Model a prices in today's economy

[joltesvig]

I am a Model A neophite thinking I paid too much for my 31 coupe several months ago. I was told it was worth $18k when I aquired her. It is a five year old new restoration by an amateur restorer. But it has small dents that were painted over, a small amount of dirt in the paint, the floor mats don't fit very well and the brakes don't work very well (cannot stop fast!). Other than that and the fact that I haven't been able to keep it running reliably (only have been able to drive 125 miles in 6 months due to engine problems), I still have had a lot of fun with her and wouldn't trade her for anything. She is a dark midnight blue with straw colored wheels, nice. She came with a black metal trunk (which is a little banged-up) which I would like to replace with a leather fancy trunk some day.

I found a price guide for antique cars last week and was shocked to see that a #3 new amateur restoration, which I believe mine to be, is only $8k. A #3 condition '31 pickup is $12k. Why would that be?...shouldn't my nice Coupe be worth more than a pickup? The guide shows that even a #3 condition '31 roadster is only $16k. Wow, I would really like a roadster! And for only $16k I could have bought one and had some gas & repair parts money left over!

Well, as they say, "buyer beware"! What do you all think? My coupe can't be a #2 condition because the guide says that #2's can compete in shows with #1's but will not beat them since they will loose a few more points. On that basis, I can see that my Coupe, even with my meager knowledge, could not compete very well...I would not consider showing it in big shows where there would be #1's showing up!

But I would like to know what you think. Has anyone bought a '31 Coupe lately or other models that I could compare? Did I buy my Coupe from someone who had the price way high thinking I would bargain them down a lot? Or did the guy think too highly of it?

Or do you think the price guide (a January 2011 edition) is that far off on the prices they show for all Model As? I knew that Model As are afforable but maybe I got ripped off? Could I have had two nice Model As for what I paid for one?

Best regards,
John "there's a sucker born every minute" Oltesvig
Carthage, NC

[MCHinson]

Prices vary with a lot of different factors. It would take close examination to make an educated guess as to the actual value of your car. I suggest you enjoy your Model A and don't worry about it. The time to research prices is before you buy, not after. If you really want to know, I can recommend a good antique automobile appraiser in NC for you.

[TinCup]

It's the question that's asked at every parade event I attend. "What's one of these worth". My stock answer is always the same "Whatever someone is willing to pay". On book they have a value. But the real value is what joy do they bring to your life? How big is the smile on your kids and grandkids faces when they ride in the rumbleseat during a parade. How many of life's troubles have you been able to put aside while working on your car.

These are the things that truly put a value on your car.

[Bob C]

You might look at Ebay completed auctions to get an idea of what model
A's are selling for. As for the '31 pickup it may be a steel top wide bed or
a deluxe pickup.

Bob

[700rpm]

The value of a 31 coupe or any Model A will vary with condition and location. If you bought it for enjoyment, then enjoy it: fix up the little things that bother you, join a club, go have some fun. If you bought it for investment, it's like any investment: "You pays your money and you takes your chances".

[Wick]

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I see your in N.C. location does make a big difference I think. In the last few auctions ive been to,Ive seen a restored 29 Roadster bring $7500.00 in Va.
a 30 coupe not running with a perfect body bring $9000.00
A couple of weeks ago in N.C. a 29 roadster with lots of work needed went for $9300.00 at the same sale,a 30 chassie with a wood bed brought $2700.00
In Pa. a couple of restored coupes that needed detailing brought @ $5000.00 each.
You just dont know what a Model A will sell for.
Enjoy your coupe.
Wick

[cayager]

i agree with most.just enjoy it. i bought a 29 pickup recently. for 10k. looking later i can find this wrong and that wrong but in the end the money was spent and i enjoy owning it, so i wont worry if i spent 1000 to much or this other one came along and was a better deal. a better deal will always come along after you bought something.

[kelley's restoration]

sad part is that a coupe body is worth more to hot rodders than restorers
tk

[1931 flamingo]

Asking prices and what they sell for (if they do) are all over the place. If you follow ebay, you'll notice sometimes the same cars on there 3-4 times, they never bid as high the 2nd, 3rd or 4th time. Like some body already said it's worth what some one is willing to give for it. Don't expect to get back what you paid plus all the "little" things you do after the purchase. Are you happy with your car? Do you enjoy it? How much research did you put into learning about A's before you purchased? How many did you look at before you bought this one. I had A's when I was a kid and last year when I made the decision to buy I looked at about 2 dozen before I bought. I wanted a p/up but the tudor is more practical. Paint not orig colors but I knew that going in, restored in the late 80's w 615 miles on it when I got it(orig miles unknown). The clincher for me was that it was registered, on the road and had a title (makes life so much easier). Paid under 10K, could I get it back, I think so.
Good luck with yours. Why not post some of your "problems" here and maybe we can get yours to perform as it should?
Paul in CT

[peters180a/170b]

Kelley's Restoration , How is the 180A coming? I hope better then the fordor phaeton in the picture...l.o.l. I am not in the same spot at Hershey[ As a group we got kicked out] .I put in for 3 spots this year but as of now i do not have the spot numbers. Cheers

[glenn in camino]

The prices in price guides are based on cars sold at auctions. Not many Model As are sold at auctions. Forget the price you paid. Work on it to make it dependable and enjoy it.

