The Model A was the successor to the Model T and had the misfortune of being Ford’s car of choice when the Great Depression ensued. So, sales figures ended up being a fraction of its predecessor’s. The car was advanced compared to Henry Ford’s first darling and could do 65 mph compared to 45. This 1930 Model A is a 5-window coupe and was running just a few years ago. To maintain harmony in the household, the seller has made the Ford available here on eBay. From Toccoa, Georgia, the most recent bid here is the odd figure of $9,012,90.
After 18 years and 15 million copies sold, Ford retired the Model T. Beginning in 1927, the “more modern” Model A would commence production and see 4.3 million units cranked out through 1931. At least 16 variations of the car would be built, including the popular 5-window coupe like the seller’s auto. Compared to how cars are built today, these machines were quite simple. The Model A was powered by a 201 cubic inch L-head inline-4 along with a 3-speed sliding-mesh manual transmission that was good for 40 hp. Pretty peppy by 1930 standards.
This 1930 edition was previously owned by the seller’s neighbor who had the car for more than three decades. He passed on, so the seller jumped at the chance to buy the project car, much to his wife’s chagrin. So, to avoid a trip to Divorce Court, the seller has reluctantly put the Model A up for sale. The car has been stored in one shop or another for many moons, so the Ford hasn’t withered away due to exposure. After some tinkering, the old car was made to run a few years ago and then fell idle again, so more mechanical work will be needed. The body is solid, and rust is not an issue, so a restoration may not be too challenging. The upholstery in both the interior and the rumble seat will have to be redone in the process.
An audience for these cool cars is slowly dying off as you’d have to be 92 years old now if you were born at the same time this Ford was. So, the people who thought these were once cool are no longer around, helping to keep the resale prices of these automobiles lower than you might expect.
Went to school with a guy whose dad
owned several of these and used them in his real estate business to
drive clients to homes he had for sale. He must’ve been very successful as he had many rare cars
in his collection. The ones I recall most were the sport coupe and a 2
door phaeton. I can just see my buddy being dropped off at school
by his dad in whichever A-bone Mr.
Riss was driving that day. Seeing this
car brings all the memories back again. If I weren’t a responsible man,
I’d be all over this one– even over the
objections of my SIL and neice!
Why on earth would your sister in law and her child have any say in the matter?!?
Maybe he lives with them ?
Fix it mechanically and touch up the rust areas and drive it. Made for fun.
Prices on these while still very reasonable are going up a bit. Hotrodders flock to them but there’s still a base of restorers wanting them and they are not minty years old
“I have wanted this car ever since i was in high school, but my wife was not happy when i purchased it, so I am selling it”
Dude!
Easier to replace the wife than find another “A” in such nice condition.
Just sayin’…..
“I have wanted this car ever since i was in high school, but my wife was not happy when i purchased it, so I am selling it” Sounds like one of many demands to come through the years. Fast forward: “I had one of those once” “I thought about doing that once” “ Wish I would have done that” Good luck Fella.
Nice car. I’d love to have a 30 -31 Coupe. Although a purist at heart I do also appreciate a few updates. Especially to the brakes and electronic ignition. I use Pertrinox. I’ve installed dozens of them in cars, both mine and other peoples’ and I’ve never had a problem. The car runs better and the points never wear so the car stays in tune longer and better.
The sad thing about Model As is that the biggest buyer right now is the hot rod crowd. They can pick up a decent A just for the body and a few other pieces for as little as $10,000. Sometimes for a lot less. When I was a kid,in the 60s and 70a a really nice A would bring at the most $20,000. With the Roadster and Phaeton usually costing the most, along with some really well done concours vehicles or really rare models. $20,000 then was a more than $20,000.
Im sorry , but a non- running Model A that needs completely redone That comes with a $9,000.00 plus price tag is not helping to keep the resale value of these automobiles lower than what you would expect !!! I would expect around $5,000.00 !!!!!!!!!
$5000 is what you would have to pay for a non running Model T. Model A’s have always had a higher value. Possibly because there were millions less of them made in comparison to a T. Just a couple years ago $9,000 for an A in any condition was a steal. For whatever reason Model T’s are bringing in more money and A’s are dropping in value the pas two years. Been seeing a steady incline on the T’s while more and more A’s are selling for less or not hitting the reserve.
A car is worth what you can get for it. In this case it sold for $9,513.00. So that’s what it’s worth. I follow Model A prices and this is a fair price for both parties. You can get a Model A for $5,000 or less but it’ll be a rough starting point.
I had a business coupe 1930 Model A and drove it until I went in the Army. One nice feature was that you could pull up on the shifting lever and swing it up out of the way against the gas tank. That came in handy when parked with a girl. I also had a manifold heater and by regarding the spark I kept it nice and warm inside. In the summer I used to put 4 gallons of kerosene and 4 gallons of regular leaded gas in the tank. I started and ran great. It did smoke a little but it was 30 years old at the time.
I have a car exactly like this, but running and with better upholstery. Bought in 1953. Drove to college. Has moved with me several times. Lots of fun, minimum maintenance, great entry-level collector car for someone getting started in the hobby.
Is it for sale and if so what’s your asking price and location ?? also details and pictures please !!
Thanks for the question but no, it is not for sale. One of my three sons has requested it upon my demise. By the way on that subject, it surprises me that so many collector cars are sold by the family after the death of the owner. Kids or grand kids not interested? Or, more likely, fighting over who gets it. Who gets the money from the estate. “Death plus money equals greed.”