It’s hard to imagine a car with more body styles than a Ford Model A! Sure, the “T” would give it a run for its money but in the last year and a half, I have uncovered more variations of an A than I ever imagined possible. So, with that thought, here’s a 1931 Model A equipped with a “Wood” branded hydraulic dump truck body. It is located in Ontario, California and is available, here on Facebook Marketplace for $6,200.
This example, though referenced by the seller as a Model A, actually looks more like a Model AA, which was the heavy-duty truck chassis variant of the A – the five slot steel wheels are one of the giveaways. You can also notice the difference here between the truck and its passenger car garage-mate. Model AA’s were available in two different wheelbase lengths, 131 and 157.5″, not certain as to which one this is. There are a few images of this truck included in the listing, but virtually no words of description. It appears to be mostly intact and inflicted only with surface rust. There are no images of the inside of the dump body or a reference as to whether it still works. The safe guess is that it has been sitting indoors for some length of time.
As for the dump body, it was a product of the Wood Hydraulic Hoist and Body Company of Detroit, founded by Gar Wood. Wood eventually turned his hydraulic hoist company over to his family and pursued marine engineering and boat racing where he was quite successful. That story, however, will have to wait until another time.
This truck is a non-runner though it is still in possession of its original 40 HP, 201 CI, in-line four-cylinder engine. Looking it over, it doesn’t appear to have been in running status for some time. The gearbox in place should be a four-speed manual transmission as opposed to the standard three-speed employed in the A.
Looking for a little more? The seller has a flathead V8 that he’ll throw in with the deal. There is no mention made of which displacement this engine is but he does state that it needs to be rebuilt and on the surface, it doesn’t look much better than the four.
Sorry, there are no interior images but if you have seen the interior of an A or a Model AA, you’ll have a pretty good idea of how this one likely appears. I guess the biggest concern there, might be floor integrity though there is no reason to suspect a major problem. OK, it’s what-to-do-with-it time. Rat-rod or restore was one suggestion. I can see the rat-rod or hot rod thing with a pickup, but a dump truck? As for restore, that could be doable but probably as a static display or a sales promotional tool. It just seems unlikely that this Ford would operate well, as a driver, in dump truck form. I’m scratching my head, what do you suggest?
Rat rod, painted side with “Orange Hauler” logo.
Or “Orange You Jellous”? “Driven (aimed) by Orange Julius”.
In place of a 4 speed transmission, many AA trucks I’ve seen, and one stake body I owned, had 3 speed, with a 2 speed rear operated by a toggle pedal on the floor.
The 1928-9 Model AA had 3 speed transmission with a dual high transmission shifted by floor buttons to shift from high or low range directly behind it connected to a worm drive rear end that was available in 2 high or low gearing
Wheels on the stable-mate are from model B cars. ie: not A cars. Seems to me restoring it enough to drive, get the dump bed working, and have fun at cruise-ins as well as something useful when you need a truck for short hauls.
Restoration for sure! Something like this cries out to be taken back to its glory days. Maybe even put it back to work. It’s a nice candidate.
I wouldn’t want to put a V8 in it although I will also admit to being tempted. That engine is a 24 Stud which I suspect to be post-war. Well, the ’42 models had the fan in that position. I’d like that engine too, but for another project…
Another for the “what to do with it” dept. On one hand, something like this doesn’t come around often, the right thing to do is a total restoration and put a velvet rope around it, OR, get it running proper, leave it as is and have fun with it. Restorations are nice, but these trucks only looked like that once, and this is much more in order. Fact is, with fenders and headlights intact, this was one of the good ones. The orange would probably indicate a municipal or county truck. Small dump trucks are very handy, but certainly nothing I’d want a restored truck to do.
HOWEVER, we’re dreamin’ pal, and we have to face it, as time drifts by, fewer and fewer will want this, in any configuration and it’s a shame. Trucks like this literally built our now crumbling infrastructure, and had their time in history. This was the best for the time. I’m not sure many will care about that in the future and stuff like this will continue to collect dust. Too grim? Perhaps, but that’s how I see it today.
I personally love the truck, especially the “semaphore” turn signals. How many know what THOSE are today?
Hi Howard. I drove a lot of trucks with those turn signals. I remember a lot of people still using hand signals back in the day. Of course, in a small town very few even bothered to use turn signals (even today) because everyone knows where you’re going…
Hi geo,,, that’s what makes me think it was a highway dept. truck, as most back then would have no use for those. Yeah, tell me about it ( hand signals) Since the reduction of tourist income, the cops in my happy town are busting folks on bicycles for not stopping at stop signs and not signaling. I found that out and helped buy a new park bench downtown,,,and I couldn’t use the “Idaho Stop Law” either,,
Haul manure for your organic garden.
This model truck saw much use on the eastern front in the second war Fords and Soviet copies built under license by Ford as the GAZ AAA Many fell through the ice of Lake Ladoga as the last life line for starving Leningraders during the German siege. The Germans were happy to use them when captured as they could be “cured” by a hammer and a welding torch and “good intentions” (Reinhard Frank “German Vehicles in World War 2”
I need a load of stone for the driveway. I’d love to use this and astound the people at the yard.
These, when equipped with disk wheels and rear duals, had a 4 speed with a thumb latch to prevent accidentally engaging reverse. They were great workhorses. A neighboring farm used one with the long wheelbase to truck cordwood out of their woodlot. With the outside dual removed and tire chains on the remaining two rear tires, the truck would come roaring out of the woods in snow deep enough that the front bumper was plowing snow part of the time! In its first life, it was used to truck raw milk in 40 quart milk cans (like the ornamental ones you see now.) Few people today would believe what these old trucks, four cylinders and only rear wheel drive, would do. The pictured truck is a potential gem, especially with the vintage body and hoist.
Very unusual find. What to do with it. Radiator missing. How many other parts? Humm, complete restoration=big bucks. Driveable condition? Either complete drive train rebuild or modern drivetrain. New tires/tubes or replacement tires and wheels. No matter how you go it equals big money. I like this truck a lot, reminds me of one my uncle George had in the 50’s. Perhaps it would best used as a business sign, parked in place and do nothing to it. I expect it will end up as a museum piece because who else has one.
God bless America
I am amazed by the condition of the front fenders! Also the drivers side running board (can’t see the passenger side one). Usually those items are either heavily corroded and/or banged up.
the radiator replacement on the smaller 1 is interesting…come-on you can do better!
Robert,
That is an intercooler for the turbo diesel and the car is a rat rod. As such, convention is subjective or the antithesis of the build.
This baby needs that flat head V-8 rebuilt installed in her. It has all the potential for a full Restomod and none of the reasons for doing some boring museum type restorarion with that puny 4 banger. Someone could have alot of fun with this one, especially as a tow truck or hauler.
Sorry guys not worth throwing money at we are seeing a lot of these old things popping up now guys are looking at the cost to restore $$$$$