'31 rescued

russcochiolo

russcochiolo

Senior Member
We rescued this coupe from a 46 year hibernation last Wednesday. PO thought it had a blown head gasket; or a cracked head; or a cracked block; he couldn't be sure. It was last registered in 1965 and he had intended on fixing it. He ran out of time.
It is a Standard coupe with trunk and optional wind wings (right side missing) and right side tail light. It has always been black. The interior is not stock but will clean up nicely. The cloth top has been replaced by sheet steel and a whole lot of self tapping metal screws and at some point it acquired a sealed beam headlight conversion.
This survivor will be brought back to life mechanically and the new caretaker will soon have it cruising the streets of Clovis, CA.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2987.jpg
    IMG_2987.jpg
    75.8 KB · Views: 652
  • IMG_2988.jpg
    IMG_2988.jpg
    82.7 KB · Views: 562
  • IMG_2992.jpg
    IMG_2992.jpg
    87.9 KB · Views: 561
  • IMG_3000.jpg
    IMG_3000.jpg
    104.4 KB · Views: 557
That's awesome, glad it will remain a survivor. That plate is a true first year 1963 plate. As a matching set, a big bonus in my book.
 
Russ,
Clean it up, paint the wheels RED & our Friends will think MINERVAS' GHOST has come back from Canada! STANDARD Coupes are fairly RARE.
Bill W.
 
WRA......Good eye. The plates are both there and match the registration. They'll be kept.
ursus.....WOW! I AM impressed! There was a claim check from Earl under the seat, no date and no price, just the claim check.
desotoguy.....The aprons are single piece and registration says '31. Engine # indicates August 1930 as test date.
BILL.......You know the new caretaker, I think. I don't want to reveal him.....I want to let club folks be suprised when they see him tootling about town in BARNEY. He is going to wash it and maybe put a coat of wax on him. Maybeso, you can talk him into red wheels.
 
That's a great find, my only ride in a Model A was in one that looked pretty close to that. Nice looking car.
 
"It has always been black."

The firewall doesn't look black. Maybe it is, but it looks bluish in the picture.

W. Michael
 
w.michael said:
"It has always been black."

The firewall doesn't look black. Maybe it is, but it looks bluish in the picture.

W. Michael
Click to expand...

It is a tough call, but does sort of look like a very dark blue. I would spray the firewall with WD-40, or brush on some diesel fuel and let it set for a couple days, then use a soft paint brush and more diesel to clean off the old dirt and oil. That did a good job of bringing out the original color on my firewall.
 
In person the firewall looks black. I'll check with the new caretaker this week and see how he is progressing and post more afterward.
 
Drop the pan and clean out the GLOOP also the valve chest before you get it running .

John in lovely day Suffolk County England .
 
The color of the firewall doesn't matter. Get it mechanically fit, drain and clean the gas tank and the pan and enjoy it. Wayne
 
John, the current caretker will be instlling a temporary A engine to get Barney on the road. He will then go through the original A3790--- engine. He's experienced and will do right it right. Thanks for the hint. Russ
 
I suspected that (That std coupes are rare) Mine (2) will stay standard just for this reason. Not a good Barn find! A great barn find! Out of the weather for46 years!
Terry




BILL WILLIAMSON said:
Russ,
Clean it up, paint the wheels RED & our Friends will think MINERVAS' GHOST has come back from Canada! STANDARD Coupes are fairly RARE.
Bill W.
Click to expand...
 
Bill and Terry, I just got back from the new caretaker's shop. The original engine is out; a temporary is ready to go in; Barney is clean inside and out; the steam cleaning was in process underneath and some buffing had been done. Wiring and some miscellaneous items have been ordered and the wife was prodding.
Cecil likes the idea of red wheels but intends to keep him all black. I'll get photos next time. Have a great A day, Russ.
 
russcochiolo said:
Bill and Terry, I just got back from the new caretaker's shop. The original engine is out; a temporary is ready to go in; Barney is clean inside and out; the steam cleaning was in process underneath and some buffing had been done. Wiring and some miscellaneous items have been ordered and the wife was prodding.
Cecil likes the idea of red wheels but intends to keep him all black. I'll get photos next time. Have a great A day, Russ.
Click to expand...
Wheels are easy enough to change, have a set of each color.:) Nice old car, thanks
for posting the pics and the story.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top