In the days before the internet, Company Reps used to drive from town to town, visiting businesses to peddle their wares. Choosing an appropriate vehicle that could carry their samples but didn’t cost a fortune to buy or run was imperative, leading to cars like this 1929 Ford Model A Business Coupe. This beauty recently surfaced after sixty years in a barn. It is solid and effectively complete, and the company’s simple engineering principles make these classics ideal for enthusiasts contemplating a first project build. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Zappenduster for spotting the Ford listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Black Creek, Wisconsin. The seller set their price for this old survivor at $10,000.
Had he stood his ground, Henry Ford would have ensured that his beloved Model T would have remained in production until he passed away in 1947. His faith in the “T” never wavered. It was only when he begrudgingly acknowledged that the competition was making inroads into sales volumes with more modern vehicles that he and his son, Edsel, commenced development of the Model A. Released in 1928, the Model A had big shoes to fill, but the production figures confirmed that it did so admirably. The choice of body styles was bewildering, although the company only offered the Business Coupe in 1928 and 1929. This ’29 recently emerged from a Wisconsin barn, a spot it had occupied for over sixty years. It is essentially complete, with the seller stating that the vehicle is rock-solid. The Blue paint shade is a mystery, because it doesn’t appear on Ford color charts from that era. It is possible that someone refreshed the vehicle before parking it, and it is begging for a repeat performance. There is surface corrosion visible in some listing images, but with only a few minor dings and dents, returning this old Ford to its former glory shouldn’t involve steel replacement. Many bright trim pieces require restoration, but the glass is clear.
Henry Ford was not only passionate about the Model T, but he also had no genuine interest in engines with more than four cylinders. The Model A demonstrated that, powered by a 201ci flathead four developing 40hp. That figure represented a significant improvement over its predecessor’s 20hp, and by replacing the Model T’s two-speed planetary gear transmission with a more conventional three-speed manual, the Model A was considered more user-friendly than the car it replaced. Unfortunately, the seller doesn’t supply any engine bay images. However, they confirm that the motor turns freely, so coaxing it back to life might be possible. Of course, it would be wise to include a mechanical rebuild as part of the restoration budget for safety’s sake. You may not need it, but erring on the side of caution is the best strategy.
Sixty years in a barn hasn’t done this Business Coupe’s interior any favors, and a complete retrim is the only solution. It isn’t all bad news, because with the essential hardware intact, the new owner could perform the work themselves using material “off the roll” if they are handy with a needle and thread. Otherwise, complete trim kits are readily available, and would offer the easiest solution. The buyer will undoubtedly adopt a nut-and-bolt approach to this restoration, allowing the opportunity to refresh the painted surfaces.
Rarity claims can be a slippery slope, and when you consider that Ford produced 37,644 examples of the 1929 Model A Business Coupe, the seller’s assertion doesn’t seem that credible. However, my investigations show that the Business Coupe accounted for only 2.2% of overall sales during that model year, which is consistent with the seller’s statement. How many have survived is unclear, but someone has the chance to return a long-lost classic to its rightful place on our roads. This Model A is heading rapidly towards its 100th birthday, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate that landmark. So, are you up for that challenge?
The thing you have to survive first is the 10K price. Have only seen 3 of these guys: one in Harrah’s museum in Reno, a ’29 owned buy a Floridian, and this one. Local owner’s had landau irons in place of the windows. Get the price back down off the moon and you could have a fun restore of a rare piece of history.
Another great restoration candidate, but at this stage of the hobby, who would take on a project like this anymore?
I thought “survivor” meant more than it still exists.
A friend that has been into Model A’s since the mid-1960’s he has picked up a couple of nicely restored convertibles in turn key condition over the last 2 to 3 years for $10,000-$12,000 from the owners estates. The market for these has changed, younger buyers are not common. There might still be a market for projects to turn into “Rat Rods” but those buyers aren’t going to pay anywhere close to $10,000 for a project in this condition.
Steve R
What’s that on the running board, a hummingbird feeder?
It’s a bottle of cleaner.
Well….it’s not working.
Fantasy land asking price…
I didn’t even know that Model A Fords had a business coupe model as I am only casually familiar with them. To me this looks like a regular coupe with a trunk instead of a rumble seat. Can someone please explain?
the price is too high. they don’t sell for much more when done.
No one in their right mind is going to pay $10k for this condition! Just saw an absolutely beautiful 29 Rumble Seat Roadster, excellent paint, complete mechanical restoration for $12k. Worth maybe $3k.
For me, this falls in the same category as the ’34 listed today. Would make a very cool platfom for a serious street rod, but not at this price point.
Having owned a couple of Model As and looking at what the next project should/could be, this would be fun if it were closer and about 20% of the seller’s asking price. It’s going to need everything, and you would end up with a business coupe instead of something more interesting.
My priority would be finding another 1931 Slant Window Deluxe Fordor (160-B).
I have never heard of a Model A referred to as a business coupe, In the late 30’s and into the early 50’s a business coupe was a club coupe with no backseat, designed for traveling salesman. This model A would probably been called a sport coupe. Looks like the top goes down, but it doesn’t.
Actually should be a “Opera Coupe”……
Looks like a Sport Coupe without the irons
days gone by not worth restoring
I went to the Model A Restorers website and determined there was a unique body type – 54A – which was a ‘Business Coupe’ for 1928-1929. I looked at
The Coupe Book from the Model A Ford Club of America and it says that the Business Coupe was introduced in May 1928 as an economical and comfortable car for daily use. It’s similar to the Sports Coupe except it doesn’t have the landau irons and it came with a black long-short grained artificial leather top. The landau irons and the opera windows appear to be options.It was discontinued for the 1930 model year.
The Business Coupe had a trunk (no rumble seat).
Brain F ,Great research and I would assume very accurate. I think what happened not many of them were sold and they stopped manufacturing them. They just kind of slipped under the radar and not much was ever said about them. I know I never heard the term business coupe for Fords until the late 30’s into the mid 50’s.
Thank you for the kind words. I realized a mistake. The 1928 model did not have the option for the opera windows, but did have the option to include the landau irons. The 1929 model came standard with the opera windows.
I have to trust the sources, as I am as far away from an expert as you can get. I just happen to have these resources, having owned a 1929 Model A Sports Coupe and a 1931 Slant Window Deluxe Fordor.
I still think it is worth restoring it (not turning it into a hot rod) if the seller sets a more reasonable price or donates it to a local club. My dad donated a pair of Tudors to a couple of local youth club members with the understanding that they would not resell them. Both youths who received one of the Tudors are putting in the work to make them even better than the daily-driver condition they were in.