If you’re like me, you find something curiously attractive about old-school hot rods. They possess an indefinable quality, and maybe it is simply that they are individual and distinctive in an era when new car showrooms are brimming with “cookie-cutter” offerings. If you feel the same as I, you will probably find yourself irresistibly drawn to this 1930 Ford Model A Tudor. Its overall presentation is hardly going to snag it many prizes, but it is a rock-solid classic with a driveline that holds the promise of an enjoyable motoring experience. It runs and drives, and if you play your cards right, you could drive it right into your garage. Located in Dixon, California, you will find the Model A listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set his BIN at $28,000, but he does leave the option to make an offer.
If I were to assess this Model A purely on character, it comes up trumps. Its Black paint is patchy, showing plenty of patina (sorry, but I used the “p” word) that appears genuine. There’s no evidence to suggest it has been faked because most enthusiasts can usually pick such work from a mile away. The panels look extremely straight, with no significant dings or dents. The best news is this classic’s lack of rust problems. It appears to be rock solid, with no evidence of penetration in the supplied photos. The owner has left the side covers off the hood but includes them if the buyer wants to hide this Ford’s biggest secret. The glass looks excellent for its age, and the inclusion of a spare windshield in its frame is a bonus. The trim looks nice, while I can’t see any issues with the wire wheels. However, the wider rears provide a subtle hint that there is more to this Tudor than meets the eye.
When it was shiny and new, this Ford’s engine bay would have housed a 200ci flathead four-cylinder engine that sent its 40hp to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual transmission. However, who doesn’t need more power? It seems that the owner of this Model A did because its engine bay now plays host to a 239ci flathead V8 that would produce at least 95hp. However, there are enough visible modifications to suggest that the output could be significantly higher. The motor upgrade is the tip of the iceberg because the Tudor also features a T5 manual transmission, a ’40 rear end, a 33-36 front axle, and Juice brakes. Combined, these upgrades appear sensible and capable of delivering an enjoyable and entertaining driving experience. The owner’s information supports this theory because he has recently completed two long-haul journeys to Southern California, as well as heading in the opposite direction to set foot in Oregon. During those journeys, the car ran flawlessly, with the temperature gauge pegged at 160° all day.
The custom touches continue when we open the doors and climb aboard this old Ford. The owner has treated it to diamond-buttoned custom upholstery, while the dash houses a cluster of vintage-look Stewart Warner gauges. The driver will wrap their fingers around a ’39 Deluxe wheel, but he has left a few areas where the buyer can make their mark. There is no headliner or carpet, and while sourcing a carpet set will be easy, it may require the attention of an upholsterer if the new owner wishes to match the existing trim. However, none of these needs are urgent. The buyer could decide to enjoy this classic during the coming warmer months and tackle the interior issues as a winter project.
Placing a value on vehicles like this 1930 Ford Model A Tudor is difficult because these cars don’t conform to a set of rules. The reality is that they are worth whatever someone is willing to pay. If it were a solid and original Model A in its current state, the price would probably seem high. However, it is a classic that offers the potential of an entertaining ownership and driving experience that guarantees a smile a mile wide. They say you can’t place a price on happiness, but perhaps this hot rod proves that theory wrong. What do you think?
Not sure about the price but it’s clean, simple, and probably a lot of fun. Leaves the next owner something to work with if wanting to upgrade or finish the appearance.
Perfect way to describe it, “probably a lot of fun” especially at shows, hell, you can touch it, let kids sit in it!
Nothing But Love.
You could haul a lot of ‘shine in this .
I love this one! I wouldn’t change much if anything. It truly is in a class all by itself. The price probably will not pose a problem for the seller .
Yeah, I wouldn’t change a thing either. Normally I would be happy with the 3 speed transmission, but this upgrade will sure make freeway driving easier.
Nice. Talk about potential! This rig has what it takes to being a true traditional “Hop Up” with only minor refinements. The price is up there, but try to find one better…
I loved everything about this car until I saw the interior. Seriously out of place
Yep, very late ‘70’s
Very nice old Ford. Pricey though. .I,d just drive it as is. Maybe paint it and clean it up some.
