What exactly is a resto-mod? The definition is malleable depending on your perspective, but in my mind, it’s a mostly stock-looking vehicle that packs a performance punch well above its factory stats. Sort of a hot rod with a few rules about its looks. Here on eBay is a 1931 Ford Model A pickup all dressed up in today’s style and ready to roll away from its current home in Denver, Colorado. And that’s another element to consider: how exactly do you want to roll? If you altered a Model A pickup, would it be configured this way? Because you’ll pay $25,000 for this one, and while it’s got all the patina you could want, you should be happy with its mechanicals too. Working order is not in question – the truck runs and drives, and the eight-second video in the listing makes it look like fun. Let’s see if the rest of the ingredients are satisfactory.
The builder installed a Chevy 2.5 liter Iron Duke four-cylinder in place of the old L-head, pairing it with a two-barrel Weber carburetor and a Chevy five-speed manual. This combination has abundant precedent according to H.A.M.B. To accommodate a 1940 rear axles and springs, the frame has been zeed, and a 4″ drop straight axle brings the whole truck toward the ground, but since a factory Model A sits so high, this looks just about right. The brakes are 1940 Ford with a new master cylinder. The truck also has a new clutch cylinder, a new gas tank with an electric fuel pump (yay), and a three-core aluminum radiator with a righteous electric fan. I’m not sure an Iron Duke would be so guilty of overheating, but a tow truck driver told me once that his prime customers are overheated hot rods.
The machine-turned dash and four-spoke steering wheel suit the truck. The aluminum buckets and quilted upholstery detract from the look a bit – but that’s just my opinion. The truck’s turn signals and lights have been converted to LED; you’ll see if you watch the video, they’re plenty bright!
The roof has been chopped 2 1/2 ” in harmony with the lowered suspension. The truck appears to be wearing its original wheels. The condition of the bed matches the rest of the body, and there is no sign of serious rust anywhere that we are shown. I love the spotlight; as to the grille, the seller mentions it is a reproduction of a ’32. But in the end, price is important – does this truck tick enough boxes to be interesting?
That’s not a 1931, it’s a 1932.
No, it is a ’31.
How is it a ’31 ?..wrong radiator shell & wheels.
Given it is lowered and chopped, it’s just a bunch of parts you can also do whatever you want. This would be better with a straight 6 and original height not chopped cab. Too much done to undo. It’s a blank canvas. A Chevy 4 is the last 4 I’d have put in there but budget project, budget results. At least it’s not some supercharged V8 boat anchor. It’s actually a good starting point to do an actual updated ‘resto rat rod’. The old Toyota straight 6 land cruiser engine is begging to go in that nose. Something reliable and torque-y enough to actually use as a truck. Something reliable enough not so thirsty you won’t drive it on weekends to keep it loose. If you need to race a 1930’s truck on the street, there’s probably no sense in talking logic to begin with so I give the seller much credit for that restraint. But GM fours are not exactly going to give a satisfying result. Perhaps thus up for sale. Like doing a bunch of work plus much money to put a Weber in a Pinto. It’s still going to be a Pinto and not much faster. Fuel injection and CDI ignition would be worth the time in the long run. Parts on hand use? So this is a fledgling ‘rat rod’ versus ‘resto mod rod’. Is how see it. Nothing against rat rods and bikes. I have some rat bikes that are pretty great compared to what was original. But I didn’t do it to make money selling them. Because I’m aware of how easy it is for buyers to poor-mouth the asking price. But I do like this truck put back to original height, update spindles and brakes, get some real tires and rims on it, a straight 6 fuel injected. It can be old Chevy 6, Ford, BMW, Toyota. I’d probably go with Toyota just because parts and it was used for off-road applications thus good for a truck.
The seller clearly stated repop 3# grille
It’s a 31 with a deuce grill shell 31’s ‘had a visor over the windshield like this one
did you ever sell this?
32’s the doors fit flush to the body, all Model A’s the doors overlap.
