model a pickup value please help

workingclass42

Senior Member
Hello guys .I've never owned a nice finished model a.I have a chance to buy one from a buddy.1930 pu.it was restored a year or two ago.every but and bolt.very nice truck.motor runs good and drives very nice.I dont know the value or price range of these trucks.and help would be greatly appreciated.
 

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looks very nice. Is it close to fine point or is alot of repo parts? If you know your buddy well and if hes the guy who rebuilds things back to spec right the first time (not the it will do guy) Id guess in the 12-14K range is generally what I see pickups in this condition go for.

Is the engine rebuilt with new babbit/pistons/ etc or freshened up by removing shims and replacing rings?
 
It looks very nice. I noticed that the radiator shell, the cowl band, and the headlight buckets are stainless. They look good but should be painted black for a restored truck. How is it in terms of being a correct restoration? This is something that cannot be told from 3 pictures. Then comes the question, what do you want to do with the truck? There is a big difference between drive it and enjoy it and show it (I am the drive it and enjoy it type).

Another very important thing is the paperwork clean. Does your friend have a title in his name and can he show you the number on the title physically on the vehicle?

Charlie Stephens
 
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looks very nice. Is it close to fine point or is alot of repo parts? If you know your buddy well and if hes the guy who rebuilds things back to spec right the first time (not the it will do guy) Id guess in the 12-14K range is generally what I see pickups in this condition go for.

Is the engine rebuilt with new babbit/pistons/ etc or freshened up by removing shims and replacing rings?
Engine has been fully rebuilt,including balanced crank,new Pistons etc.i am not into car shows.just want it for a nice driver
 
It looks very nice. I noticed that the radiator shell, the cowl band, and the headlight buckets are stainless. They look good but should be painted black for a restored truck. How is it in terms of being a correct restoration? This is something that cannot be told from 3 pictures. Then comes the question, what do you want to do with the truck? There is a big difference between drive it and enjoy it and show it (I am the drive it and enjoy it type).

Another very important thing is the paperwork clean. Does your friend have a title in his name and can he show you the number on the title physically on the vehicle?

Charlie Stephens
Paperwork is 100% clean with current tags and California title.all I want to do is drive it and enjoy it.my sport coupe is tired and I'm at the point where I want something nicer,just to put around and enjoy.thanks for the heads up on the lights and stainless band.would stainless band and headlights only be on cars?
 
"would stainless band and headlights only be on cars?"

Yup. Your buddy was the one that told you, "it was restored a year or two ago.every nut and bolt." and some here have already shown that it was not restored and it left the factory. While this seems to mean little to you it does make me believe that he will want top dollar you something that really does not exist, a restored Model A pickup.

That is not to say the truck is a bad truck or worth nothing. It simply means it would be worth less than a to the book restoration.

It is also not a "rare" pickup, but rather a regular good looking standard Pickup. Without more pictures, it is near impossible to make an educated guess. My guess is 10 -12,000.

Oh, have you sat in it? the Pickups tend to be a little tight.
 
I think the values quoted are a bit light. Pickups that are nicely restored in our area are selling between 16 and 20K. Pickups are really popular now. Hot Rodders are willing to pay at least 12K for a restored pickup body just to tear it down for a hotrod. The cost of restoring a $3000 tree row pickup is at least $15000 for parts.
 
There's an old saying. "It's only worth what someone is willing to pay for it".

You know what you can afford, make him an offer.

I would be in the $10,000.00 to $12,000.00 range, with the understanding that you have only shown me three pictures. I am also uncomfortable with your description on condition.

There are a number of Model A Fords around, but quite a few of them are 20 or 30 footers.

Look at all the running gear, put it up in the air and check things out. Front end, springs, correct shocks, brakes and brake rods. New correct radiator and water pump, wiring, check as much as you can.

Now you will either have more questions or you will be comfortable making an offer.
 
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I think the values quoted are a bit light. Pickups that are nicely restored in our area are selling between 16 and 20K. Pickups are really popular now. Hot Rodders are willing to pay at least 12K for a restored pickup body just to tear it down for a hotrod. The cost of restoring a $3000 tree row pickup is at least $15000 for parts.

$15,000 for parts is right on. That is about what I spent last year on our 1931 Model A Bud bodied pick up for parts. Except for the $4,100 for the H & H touring motor rebuild, I did all of the labor myself. My donor truck cost me about $2,000. Not historically correct, but I do like using the stainless on my pick up. The next owner can paint the stainless black if they would like.
 

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Any way to have a knowledgeable local club member take a look and evaluate it? It seems to get exponentially more expensive to get from pretty good to really good!
 
It looks very nice as-is. I bought my wide-bed in 1958, it had a passenger shell and sealed beam headlights at that time. People have bee making such modifications since A's were new. Mine still has those changes because I like it that way. I'd say about $12,00 would be a fair price for both of you, definitely not over 15,000.
 
Agree not over 15 closer to 12
 

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Truck is in Victorville ca,I just want a driver.i am not in any model a clubs.just want something to cruise around town with.my sport coupe I drive is a 30 and needs work,this pu does not.it looks nice,thanks for all the input guys
 
I can't tell from the picture with the cup holder blocking the view but does it have an oval speedometer or a round one? The instrument panel looks smooth rather than with horizontal grooves but I don't see a center light. With the later PU body it should have the round speedo.

I enlarged the picture but it was too pixalated to tell. I'm guessing it's correct.
 
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I can't tell from the picture with the cup holder blocking the view but does it have an oval speedometer or a round one? The instrument panel looks smooth rather than with horizontal grooves but I don't see a center light. With the later PU body it should have the round speedo.


Pretty sure speedo is oval. IIRC, change from "square" to "round" cab was June, 1930. But I don't recall when speedo changed (thinking August, 1930 but not sure) - probably someone who knows will chime in. If speedo changed after cab, oval would be correct for those units built in the interim - also trucks tended to get changes later than passenger cars.
 
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