Hit the Mother Lode!

Goldhardt

Goldhardt

Senior Member
I went to an auction over the weekend to check out what was advertised as a "Model A in pieces". There was a shed filled with a tudor body sitting on the floor, a frame against the wall, and parts all over the place. They sold everything as one lot. I spoke to the guy who bought everything for $4500 and he said he only wanted the tudor body for a hot rod restoration. He was going to sell everything else at a swap meet in the spring. Long story short, I came away with 4 new shocks, links, arms, bolts, grease seals for $500. They were all in a box marked "new A shocks, Hershey 1979". Everything is brand new and was wrapped in newspaper from Chicago dated 1979. Since I have never had shocks on my car, I can't wait to get to work! I guess it really is about being in the right place at the right time.

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Those shocks were made by Pete "The Vendor" (can't recall his Polish last name) of Chicago, now deceased. He was pretty much the only guy who made shocks for Model A's in the 1970's and maybe into the 1980's. On my way across country in 1974 in my 1928 roadster, I stopped at his shop and we mounted a full set of shocks and arms. That car was then put on a boat to Germany, where it still resides.
Marshall
 
Marshall V. Daut said:
Those shocks were made by Pete "The Vendor" (can't recall his Polish last name) of Chicago, now deceased. He was pretty much the only guy who made shocks for Model A's in the 1970's and maybe into the 1980's. On my way across country in 1974 in my 1928 roadster, I stopped at his shop and we mounted a full set of shocks and arms. That car was then put on a boat to Germany, where it still resides.
Marshall
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Are these the ones that are milled out of solid brass? A buddy of mine has a set and has been unable to find rebuild kits, from what he says they are different than stock and can not be rebuilt with stock parts.
 
Marshall V. Daut said:
Those shocks were made by Pete "The Vendor" (can't recall his Polish last name) of Chicago, now deceased. He was pretty much the only guy who made shocks for Model A's in the 1970's and maybe into the 1980's. On my way across country in 1974 in my 1928 roadster, I stopped at his shop and we mounted a full set of shocks and arms. That car was then put on a boat to Germany, where it still resides.
Marshall
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Thanks Marshall! I was wondering how old they were and who actually made them. I really appreciate the information. It's always nice to know the history of specific items on our cars.
 
Goldhartd, you will find cornering a huge improvement with shocks. Good find. Maybe the hot rodders puts his parts up here.
 
Shocks on a Model A?
Maybe someday, mine came with zero shocks, all I have are the springs and my two butt cheeks.
 
Thanks everyone for all of the information on my shocks. I found that ad especially funny. Four new Model A shocks back in the 70's for $146 and now you can't buy one new shock for less than $249. That's just crazy!
 
I have a set of his shocks I picked up a few years back,they work great.
There was a also a set at Hershey this year.
 
Goldhardt said:
Thanks everyone for all of the information on my shocks. I found that ad especially funny. Four new Model A shocks back in the 70's for $146 and now you can't buy one new shock for less than $249. That's just crazy!
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Not so crazy. If you adjust the 1972 price of, say, $40 ea. before s&h, for inflation, the price is about $225. ea. in today's money.
 
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