1930 5-Window Coupe Barn Find!

Steve Plucker said:
I to agree with those who say don't restore it BUT make sure it is mechanically safe to drive.

I have an original Feb./Mar. 1929 Tudor sedan which I am going through it and checking our or replaceing bearings and seals and other items but replacing them with items which are original to the assembly time period AND cleaning all that dried up grease.

Except for 2-3 parts, everything will still retain the original pitina including the upholustry.

yes, a restored car looks absolutly fantastic BUT an original car with it's original pitina looks even better...at least in my eyes.

What is the assembly plant code on the body? Go to my wbsite and go to Additional Studies, then go to Letters, Numbers and Codes...that will tell you where to look.

Pluck
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Appreciate the info. I will check the assembly plant code when I get a chance. Looking forward to driving it.
 
I'm planning to restore my 28 Phaeton someday, but have enjoyed driving it as is for the past 10 years. You could install the correct wheels and tires, then drive this while fixing the truck you want to make into a pickup. Just don't rush into restoring. It's good to drive and get to know the car first.
 
Leave it alone. I have a 20T that is an old family car.Ttrust me the trailer Queens are eye candy but when they see the old jalopy it steals the show. Drive and your first scratch doesn't matter. They can only be this way once.

Now otoh if you like driving them get to it. You will have much money and time invested in restoring, I'll wave at you as I drive by..<g>
 
I am with those who say make it mechanically sound but leave the cosmetics as is. But at the very least I would suggest that you drive it for a year or so as you get is mechanically safe, before you tear it down. Then you'll have a stronger feeling for the car and what you really want to do with it. In a year you may change your mind about restoration, or maybe not. But in the meantime you will become acquainted with the car and it will talk to you —and tell you what it needs, believe me. ;)


Also please note my signature line. I believe the Sioux were (and are) a very wise people.
 
700rpm said:
I am with those who say make it mechanically sound but leave the cosmetics as is. But at the very least I would suggest that you drive it for a year or so as you get is mechanically safe, before you tear it down. Then you'll have a stronger feeling for the car and what you really want to do with it. In a year you may change your mind about restoration, or maybe not. But in the meantime you will become acquainted with the car and it will talk to you —and tell you what it needs, believe me. ;)


Also please note my signature line. I believe the Sioux were (and are) a very wise people.
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I agree 700rpm...But they sure got the hell out of the Little Big Horn valley and fast on June 25, 1876 didn't they!

Pluck
 
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Steve Plucker said:
I agree 700rpm...But the sure got the hell out of the Little Big Horn valley and fast on June 25, 1876 didn't they!

Pluck
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Yeah, after wiping out the Seventh. :rolleyes: And actually they just kind of meandered on; they were through with that camp. A very good book on this is called "The Last Stand", by Nathaniel Philbrick. He really examines everything pretty objectively, and from the point of view of both sides. I've read a lot about that battle and its aftermath, and this is the best book I've found on it. If you're interested in Little Big Horn, this is a must read.

And by the way, if Custer had gone a little more slowly he might have had a more harmonious outcome.
 
700rpm said:
I am with those who say make it mechanically sound but leave the cosmetics as is. But at the very least I would suggest that you drive it for a year or so as you get is mechanically safe, before you tear it down. Then you'll have a stronger feeling for the car and what you really want to do with it. In a year you may change your mind about restoration, or maybe not. But in the meantime you will become acquainted with the car and it will talk to you —and tell you what it needs, believe me. ;)


Also please note my signature line. I believe the Sioux were (and are) a very wise people.
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Any tips on what things to look for, mechanically, before I decide to drive it that I wouldn't normally think of? The owner said the car runs and drives good right now, so that is a plus.
 
going against the popular vote here, IMO since the car lost its original external patina because it was BRUSH painted over the original paint i would not leave it as is and restore it
either way nice car enjoy it and welcome
 
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Congrats on finding a great car! I have a 31 coupe that was my grandfathers in Gildford, MT. I know it spent most of its entire life on Montana's hi-line. The great part about Montana cars is they're usually pretty rust free. I see you are in Deer Park. It sounds like Spokane has a pretty active club. I can't tell you how much its helps to get hooked up with a good club and you'll meet a lot of great people.

As a side note, I lived in Spokane for a couple years and flight instructed there from 2006-2008 and made frequent flights into Deer Park because that airport is great for training. Ever since then I have been flying medical specimens and bank documents for a small cargo airline mostly between Spokane and Seattle. I pretty much have that staked out as my route. I like the area and know people there so its my preferred route among other reasons. I thought it was kind of funny that I took a different job and moved to the "west side" only to fly back there almost every day of the week.
 
montanafordman said:
Congrats on finding a great car! I have a 31 coupe that was my grandfathers in Gildford, MT. I know it spent most of its entire life on Montana's hi-line. The great part about Montana cars is they're usually pretty rust free. I see you are in Deer Park. It sounds like Spokane has a pretty active club. I can't tell you how much its helps to get hooked up with a good club and you'll meet a lot of great people.

As a side note, I lived in Spokane for a couple years and flight instructed there from 2006-2008 and made frequent flights into Deer Park because that airport is great for training. Ever since then I have been flying medical specimens and bank documents for a small cargo airline mostly between Spokane and Seattle. I pretty much have that staked out as my route. I like the area and know people there so its my preferred route among other reasons. I thought it was kind of funny that I took a different job and moved to the "west side" only to fly back there almost every day of the week.
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I went to a big swap meet at the fairgrounds in Spokane last weekend and met a lot of nice people, I am glad Spokane has an active club. I am 25 years old and just getting into the Model A scene so I have some learning to do!
 
Man...I am really starting to rethink my decision on what I want to do. The only problem is that it doesn't have the original paint. It was brush painted sometime in the 1940's but it still looks "original" I guess.
 
FordToughChevyStuff said:
Any tips on what things to look for, mechanically, before I decide to drive it that I wouldn't normally think of? The owner said the car runs and drives good right now, so that is a plus.
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I don't know what you would "normally" think of, but the SOP would be change the oil, lube everything, adjust the brakes, make sure all your lights work, check fluid levels in trans and rear end, adjust your points, set your generating rate, drain your radiator and fill with fresh water. Remember your radiator when winter comes on; do a search here for different ideas about antifreeze. (My preference is two gallons of denatured alcohol and one gallon of fresh water.)
 
Id also consider making sure your kingpins and bushings aren't too bad, and make sure your steering box isnt sloppy. Kinda scary finding this out after you hit a bump at 35 and the car goes into a nasty shimmy....
 
Ditto everyones suggestion to leave it as is 'till you've driven it for a while.The brushed-on paint gives the car a view to the past when someone probably didn't have the funds to get a shop paint job.Was it a farmer,schoolboy's first ride,maybe someone trying to sell it and thought it would look better and be easier to sell? Who knows?That's the charm of original or "near" original. I like your Coupe!
 
Regarding brushed on paint, when I was 17 (1962) I worked for an old-time Shell station, and one of our jobs as general kid helper was to paint the service vehicle (a 1930 Model A pickup) and the loaner car (a 1941 Ford 4-door) every year. We drove them into the vacant lot next door when we knew the weather was warm for at least 24 hours, and painted them black with a brush. And our boss, Mr. White, was very persnickety about the quality of the brush job!
 
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