“… But in the end, price is important – does this truck tick enough boxes to be interesting?”
Not to me.
I don’t like silly VIN listings such as this one (“VIN 1234”). Even though the ad also says “clean title”, I’m suspicious.
The ad doesn’t mention the amount of rust, Bondo, and fiberglass that the “patina paint job” might be covering. And, there are no chassis photos.
Pass.
If you’re wanting a donor for a retro pickup you won’t feel guilty ruining an original collector car. So it probably has more prospective buyers than you’re assuming. “Kit Car” and “Home Built” title cars are legal most places. Insurance is tricky, but same goes if you’re buying an all original 1960 Corvette in a state not doing inspections. You’ll need to go to an insurance agent with experience insuring old cars that wouldn’t pass inspections today. Fact is if properly done, this 1931 Chevy pickup could be vastly improved over original especially if it’s not ruined with some V8 nonsense that nobody is going to insure and help you drive legally. There’s enough there not ever going to be original to do it properly considering the inspection of your insurance underwriter inspecting it. Do the project with that in mind and you’ll be happiest.
You might want to check it out a little more closely. The truck is a Ford !
I think you absolutely should put that Toyoyo 6 banger in the ’31 Chevy pick up. But this FORD pickup deserves a proper Ford engine. Be it a 4cyl, Flathead, or OHV V-8.
I thought “Iron Duke” was a Pontiac 4 cylinder engine??
That’s funny, I thought an ‘Iron Duke’ was an old Jeep 4-banger… I almost bought a 70’s Jeep and the seller told me that was one of the more sought after motors when shopping for old Jeeps…ah, no matter, I was hoping that raising the hood on this sweet little truck would reveal a mill, at least a small block, so I’m interested, but only mildly now, especially with the hefty price tag!
I clicked the wrong button Robert Holt, sorry about that. The ad does state “or best offer” if that’s any help. Guys like Dave Davidson are completely out of touch by saying $2500 would be too much. Try somewhere in between, whats the worst the seller can say?
The Iron Duke is (was) a Pontiac four cylinder. AMC also obtained some from GM when they needed a four but didn’t have one of their own, so that’s how it would have made it into a Jeep.
You’re right, Pontiac apparently developed it, but it was used in just about everything – Astre, Sunbird, Monza, Starfire, AMC’s Spirit, Concord & Eagle, on and on. I wanted desperately to disparage the engine based on its generally poor reputation, but there’s always someone who likes an engine and no doubt they would have let me know it in no uncertain terms, ha!
I did find one comment in H.A.M.B. that noted that a flathead would make almost as much power so why bother.
now I’ve seen it all, 25k for a truck with an iron duke in it.
an IRON DUKE.
drop a zero and it’s still too much.
That’s a bit harsh. It’s essentially a ‘roller’ you’re only going to get if you’re doing everything to it eventually. But maybe in the interim you have it running to be able to move it around, get familiar with and decide how you’re going to do it with what vision. The tires are going to hit the fenders on bad terrain. So suspension and wheels / brakes / spindles probably first place to spend on. At which point have to decide on power train. So to me, I wouldn’t pay over $9k knowing just all that mentioned not the drivetrain just the suspension brakes wheels tires is another $9k. Cosmetics another $9k. Drivetrain another $9k. Toss on $4k for incidentals. $31k well done daily driver. It would be worth it. If we’ll done. That’s the question. Who’s gonna do all of that? If you’re gonna do another quick rat rod slop and flip it, $2500 would still leave you upside down. The right person understanding what the next buyer would actually appreciate is who will pay $9k. I can’t see anything higher. But I could see $5k being reasonable as well if chassis wasn’t gone over and rust proofed. Rat rod currently. Not resto mod.
would be a shame to paint a truck that looks this good as it sits…..
Know a couple of folks who own Model As and I can guarantee that none of them will take their cars out on a road rough enough to have this truck’s front tires hit the fenders. Those days are long gone.
