This 1930 Ford Model A is in need of a complete restoration, but it appears to be a solid candidate. The seller is a person of few words, but the inclusion of the words “runs and drives” are pretty important. You will find this Ford listed for sale here on Craigslist. Located in Ashville, Kentucky, it is offered with a clean title. The seller has priced this Model A at $7,500. A big thanks must go to Barn Finder Gene P for bringing the car to our attention.
It’s a bit hard to tell from the supplied photos, but it appears that there may be a few rust spots on this Ford, but they appear to be relatively minor. There is rust in the front of the cab on the passenger side, and it looks like there may also be a couple of small holes in the top on the same side. It’s a bit hard to tell, but there may be a little bit in the bottom of the driver’s door, but that could just be peeling paint. As I said, it is hard to tell as the photos don’t magnify terribly well.
The chicken-wire top was not a factory option. If the car has been left like this sitting out in the weather it won’t have done the interior or floors any favors. The majority of the timbers look like they may be solid, although a couple of them look to be bowed, so will require replacement. The exterior trim on this Ford all appears to be present and in quite good condition.
The interior looks to be largely complete, but will require a full restoration. As previously stated, if the car has been left out in the weather with the top the way that it is, then all of the upholstery and padding will require replacement. The dash is complete and looks to be in reasonable condition, as does the steering wheel.
There are no photos provided of the engine, but the seller does state that the car runs and drives. He does not specify whether the engine and transmission are either original or standard. The wire wheels do look to be solid, and the tires also look to be in quite good condition.
There is certainly some potential in this old Ford. If the frame is solid then the restoration job doesn’t look to be too bad. If the visible rust is all that is present on the car, then that can be repaired fairly easily. It’s also possible that with a new top and the interior refurbished, that this Model A could possibly be used as it stands right now while the new owner performs a restoration at their own speed.
My first car was one just like this. I got it when I was 14 years old. Took it all apart and put it back together in a summer. Two years later ended up selling the car piece by piece thru Hemmings . Shipped alot out via Railway Express. Owned many A’s over the years. Don’t think those cowl lights came on a 1930.
For sure the De Luxe model came equipped with cowl lights.
See attached Ford advertisement.
I love it!
I would have it and drive it just the way it is with the single exception of putting a new fabric roof on it over Henry’s chicken wire. I especially like the turn signal lights. Nice car.
Adam is correct the chicken wire was not an option, it was standard equipment. Yep just cover the roof and drive it. A complete restoration these days will cost much more than it’s value. if you want a restored A buy one.
I believe the cowl lights are factory items on the delauxe model. One of the few differences between the delauxe and the standard. The rear fender is going to need some work. The car might be a bit over priced for its condition.
Wow…and very complete!! This is almost too nice to be true, but it is!! And the best part of this Model A? Pretty much every item needed for restoration is now reproduced!!! A sweet car that would be a fun addition to anyone’s collection!
“Posted about a month ago.” should be a message to the advertiser. Unfortunately for him the price point he chose is crowded with older restorations that may have slight wear and tear, but have a covered top, upholstery of some kind, more recent (probably) tires that aren’t as age deteriorated, and at least 20 footer paint work. There’s a right price for this one, but it’s not close right now.
Agree with Uncle Bob. Because the Model A is now on it’s second and final depreciation curve, where the restorations are now stagnant or falling in value, they won’t ever be worth a lot more. There are more cars than interest. And cars like this that missed out on the restoration phase 30 or 40 years ago aren’t going to be restored now, especially at this price. Best you can do is pick this up cheap when the seller realizes there’s no market at his ask,, throw a roof on it, and drive it. And that’s not all bad.
Cyclemikey nailed it. Bang on. The chicken wire roof is indeed standard. The cowl lights were either standard on the Deluxe, or an option you could pay extra for. Had the BF writer consulted a knowledgeable Model A restorer, these questions would have been answered. The Model A is the most restored vehicle of all time. Of the over 5 million made between 1928-1931, over 125,000 were restored by the 1980s. Despite the fact more than 15 million Model Ts were made, far fewer were restored than the Model A. In 2018, this Tudor is worth about $3,000. That is, if you can find a buyer. As others have rightly stated, you can now buy a nice, older restoration Model A for $7,500. There are far more sellers than buyers. I spent close to $20,000 restoring mine. Sold it a few years ago for less than 33% of that.
I agree with Uncle Bob. The price of this one is a bit off the Mark. The other gray one from last week would be a better starting poing.
Apples vs. oranges comparison. A 1930-31 Coupe in the same condition as this 1930 Tudor might sell for $4,000. – $4,500. But not a Tudor. Just as a 1930-31 roadster would sell for more than a Coupe. Just as a 4 dr sells for less than a Tudor.
Ford did not offer a Deluxe Tudor until June 8, 1931, so, this 1930 would have come from the factory as a Standard model without cowl lights. Cowl lights on
Standard Tudors would have been installed by the dealer or owner.
The late 1931 factory Deluxe features included: 1. Driver side sun visor,
2. Woodgraining on the dash rail and inside window mouldings, 3. Pin striping on the dash, 4. Dome light, 5. Rear seat grab handles, 6. Rear seat arm rests, 7. Window shade, 8. 19 inch wide driver’s seat, 9. Driver’s seat on adjustable track, 10. Cowl lights.
Thanks Gayle for the detailed info. Always appreciate a historian who really knows the facts. Wish the BF writer had consulted someone like you first. Based on your info, seems possible the cowl lights were either original option installed by dealer at time of delivery in 1930, or someone installed these later. To add cowl lights on a Model A that did not have these factory installed requires two large holes be drilled into cowl to attach. Also, the lights have to be connected to the wiring harness. No doubt if a Model A expert were to look at this car they could better tell when the cowl lights were installed. I also see the one spare tire is mounted at rear, which meant the rear bumper would be 2-piece style, as this does. Looks like a nice, complete restoration project. Between 1960-1990, this car would have had great appeal in the Model A restorer’s community. But in 2018, unrestored Tudors don’t sell for $7,500. any more. Restoring this Tudor would cost at least $14,000. Once restored, you’ might have $22,000 plus into it. You’d be lucky to get $12,500. for it freshly restored. Bad math.