dean from bozeman
Well-known member
- City
- Bozeman
- State
- Montana
- Price
- $30,000
A few years back my good friend Dave Lopes e-mailed me about a '29 Briggs Fordor with 32,000 original miles. He said that it reminded him or his 4,000 original mile 1929 Murray Fordor. Though he was unable to start a new restoration because of his medical condition, he would gladly take on the cleaning up and getting this 1929 Fordor if I bought it.
My buddy Steve Ciccalone was on his way to California to pick up a Model A so he could use his empty trailer to take it to Dave in California. So transportation was doable. I had always loved the original A’s so I looked into it. Since I just sold a Model A I did have cash in hand. Being vulnerable I bought it.
When I saw the Fordor for the first time I couldn’t believe it. It was so complete. The body’s beautiful curves could be easily seen through the surface dust. I know was the third owner of this ’29 Fordor. The uncle bought it new. The nephew got it from the uncle. I bought it from the nephew’s widow.
Dave with a little help from Gary Karr and Mark Williamson took the car apart. Though the body was taken off of the frame the engine and transmission were never taken off of the frame. Everything was labeled and reassembled. The wire harness was replaced for safety reasons.
When the cleanup was done, I met Dave in Las Vegas to receive the car. Though the doctors had advised Dave against taking the trip, he insisted. After breakfast together we went to the trailer to look at the Fordor. He drove it out of the trailer. The look of pride in Dave’s eyes was a sight to behold. The Fordor was gorgeous.
Later that summer, I took it to Merriville for the national MARC meet. The ’29 Fordor scored 442 out of 500 points and earned a MARC of Originality and a MARC of Excellence. I couldn’t wait to get outside to call Dave and tell him how we did. I will never forget that conversation.
The next day I saw Bill Sturm and he and I discussed the upholstery in the Fordor. First he told me that my decision to put repo edging on the original cowl panels wasn’t necessary. He then said that there were some things about it that were different. It seemed to him that whoever did the upholstery job at the factory didn’t do some things, like start the door stitching, in the usual place. Then he spoke of the 12 Fordors that were ordered at that time by Edsel and Henry with all steel bodies. Removing a screw from the cowl paneling he removed a metal screw and not the usual wood screw. I have not followed up on researching that possibility that this could be one of the first all metal bodied Fordors.
It is Andalusite Blue with a Black top. The Firestone Tires are new.
At this time, my storage is limited. Even with the adjustable front seat my 6’4” frame doesn’t easily fit into this vehicle. Bills for the restoration of A495 are piling up. With these and other factors, I have decided to sell my 32,407 original mile 165B Fordor.
I will be bringing it to Oshkosh and then Marquette, if not sold by then. The price is $30,000. For an additional $1,000 I will include the enclosed trailer that I will bring it in.
Serious inquiries only, please. I will make a CD full of photos available for those interested at a later date.
Dean Drenzek
4060 Johnson Rd.
Bozeman, MT 59718
406-579-9444
My buddy Steve Ciccalone was on his way to California to pick up a Model A so he could use his empty trailer to take it to Dave in California. So transportation was doable. I had always loved the original A’s so I looked into it. Since I just sold a Model A I did have cash in hand. Being vulnerable I bought it.
When I saw the Fordor for the first time I couldn’t believe it. It was so complete. The body’s beautiful curves could be easily seen through the surface dust. I know was the third owner of this ’29 Fordor. The uncle bought it new. The nephew got it from the uncle. I bought it from the nephew’s widow.
Dave with a little help from Gary Karr and Mark Williamson took the car apart. Though the body was taken off of the frame the engine and transmission were never taken off of the frame. Everything was labeled and reassembled. The wire harness was replaced for safety reasons.
When the cleanup was done, I met Dave in Las Vegas to receive the car. Though the doctors had advised Dave against taking the trip, he insisted. After breakfast together we went to the trailer to look at the Fordor. He drove it out of the trailer. The look of pride in Dave’s eyes was a sight to behold. The Fordor was gorgeous.
Later that summer, I took it to Merriville for the national MARC meet. The ’29 Fordor scored 442 out of 500 points and earned a MARC of Originality and a MARC of Excellence. I couldn’t wait to get outside to call Dave and tell him how we did. I will never forget that conversation.
The next day I saw Bill Sturm and he and I discussed the upholstery in the Fordor. First he told me that my decision to put repo edging on the original cowl panels wasn’t necessary. He then said that there were some things about it that were different. It seemed to him that whoever did the upholstery job at the factory didn’t do some things, like start the door stitching, in the usual place. Then he spoke of the 12 Fordors that were ordered at that time by Edsel and Henry with all steel bodies. Removing a screw from the cowl paneling he removed a metal screw and not the usual wood screw. I have not followed up on researching that possibility that this could be one of the first all metal bodied Fordors.
It is Andalusite Blue with a Black top. The Firestone Tires are new.
At this time, my storage is limited. Even with the adjustable front seat my 6’4” frame doesn’t easily fit into this vehicle. Bills for the restoration of A495 are piling up. With these and other factors, I have decided to sell my 32,407 original mile 165B Fordor.
I will be bringing it to Oshkosh and then Marquette, if not sold by then. The price is $30,000. For an additional $1,000 I will include the enclosed trailer that I will bring it in.
Serious inquiries only, please. I will make a CD full of photos available for those interested at a later date.
Dean Drenzek
4060 Johnson Rd.
Bozeman, MT 59718
406-579-9444
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