“Resto-Mod” is a contradiction in terms.
Love the street rod upgrades except for the engine. Would have been just as easy to drop a flathead into it. Price a bit high for rough looking exterior and bomber seats with no seat belts. Does make me miss my ’34.
31 with 32 rad shell & bumper. LOVE the patina, hate the chop, the juice brakes and the modern drive train. JMHO
I like the look. Not a huge fan of the motor but in reality it should be more than adequate. 25*** doesn’t sound crazy to me. Glance at some of the stuff on here and a running driving cool truck for 25k seems ok. Of course it’s just my opinion. I’ve been wrong before. Lol
I have some prime swampland to sell you for 25k too lmao. This has maybe 2k into it. An old junk Vega motor he had handy and whatever other headaches… 25k no way
Iron Duke is not a Vega motor. That being said, $25k is too much to ask IMO.
I was expecting the usual sbc, which is disgusting enough, but a junk Vega motor? Really? Some people shouldn’t be allowed to own classic vehicles.
Whether it’s junk or not can be debated, but the Iron Duke (cast iron OHV) is not the same as the Vega engine (cast aluminum OHC). Pontiac did install the Iron Duke into the last year of its corporate sibling Astre, but I don’t think Chevy ever put one in a Vega.
Fair and correct comment Shawn. The Vega was an alloy block trying to copy the sleeved Alfa Romeo light great engines. Chevy apparently skipped some steps understanding expansion and contraction at heat requires high tolerance on pistons, rings and valves and the correct gasket material. Probably another year of R&D and Chevy Vega became an icon of pride in American engineering. The Iron Duke was deemed too heavy for the Cavalier project, and they repeated the offense despite going back to the iron block, chronic head gasket failures. I feel like someone inside was sabotaging GM for a really long time. That company was too big to make so many errors easily avoided by thoroughly testing the engines in real road use beyond the warranties. Had a 4.3 v6 vortec brand new truck making my last payment at year 3, just turned 37,000 odometer… Head gasket failure. Warranty: 36k miles. ‘Perfectly Engineered’. So this Iron Duke is a bit of a dog, but properly built, good intake/fuel/exhaust, yes, it’s going to be reliable. It won’t be fast or a hyper mileage performer. It’s still GM and will keep puttering down the road. Old GM cars doing a rat resto mod means to me put anything better in there. Just that Iron Duke is a low bar let’s face it. I’m still doing a straight 6 BMW or Toyota underneath if I plan to enjoy it. I think it’s a good interim to have that 4 in there meanwhile. It’s not done well enough on suspension and cosmetics to warrant $25k. But of course always some chance a wild hair from someone with money no object needs a donor car.
Kinda splitting hairs here, aren’t we. I don’t really care what pile this motor was, or wasn’t used in, it doesn’t belong where it’s at now. “Iron Duke” lol, what a goofy name for a motor. Or anything else
Once a car has been modified, it’s no longer “classic”.
The wheels are 32, the truck is a 31.
Its a 32 Ford probable a Model B .
Its all 32 Box,wheels,dash and all the rest
I am 99 and know the difference between a Model A and later Fords
Thanks dad. Excellent comment !
I had that 2.5 in a S10 Blazer only owned that piece of junk 60 days or so then dumped it for another piece of junk Buick because I guess didn’t learn my lesson by then NOT to buy GM products. Sold the Buick and purchased a new Ford Focus ZTS and put 60,000 trouble free miles on that before I sold it for something else. I wouldn’t buy this truck because of the engine that’s in it and the seller is asking $20k more than its worth.
Power source is about right for the upper safety limit of the wheel choice. Wonder how the 5spd is mated to the torque tube rear. Hopefully this truck was built for the look and not to be one of the current inane tire burners.
