value of various body styles

If NADA says the tudor is worth more than a fordor and the roadster is the least valuable, its hard to believe that they could be that WRONG. The tudor was the most common with the most produced. The tudor front seats are very uncomfortable for long trips. The fordor was one of the more expensive models when new and bring higher prices in good or restored condition. The bench front seat is very comfortable in the fordor. The straight windshield fordor has more wood and is one of the most expensive models to restore. The coupe is about as common as the tudor but has a bench seat, is sportier and will usually demand a higher price .The 30-31 standard roadster has a taller windshield and top and is very comfortable for me and I'm 6.2 tall. The bench seat is comfortable in the roadster. My wife doesn't even want to drive our 31 tudor because she doesn't like the seats. The deluxe roadster , For some reason is the most popular model. If you are tall it will be difficult to enter and exit. The deluxe model has a lower windshield and top and has the least head room. The roadsters were the lowest priced models when new but usually bring the highest price for the common models today. Roadsters can be the least expensive model to restore, depending on condition when found. All model A's are hard to get in and out if you have big feet like me. My favorites are the roadster, phaeton and closed cab pickups My favorite sedan would be any of the fordor models. I've got a nice late 31 tudor that I would trade in a heartbeat for a 30 Briggs town sedan in like or near condition. Till this day I still regret the one that I ruined as a teenager by putting in a sixty horse flathead.

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I just bought my CCPU in Feb. I've kept an eye out for various ones for sale since I bought mine just to have an idea. I've seen 3 in worse shape than mine go for $8200, $7800, and one on ebay right now ending in half an hour for $6900 so far. All three are in worse shape than mine the lowest priced being close to what I paid. I feel I got a great deal, and I am really happy I got a closed cab. It is a little cramped, but I am only 5'8....I am made for model A's :D
 
The main factor in determining price is condition and cost of repairs required. I personally try to buy totally restored so I can enjoy immediately. Also I find that in the restoration process you rarely get your money back. So I prefer someone else have the restoration done or do it and I buy when they are ready to sell at less than they have invested. In my opinion the difference between a Tudor and a Fordor in identical condition is insignificant. The value books like Old Car Report Price guide agree with me on this point.
Al
 
Mike V. Florida referenced bob Johnson's price guide (which is excellent). Does anyone have an idea about Model A prices since 2007? Have they gone up or down? I have a '28 Phaeton that I am thinking about selling this summer.
 
Richard Lorenz said:
Mike V. Florida referenced bob Johnson's price guide (which is excellent). Does anyone have an idea about Model A prices since 2007? Have they gone up or down? I have a '28 Phaeton that I am thinking about selling this summer.
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prices seem to be strong. we sold our T/S in the MAFCA classifieds in less than a week and were pleased with the price we received.......
 
My experience is directly opposite. I belive the market is very weak and anything but strong. I have bought cars recently that were priced as if it was the late 90's.
Al
 
Cars are cheap right now. I see the same cars on Craigslist and eBay all the time. I have really noticed a drop in price on bodies. A few years ago I would see rusty coupe bodies selling for 4,000 dollars. It seems now they are not bringing half that now.
 
Interesting point. I bought my 31 Tudor Dlx 24 years ago. Ok! IMO, If you have young children riding with you, be it yours, or grandchildren, do not get any thing but a Tudor. The kids will love riding in the rumble seat but your passenger , wife ,husband or friend won't. They will only be looking back to see if anyone is missing. Worse if there is no roll down backlight window to yell at them to behave. No 4 doors either, as kids love to fiddle with knobs & handles as they have great fun running around on the big floor in the rear. Also, figure on a day off from work to stay home with a sick child, who got that way from getting caught in a downpour in a Phaeton or rumble seat. And , do not forget to keep a spare right side tail light in your parts pile. That is to replace the one the kids broke using it to step down from the rumble seat. The worst thing about the Tudor is kids love to pull & release the backlight shade ... over & over. But, they will be close enough to grab 'em by the neck. Ron
 
Our state goes by the nada.com website in determining value for sales tax purposes, in other words if you get a good deal from a private party for $6000 and the site says your model is worth a minimum of $23000 you will be paying 6.25% on the 23000 stated value so that's the guideline I like to use if I sell.
 
My first restoration was a tudor. Partly because I liked tudors and partly because I had 3 small kids, a 3 year old and 1 year old twins and the tudor is safer. With 5 seatbelts and 2 booster seats in the tudor we went everywhere on Model A tours.
 
While coupes are plentiful, hotrodders want them over other body styles, which may keep the price up. Over on the HAMB, "four doors" will get you almost as much derision as "rat rod". If you are looking at antique automobiles, the advice here is correct: buy the best conditioned car you can in a body style you like.
 
Even with 3 young granddaughter's, I love my 1930 Town Sedan. I only had to tell them one time to let me open the doors for them, either getting in or out. They are safely seatbelted in and love the back seat. Since I drive mine alone most of the time, I sure appreciate that wonderful bench seat in front, as does my wife when we go on all day tours. After having a coupe years ago, I really appreciate the extra room and accessibility of a four door.
 
TerryH said:
Even with 3 young granddaughter's, I love my 1930 Town Sedan. I only had to tell them one time to let me open the doors for them, either getting in or out. They are safely seatbelted in and love the back seat. Since I drive mine alone most of the time, I sure appreciate that wonderful bench seat in front, as does my wife when we go on all day tours. After having a coupe years ago, I really appreciate the extra room and accessibility of a four door.
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With a four door, you can always remove the inside door handles for safety. I did this with my 1948 Plymouth four door when our kids were small.

Paul
 
Most of the guys in my club who haul people have tudors or four doors. I was given the advice to get a 4 door because I have children, but a tudor is great too. My wife and I have long legs and with the seat all the way back it's got plenty of leg room. We love it.

It's been said time and time again, decide what you want this car for, and when you want to use it and buy the best one you can afford.
 
As HickTick pointed out;

"Drive it before you buy or sit in it for a while will make up your mind .
Its as important as price to be comfortable."

I would definitely agree and along those lines, I'd like to ask which Model A's offer the most front seat room?

george
 
Probably a 4 dr slant BUT the front seat can be moved back in any fordor or tudor (won't be original anymore but you'll be comfortable). There are tricks that can be done with the back of a front seat on a pick-up and the pkg tray can be removed in a coupe.
Paul in CT
 
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