1929 Rumble Seat Coupe on American Pickers

[Ken/SC]

I just finished watching American Pickers (repeat) on the History channel.
They bought a 1929 Rumble seat coupe for $6000. My first opinion was
they ripped off the owner considering the condition. It was her late fathers and a older restoration. Needs some work. Then their appraiser said it was only worth about $5-6000. He stated a few things about Model A's that I don't really agree with.
"They are like a belly button everybody has one"
He said Ford made 5 million of them. More like 4 and alot are not on the road now.

I like the things they find on the show, but they often brag too much about how little they pay for things compared to the profit they make.

What do you guys think, especially if you saw the show?

[Rowdy]

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48122

[Chris in WNC]

"they often brag too much about how little they pay for things compared to the profit they make."


buying low and selling for a profit is how capitalism works. not a bad thing assuming a mentally competent seller, who must either educate themselves or settle for selling low.

bragging about the profits you make is bush-league, tacky and low-class.
but it makes for good TV, I guess.

[Jack '29 Sport Coupe]

I saw that episode. I thought that it was not a bad car for the money as long as he is planning on fixing it up for himself. If the engine is ok it looked like the major expense would be the upholstery, although they indicated that the tattoo lady could do that for them. Judging from her looks, she might do it up in a crushed velvet---yikes! there I go, stereotyping again!

Judging from some of the purchases they make on that show, I can only assume that the fee they are paid by the tv show is the only way they make ends meet. Those guys are entertaining, though, as they drag home some real rusty crap that I would pay someone to haul away from from my house-----far away. I think Frank's '29 will clean up nicely, however.

Jack

[Steve Wastler]

I was disappointed in the fact they didn't know much about A's, but do think Frank did alright. I was surprised, they made the statement, since it was restored in the 70's it would have more original parts. I think the lack of original resources and the crap repro parts out then, Frank will be changing alot.

Mike seems to know his antique motorcycle history, and has a nice little collection of them going. Neither seem too mechanically inclined.

The show does feel staged, but like others I like to see what is in the back ground.

[Jack '29 Sport Coupe]

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Steve, you made the same observation I did about the guys not knowing much about Model A's. Did you notice that on three occasions they referred to it as a "roadster."
That was just one of the clues I noticed.

Jack

[Roadster62]

It's TV, so it had to be entertaining for the general public. Do you really want them to be Model A experts and help drive up the asking prices on things? I watch the show to see the stuff they walk by.

[Steve Wastler]

I wasn't looking for them to be experts on the model A, but if Frank has been looking for A 31 roadster for all the years claimed, you think he could at least tell the difference in the years 28-29 or 30-31. I was more surprised they aired the show without doctoring it so they would seem a little less like a couple of dumb asses...

[ronn]

The show is dribble after watching it a few times....
as stated- they could never make a living on what they buy and sell-just the TV rights.