Built In The Fifties? 1931 Ford Hot Rod

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This is an interesting 1931 Ford roadster. It has clearly been modified from stock but doesn’t appear to have been subjected to the typical chop/channel/fenderless treatment. There is no definitive proof, but the seller thinks it was done sometime in the 1950s. Located for sale here on craigslist with an asking price of $26,500, the car is currently located in Greeley, Colorado. Hopefully, it is continued to be enjoyed as-is since it would be kind of a shame to modify it further. Thanks to Ikey H. for the tip on this one. Check this one out and see if you can tell when it was built.

The upholstery has been redone recently but looks nice with simple stitching. The steering wheel seems to be from a 1940 Ford, which has been a common modification for decades. The rumble seat matches the driver’s seat and makes this car fun for a young family.

The flathead is really good looking with the polished accessories. The electrical system has been converted to 12 volts, which is a plus. The ad says it has newer Edelbrock heads, intake, and dual carburetors.

The headlights have obviously been moved from their factory location. Again, this was a very common custom modification for hot rods being built in the 1940s and 50s. You can see what appears to be a chrome shock sticking out from under the front fender. Based on the photos it looks pretty new, so there may have been some suspension work done recently, but it’s not noted in the ad. Overall, this looks like a nice original hot rod. Do you like the style of this car or would you do something different if it was yours?

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Comments

  1. bobhess bobhessMember

    Regardless of when it was built it is about as “period” as you can get. Nice!

    Like 18
  2. Francisco

    Needs a hood and a roof. I’d also try to source some wire spoke wheels.

    Like 4
    • Francisco

      I don’t see a window crank. Did the original roadster have side curtains? I don’t remember.

      Like 2
      • Dennis

        No Roadsters have side windows.

        Like 1
  3. Johnmloghry Johnmloghry

    It’s cool, but you really don’t get much for $25 G’s.
    God bless America

    Like 5
  4. Chris in Pineville

    headlights look odd in that location.
    get a stock headlight bar and that’s fixed.
    I’m an “original” car guy but this is a nice hotrod…..

    Like 10
  5. Dave

    Slick back (what’s left of) your hair, roll a pack of smokes (or antacids) up in your sleeve, and take your family out to dinner.

    Like 20
    • Johnmloghry Johnmloghry

      Brylcream a little dab will do ya, the gals will all pursue ya, they love to get their fingers in your hair.

      Like 5
      • Nic

        Wildroot Cream-Oil
        Wildroot Cream-Oil is a men’s hair tonic sold in the United States from the 1940s to the 1960s by the Wildroot Hair Tonic Company, based in Buffalo, New York. The company first started selling Wildroot Hair Tonic in 1911.Wikipedia

        Like 1
  6. Dave

    Not channeled but it has been lowered. Personally i think a 31 grill shell would look better and agree with Chris I think the head lights would look better on the stock bar – that also solves the problem of the holes in the fenders.

    Like 8
  7. wudy

    I had one like this in 1949, was that bright yellow, black trim, but was original, wheels spoked and cream convertible top. cost me 245.00. lol, worth 10,000 or more now, but I got rid of it, was dumb kid of 18 then

    Like 2
  8. Larry

    The grill is a 32 ford. Headlights belong on a bar attached to fenders, should be a bar connecting the front frame horns. I own a 30 model a and 30 to 31 had all that I described.

    Like 0
  9. art

    12 volt system wasnt from the 50’s

    Like 2
  10. pe

    Pretty cool, but he’s going to need a gun to get $26500

    Like 0
  11. Joe Haska

    No doubt it was alive and well in the fifties and I was too, but I don’t look like I did then and I don’t think this car does either. The memory is a tricky thing, it has a tendency to see things through rose colored glasses. We like happy memories and that can result in some misconceptions of our past.
    It is obvious to me that many of the features on this car, were not there in the1950’s, not that they are bad or wrong, it is just pushing the envelope a little to imply ,that this is the way it was in its past life.

    Like 3
  12. James Petropulos

    It definitely needs a hood and a nice Tan Convertible top, encase of wet weather and your out in it……though it ” Never rains in Southern California “

    Like 0
  13. kenzo

    There must be an alternator inside the generator housing. Nice car< Not sure if it is $26k nice and agree it needs a hood.
    cheers

    Like 0
  14. Dennis McCutchan

    I’ve got headlite bar if the new owner needs one. Had a hood but sold it.

    Like 1
  15. Steve M.

    Looks like a decent car. Snow is coming, so you might be able to cut a deal. Been to Greeley, CO. A really nice drive. There was a German POW camp there, where the POW’s worked on the farms. The area is known for beet production.

    Like 0
  16. Kenn

    I doubt the headlight bar would work unless it’s modified, ’cause it looks like the radiator/grill has been moved forward past the line up for the bar holes.
    Also, the two pics of the engine compartment were taken at different times, if you’ll note the mounting of the generator/alternator and the air cleaners – or lack of them – on the carbs.

    Like 0
  17. jokacz

    Those heads intrigued me. After a little research I discovered the block letter version was only made in 1946 and 47. But a reproduction came out in 2007. I suspect they weren’t from the 1950’s, but just guessing..

    Like 0
  18. vern

    Looks like one of Tonka’s crazy A s i had as a kid

    Like 0
  19. Phlathead Phil

    I just don’t know where people are coming up with these astronomical asking prices.

    If you really wanna sell, leave a little on the table for the next guy.

    Your ride will sell like magic!

    Like 0
  20. bobhess bobhessMember

    Don’t have a problem with the ’32 grill but it would look much better if it was painted to match the body. If you wanted to move the headlights up fabricating a cross bar with a curve in it is pretty easy for a good metal worker.

    Like 0

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