Going to look tomorrow, need advice

Get under the car with a good flashlight-was the owner a "cosmetics" guy, or did he get under the car with a grease gun on a regular basis?
 
OK, I see it has a visor therefore it's not what popularly known as a "Slant windshield". Without going into great detail, the SW have far less wood in the frame of then body. Yes Ford built the model A body over a wooden frame. This wood can be very good or very bad depending on how the car spent it's last 80+ years. I'm doing one now so I am very familiar with what they can be like. It's a whole lumberyard of custom shapes and sizes. Otherwise, go with what Mitch said.
Terry
 
I must disagree with some on here about that sunvisor, does not belong on a '31 SW.
If you want a sunvisor, get a '30.
Have to agree with most, the color is not pleasing, and those fenders have got to be black.
The front fender lights have got to go.
If it runs well, stops well and the lights and gauges all work, I say $8K is not a bad price, but I must agree with others on this, you can talk him down a grand.
Take someone who know A's with you, can save you a lot of heart ache down the road.
 
I'm with Mike, appears to be a solid car and the price seems within reason providing the road test checks out.

As others have clearly pointed out, it is far from original. The mods have not detracted from the basic car. But that doesn't seem to be an issue for you and that's okay. Some get a little too carried away if it's not just the way Henry made it ��. If it's your car and you're happy with it, that's all that matters.

BTW, I like the visor.
 
It all depends upon what pleases you. It may not be "original", but very few Model A's are "truly" original. I would take this car in a heartbeat if the mechanical's are OK. The fenders are easily painted black if that is what you would like. The interior is not original, but seems to be well done and very pleasant. I personally really like the '35 wheels. If I could find a car like that in Canada it would be mine.
 
Interesting opinions for sure. Great advice from Mitch who listed a lot of the key mechanical concerns. I might ask myself these questions on this car (or any other Model A or collector car for that matter)

1) Do you anticipate touring a lot in it, I know you mention it as a "Sunday morning go to breakfast car" which is great, but do you see yourself joining a Model A club or maybe AACA and doing some distance runs? If so, some mods such as the V=8 wheels might be a positive. Research these a bit, this car has some of those touches but no way to tell about mechanics.

2) How big is your family? Sedans are handy - but if there are only say two of you, other body styles give you a little more choice when shopping.

3) What is your budget - IMHO, if it is just a little more, say $10K, you have a lot of choices if patient. Look at the coupe "Garagekulture" just listed, for example. I know I would opt for that car for another $2 grand more or less assuming both are in relatively good mechanical order.

4) I firmly believe cars at this level are not an investment, but plans change, etc. These are great prewar cars for new hobbyists in part because they are so popular. Take your time, if this is the first A you have looked at, think on it a bit before pulling the trigger. FWIW price is ok, but not a screaming deal. Consider resale. If it has been for sale for a while at $8K, then that tells you the market for this particular car at this time in your area. Just something to think about.

Just putting out some food for thought, oh, join MARC and/or MAFCA, you can find your local region for either national club online - if you place a call to them you might get lucky and either enlist help to see this car/others or learn of a club member's car that is available.

You mention being mechanically inclined, you will learn a lot about these cars in no time - they are a LOT of fun for the $$.
 
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Mitch//pa said:
Look in the gas tank fill with a flashlight for rust or other junk. Contaminated tanks in these are a PIA very important,,,
Make sure the engine oil is clear and not milky
See if it has shocks ,,, many cars are missing them ,,, that's a G right there
Look for a bad oil leak at the rear main area...
Steering with a lot of play like 2-4 inches or more could mean box or frt end issues....
Follow the hood alignment line down the cowl many of these cars have frame sag
Feel clutch for chatter
The brakes should stop the car quickly and the pedal should not go down to the floor on a panic stop...brake systems in these cars are expensive
Make sure all the doors close evenly and nicely
Maybe you can post pics under the hood from both sides when you are there and the undercarriage frt and rear
Ask if it's still positive 6 volt ground
Stock wiring in these are in looms and it shouldn't look like a birds nest / fire hazard
Make sure where the collumn mounts to the fuel tank that you don't see any fuel stains there..another PIA
See if they run antifreeze or water...

One last thing and I hope you don't think I'm a dick but I am giving you my personal opinion which may vary from others...
This car is not my cup of tea due to the fenders are not black and the body color is not appealing to me. The interior material is totally redone from the way these cars should look.. That being said yes anything can be fixed but I would rather spend a little more to get something more correct.
Good luck on your decision
Click to expand...


Stating one's preference is not being a dick...
 
That car will sell because of the paint,not in spite of it.Somebodys wife and kids will see the red wheels,whitewall tires,shiny paint,and dad will buy it because it makes the whole family happy.That car will be just as much fun with tan fenders as black,same with the wheels and visor.We can pick it apart all day long,but the bottom line with that car is it's pretty,and that will sell it.
 
Keith it is really hard to argue with that logic. If OP ends up with it or someone else does I hope it is that kind of story.

Love that roadster, BTW.
 
Great looking A for the money! Obviously as those far more educated than I have stated, it's definitely not original. But wow what a great car to take out for a cruise! If it's a solid car, you can enjoy it as is, or take it any direction you want. There seem to be many places to find parts for these cars, whether online, in a catalog, or at shows, etc.

My wife and I haven't started looking yet for one, but I wouldn't be opposed to a car like this. Especially for the price.
 
Just judging by the pictures, someone spent a lot of money on it. In my neck of the woods you don't get much for 8K.
 
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