The Ford Barn

joltesvig · 07-28-2011, 10:01 AM

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

07-28-2011, 10:01 AM	#1
joltesvig Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Carthage, NC Posts: 147	Model a prices in today's economy 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