First Time buyer

[michael a]

I have wanted a model A my entire life and I am going to look at one tomorrow. What do you suggest I look for on this 29 sedan as far as red flags go? I live in the greater Kansas City area and one being junk and ten being show quality any ideas on what I should pay also would be appreciated. This is advertised as runs and drives and everything works on the car, so you all know as much about it as I do. I am not looking for perfection but something to drive around and go on trips and really enjoy.

[Rex_A_Lott]

The best advice I can give you is, dont jump the gun and buy the first thing you see. Try to make some friends in your local area and look at several of their cars, even if not for sale, so that you know what a good car looks like , runs like and drives like.
Rust, and poorly repaired rust, is the biggest turn off for me. Ragged out interior is another. Why? Because these are the things I cant fix myself. Good Luck!

[J Franklin]

$7-$10,000

[Mike V. Florida]

"one being junk and ten being show quality any ideas on what I should pay also would be appreciated."

Honestly, it's between walk away fast and 30k.

J Franklin range, in my opinion, would be for a rough to good driver.

[Synchro909]

I'll answer your question without answering it.
My advice is don't fall in love with the first car you see. There are plenty out there. I further suggest you join your local Model A club. That will give you access to people who know these cars and might even accompany you to inspect one. Cars often become available within a club. Members downsize collections, die, buy another car and have to sell one.I guess what I am saying is, Become a part of the Model A network and fellowship first.
There might even be a barn member nearby who can help.

[Charlie Stephens]

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You didn't say if it is a 2 or 4 door. If it is a 4 door watch out for rotted wood (there is a lot of it). Check to see if the doors close properly. Take a lot of pictures and post them here. Go slow. I hope you have already joined a Model A club, they are a great source of buys. Take someone with you that knows Model A's.

Charlie Stephens

[KGBnut]

How much do you like to do your own tinkering? If you are a tinkerer, the things you "look for" aren't so much signals to walk away, as projects to prepare for.

For me, much short of an engine rebuild I can handle...but the price will be impacted. Common things are king pins; loose steering gear; lousy or missing shocks; radiator leaks; water pump leaks; wheel bearings; brake work; lights that don't come on... All of these can be tackled, it just depends on how much work you want to put into it. Knocks and clunks in the engine are warnings of potentially bigger troubles.

My wife tells me that I intentionally look for things that need work because "that's how I make it mine."

I agree with those that suggest that you make friends at the local club. It is usually easy to get someone to come and take a look at it with you. This is especially true if you don't want too much tinkering. Short of that, take a bunch of pictures, ask to take some time to think about it, and post the pictures here.

If I were in your area I would go with you just because I love checking these things out.

Good luck,

Ken

[Bob C]

Like Charlie said watch out if it is a fordor there is a LOT of wood in the body.
This picture does not show the doors witch are wood framed also.

Bob

[michael a]

Thank you all for the replies, I love to work on antiques, have done farm tractors for years, my current project is a 42 half ton with a warmed up flathead in it. I retired from being a heavy equipment mechanic. I do not want to take advantage of anyone and do not want it done to me. I love this forum and will certainly be on it from time to time. Again Thank you!

[SeaSlugs]

I agree with the others, join a local club, don't jump on the first thing, see if you can find a seasoned model a guy to come with you to look. You may be surprised and the club may know all about the car for sale and will either tell you to steer clear as its a basket case or shotty work or they will say yea the previous 2 owners were meticulous and did proper repairs. Don't forget , one mans safe driving car is another's death trap...

yes rust and upholstery and engine repairs are going to be your biggest money pits. Since you've done tractors you know how to listen for worn out engine mains and non natural engine sounds. The brakes if truley in good shape should stop just as good as a modern car with manual brakes, be aware the pedal should spring back full upright position with a bit of force. If not be leery of the brakes. Steering ideally should have 1-2" of free play at the wheel, anymore be leery. If you hit a pothole and it starts shimmying back and forth theres worn out stuff. If there is a stabilizer shock mounted to the tierod be very afraid as its a band aid fix to worn out parts.

the rest is pretty standard used car stuff, wiring good, lights work, horn work, how much and what leaks, etc.

