Model A Buyers Guide

[Don/WI]

Originally Posted by Jim Parker Toronto

I think that the MOST important thing to look for is IF the car has a free and clear title and can be registered in your name in your state or province.

In addition to the above note, make sure that the title and engine number match (the frame number too if you want to go thru all that trouble). Don/WI

[Alex S. L.]

I'll carefully check out the numbers on the car.

[Dan Baron]

Well??? Let's just say you could buy another Model A for the price of a new sub rail installation.

[Alex S. L.]

Not a DIY job?

Also, would a car with a rotten subframe still be drivable? Would the body be obviously messed up, sagging and move-able?

Did every Model A in 1928 have a wooden subframe or was it just the four door?

Second edit: Just got off the phone with the guy, it's a two door

[mrtexas]

Umm, your first thought should be what condition do I really want the Model A to be in? Whatever the answer is the next question "Is this car in that condition?" If it is in worse condition than what you want it's no bargain whatever the price is even $1,500.

Best advice I can give you is decide what condition you want and go find one. Restoring an old car is a money losing proposition. You should assume everything mechanical is worn out.

[kelley's restoration]

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Originally Posted by Alex S. L.

Not a DIY job?

Also, would a car with a rotten subframe still be drivable? Would the body be obviously messed up, sagging and move-able?

Did every Model A in 1928 have a wooden subframe or was it just the four door?

no
2 doors, roadsters, phaeton, pickup, coupe had steel

sure you could drive it like that. heck you could make something to bridge the gap if you like. for $1500 you don't get alot these days and if all you want to do is have an old car go for it.

i had a guy contact me about doing the wood in his 28 blind back sedan. his was totally rotten. A wood kit is like $2000 (don't quote me on that) its time after that. i bet i would have 100 hours in trying to get it back to its origional shape. At that rate you would be better off buying one that is in the $6000 range that is already partially restored

but again if you just want to tinker.. then you will not be hurt by the initial investment.
tk

[Jim Parker Toronto]

Take all of this advice, and then go and buy it anyway! At $1500, its a steal! Especially if it runs! Some pictures would be nice! Welcome to the hobby....

[Alex S. L.]

I light of it being a two door and not having a wooden sub-frame to worry about I will almost certainly buy it.

I am quite excited to play around with a piece of history like this.

As soon as it is securely mine I will post a bunch of pictures.

[Mitch//pa]

Buy it

[Model A Man]

stranger things have happened: wouldn't that be something if it ended up being a town car or a (A400 or is 400A) keeping my fingers crossed that it is something exciting and rare :-)

[TerryH]

If it is a 4 door sedan, the job is huge, and also expensive. There is lots of wood in the top, the sides, rear, and even the doors. As mentioned, sagging doors that don't line up are clues that possibly the wood is rotten and the screws holding everything together are not tight anymore........

[Deluxe Delivery Don]

Can you post some pic's of your find and is there a local Model A Club near you where someone there could help you.

[Tom Wesenberg]

At $1,500 You should be loading it up now, instead of wasting time here. Someone else might beat you to the deal. A 28 Tudor is easy to fix the wood if it needs it, compared to if it would have been a Fordor.

[Alex S. L.]

It's not advertised, but has been sitting there for sale for a while. It's not going anywhere but I am going to close the deal Monday evening.

There is no Model A club anywhere around here, but there is a general antique car club. Not exactly sure what help they would be of in a model specific kind of way but i may get around to joining them this summer.

[Fred K-OR]

Buy it and have fun. Even if the body is trash, you can always find another body to put on it. (see the picture of mine on left)

I think the big question is what do you want to do with it and how much money do you want to put in it? If it runs and all you want to do is drive it and you can get it on the road with just a few bucks for repairs, then that is one thing. If you want to restore it to orginal, then get your bank account started now. It took me about 50 years to finally get my old rig rebuilt with a few bucks invested in it.

Don't worry about being able to do your own work on the car. With the help of the guys on this site and the fact that you will find a Model A in one of the most simple cars to work on.