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Restore or Rod? 1929 Ford Model A Pickup

This 1929 Ford Model A wears all of the surface corrosion, ding, and dents that you might expect in an original Pickup of this age. However, it is a solid and complete classic waiting for someone to heap some TLC on it. It could make a satisfying restoration project or serve as the foundation for a custom or a rat rod build. Located in Grand Island, Nebraska, you will find the Ford listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has reached $4,100, and the reserve has been met.

It’s incredible the difference it can make when you slap a set of wheels on a vehicle like this. The wheels are from ’34 Ford, but they completely transform the look of this Pickup. There’s still plenty of work that will be required before it presents at its best, but the wheels are a start. The body wears a fair coating of surface corrosion, but there doesn’t seem to be any significant penetrating rust present. We don’t get a look at the frame, and the owner makes no mention of any rust problems there. The lack of external rust means that we can be optimistic that the Ford is structurally sound. The state of the timberwork is also unknown, while a lot of the trim and chrome will need to be restored or replaced. A few extra parts are lurking around in some of the photos, but these aren’t included in the sale.

The owner supplies no engine photos, but we do know that the standard drivetrain is complete. That means that a 201ci flathead 4-cylinder engine will be hiding under the hood and that a 3-speed manual transmission will back this. With 40hp on tap, this is not going to be a fast Pickup. However, if the original drivetrain is retained, then it will be practically bulletproof. The state of the drivetrain has a question mark hanging over it. The owner doesn’t indicate whether it runs or whether the engine turns freely. If it does turn, getting it running might not be difficult. Even if it requires a rebuild, this is a straightforward proposition for the next owner. If the aim is to build a custom, then the state of the engine might be irrelevant. We also get no interior photos, so we don’t know its shape. However, with the owner stating that the Pickup is mostly complete, it could be fit to be restored. The fact that so many of these classics have survived means that finding replacement trim and upholstery is not only easy, but the components remain very affordable.

This 1929 Ford Model A Pickup is dripping with potential, and it will be up to the buyer to choose what path they should follow with it. I would love to see it returned to its former glory, but I could also understand if a custom build is the path that is followed. Regardless of which way the buyer goes, I’ll be glad if the vehicle can eventually find its way onto our roads again. It has potential, and someone needs to exploit that. Could that someone be you?

Comments

  1. Avatar bobhess Member

    After owning a ’33 pickup mild street cruiser that I wish I’d kept this truck could be built to match it. Mine had a complete rebuild of everything, hydraulic brakes, dropped front axle, paint, and a mild hop up of the original flathead V8. I’d do the same to this rig except I’d put a tweaked flathead up front, ’39 gear box, and as an overdrive won’t fit in the frame without cutting it, a set of aftermarket rear gears to give it highway running capability.

    Like 5
  2. Avatar Terry

    rod or restore?

    that depends on how much money you want to lose

    Like 2
  3. Avatar HC Member

    Damn what a tempting proposition. Shame Nebraska is such a long haul away. I would just start with updating brakes and drivetrain and enjoy it.

    Like 2
  4. Avatar Joe Haska

    The price is an indicator of the declining interest in Model A’s. The biggest down side to these little trucks ,are they are little. If you are near 6 ft or more, you will be very uncomfortable. Even at 4 grand , restored or rodded , you will be upside down when finished.

    Like 1
    • Avatar bowmade

      I think this is a great price point to appreciate the past. Is this worthy of a museum quality restoration? Probably not but to each his own.
      I like the idea of a life-size Tinkertoy / Erector Set project making this old truck road worthy. Maybe a good “rescue” and a lot of fun!

      Like 1
  5. Avatar Brian Mitchell

    The fact that this has a metal cab makes it worth restoring, since, I believe, most Ford pickups of the day were what is now the more popular “roadster” version, which was cheaper to make because the top was shared with the Model A roadster.
    Back in 1967/68, my squadron commander had one of the open versions that had been pulled out of a swamp somewhere in north central California. I wasn’t into “sucking up” at the time (still am not) and did not devote my weekends to its restoration as a couple of other lieutenants did and kind of put a damper on my career progression. I finally saw the thing finished in the mid-eighties, in Florida, displayed at the local shopping mall, after the Colonel had retired in the same area that I did. GRRRR!

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Moe

    S-10 chassie, Drop T body on it.
    Hot Small block 4 speed.
    Have fun.

    Like 1
  7. Avatar Bob

    I have a question concerning model A Ford bodies. Over many years I have seen many Model A’s in locations ranging from open pasture land to in the back woods, with trees growing through them. In 90% of those cases the bodies have shown only surface corrosion due to the elements, in many cases, being exposed for decades. When Henry Ford made Model T’s he used chrome vanadium alloy steel for the bodies of those cars. Did he use the same material for the bodies of Model A’s?

    Like 2
  8. Avatar Eric_13cars Member

    Back in the early 60s when I was a lad of 13 or 14, there was one of these metal cab Model A pickups in a field next to the Starlight Drive-In theater in Croton-on-Hudson, NY. I drooled over it but never found out who owned/abandoned it or what ultimately happened to it (probably crushed). That drive-in is now a shopping center, of course.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Al

    Eric_13cars Te car probably belonged to the owner of the parking lot who was a friend of mine. He eventually sold the parking lot after having it for a long
    time. I lived in Montrose a few miles away.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Crusher

    If this was a 32 I would be all over it
    Being a 29 it would need a complete frame boxed in to do anything except restore to stock

    Like 0
  11. Avatar HC Member

    I would do this truck all Mustang 289 maual trans, front clip with discs and a narrowed 8.5 or 9″ rear end. There used to be a place that sold frame kits I think it was called Fat Daddys or something like that

    Like 1
  12. Avatar dogwater

    We are restoring a 36 for a customer, I don’t think there worth putting time and money into them sorry

    Like 0
  13. Avatar Michael Carlson

    I always loved the Model A. I would see one one the side of the road near Centralia, WA when I was a young kid. 30 to 40 years later it was still there. Then one day I drove to see it and it was gone. I was determined rd to buy one some day. I finally bought my 1928 Ford Roadster in 2015. It needs a paint job and a new roof but I can officially say it is mine. I am 74 and enjoy driving it. It gets a ,ot of looks at the grocery store.

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Troy LOBB

    I’d love to own it. I’ve got 30 Tudor barn find love driving it, its an awesome experience driving a piece of history .Always wondering who owned it before me & where it’s been just a cool feeling. When I m out driving it always get thumbs up. I’d go through brakes, drive train, motor & old school script the lettering for my Roofing business on the doors & drive the wheels off it !! Way cool!!!

    Like 0
  15. Avatar Blaine

    I have it now. It will be a street rod. Should be on the road summer of 2022.

    Like 0
    • Avatar HC Member

      Blaine, what did you decide to do with the drivetrain, rear end and suspension? Congrats on getting this truck.

      Like 0

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