[oldsman41]

if you like it than dont worry about it the car will hold its value do a little work on it and drive the hell out of it

[reggiedog]

HI: You know you are very truely right I think. But I have a late 31 tudor sedan delux that I think that's worth alot to. But I have seen the prices of the cars too and for what I have in the car. I would never sell it for the price that they have listed for what it's listed on the price guides. But I think most of those prices are from what they sell for on e-bay. But I would have never baught that car that you have for that price. Way to much but people buy that stuff for prices like that. But I have a model a that I have from my dad and it was his first car it has to much sentimental value. So I would never sell the car. but good luck reggiedog

[RcT]

About two years ago I bought the fifth model A in my lifetime (so far), and, in retrospect, I probably paid too much also, but it was the body style and color I wanted. Then i paid another two g's to have it shipped across country. It looks good, but the deeper i get into it, the more certain I am that the "Restoration" done on this car consisted of new paint and upholstery kit. Live and learn, but I'm ok with the car; it makes all my senses happy. Another thing to remember... if I had to guess the percentage of people who realize a profit on the resale of any car, I would say it's less than 5%. The purchase is history now, so forget it and enjoy it.

Remember the value of anything is what someone will pay for it. Ebay has a lot of dreamers on the reserve prices of the cars. If you want to see the REAL value, look down the left side of the ebay page and click on "Competed Listings". That will tell you what they sold for, if they did, in fact, sell. A minority of the cars listed actually are sold.

[CarlG]

I actually had a guy offer to buy my PU the first day I had it home, for the full price I paid (on eBay) plus the shipping to get it here from Southern CA, and then some. (despite the fact that it gained a cracked head in shipping)

[cpl624]

What site where you using for the pricing?

[28RPU]

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

You NEVER pay too much for ANY antique car, you simply buy too early.

10 or 20 years from now you'll be saying to yourself 'Geez, wished I'd have bought that what-ever-it-was back in '11 for XXXX dollars......' The country's full of people who whine about 'I could have bought a GT500 Shelby in 1975 for $2,000 now they're $140,000' or ' my dad's friend sold his '31 Dlx Roadster in 1970 for $1900 and it was mint I should have bought that car' and on and on and on.

Naw, ya did OK now get out there and have fun, don't look back and don't worry about it . Can't put a price on fun.

You are suffering the pangs of what economists and accountants call Cognitive Dissonance, everybody does at some time. Only normal. Have a beer or a Dr. Pepper or whatever you drink, sit back take a deep breath and go on.

^^^ Exactly. You don't keep pricing shoes after you buy a pair do you? If so, you shouldn't,it will only spoil your day.

[Tom Wesenberg]

If it makes you feel any better, the owner of an antique shop in South Dakota told me about a 1930 coupe that needed work and didn't run, that sold for $23,000 at a farm auction 2 years ago.

You buy stocks for investments, and you buy Model A's for fun. You'll probably have more fun and come out cheaper than if you took up golf.

Also, just think what it's worth that you probably saved a good Model A from being chopped and rodded.

[roccaas]

Although Barrett Jackson will tell everyone that the Collector Car market is "almost" back to pre-crash levels those cars are bought by people with plenty of cash to spend or "invest".

I still see the price range of common A Models continuing down for some time. Like Ferdinand Porsche said, no one needs a Porsche, they have to want it.

Drive the back roads and see how many: boats, jet skis, supercharged Fox frame Mustangs, ATV's, big pickups, HARLEYS, Mom's weekend Beetle Convertible, and trailers are up in yards with For Sale signs. People need cash, and if you can wait them out, you'll get the $2,000 Shelby like deal that you can look back on in 20 years -and happy motoring and memories.

eBay is still in a fantasy world with many "collector cars" with people who set a reserve based on what they have to have to make the rent by dumping the Car that they just can't quite the bullet on the loss from buying it for too much in 2007.

Of course I've got one on there now, we'll see if the reserve hits, or I put it back in the garage for a few more years!

[kelley's restoration]

Originally Posted by peters180a/170b

Kelley's Restoration , How is the 180A coming? I hope better then the fordor phaeton in the picture...l.o.l. I am not in the same spot at Hershey[ As a group we got kicked out] .I put in for 3 spots this year but as of now i do not have the spot numbers. Cheers

ouch... thats my daily driver
tk