotrod goodies would make me scramble for money to put it in my garage!
In the above response I just assumed it was a V-8. Bad assumption and not as good of a buy as I thought.
I like the car! However, nothing screams hot-rod better than a V-8; a four is kind of like bringing a knife to a gunfight. I’d tend to follow Dirty Harry and use the 4-banger for a conversation piece (I’d choose the living room but I think there’s another member of my household that might object—and yet that same member thinks it’s completely OK to display her 50s ‘pillbox hats’ on the wall in the office). Drop in a flathead V-8, or maybe a Y-block, or even a 289/302, something that will fit without too many problems yet remain in the family.
Not much old school about this one. Glass fenders, ceramic coated exhaust, dropped tube axle, 12 volts throughout and more. None of this was available before 1950. It simply has the old look, style. Nothing wrong with that but why say it is something that is simply not true. My guess is that this car was assembled into this configuration in this century.
I have no idea how this is even a debate LOL.
I do like the look of the bolted on go fast parts. Knowing that it is still quite slow makes you wonder why they did it.
The B motor was the high compression motor with a little more umph.
Agree about wanting a V8 instead of the 4-banger for driving nowadays, but I remember seeing rods in rod magazines and SCTA newsletters that had 4-banger engines with speed equipment added back in the ’40s and early ’50s when some guys couldn’t afford to buy a V8 and much speed equipment. I think there were classes for those cars separate from cars with transplanted V8s.
Whether this particular car is true to that history is certainly debatable. Altho the Zephyr transmission & brakes and the Columbia 2-speed rear end were standard upgrades back then, especially for cars run in dry lake top speed competition, a lot of the other things added to this car aren’t.
Maybe you just like it mainly for the cool factor, or don’t.
I think that calling this an “old school real deal period hot rod” borders on being fraudulent. Why not just say something like “it’s an old school-style hot rod with vintage speed upgrades”?
Its very obvious this is not an original old hot rod built in the 40’s or 50’s, is it trying to kook like it, again obviously yes, does that make it bad, I don’t think so. The question is do you like it or not. I think that the mystic of hot rods, there custom, its an individual thing, you like or not? I would say if you like this car, somewhere around 20K is a good buy. If you disagree price a TCI frame, build a model C banger, find a Columbia; and of course a model A sport coupe and do the body and paint. “I’m just say’n” ! Next do I want it -NO, not my style!
I wouldn’t mind having it to run errands around town with the 4 banger but he would be insulted what I would offer.
Needs an early 331 Cadillac or even a nail head , pheww on the 4 .
We are on the same page Mike Layton I’ve got a V8 flat head out of a 47 caddy that would be perfect for this car .I like the look of this car ,a nice mix of old and new.Old is kool.and new is safe and dependable .I dont believe this car could be built for the money they are asking .I like it alot its got style.
I can imagine the the comments this would get at the annual street rod Show! Better keep the hood down, and your mouth shut unless you want to be comity central. I would definitely put some kind of V8 in it. Flat head with Offenhouser upgrades, or a crate 351.
Nicely done “period style” hit rod. Lots of modern stuff for reliability and performance with period touches: Model A body; Model B (’32) radiator shell; ’39 Ford Blue Dot taillights. Should have a late ’30’s banjo steering wheel though.
I think the commentators would be surprised at the performance potential of that warmed-over four banger in this lightweight car.
Fraud–let us call it what it is.. Only “old” about it is the engine and trans.. Car “period” I’d say is 90’s.. NOTHING about this car says anything to support what the seller says in the ad.. Just absolute crap-wish we could post out comment on Ebay like this..