While Henry Ford wasn’t keen to innovate beyond what he felt was the pinnacle of automotive achievement – the Model T – he was forced to reconsider due competitive pressures. His son Edsel and his dealers joined the clamor, and the Model A was launched in 1927. Unlike the Tin Lizzy – with 15 million made over almost twenty years – production of the Model A lasted just five years before Henry vaulted from his tried and true four-cylinder to the first mass-produced V8. Once that V8 was ready for the 1932 model year, automotive innovation accelerated. Rather than offering just one or two models over several years, Ford was now offering its B, 18, and 40 at the same time (as well as its Model BB heavy truck). The four-cylinder was still available, and each model came in several body styles and at least two trim levels. The proliferation of offerings was a strategy founded by Alfred Sloan over at General Motors in the 1920s; the idea was to tempt consumers to upgrade over time, while providing a car that would suffice before an upgrade was feasible – thus generating brand loyalty. Ford was now in the game. Today’s offering is a 1932 Model B pickup with patina a-plenty and an asking price of $19,250. It is listed here on eBay and can be retrieved from Colorado Springs, Colorado.
The 40 hp, 201 cu. in. four-cylinder L-head engine was at the peak of its development in 1932. It received a larger crank – still with no counterweights – and a pressurized oiling system. The engine is stout and reliable. Legions of performance parts are available, in a range from vintage speed equipment (for a pretty penny) to modern items. This truck is running a 6V alternator; brakes are mechanical drums. The gearbox is a three-speed manual. The seller notes that the truck runs and drives though its exhaust manifold is cracked.
A prior owner re-upholstered the seats, and the truck is equipped with a gun rack and two non-operable antique guns. There’s nothing fancy about any portion of an early Ford interior – creature comforts are minimal, ventilation is achieved by cranking the windshield out or opening the cowl vent, and the trio of gauges track amps, distance, speed and fuel level. The floors are wood.
A storage box is fixed to the pickup bed, a hitch has been installed, and a spare wheel/tire combo is mounted forward of the passenger’s side running board. Rust is said to be minimal, but not non-existent, and the sheet metal is lightly dented here and there. Finding an original Model B pickup is tough; most have been over-restored or heavily modified. That said, even if I were to drive this as is and put nary a cent into its restoration, the asking price feels high to me. What do you think?
What a treasure…. if it were mine, I would have no trouble leaving it as found. It is perfectly ‘real’ in every sense. This is how things looked and felt before any one person would change it to appear as new. Which in it’s present state could be done at any point in the future. I say enjoy it in it’s reality. Too many beauties have been molested to the point of perfection and every thing earned to this element, are forever lost. Go to any car show with it as is, and flocks of jealous eyes would surround it approvingly
What a treasure…. if it were mine, I would have no trouble leaving it as found. It is perfectly ‘real’ in every sense. This is how things looked and felt before any one person would change it to appear as new. Which in it’s present state could be done at any point in the future. I say enjoy it in it’s reality. Too many beauties have been molested to the point of perfection and every thing earned to this element, are forever lost. Go to any car show with it as is, and flocks of jealous eyes would surround it approvingly
Having owned a ’33 I can tell you they draw lookers wherever you go and it’s a lot of fun getting to where the lookers are.
I’d daily drive it as is. Although I might be tempted to remove the starter and crank it by hand as a theft deterrent.
I thought the pedal on the left was an anti-theft device?
Indeed it is. Yet this truck has an added anti-theft feature: the need to double-clutch when changing gears. Even among today’s old-timers, knowledge of how to double-clutch a transmission is rare.
@Oilngas. Thats a fantastic idea. And not only a theft deterrent, but if it kicks back….. Punishment as well. Heck, you could leave the keys in the ignition and you’d probably find everything right there when you get back.
But they would be so frustrated that they would steal the keys!
I know the price seems a little steep but we have to remember there’s not many of these left especially in this condition.
By today’s prices I guess it’s worth what they are asking.
Use as is.
No doubt.
Run it like it is. A bit pricey considering you can buy a restored A for the same money or not much more.
I’m surprised no other nitpicker commented on the statement that the Model A was built for 5 years. The A was sold from 1928-1931 (technically from December 1927 to December 1931). I know Wikipedia says through March 1932 but Ford historian Lorin Sorenson stated that Ford ended production in December 1931. Even if March, it was only 4 model years. Also only the B, BB and Model 18 were sold in 1932, with the Model 40 coming out in 1933. As for 1932 offering two trim levels, I’d have to defer to other codgers to confirm that but I thought Standard and Deluxe came later.
Whitewalls are out of place on rustic #4 truck, but I like it otherwise. This may have more attention and use than a restored version.
I was going to say the same thing. Those white walls need to go. Otherwise I’d only fix what needed to be fixed.
Yikes, The price is very optimistic. I see a lot of wrong parts that detract from the originality factor. It is a good start for a restoration, but not at the asking price. I hope that the buyer will be knowledgeable about the truck and bid accordingly.
Drop this off at my place. I’ll give it a good home. It’ll make a great companion to my ’35.
Possible correction to the text: I’m sure the B-engine had 50 hp. Full-pressure lube and, of course, a fuel pump. Lots of guys I know updated their A’s to B’s and they work quite well…
Right you are Geo! 50hp. Are you ever wrong about anything mechanical? Me thinks not! Don’t ever change. You’re a font of info we need.
Oh, I’ve shot myself in the foot so many times that it feels cold. Trouble is, the one who points out my shortcomings is usually some sidewalk commando who read it someplace. But you learn to listen; everyone has got something worthy to contribute…
The truck has a Model A head and water pump on it. The block itself is a Model B.
I would replace everything with fiberglass, drop in a LT 7 or whatever they call them, then paint it surf green. The only think I would keep are the glove box hinges.
But they would be so frustrated that they would steal the keys!
And to think, when I got out of high school, our long-time neighbor offered to give me this exact truck with the flat head V8! Like a dummy, I turned him down. What was I thinking?? I have no idea what happened to it. Just like the 49 Lincoln my uncle parked in our field which I also have no idea where it went. The problem as usual was where to park or store them when I was a kid, and I already had a 29 Tudor sedan which I bought for $50 that I still have and I’m almost 79…
We owned a restored 32′ back in the late eighties that had a 327 M40 and narrowed 12 bolt truck rear. Awesome cruiser that got 20 mph and get rubber on demand. Paid $4500 for it and sold it 3 years later for 6K and did nothing but drive it.
The only thing I did not like was there was no safety equipment, seatbelts in it when we bought it. So I did do one thing to it, seatbelts from a 60’s Galaxie.