Limo Rod: 1931 Ford Model A Stretch Limousine
Some classics blur the lines between different automotive categories, which is the case with this 1931 Ford Model A. Its creator produced a genuinely unique hot rod stretch limo that could represent a fascinating business opportunity. It has only covered fifty miles since work ended, but it is ready to chauffeur customers in style and class. The seller will never recoup their project costs but has listed it here on Craigslist in Dana Point, California. They set their price at $75,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting one of the most quirky classics I’ve ever seen.
The seller indicates they employed two Model As to create this stretch limousine. Apart from the rear fenders, the body is almost entirely genuine Ford steel. The work quality looks pretty impressive, with no signs of warping or waviness that might reveal welded joints. With the panels knocked into shape, they applied a dazzling combination of Champagne, and Charcoal Metallic paint to provide a classy impression. The paint looks flawless, with a beautiful depth of color and shine. Its overall condition is unsurprising, considering they’ve only clocked around fifty miles since completing their build. I wouldn’t expect to find any rust issues in a vehicle of this caliber, but getting it up on a lift would still be worthwhile. The overall quality of the work on this vehicle suggests the seller hasn’t cut corners. However, I’d still want to check the engineering underneath to ensure the frame will cope with the flexing and additional stress inherent in a vehicle of this type. The tinted glass and chrome are excellent, with the wire wheels and wide whitewall tires adding the perfect finishing touch to the exterior.
Although this limo will be significantly heavier than the average Model A, the driver shouldn’t find it lacks performance. The engine bay houses a 460ci V8 which sends 375hp to the rear wheels via a three-speed C6 automatic transmission. It goes without saying that the limo won’t be as maneuverable as its donors were, so the driver will undoubtedly welcome the inclusion of power steering. It is unlikely to scare traditional muscle cars in a straight line, but there should be no issues with a bride getting to the church on time! The engine bay presentation is flawless, and it’s easy to see why this project consumed more than $80,000. The car has covered a mere fifty miles since the build ended, meaning the new owner faces the satisfying task of breaking in the drivetrain.
The interior shots reveal acres of immaculate leather upholstery that looks supple and inviting. The dash features a custom gauge cluster, but I can’t spot any form of in-car entertainment like a radio or a CD player. The driver receives a power window, and air conditioning will be a welcome inclusion on warm Californian days. The only aspect of the interior that may require attention is the front floor. It looks like it wears exposed Dynamat, meaning the buyer may need to source appropriate carpet to add the finishing touch.
The rear passenger area of this limo is complete, featuring matching leather to the front. There are rows of LED lights to provide a party atmosphere and a separate air conditioning system. Compared to many vehicles of this type, the passenger area is quite subtle and restrained. It is common to find a bar or other in-vehicle entertainment, but this limo features none of that. It allows occupants to revel in each other’s company without distractions. Although I’ve felt no reason to question the quality of this build, this photo reveals one potential shortcoming. It appears there could be a significant gap between the door edge and frame, which is surprising. It may be the seller hasn’t closed the door properly before taking this shot, but it would justify further investigation.
I’ve been privileged to write about some fascinating classics during my time at Barn Finds, and this 1931 Ford Model A rates with the most interesting I have seen. Creating a hot rod stretch limousine may initially seem slightly madcap, but it could prove a stroke of business genius. With many builders transforming larger luxury cars into limos, this Ford will stand out in the crowd. It probably won’t appeal to conservative business types, but for those who march to the beat of a different drummer, it could prove the ideal transport to a wedding or high school graduation. I’m pretty sure the new owner wouldn’t be short of bookings, and I can’t think of many better ways to earn money than by prowling the streets in a Ford Model A hot rod. It isn’t cheap, but new business ventures rarely are. Would those thoughts prove enough for you to pursue this unique classic further?
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Comments
Wow. The senior prom never looked so cool.
Just wondering if young people would appreciate this?
With this car, “riding in the back seat” sets a new standard for all concerned…. You certainly would need to extend a garage to fit this monster and most parking lots would have to allow you two spaces (front and rear) to fit it as well. It’s a good looking car, and it appears they did an excellent job of developing this. In a sense, this is a true classic.
Glad to see a Blue Oval drivetrain!
