Original, But Needs Restoration: 1928 Ford Model A
As we creep towards the 100th anniversary of the first Ford Model A rolling across the assembly line, this iconic car is still very popular with restorers and collectors. It was the last car that you could say Henry Ford had a heavy hand in the overall design and he created a timeless classic. Today it is difficult to find a Model A in original, unrestored condition. Most good examples have been refurbished by now. The Model A you see here, while sorely in need of restoration, appears to be very close to the way Henry made them. If you are looking for a solid project, this original condition 1928 Ford Model A Tudor for sale on eBay in Amelia, Ohio should be on your list. Complete and almost corrosion-free, this venerable old Ford is listed at $8,500 or best offer.
When you consider that Ford built nearly five million Model As between when the first one rolled off the line on October 20, 1927 and the final A drove out of the factory on December 7, 1931, it is remarkable that so many have been restored. Some have even been restored two or three times. It’s like people flocking to restore Toyota Corollas in today’s world (not that there is anything wrong with that). What was it about the Model A that was so appealing decades later? Perhaps the overwhelming reason is that when these cars passed from being a used car into being an antique, many Americans had fond memories of these cars during the hardest times in their lives. Model A Fords carried families west to escape the Dust Bowl, dutifully provided transportation during the Depression, and did so reliably. For many, their Model A was as close to family as a mechanical device could get.
This love drove people to restore thousands of Model A Fords and set up two huge clubs, the Model A Restorers Club and the Model A Ford Club of America, to not only assist in restorations but to make ownership of these cars a family affair. Once the snowball started rolling, there were local chapters of these clubs in nearly every town with a stoplight. Aftermarket suppliers sprung up to provide any parts that could not be found NOS (new old stock). Once you had a functioning car, there were local, state, and national meets to go to, tours big and small to drive your Model A in, and the clubs even dipped their toes in period clothing for everyone in the family to enjoy wearing at these events. The scale of national meets for the two clubs is hard to imagine today. Yet, these two clubs are still around and they are likely on the list of the ten largest collector car clubs in America even today.
If you want a Model A to restore so you can join in on the fun, this 1928 example is a good place to start. It is typical of the average Model A after a few decades of use. In the ad, there is a picture of an Ohio inspection sticker from 1952. Given that, the fifties seat covers, and the homemade vinyl top pictured above, chances are good that this car left the road not long after that inspection took place. According to the seller, work had begun on the car before it was put aside. Beyond some stripping of paint and interior, there was an issue with the engine. A good used engine was placed under the hood and the original block was saved.
There was no mention of what happened to the original engine to cause the change. It could be as simple as the Babbit bearings causing problems or as devastating as a cracked block. Who knows? The seller does state that the engine does turn by hand and has compression. It is not, however, specified which engine that is. Chances are it is the one installed in the car. The previous owner started rebuilding the carburetor, distributor, and water pump but did not complete any of those tasks.
Once you get past the engine issues, there is good news regarding the rest of the car. The body is described as very rust-free and solid throughout. Another great bit of news is that the gas tank is clean inside. Look carefully where Ford put the gas tank on these cars. It forms the top part of the cowl so that gravity could bring the fuel to the carburetor and the car would not need a fuel pump. The drawback is that removing the tank requires a lot of disassembly work.
Is it a good idea to purchase an unrestored Model A and go through the pains of bringing it back to showroom new? Financially, probably not. Especially for a Tudor. Yet, some people enjoy the journey more than the destination. Bringing a solid car like this back to life would be rewarding, and you can enjoy Model A life a little more when you know you were the one that made this car like new again.
Have you ever owned a Model A Ford? Would you like to? Please share your Model A memories and/or dreams in the comments.
Comments
Sold.
Steve R
See, the market is not softening. This is prewar, but it still sold. Old cars are always going to sell, and sell big as a hedge against inflation. If people think the dollar is sinking, they are going to look elsewhere for value.
I think certain old cars will retain some interest. I think there are enough folks that have a kindred relationship with one, and heck, I’m almost 70, if I live to be 80, still plenty of time to restore and enjoy one. Then what? With a top speed of 45 mph, mostly relegated to city travel. Actually, that’s all these cars were intended for, and could easily be used as such again.
Fast forward those 10 years, and all us clutch pushers will be pushin’ daisies instead, and few will want a Model A. That wasn’t the case in 1928. I read, this car cost $585 new. Pre-depression wages were about $37.61/week. Almost 60% of families had a car then, but almost half didn’t. Still, over 633,000 Model As were sold in 1928. The depression didn’t seem to curtail sales much, over 3 million sold by 1930. Again, a modern setup would keep interest, but then it’s not a Model A.
Model T’s and A’s are like 8N tractors, everyone has ridden in one, their grandparents owned one or they have seen one and think they are cute. This will be a street rod in a year or two because all the elderly people that want to restore one are dying off. There is no profit in a stock pro restoration but there is in streetrodding them
Hi Tom, not sure about a street rod here. A coupe, for sure, but I don’t recall many sedan hot rods. Personally, I’ve never driven or even ridden in a Model T or A( sounds like a SNL skit) and as mentioned, for the future it has to be more user friendly.
Quick Model A story: When I moved here 7 years ago, the local car club puts on a show. Initially, there were several Model As, as the years past, the number got less and less, about 3 years ago, there was only one left, an elderly couple, and nobody was looking at the car. I felt bad and went over by them, told them the car looked great. They thanked me, but said it was probably their last time too. They said they almost got ran off the road, and haven’t seen one since.
Wow! This is my car. What a surprise to see it in the newsletter this morning.
It is going to CA to be preserved as much as possible by the new owner.
We also have a time-capsule Model A phaeton hot rod with a Studebker V8 and T10 4 speed. Check out our other Ebay listings!
Model As were produced until March of ‘32
Sorry Curt
Old cars are not a good investment you can dump 60- 80k in one and maybe sell for 50k if you are lucky
I respectfully disagree. Not only are they great investments, you can enjoy them to. Try doing that with a 401K.
Except for the most special cars (ones I can’t afford) most old cars like Model As are not a good investment. When I was a kid and bought a Model A in 1970, you could buy a really nicely restored A for $15,000 to $20,000. About what you can get for it now. Take into account inflation,
insurance, storage, maintenance and repair and it makes no financial sense. If you are having fun and enjoying the experience then that car is worth every penny.
For a lot of us(admittedly dwindling numbers) restoring/preserving, it isn’t so much about making a good investment $$$, it’s preserving the history, the fellowship of like minded and the enjoyment of the ride in the oldies, not to mention the enjoyment that we bring to the public when we show up with something they don’t see six or a dozen of at the same show. But that’s us, everyone has their own wants, needs and desires.