Older classic cars like the Ford Model A make an excellent subject for a project build. This is especially true if the person undertaking the work is a first-timer or novice. Their simple engineering principles mean that dismantling and reassembling them can generally occur in a home workshop. This 1931 Ford Model A Coupe will leave its new owner with some decisions to make. They could choose to treat it to a light cosmetic refresh, dismantle it and do a ground-up restoration, or they can leave it as-is and drive it as an unrestored survivor. Located in Walton, Nebraska, you will find the Ford listed for sale here on eBay.The owner has set the listing to open at $8,000, but there have been no bids at the time of writing in what appears to be a No Reserve auction.
Finished in dark green with black fenders and running boards, I believe this Model A may have undergone some previous restoration work. It is difficult to determine the shade of green that the car now wears, but it doesn’t seem to fit with anything on the 1931 Ford color charts. The paint has become slightly patchy, but it remains presentable if the car is retained as a survivor. There is also some checking on the fenders, and the buyer may choose to restore these as a compromise. However, for consistency’s sake, I think that this is an all-or-nothing proposition. The buyer will probably decide to repaint the entire car or leave it untouched. Any other approach would probably leave this old Ford looking like a bit of a Frankenstein’s monster. The panels are straight, and there is no evidence of rust or other nasty problems. The glass is in good condition, but the wire wheels would benefit from a strip and refinish. Whichever path the buyer selects, the overall roadworthy state of this classic means that they could drive it immediately and make any choices at their leisure.
Henry Ford is once credited, some say incorrectly, with saying you could buy his Model T in any color as long as it was black. The same philosophy seems to have determined the mechanical configuration of the Model A. Buyers could choose any drivetrain combination they liked as long as it was a 201ci flathead four-cylinder engine that sent 40hp to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual transmission. The performance potential was about what you would have expected in any vehicle from this era. While that makes it no ball of lightning, this old Ford should be happy to cruise along the open road at 40mph all day. For potential buyers, the news here is positive. The car is in sound mechanical health, and it runs and drives well. It is ready to be enjoyed by a new owner, leaving them with plenty of time to make the decisions about their restoration pathway.
When we turn our attention to the interior, we find an aspect of this classic that is presentable and serviceable but would benefit from some attention. The upholstered surfaces have avoided any rips or physical damage, but there are no door trims. I can also spot some wear on the wheel that a buyer may choose to address if they seek perfection. As previously stated, one of the attractions of these old classics is that they are easy to disassemble. That leaves the buyer with the option of dismantling the interior and performing a high-level restoration. Even if the exterior remains untouched, that approach would provide a striking contrast between the two aspects of the car. If I were making a play for this classic, it’s an option that I would consider seriously. Trim kits are readily available and aren’t expensive. Alternatively, the buyer could use the existing upholstery as a template to create new trim that might save a few precious dollars on this project.
As a project car, this 1931 Ford Model A shows a lot of promise. The new owner could perform a faithful restoration, use it as the basis for a hot rod build or drive it as an unrestored survivor. The fact that there have been no bids and the owner is offering it with No Reserve opens the intriguing prospect that somebody could secure this classic with a single bid. With that thought in the back of your mind, are you tempted to monitor this auction in the hope that you could be that lucky person?
It must be early, nobody’s on here yet freaking out that someone might buy this car and street rod it.
Parts are readily available and there is great support in local Clubs well as the National club. Other Model A owners are always glad to help.
Dave, could you shed some light on the tube coming from the oil filler? I’ve been around a lot of Model A’s and have never seen that set up. Is it normal to have that many wire and junctions on the fire wall for the alternator and directional conversion?
No reserve usually means the buyer sets the price. Unmolested original is not correct. What I see is alternator/battery conversion and what looks like 28-29 wheels. Runs good, to someone not familiar with old cars, means it cranks up and moves under its own power, but also can mean it leaks like a sieve, rods knock, and it shimmies at speeds above 10mph.
A few weeks ago, I drove up into Minnesota to buy 11 Cushman Husky engines, in response to a Facebook Marketplace ad. While there he showed me some of his collection. Among the oddities were two 1930 Model A’s, a sedan and a rumble seat coupe. They both run well and are complete and titles are current. The latter he has for sale at $8500.
The other oddities include a 1947 Aero JCC boat, a 1959 Cushman Mailster, several old gas pumps, a low mile 1975 Honda CB360T, a pile of Model T parts and a multitude of antique automotive trinkets. After a conversation, I went back later in the week with a trailer this time. Note this is Minnesota in the winter… that day, a strong southerly wind and ground blizzard, ugh. For all you who don’t live in cold parts of the country, a south wind in winter is much colder than a north wind due to humidity. I came home with the Honda and the Mailster. They won’t be parted out.
Road draft tube of the oil filler.
Are we prepared, as a community, to just call any car that still exists a “survivor”? lol j/k
I own a 1930 ‘A’ rumble-seat coupe and I don’t have that hose from the oil filler tube. My guess is that it was put on to direct fumes from the crankcase down and away from the engine compartment. Which leads me to wonder why so many fumes? A worn-our engine is my bet.
Why $8,000 dollars, because that is the going rate for a Model A. My only hope someone DOESN’T buy it and cut it up. Like putting a super customized Model A frame under it, with a Dropped Axel, Disc Brakes, Tremec 5-speed, Quick Change Rear End. Maybe they might even cut the body, with a slight chop, full perfect steel fenders and a incredible stance . Also, probably period correct Halibrand’s, a beautiful paint job in a subtle color , maybe a Blue ,Green or even an old Ford tan or Gray. Then ad a nice simple all leather interior similar to original, but more functional and cool. For an engine, what if they use a SMB GM or maybe a late model Ford Coyote , of course then they will stick A/C on it, so it can be driven comfortably cross country in any climate. I can’t imagine destroying this rare $8,000 Model A Coupe buy spending that much time and money on it,cto just be able to drive it anytime you want. Of course and enjoy it for another 50 years. What are these people thinking , before long there wont be any old cars for Holiday parades.
A few years ago some Corvette organization tried to stop anyone from calling a vehicle a “survivor” as they claimed that it only applies to a Corvette, and it was one of their official class designations. Of course, the rest of the car hobby just laughed at them. I don’t have a problem calling this Model A a survivor as it is still mostly just like it came other than a few drivability upgrades and a few period appropriate fixes, and a non original green paint job..
Henry did, in fact, state that you could buy a Model T in any color you want, as long as it’s black. The confusion arises because Model Ts were originally offered in several colors, then only black- and in multiple colors again for the final couple years of production.
This looks like a fun car. Concours condition, and 100% correct-no. Survivor- definitely. Thanks