Roadster or Coupe?
 

Looking to purchase my first Model A in the coming year. Looking for some advice from those of you that have spent time in both or owned both types of body styles. What are the pro's and con's or things to consider? Which one do you think looks best? Which one would you choose? Any help would be great. I've narrowed it down to these styles because I just personally think they look the best. Thanks

If it helps. I'm 37, two young kids, live in Michigan. I don't foresee myself going on long cross country tours. Mainly just a summer car for taking drives locally and running the kids for ice cream.

Re: Roadster or Coupe?
 

I prefer a roadster, but that is also a more expensive car. If money doesnt matter, buy the roadster. 28-29 are usually more abundant and less expensive, 30-31 a little more desireable. figure around 15k

a coupe can be bought in nice shape for under 10k. both great body styles, but roadsters

always carry a little more desirability.

Re: Roadster or Coupe?
 

Re: Roadster or Coupe?
 

Noting the number of possible passengers…..
Why haven’t you considered a sedan?
As they grow 3 in a single seat in going to be crammed

Re: Roadster or Coupe?
 

If you follow that logic I should probably just consider a phaeton right? I have thought about that but then again it's more expensive and from what i gather more difficult to locate. I'm also pretty picky about color combinations which should be easier for me to find in a coupe and roadster. I'd like to stay under $18k which i'm hoping should be enough to find a pretty decent car.

Re: Roadster or Coupe?
 

If you want the family to go along choose a sedan.
If you want to extend your driving season, assuming that you are in Michigan, get a car with roll up windows.
If you were single or just two of you a coupe or roadster would be ideal.

Re: Roadster or Coupe?
 

With your two original choices…doesn’t seem your hung on open v closed. So, phaeton does have two sets of seats.
You’d find a good coupe in your budget range; that’s low end of decent roadsters. 28-29 open cars generally go a bit cheaper than 30-31. So, might find decent 28 fordor phaeton in that budget.
Just be careful as “maintenance” on a “restored” car can be surprising
Which brings up another…..are you mechanically inclined, work on cars, understand vintage cars? These are not maintenance free…if it sits for a week, it may just not start, etc.
Oh yeah, young kids, ice cream! Most open cars have leather or vinyl… clean up.

Re: Roadster or Coupe?
 

I have a 1931 160A 4 door sedan and bought it back in 1988 when the large sedans were laughed at for being so large and heavy. Well, on tours over the years guess who can carry 5 people comfortably or just my wife and I with luggage and room for her antique shopping finds? I have sedans and coupes in my barn. The Coupes are great but only for 2 people.
Think it over…..

Re: Roadster or Coupe?
 

I seem to remember this capacity-enhancing feature called a "rumble seat"......

Re: Roadster or Coupe?
 

Considering you have two youngsters who will ride with you, a Tudor is your best choice.

Re: Roadster or Coupe?
 

I'm a ragtop guy, so,,,,,,

With a family growing up, a long ragtop would be my choice. Let the wind mess up their hair. JMHO.

Re: Roadster or Coupe?
 

The roadster is a simple car with a soft top and no roll up door windows. It would be the easiest body style to maintain and it has upholstery that takes to poor weather better. It may or may not have a rumble seat in the rear section. It uses side curtains to keep weather out.

There are several different coupe styles depending on year model. Standard and deluxe trim levels with Special coupe, Business coupe, and Sport coupe version's to choose from. These also may or may not have a rumble seat. Closed cars in this Era still have soft top inserts with the whole top being soft on the Sport and Business couple models. The Special coupes have a faux leather covering on the steel portion of the top. Interiors use cloth materials for seats, door panels, and head linings.

Re: Roadster or Coupe?
 

So two passengers can ride in the sweltering sun, rain, snow etc. No thanks…..

Re: Roadster or Coupe?
 

Just buy one of each and be doubly happy :)

Re: Roadster or Coupe?
 

Please let us all know what you bought and why; I look forward to hearing the details! :-)

Re: Roadster or Coupe?
 

I’m 42, I have two young kids, and a coupe. I wouldn’t recommend either two-seater. The rumble seat just doesn’t work for any trip longer than five minutes. The kids just don’t like being out there in the wind with no ability to communicate with the parents up front. Also it’s the least safe of all the Model A seating arrangements.

I bought a ’30 phaeton for $15.5k. You can absolutely get a four-seater with that budget. I’d get a Tudor if you live up north. There are a ton of Tudors available in great condition.

Re: Roadster or Coupe?
 

I really like the roadsters, but with our winter weather here, for me a coupe makes more sense. Where are you located? If you are going to drive in cooler or sunny winter days you may want the coupe.

Re: Roadster or Coupe?
 

There’s been a slew of posts about this……
Riding in rumble seats is dangerous. I’d never ride in one and for sure not put a kid in one.
I guess here we go on this!

Re: Roadster or Coupe?
 

Tastes change as you get older. As a young man I drove a roadster. Loved it. Now that I am 3/4 of a century old I have a 4 door and love that too. You are young. Buy the roadster. It is a lot more sportier than the coupe.

Re: Roadster or Coupe?
 

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Marshall