1931 Tudor Phaeton

[1crosscut]

I just found out about a 1931 Tudor Phaeton that a gent wants to sell.
It's looking as if I'll to be able to see it sometime tomorrow (Sunday June 1st).
It sounds as if the chassis is pretty much done with motor, transmission, steering etc... all rebuilt. New Labaron Bonney interior purchased but not yet installed. The top mechanical supports etc... all done but will need the top material. Will need a bit of fender repair on the left rear and left front and new paint.
Sounds as if almost all the hard to find bits and pieces are there.

I know Phaetons are not nearly as common as most other A's and someone was telling me that the Tudor Phaeton considerably less common that the 4 door models.

Any information or insight on this particular model would be appreciated.

Dave

 

[Model "A" Fords]

I just found out about a 1931 Tudor Phaeton that a gent wants to sell.
It's looking as if I'll to be able to see it sometime tomorrow (Sunday June 1st).
It sounds as if the chassis is pretty much done with motor, transmission, steering etc... all rebuilt. New Labaron Bonney interior purchased but not yet installed. The top mechanical supports etc... all done but will need the top material. Will need a bit of fender repair on the left rear and left front and new paint.
Sounds as if almost all the hard to find bits and pieces are there.

I know Phaetons are not nearly as common as most other A's and someone was telling me that the Tudor Phaeton considerably less common that the 4 door models.

Any information or insight on this particular model would be appreciated.

Dave

I Know of one Canadian built car now in Ontario, around Niagara area. I can't recall seeing another one in Canada and originally thought it was a modification of a four door Phaeton.

It has the look of luxury and I was pleased to learn it was all original. Since then I heard of another Canadian one but haven't actually seen it yet.

Our family has a 1928 Canadian four door Phaeton since 1942 that always attracts attention but the 1931 two door is on a whole new level.

Edsel designed a beautiful car that he must have been very proud of.

All the best and I hope you will get to take it home!

 

[Oldbluoval]

Don’t be taken in by an”restored” chassis….assume it still needs everything.
The body is full of wood including doors. Is the wood stable? Wet rot,’dry rot? Re-wooding could be approaching $8k if you don’t do it yourself.
Lots of body specific parts. Door jambs, latches, seats. Is the top assembly really correct?
Steel floor is unique but Vic and A400 floor tub can be modified.
The deluxe phaeton is not for the novice. Hard to restore and there are techniques and modifications that can be made to enhance the car.
It was a beautiful car but many design flaws IMHO

 

[nkaminar]

Ask for receipts. Bring a second person with you when you inspect the car, one who is knowledgeable. The 2 door was the deluxe phaeton. If you buy it you will have to commit to finishing it, which takes time and money.

 

[ronn]

the tudor is easily worth double the 4 doors. about as rare as slant 68c.

have very rarely seen a project go under 15k vs 40k for top end.

In these cars, as Bill eludes to, you are almost better off buying a done car. as pretty much with all model As.
the price gap is narrow from top to bottom in most cases, but the costs are high.

if you want to do a car over, then this is a good model for the final outcome. You wont see many at the shows.

 

[Y-Blockhead]

Dave, According to a book I was just reading, 2,229 Deluxe Phaetons produced in 1931. Less than half the amount of 400-A Convertible Sedans. I would say a rather rare car.

 

[Bob Bidonde]

The 180A Deluxe Phaeton has rare front seats, and it shares parts with the Victoria and 400A. There is a Model "A" club dedicated to these rare cars. Good luck!

 

[Marshall V. Daut]

Take a magnet to the body to be sure it is metal. Fiberglass bodies were made at one time and can fool the most knowledgeable of us. If the body is fiberglass, the selling price should reflect this.
Marshall

 

[1crosscut]

Don’t be taken in by an”restored” chassis….assume it still needs everything.
The body is full of wood including doors. Is the wood stable? Wet rot,’dry rot? Re-wooding could be approaching $8k if you don’t do it yourself.
Lots of body specific parts. Door jambs, latches, seats. Is the top assembly really correct?
Steel floor is unique but Vic and A400 floor tub can be modified.
The deluxe phaeton is not for the novice. Hard to restore and there are techniques and modifications that can be made to enhance the car.
It was a beautiful car but many design flaws IMHO

Sent you a p.m.

 

[Cool Kat with Hot Car]

The naked truth

 

[ronn]

and......................?

drum roll please

 

[1crosscut]

Hi Ronn,

Took a look at it yesterday. There is quite a bit of body work yet to be done.
I'm pretty strong on the mechanical side of things but not as much on the body side of things. Working on the particulars of what it will take to get it finished and then will decide if I want to tackle it.
They are a pretty nice car and having one of them wouldn't hurt my feelings at all.

 

[Ayers1]

Wish I was closer, I would have to take a look if you didn't get it! I love the look of a phaeton.

 

[1930artdeco]

One of the guys in my club has one which he had a club member restore. He made some upgrades that you will not see, the car came out beautifully! If you want PM me and I will see about getting you in touch with him.

Mike

 

[1crosscut]

Mike I sent you a p.m.

 

[1crosscut]

Long story short... I did buy it.

A little back story on the car.
The car was being sold due to health issues of the gentleman that was restoring it.
Unfortunately there are not many receipts specifically tied to this car except for a one page overview of what has been done on the car.
However there were a pile of receipts and and quite a bit of documentation in regards to a 1931 Cabriolet that the gentleman had restored prior to this one. That makes me think that there is or was the same amount of documentation in regards to this car but it hasn't been yet or perhaps was inadvertently disposed of.
Seeing the documentation on the Cabriolet makes me more comfortable moving forward with this project.

I spent a considerable amount of time yesterday really looking the car over and I feel pretty good about the mechanical side of things on the chassis and that they have been addressed pretty well. Not having any documentation from the shop that did the machining on the engine is unfortunate but from what I can see from removing the spark plugs and looking inside the combustion chamber it seems all is new and fresh inside.
I plan on opening the engine up to verify that all is right along with the transmission etc...

There is plenty of body work that needs to be done but I already have someone that has excellent skills in regards to body work that is excited to have the opportunity to work on a car like this. Having someone onboard to help with the body work was a big part of my being comfortable going forward with this project.

And so it begins.

 

[CWPASADENA]

These are very unique and desirable cars. I am 86 and am not looking for a project but I would take on this one.
Go for it if the price is right and good luck.
If you do go forward, be sure to keep us posted as you progress with finishing it.

My opinion,

Chris W.

 

[Keith True]

I think it's pretty unlikely to get hurt on a 180A,and on that one much less likely.That is one of those cars where the value lies in the fact that it exists.Chassis condition is unimportant.It's just a nice bonus.Hole in the block? Same price,take it or leave it.I sold a 35 Ford 3 window coupe a few years ago,same idea.It sold because it was a sought after car,not because of the condition.The guy that bought it paid me,then asked when the last time it ran.I dunno,maybe an hour ago? It was a barn car that he assumed didn't run.We drove it on the trailer.He bought the holy grail,a 35 3 window,not a random old Ford to fix uo.

 

[ronn]

congrats crosscut! glad you are getting help on the body and were able to make it happen.

I have looked for a 180 for awhile, but still want an a400 first. always good to have something to chase!

keep us posted on progress.

 

[Planojc]

You got some good bones there, enjoy and good luck with your project.