This really nice looking 1931 Ford Model A is listed for sale here on eBay. Offered with a clear title, it is located in Stanley, Virginia. So far there have been 26 bids on this little beauty which has seen the price reach $8,004.
We’ve seen a few Model A Fords appear over the last few weeks, and I have to say that this is a nice one. It’s an older restoration (early ’70s) that has held up well over the ensuing 40+ years. The current owner purchased it several years ago, and it appears that it has been garaged stored all of its life. The black paint and red coach-line have both held up well, and the glass looks to be virtually perfect. Likewise the chrome and trim all look really good as well.
I really want to try a rumble seat. This one looks to be in great condition, with the covering looking clean and free of rips or tears. However, the lining in there looks loose, although it may only be a case of it needing to be glued back into place. One thing that I do find interesting is the fact that the covering on the rumble seat matches the color of the wheels and coach-line, not the color of the interior trim.
The interior looks to be in great condition. The seat upholstery looks solid along with the door trims. The dash looks complete and is also in great condition. It just all looks clean and ready for someone to climb aboard this Ford and just enjoy the experience.
That 201ci 4-cylinder engine driving through the 3-speed manual transmission was all standard fare for the Model A. This engine is said to run faultlessly. The owner mixes lead additive to the unleaded fuel whenever he fills it up, and the owner takes it out for the occasional drive. This is the first Model A that I’ve written about where the owner acknowledges the need for lead additive. It is possible to get away with not using it, but that requires things like harder valve seats. If an owner is interested in preserving as much originality as possible, then the additive is the best answer. The little Model A is also fitted with a new battery. The seller makes no mention of the condition of the rest of the drive-train, although he does stress that it drives really well.
For an older restoration this Model A looks really good. If the restoration really was completed more than 40 years ago and it has held up this well then it indicates that the work was completed to a very high standard. If the price stays around about where it is then someone will score themselves a great little classic car at an extremely competitive price. Having said that I honestly wouldn’t be in the least bit surprised if the price doubles before the auction ends.
Another fantastic little car, that I can NOT ride-in or drive.
I wish it had as much room as a Smart which I can NOT drive but I can be a passenger. There just not enough room to drive.
Maybe you need to sit in the rumble seat while driving lol.
The closest I have, was a ’59 Anglia (ie. Harry Potter type car) with a Caddy 500 up front and a firewall roughly where the drivers seat is.
Just open the door (it’s a 2 door) slip around the firewall and sit on the backseat to drive. Nasty to drive and not really worth it.
A ’49 Thames panel truck was more fun.
Fact is people were generally smaller back then.
Nice looking and reasonably-priced A-Bone coupe.
The interior in the car is totally wrong including the rumble seat area. The car is also missing the engine compartment slash aprons. The balance of the pictures are too dark or too far away to give a clear picture of the details.,It’s obvious that the seller knows little about Model As or is hoping to find an uneducated buyer.
Adam, Adam, Adam…………………..doubles? I’ve got this on my watch list just to see if it clears $9k. As 61 Vette noted, it’s far from a true “restoration”, a term that has been very bastardized over the years. At best this was an advanced back yarder refurbishment. Which is not to say it’s a bad car, just that it is your “average” Model A fair to middlin’ driver with no outstanding qualifications. That kind of car has had a hard time hitting $10k over the past year (I’m talking actual selling prices, not meaningless asking prices).
Since we’re on myths let’s briefly talk about the “necessity” for lead additive. Yes, exhaust valve recession due to unleaded fuel is a reality, though only under some very definitive operating conditions and hardware designs. Model As don’t operate in that manner. Yeah, this is one of those arguments that no amount of data will convince the nay sayers so I won’t press the matter, but will add that lead additive in gasoline didn’t become a market reality until the later ’30s and not widespread until after WWII. Somehow folks have willfully forgotten or ignored that tetraethyl lead was added solely as an octane rating booster, not as a valve seat protector.
All that said, keep on writing we will continue to read.
I don’t think this car will be driven enough to pound out a valve seat anyways…
This may not be historically accurate but it could be refined to do so. And your a lot closer than starting from scratch if you even care about that. I agree that the rumble seat needs work and so may the interior but it’s still a cool little car that would be fun to own. Because its not all the way there yet it my well be a bargain to someone willing to take it there. JMO.
As usual Uncle Bob nailed it. Model A prices have been falling for several years and there is no end in sight, its just fact. The model A is experiencing the same fate as its older sibling ,the Model T, and unfortunately the early V-8’s are not too far behind.
This car is exactly like my grandfather’s car that I learned how to drive in! Yep, I am that old! If I had the money to throw away, I would get this car for memories sake! I will attest to the fact that you can do more than just ride in the rumble seat! I am sure women my age know what I mean! LOL