Factory or Conversion: 1930 Ford Model A Rumble Seat Roadster
We relish challenges and questions posed by our Barn Finds readers, although there are times when providing a definitive answer is beyond our knowledge or experience. Therefore, I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for not only referring this 1930 Ford Model A Roadster to us but also querying whether its Rumble Seat is a factory feature or a later conversion. Honestly, I don’t know. Therefore, it will be fascinating to gain your feedback because in my case, this dog isn’t too old to learn new tricks.
The Model T was always going to be a tough act to follow because, at the height of its popularity, over 50% of the vehicles plying the world’s roads were Model Ts. However, the company proved up to the task with its latest model, which sold in impressive numbers during its 4½-year production run. One feature that Ford carried across from the Model T was the extraordinary selection of body types. It seems it was possible to tailor a Model A to almost any taste or purpose. This car is a 1930 Roadster that presents nicely in what appears to be Bolivian Gray and Black. The paint doesn’t hold a mirror shine, but the lack of chips and marks means that most people will consider it acceptable for a driver-grade classic. The paint shade brings us to a point to ponder. The 1930 Ford color palette was quite subdued, with many colors containing the word “drab” in their names. This wasn’t unusual among manufacturers from this era, and there might be a good reason. Buyers still considered cars little more than a tool to transport them from Point A to Point B. It wasn’t until the prosperous post-war years that they also became a fashion statement, which is when more vibrant colors became readily available. Therefore, this car’s combination is very much of its time. The panels are straight, there is no rust, and the wire wheels are excellent. The seller confirms there is no top, but addressing that shortcoming should be easy and relatively inexpensive.
Ford’s four-cylinder flathead engine served admirably in the Model T, and with Henry Ford’s stated dislike for anything with more cylinders, it is unsurprising that the company followed a similar recipe with the Model A. However, there were big changes that made an enormous difference for those slipping behind the wheel. The latest flathead’s capacity grew from 177 to 201ci. The growth and a more efficient design saw the power and torque increase from 20hp and 83 ft/lbs to 40hp and 128 ft/lbs. More significantly, the two-speed planetary transmission that some found difficult to operate was placed out to pasture in favor of a three-speed manual unit. The changes made a huge difference, because not only was Ford’s new model more user-friendly, but it was considerably faster. This was good news at a time when road construction was improving at a frantic pace. The seller indicates that potential buyers should consider this Roadster a turnkey proposition. It runs and drives well, ready to hit the road with a new owner behind the wheel.
The biggest questions hanging over this Roadster revolve around its passenger accommodation. The seller states that it is a Rumble Seat vehicle, which is questioned by Barn Finder Mitchell G. I can’t find any information confirming whether Ford ever produced such a vehicle, but nor can I find any categorically ruling it out. This might hark back to my earlier statement about the enormous array of bodies offered by Ford, making it possible that this car was designed specifically to its first owner’s specifications. The interior is presentable for a driver-grade classic, although it would undoubtedly benefit from a refresh that would bring the correct material type to the seat. The gauges look crisp and clean, and the wheel is excellent.
The presentation of this 1930 Ford Model A Roadster is tidy and there appears to be no rust to spoil the buyer’s party. The seller has listed it here on Craigslist in Muhlenberg Park, Pennsylvania, with an asking price of $13,500. That figure seems appropriate for a car of this caliber, and while it has been on the market for a few weeks, I believe it will eventually find a new home. However, I am still pondering the Rumble Seat question. What are your thoughts on the subject?
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Comments
Actually my query was whether or not this is a factory roadster or a coupe that had its top chopped off making it a roadster
It’s a Coupe that has had it’s roof cut off….you can tell by the door hinges….and that stub of the roof just behind the seat.
“Roadsters” had fold down windshield, if I’m not mistaken.
This is a DHC, not a roadster. All roadsters, coupes & DHC:s had rumble seats.
In fact it was a early hot rod trick to alter that to hinge the trunk lid on the front ledge.
The doors will answer any questions about the top and windshield. Roadster doors tops followed body lines around the rear of the passenger area and after helping a friend make a roadster out of his coupe I can say the windshield is not roadster.
Which would make getting a removable top a challenge?
Decapitated coupe.
Could it be a Sports Coupe? The cloth top model with landau bars on the side.
Why no pictures of the rumble seat? I would think it’s the main selling point of this car.
First thing that crosses my mind is “cabriolet.” The windshield posts tell that. Whatever the case, it would look at my place…
When I first saw it I thought it was a cabriolet. I still do.
Nope…..
Yep….kinda was looking for that but the picture of the hinge tells it’s a coupe cowling….I own a Cabriolet…..
Looks pretty good even though.
Not a roadster
Regardless of origin, the next owner will need stopping experience as these still had cable brakes, yes? I learned the hard way at 17.
First, the car is not a Roadster, it is most likely a Sport Coupe or a Cabriolet, I have probably explained the differences on this site at least a 1/2 dozen times.
Because of the popularity of roadsters with Hot Rodders in the fifties, they got creative and started cutting off the tops of coupes and cabriolets, it is a shame but at the time the cars were cheap. As for rumble seats starting with model A’s, sometimes cars without rumble seats would have them installed by the dealers. These were very correct and hard to tell from the original. I know this because I have a 34 Ford Coupe with one,and it has been a conversational piece ever since I have owned it. Of course the next thing to happen was DIY started converting them with mixed results. What has happened now, with my rumble seat, I haven’t let anyone set it in it for years. WHY? It is just too dangerous! Sometimes at a closed event or parade, but never in traffic.
Is not a roadster. It appears to be a late 30 0r early 31 coupe with top cut off. Not a cabriolet or Sport coupe either. No roll up windows or top fastening features. Also Model A’s had brake rods, not cables. Henry was proud of all steel from pedal to wheel. The 31 radiator shell and one piece aprons are 31.
Hot Rod Builder, you are correct ,although I am not sure about if it is Coupe a Cab or Sport Coupe. It is very hard to tell from photos, the shot of the inside door shows no window hardware, but looks like it might have been removed. I am not knowledgeable enough to know. However, I think if we could see it in person we would know! Like as if it is really that important, we do know for sure it is not a Roadster.
I’ll take a Shay please.
God Bless America
The rumble sear cars had rubber step pads on the right rear fender if I remember correctly .
Dick
Saul
I am not knowledgeable much about Model A’s, but I think this one is pretty neat for a fair-weather driver. I checked the ad which has a photo of what looks like a cut off pillar. It says sports coupe but with no top. I wonder if a tonneau cover could be fit with a zipper down the middle, similar to my old TR3, so it could be driven in cold or a little damp weather? It is just north of Reading PA, not far from me at all, but this is just a fantasy.
Looking at the top of the post that can be seen in the picture of the interior taken from the right side of the car, I’d say it’s a decapitated coupe. The top of that cut off post behind the door on a cabriolet is not as tall and I think it had a chrome plate on it with 3 or 4 screws securing it.
As far as rumble seats, trunks were standard on coupes, roadsters and cabriolet’s, rumble seats were optional. This car has been converted to a rumble. If it originally had a rumble seat there would be round aluminum steps on the top of the rear fenders.
gbvette62, You that know that aluminum step plate is just a bolt on item, that you could bolt on any fender, it has nothing to do with the status of the rumble seat.
Drive it in a parade and throw kids candy!
Not as easy to do. My 31 came from golden empire candy company. It is in gold leaf on both sides. Local PD says I can’t throw candy to kids. Bummer.