It seems I should have bought a hobby vehicle before retirement.
Totally agree with the author and the comments. The price is just too high. model A’s are at an all time low an still going down. A Flathead and some tires and wheels doesn’t make a $28,000 Hot Rod.
The 5 speed is nice, I have used this combination in a 34 Coupe and it really works well. But the math doesn’t, support the price. A 30 sedan maybe 5 to 10 K ,the V-8 trans ,clutch etc. maybe 5 to 8 grand. All the money maybe 20 and I think that might be a tough sell.
I’d buy this but keep seeing myself meeting my demise at a roadblock under a barrage of machine gun fire ……
Super cool rod !
Absolutely Beautiful
To me, the Tudor is by far the most attractive Model A. This particular one is especially appealing because of the build and condition. Buy it, drive it, and then decide its future. Keeping it as-is is a viable option.
That price is a joke,I sold one two or three years ago all redone for 13k and was lucky to get that
Al, I’m with you. The price is ridiculous. There are better examples at a much lower price point, keep looking!
This thing is cool. However, I think this might be a “V8-60” the smaller variant of the flathead that replaced the four cylinder in the line up of Ford’s economy cars.
24 head studs means at least 85 hp. 221 or 239 ci.
60 hp V8 only had 17 head studs.
@Bruce, yep you are right, just read the actual ebay ad and it is 59A.
Al camino and Riffraff, ad says can make an offer. So, why don’t you? And even you can’t afford, or don’t want to afford, complaining about the price accomplishes nothing whatsoever that I can see. Unless you guys are the dreaded “flippers” and are afraid of not making a (huge) profit. Someone with the funds just may get a great deal of joy owning and driving this, and may not want to go to the time and effort to build their own. For what you presume would be less money. Labor costs not included of course.
I am one of the dreaded “flippers”, although my take on something like this is different.
I flip cars that are daily driver type cars, to supplement my income and because I love to haggle. To me, the art of the deal is fun! Robin Williams said in the movie Cadillac Man something to the effect that you never feel closer to a person than you do when you close a deal (not exact words). That isn’t true, but when 2 people trust each other enough to swap cash for paperwork, there is a connection.
I would buy this, not to make a profit, but because I think it is neat. I have sold a few cars here, all of which I bought because I thought they were interesting.
All I had intentions of keeping, but all of the ones I sold were sold due to financial issues, caused by myself & my actions. Ok, I sold one or two because I needed the money for another toy, but that is because I am an overgrown child lol.
I would buy this car, but I can’t afford it at the moment. And although I lost a lot of weight in the recent past, I doubt I would fit behind the wheel yet lol.
To me, it is still priced fair. I would drive it for a few years, then eventually sell it to get another. If I lost money, I would justify that with miles & smiles. If I made money, even better.
The appliances I flip, I better make money or I can’t afford my addiction/hobby…cool cars.
The more I look at this car, the more I think it is worth the money. Stock Model As are going for less money but I have a Model A streetrod that I wouldn’t sell for $28,000. If someone who didn’t have the ability to do all this work themselves, by the time you acquire a decent sedan, flathead, trans and rear, everything you need to convert it to juice brakes and then pay a shop to put it all together, good luck at keeping it below 28k. Oh, I’ve flipped a number of cars for the $$. When I see one for a price that I know I can sell for more, I jump on it and never felt guilty for doing so. I lost money on only one car so far, a ’62 Thunderbird.
When I look at this car it says fun. The price seems high to me but, then again, I’m a firm believer in “it is worth what someone will pay for it”
If you have infinite time to build your own you could probably do it for less.
But life does not go on forever, so if you’d like a car like this, this could be your forever car.
Hi, can you tell me what Steering Box is Mounted on the Car? I Have also a 30 Sedan and would like to put the Flathead Engine in the Car… Thank and best regards from Switzerland
Caner, this was an eBay listing.
We only discussed it here, it wasn’t sold on this site.
And it was two years ago….
Hope you find a car for your engine.