Value of a 1928 Model A Roadster Pick up

[Fullraceflathead]

My Best friend has a Model A I'm interested in buying. It's a 1928 Model A Roadster Pick up. It is complete but it has been sitting in a garage for about the last 30 years. The body and paint are in good shape. It did run many years ago but I'm sure I will have to do some work to get it running again.
I'm thinking $6000 since it is a project.
Can anyone give me some input on this?
Thanks,
Kevin kline

[Tom Wesenberg]

In 1997 I bought a 1931 Town Sedan that was last licensed in 1957, so I can only assume it sat unused for 40 years, and by the dirt on it and the bad top, I'd say my guess was accurate. All I had to do was replace the bad cam gear, and it fired right up and runs like a fine Swiss watch.

Need many pictures to put a price to it.

[Fullraceflathead]

I unfortunately cannot get any photos as it is buried in stuff inside his garage.

[neds29]

If it's solid and complete, and you feel like it's a good deal, then what he's asking is a good price. If not it isn't. Remember that you'll have to buy tires, clean the gas tank, maybe rebuild the engine (does it run?), rebuild the carburetor, fix the brakes, redo the upholstery and top, buy a battery, fix any body work, paint it, etc., etc., etc. Can you do all of that?
Not trying to be difficult, but it's so hard to say without seeing it, having some idea of what shape it's in and so forth. "Buried under 20 years of junk" doesn't cut it. Also, what work can you do? $6000 for a reasonably complete truck in reasonably good condition does not seem too bad, but ? Pull it out, start it, have a good look at it and compare prices with what is on Hemmings (usually high) and what else you can find. Asking for input with minimum effort on your part and expecting a good answer is unrealistic.

[Mike V. Florida]

Not the most common A. I think that is a good price for a RPU with unknown mechanical conditions.

Worth (in my opinion) much more running and stopping well.

[Brother Hesekiel]

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At $6K, it's a no brainer.

[slackcat]

Last year a nice driver quality 1929 RPU brought 13,500 at a local auction. 6k sounds like a good deal but pics would be nice.

[Fullraceflathead]

Originally Posted by neds29

If it's solid and complete, and you feel like it's a good deal, then what he's asking is a good price. If not it isn't. Remember that you'll have to buy tires, clean the gas tank, maybe rebuild the engine (does it run?), rebuild the carburetor, fix the brakes, redo the upholstery and top, buy a battery, fix any body work, paint it, etc., etc., etc. Can you do all of that?
Not trying to be difficult, but it's so hard to say without seeing it, having some idea of what shape it's in and so forth. "Buried under 20 years of junk" doesn't cut it. Also, what work can you do? $6000 for a reasonably complete truck in reasonably good condition does not seem too bad, but ? Pull it out, start it, have a good look at it and compare prices with what is on Hemmings (usually high) and what else you can find. Asking for input with minimum effort on your part and expecting a good answer is unrealistic.

I would be doing ALL of the work myself. That is one of the reasons I want it. I love to restore things but I would keep it. I have a 10 year old son I would like to teach him more about Cars and it would be a Father & Son project. I've known about this truck for 40 years. It belongs to my Best friend. He did rebuild the engine many years ago but its been sitting in the garage 30 years now. He lost interest but always keep it covered up inside his garage. Because it sat for so long I realize I will need to clean all of the Fuel system. Replace All rubber and hopefully the engine still can be turned over by hand. I've seen Model A's in rough running condition go for around 5000 but this truck's body and paint are decent. If I owned it I would drive it after new rubber and thorough cleaning.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Yep, I would say buy it and follow your plans just posted.
Be sure to pull the plugs and dump oil down each cylinder and let it soak.

[C26Pinelake]

I bought one last year, the identical truck and paid $7000. I replaced tires, hoses, belt battery and had the gas tank professionally cleaned and the carburetor rebuilt. I have been. Offered over twice the money I have invested.
Wayne

[Fred]

Originally Posted by C26Pinelake

I bought one last year, the identical truck and paid $7000. I replaced tires, hoses, belt battery and had the gas tank professionally cleaned and the carburetor rebuilt. I have been. Offered over twice the money I have invested.
Wayne

Why did you not just flush the tank & put a filter in it ?? Or you could have just bought another one !!..

[Joe K]

By way of comparison...



This bad boy started the market at $5900 and is now at $4900. But it's in Irasburg, VT which is WAY up there near the Canadian border. (named after Ira Allen, brother of Ethan Allen the patriot/shyster.)

Of course asking price is not getting price.

Joe K

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by Fred

Why did you not just flush the tank & put a filter in it ?? Or you could have just bought another one !!..

if I could have bought a replacement I would have !
It was like tar inside and I did it properly. Cheap is not always the best way ! :

[Neal]

I ran across one on craigslist a year or so ago in similar condition except it was in running condition. The price was around $8500. The reason it was for sale was the owner did not fit in the pickup. Keep that in mind. You need to fit if you want to drive it and there is a limited market because a lot of people don't fit.

Neal

[trulyvintage]

Kevin,

Your offer is very fair.

California is difficult to get transport out of, so if he decided to sell it
he probably would have to wait awhile for someone to pick it up.

You might want to make your offer contingent upon condition.

That the motor is not locked up - the body is complete - etc ...



Good Luck !


Jim

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Go by your TRUE GUT FEELING, if it says-*$*^^*$%#--DON'T BUY IT!
If the GUT goes-HUMMMMMING--Take a chance & BUY IT.
Bill W.

[Michael M]

I think the magic words were 'father/son project.' That alone seems worth the price of admission. The time spent with the boy will be priceless.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Chief "might" say, "If it's the WRONG Father/Son combo, they "might" KILL EACH OTHER"!
Bill W.

[31 Woody]

And if you pass on it Kevin, let me know. I would love to have one!

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by Fullraceflathead

My Best friend has a Model A I'm interested in buying. It's a 1928 Model A Roadster Pick up. It is complete but it has been sitting in a garage for about the last 30 years. The body and paint are in good shape. It did run many years ago but I'm sure I will have to do some work to get it running again.
I'm thinking $6000 since it is a project.
Can anyone give me some input on this?
Thanks,
Kevin kline

Hey Kevin,
Looks of your avatar, you've been around mechanic work on cars. You'll do fine with this 'simplistic' antique tech. If it is anywhere near what you describe...and close to 6K...grab it ! I have a buddy who just sold a '29 pickup at auction for little over 5K and IMO, he was damn lucky guy ! I almost bought it for 3K, but backed out, as I was cautious about bringing something home... in that parts condition...and explaining that I'd paid $ for it !!