Correct. I doubt proper suspension and driveline done for the obvious reason your eyes can see lowering suspension that the tires will rub fenders on a rough road. That kind of obvious thing easily seen tells me it’s not the only poor planning that was done. This to me as is should be $5-9k range, if it’s not too badly rusted underneath. Once you chop a cab and lower suspension, if you took shortcuts, someone has to spend more $$ to fix those. Perhaps they actually don’t want to sell it at all.
Motors run on electricity, and engines run on combustion.
Not sure how I feel about Elon Musk but your accusation of pedophilia is the most extreme brand of character assassination. You should be a little less casual when bandying that expression about.
Well.put, Greg
Every time I change the oil in my engine, I have to put in Motor Oil. It’s right there on the label of every quart I have bought in the last 50 years. Have I been using the wrong stuff?!
Thanks for the info! Just keep worrying about those darn fenders hitting the tires, when you take this antique off roading.
2.5 iron Duke is not a Vega engine- not even close. Iron Duke is a good stout IRON engine. Vega had a 23 L ALUMINUM engine. (With a special Teflon coating, dontcha know!)
As good as it is, the GM engine ruins this truck. Value is determined by the market, but not worth $25K to me…
This truck is very interesting to me and not because of the drive train or the price. The over all look of the truck is very different. I had to look at it for a long time and I am still not sure how it was all put together. The obvious is the 32 grill shell, the chopped P/U cab and the different long bed. From some angels it looks great, from others not so much. I would like to see it in person and talk with the builder. I think I would be surprised at what’s been done
Old man
We had an Iron Duke powered Olds Calai that my wife drove for a 140 mile round trip commute for over 200.000 trouble free .miles.
I generally like things like this. But, I don’t seem to be able to warm up to this one. I’ve been watching Model A pickups for sale, for a long time. There are too many nicer looking ones out there. And, usually for less money. I’d be thinking in terms of this being a project… blow it apart and make it into something else, either with a hot A engine, or a flathead V8. Thank you Michelle for chiming in. I always appreciate your research and insight.
Good thoughts. I concur!
Id take it but not 25,000$!!! It is a ’31 Model A…. And i owned both ’89 and ’92 Chevy S-10′ and both had the infamous Iron Duke. GM used that engine in a number of both car’s and truck’s!!!!
Now with all the serious comments before mine, aint that the pickup that will be picked by Uss Voyager in 2371. Naaan. It was a 36. My little wink to all us trekkie fan’s.
Worthless, original or nothing.
A 2.3L from an older ford ranger would make sense. FI, not overpowered and it’s a ford.
All the above doesn’t matter … if it ain’t a Ford engine, forget about it …
Amen ! , Brother!
If it really is/was a 1931 Ford Model A, it is now trash. Give $1,500 for it and you have a good daily driver pickup to run to the dump with.
and more added sandpaper retina.
Just a little added comment. The biggest argument against a Model A pickup is the lack of room in the cab. If you are a smaller than average person you can fit into one. I knew a guy who spent lots of money building a beautiful 31 Steel cab pickup with a blown Chevy 454, 700R4 trans and 9″ Currie rear. When it was all finished, he couldn’t get into it. He had to have smaller people drive it to shows. He could only be a passenger.
Now THAT had to be a real buzz kill! Wasn’t it Clint Eastwood that said: “A man has to know his limitations.”
Greg in Texas, I have read all your comments and I honestly don’t know what you are talking about. It reminds me of watching the 6;00 news on TV and the politician answers a question and when he is finished, you can’t even remember what the question was. Or sort of like when in high school, you had to write a book report on a book you hadn’t even read. Sorry Greg maybe its just me I thought this book was about a 31 model A that the builder used a bunch of early Ford parts to make what he thought would be a cool Hot Rod.
Joe, there are times, when reading others comments here, it makes more sense just to simply fast forward to the next one. Life is too short.
At age 83, I still have a Model A on my bucket list. It seems to me that thousands of them have been swapped to SBCs, or 302s, or what have you.
So what’s the big deal with an engine swap?