I may be wrong, but I would assume most new limousines today sticker for far more than $70,000. And when you consider that used limos drop significantly in value after 10 years, then this might be a great investment. It should hold its value better.
IMHO.
Ted Mathis,
As someone who ran a vintage limo service in a major metro area [Baltimore/DC] I can tell you this car will take MANY years to pay off running it as a rental limo, because it’s what is known as a “weekend vehicle”.
Cars like this, in a major city environment, will get rented for Friday & Saturday evenings, and Saturday weddings. 85% of limo rentals are for weekday corporate use, including airport runs, etc. Very few companies are interested in paying more for a special limo.
As it stands now, I seriously doubt a buyer would be able to secure liability insurance for this car, as it was not constructed by a limo builder certified by an automobile manufacturer, who supplies crash-tested & DOT approved vehicles for conversion, with the conversions having also been computer-tested for crash testing & DOT approval.
When I see a lack of even seat belts inside, I can’t help but wonder what kind of side impact standards this body meets. Rental limo liability insurance is VERY expensive, first because so many more people can be injured in an accident. Anyone looking to run this in rental limo service should first contact their state’s limousine regulating office to see what they require to be approved. If this car still has sections of a wooden framed body in place, and the car is in an accident with injuries, the lawyers are gonna make a lot of money from both sides!
That said, if you want a street rod limo for your friends, and you’ve got the cash available, go for it. But also know if you have this car licensed as a antique car or street rod, your insurance policy will likely not allow you to rent it out. If you do and end up filing an accident claim, and they discover it was a rental, you ain’t got insurance!
I get the feeling things were much more “Wild West” in the ’80s and ’90s when it was common to see all kinds of stretch jobs.
I can understand why those days ended, since I live in a local news media market adjacent to where the Schoharie limo crash happened.
nlpnt,
The difference in limo rentals between 1990 and 1992 was a wake-up call for the industry. The demand for specialty limousines and super stretches evaporated almost overnight. Corporate policies changed from opulent and very visible big limo rentals, to what became known as “Black Car” rentals; basically black or dark blue Ford Crown Vics, Mercury Gran Marquis, and Lincoln Town cars. It went from the age of decadence and “me first”, to the beginnings of downsizing, and the limo business was leading the change [but most limo service owners didn’t realize this until much later].
As my limo company was a supplier of specialty cars like Rolls-Royce and other vintage vehicles, and one of the largest limo companies on the east coast offering those kinds of vehicles, I was active in the National Limousine Association [NLA]. I was one of the few people who saw the change coming a bit earlier than most, as my vehicles were a lot more expensive to rent, and by the spring of 1990, demand for the type of cars we offered had dropped off to a trickle, almost every rental was for a wedding on Saturday, and you can’t survive on one day a week rentals.
At the same time the liability insurance costs were skyrocketing nationwide, due in large part from several big accidents, like the recent Schoharie limo crash you mentioned. In many of these crashes, the long bodies simply crumpled. One high-profile case involved a super stretch Lincoln [stretched an additional 135″]. As it came down a steep hill with a stop sign at the bottom, the limo was unable to stop because the extra vehicle weight [along with a dozen people from a wedding inside] had resulted in the brakes overheating to the point where they stopped working, and the limo ended up in a river, the vehicle torn apart.
My limo company [Fantasy Limousine] was fortunate to have ZERO insurance claims or accidents over a 10 year period, yet my liability insurance was DOUBLING every year. By 1991 I realized my insurance company would be making more $ than I was. It was time to shut down and refund the few wedding deposits we had.
I was fortunate to have purchased cars by paying cash, and unlike my competitors, I didn’t have high mortgage costs on each limo, so I decided to close while we were still in the black, selling off some of the cars, just keeping a few for my own enjoyment. I watched many other limousine companies go way into the red, and eventually fail. Even 20 years later, the overall limo business in the USA has remained static, with black cars dominating.
In 1990, The Washington DC suburban area Yellow Pages had almost 35 pages of limo service ads. By 1992 that had shrunk to only 3 pages.
If you’ve never been in a Model A, they are tight inside. Lookin at the pics, you might get 4 people in the back of this thing.
A lot of cash for a fancy hot rod. Like the limo owners state high premiums for use as a limo plus limited returns makes it impractical combo. Probably why the seller is trying to unload it. Smart money would be a pass on this one!!!