[H. L. Chauvin]

All above good advice.

If you would like a Model A owner to accompany you: "Who to look for?"

For example:

1. Model A owner (A) just drives, has little mechanical knowledge & allow friends to perform both minor & major Model A maintenance; but he brags on how he is a great mechanic, talks all of the time, & can tell wild Model A mechanical accomplishments that even Mother Goose would like to hear & copy into her story book.

2. Model A owner (B) may or may not do minor tune ups & tinkering, may or may not have a little more mechanical knowledge, & may or may not allow friends to perform major maintenance; but he is most humble, has lots of integrity, never brags, and he will always recommend that you get Model A owner (C) below to look at & drive your Model A before you buy it.

3. Model A owner (C) can do everything from front bumper to rear bumper; e.g., paint, install new brakes, major overhaul of entire drive train, upholstery, electrical work, glass work, and everything. He is courteous, kind, always willing to assist other Model A owners. Most importantly, Model A owner (C) has done all or most of the restoration items above, and has very successfully restored one or more Model A's, and is cognizant of the time involved for restoration and the cost involved.

Guess which one (1) of the above would be the best person to try to take with you for "advice" before a person would buy his "first" Model A?

Hint: Not Mother Goose.

Just sincerely wish you can find someone locally to assist in any way for you to make an appropriate decision.

[Art Newland]

Runs and drives is a very wide statement! As a do-it -yourselfer type myself, the things about a Model A that are hard to handle your self, is the Babbitt bearings in the engine, and some of the brake work. Model A's are so robust, that they can still run and drive even though they are really worn out. You mention going on trips, sounds like you'll want a car in pretty good shape, or be willing to do what it takes to get it there.

[SeaSlugs]

Dont let us scare you off either - it seems like you have the knowlege to put new bushings in and ream them etc and correctly rebuild stuff. Its nothing really hard and theres lots of tricks to do many of the jobs easily it all comes down to time and cost. If a car comes along and the price is right or better than right its not the end of the world if the steering has slop for example - just be prepared to do it correctly and it will last another 100+ years if kept lubed.

[Tinker]

I've found I've always found something to fix on a car. As big or small as it is.

[Kevin in NJ]

Get in and drive it.

A factory A had no problem running 60 MPH comfortably. It should stop well (limits are the tires on the pavement).

A properly restored car should run 60 no problem and stop great.

If the car has no shocks and the owner tells you it is a 45 MPH car then you know you are in for over $10,000 worth of work to make it right.

If the car has shocks they may not work.

Look for rust dust coming from places like the springs, wish to axle area and such. Those are areas that are rusty and loose.

Who did the engine and brakes. Were new parts used in rebuilding the brakes? Was the engine rebuilder reputable?

A lot of cars are sort of thrown together and may look nice but really are not mechancially restored.

[Tinker]

i don't want to case any issues, but 60mph comfortably?

[Bruce Adams]

FWIW Gas Tanks and Brakes are expensive and a real pain so keep looking if the gas tank is rusty and if the owner does not claim to have replaced the brakes with cast iron ones.

There are a LOT of good Model A's around and you might do well to pay more for a car in great mechanical condition.
Best of Luck.

[jm29henry]

You could take some pic of the car and post it on the forum who know its a vast array of people and someone may even no something about the car you are looking at

[H. L. Chauvin]

Hi Michael,

For your initial phrase,

"any ideas on what I should pay also would be appreciated."

If your search for "Model A's for Sale" on line, also in Hemmings, EBay, MAFCA Ads, Google, Yahoo, etc., you will begin to acquire an intelligent, general opinion on what "you" are willing to do with your spare time ......... and how much you are willing to extract from "your" wallet.

Our wallets, our checking accounts, and our savings accounts appear to talk to my wife and I every day ...... we don't dare talk back to them ...... we just cautiously & carefully listen ........ and keep on ticking ...... worked for us so far.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by Tinker

i don't want to case any issues, but 60mph comfortably?

Not in a standard car if you want to be sure you get home. With an improved motor and O/D, maybe - if you're brave.