Or, didn’t the Model Bs come out in ’32 – the year this truck is trying to look like? And so I’m thinking “Wow, I could have had a V8” – a Ford flathead.
‘ Have to admit, the Iron Duke would be my last choice too.
I also have to admit I’m a Brit-car guy. (I know: “Boo, hiss…!!) I looked at a fairly decent Model A coupe minus drive-train a few years ago and couldn’t escape the thought of putting an MGB 1800 in there. 96 hp as opposed to the original 40 – wouldn’t that be enough to surprise folks at stoplights? Or more seriously, how about an S-2000 or an MX5?
OTOH: did I hear that somebody is building new Model A clone engines with all modern internals and all kinds of tuning potential? I know – I’m a naïve outsider when it comes to Model A Fords. Just kinda wanna know why not…
Heaven forbid the guy built his truck the way he wanted it. Some of you people just seem to read Barn Finds to criticize other people’s vehicles and ridicule the asking price. I kind of like this truck. I would put different wheels, Not mags, and whitewall tires on it and drive it. There’s not a set price on old vehicles like this, if someone will pay his asking price it’s worth what he’s asking, if not he will have to lower the price or keep it.
Allen, There is one listed on B/F right now a 31 sedan, very nice car! Pull up the listing and look at some of the sites featuring modified Model A engines.
Thanks Joe,
Is that the “Burtz” Model A in Cuoer d Alene Idaho? Nice looking car, and I’d be curious to know how well it goes, but bottom-feeder that I am in the car hobby, $23,500 is beyond my pay grade. I have to be careful what I say or Russ will be after me.
Hmmm, not sure what to say about this one. I don’t think the price matches the description of what it is IMO, but maybe that’s faulty thinking in these days of trying to find nice older trucks and cars.
The Iron Duke wouldn’t have been my choice but it is a good concept to make it drivable vs the old L head along with the 5 sp. I’ve never owned anything with that engine so can’t speak to any problems.
Good starting point for someone, but dang you’d have some money in it if you changed it too much.
I do not think I have seen a vehicle listed on BF before that got everyone so riled and with such a need to show their expertise.
A bucket list car for a lot of us is a Model A of some sort as mentioned myself included.
While my collection is Chevy/Pontiac heavy, you can pump the crap out of a flathead and they will haul ass. The best 4 Pontiac made was when the cut a 389 in half!!!!
If I was trying to “show my expertise”, I sure as heck wouldn’t pick on a ’31 Ford pick-up. I have none to show!
I do know what you mean. Sometimes the comments are a diatribe of ugly criticism – warrented or not. I might venture that in some cases it’s motivated by the writer’s need for approval. But I religiously read especially the negative comments about any car that interests me – as I often learn something. Some of these comments come from people who actually know what they’re talking about!
So, a little tolerance please. Yes, the owner has a right to modify his vehicle in any way he desires. BUT, when he puts it on the market, his own goals and desires become irrelevant. If folks don’t like his car or his price, he’s going to have a hard time selling it. That’s simply a reality, and it will help him if he knows it.
But I have no idea what an Iron Duke can do in a ’31 Ford P/U. Maybe it’s a really pleasant drive, in which case, that needs to be known. Maybe it’s faster than we think. But the guy has got to know that an Iron Duke swap is not going to be met with widespread excitement. I think that’s just the nature of the hobby. Furthermore, even if it is a good swap, an aspiring buyer has got to ask himself how easily he can resell it, and what it might be worth. These criticisms are sign of what the seller can expect. They belong here just as much as the “ ‘attaboys”.
I would be proud to own it if I had the money ! — Can be changed to whatever a person wants once they own it and it’s thiers to decide how much they want to spend.
I think it’s a great looking truck with a grundle of kool features! Sure, it needs some tender loving care to finish it off but I really like it. If I had the discretionary $$$ and didn’t have 3 other work in progress vehicle I’d buy it in a heartbeat.