Flathead V8! 1928 Ford Model A Phaeton
After having enormous success with the Model T, Ford followed up with the Model A and sold another 4.3 million cars. One of its body styles was the Phaeton, a form of a sporty open carriage, aka convertible, like the seller’s car. This Phaeton was from the Model A’s first year of production and was transformed into a hot rod (as the seller calls it) in the 1940s. Located in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, this Ford is also available here on eBay for $8,102. Once the reserve is met, this good running car will have a new home.
Across five model years, the Model A Phaeton saw the production of more than 124,000 copies. The seller’s car was one of 47,000 built in 1928 as the Model A was ramping up in the wake of the retirement of the Model T. This one has had the same owner for only about a year, so not a lot of its history is known.
When it was about 20 years old, modifications were made to make this a more potent car than it left the factory. The 40-hp 201 cubic-inch inline-4 was replaced by a Ford flathead V8 (239 cubes?) that increased the horsepower by 50%. Additional changes included adding a slide-shift 3-speed manual transmission from a 1940 Ford that has since been rebuilt. Other 1940 components include the steering column and cross steer, dropped front axle, and Ford “juice” (hydraulic) brakes. We’re told it starts, runs, drives, and stops great!
The hot rod, which doesn’t look souped-up, has new tires and inner tubes on its 16-inch wheels. There is no mention of rust, but there are a ton of scrapes and scratches and patina in general which help to make it look more like a near 100-year-old automobile. And it has a cover behind the front seats to help the Ford look like a roadster though it has four doors. Online price guides suggest a top Model A Phaeton could be worth upwards of $30,000. Will the changes to this car help or hurt its value?
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Comments
A guy had one of these in my high school. Even back all those years ago, it was an old rattletrap. He got a lot of razing over it, but Jim didn’t care. He owned it with pride, plus he ended up with more girls in it then most of us did. Of course, the fact that he was “drop dead gorgeous” didn’t hurt. I have to painfully say, that was a quote from my girlfriend at the time. ( Ahh Linda, where are you these days?)
Didn’t Archie and Jughead pal around in a car like this?
That’s a nice thing.
The engine is a 136 cu in V8-60.
I like this car allot. I would love to have it just to tinker with and drive around. It would be perfect in the AZ. weather. It is very period appropriate, not sure that it was really built in the 40’s. Also the 30 K number would not apply to this car.. I like the looks but I would exchange the truck grill shell for a 32 passenger car, very minor but I think it looks a bit better. Could be a very fun car and a driver. My GUESS on price would be in the 15 K range.
I agree, ditch the grille, but put the original 28/29 one back on. There’s enough non 32 cars with 32 grilles already. Seems like monkey see monkey do when it comes to 32 grilles. Just my opinion.
Love it! The metal tonneau is the biggest turnoff…would be much better with a removable vinyl cover. On the plus side you can probably play it like a steel drum. Great for cruise-ins and beach parties. :)
Love the old Hot rods before all the Bling got here.
Reserve not met at $10,555.
The engine is a 60hp (136 cu in) flathead, not a 239 or 221.
Is there a front seat? Besides the plywood.
Hi Steve,
I’ve been posting here using Steve RM as my user name for quite a while now and would really appreciate it if you could use another name. I posted under Steve R for awhile until somebody else started using it so I changed my username to avoid confusion. I don’t want to change again.
You kinda get to know people on this site after awhile if they post under the same name. I comment enough that I would like to avoid any confusion.
Thanks,
Steve RM
i
Ford only built Model As for four years, 1928-1931. 1932 Fords are not Model As.
’32 is model B. The tonneau sheet metal can be upholstered or tossed. If thats a deal breaker get back in yer toyota cuz yer in the wrong lane here! V8 60 is kool and the side shift? Awesome too. Oh yeab! The difference between 32 truck and car grill shell? $$$$$$$!
Man I’d love to see this crate repaired only where needed, replace the tin tonneau with canvas, upholster the seat in front and put a seat in the back. Put a tall antennae on the back with a raccoon tail on it… that’s the bee’s knees, brother! Who ever bought it for $10,550. got ’em a beaut!
I missed out on buying this by a few days; saw it in person, runs/drives great and has a patina that just can’t be beat. If the new owner reads this and ever decides to sell, please reach out because I’ll buy it!
I BOUGHT IT AND LOVE. THE CAR…com
That’s fantastic! So glad you are enjoying it, it’s one of the coolest old rods I’ve seen!
neat quarter eliptiic rear springs and axle stewart dago dropped front axle
Neat AXLE Stewart Dago dropped Axle
Quarter eliptic rear springs built around1949 in some kids back yard in Southern Cal
The wiring run thru the tubing on the firewall is a really great touch. Chris Craft inst. panel too!
And if you ever decide to sell count me as very interested!