Would you restore a Model A today or not?

[Mitch//pa]

FYI:: if you click the poll numbers it will show who voted for what....

[Aerocraft]

I'm doin' it as we speak. 1929 68A Cabriolet. It's only money. Love it, keeps me young!

Gar Williams

[Jwilli]

I don't restore, but I do try to improve.

[DougVieyra]

No. At 75 years of age, I have done my two (two years for each one), and no longer have either the time, inclination, energy or money to do a restoration again.

[glenn in camino]

Yes.

[nq50]

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Yes I would, Tams model A supply is 2 miles from my house.

[Y-Blockhead]

I would have to say no. At this time I am more into maintaining my Town Sedan, repairing /replacing parts as needed and having the pleasure of driving it...

[midgetracer]

Yes. I am retired and I do this to keep me young. I have 6 Model As and a 34 Ford tudor that are restored and I am addicted to working on old Fords. I often help out local Model A people who are not as familiar with them. I have another Model A that I am currently restoring and another one in the wings waiting. As my neighbors say... Its better than drinking.

[Larry Jenkins]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

NOT @ 80 years old, it'd take me 17 YEARS to finish it!
Bill Old

BS Bill..

I'm 84 and into the second year of a 3 year restoration on Pea Cup..

Larry

[Steve_Mack_CT]

Yes - Doing a T now though.

[1930marie]

Only 17 years Bill? Bragger, I'm looking at never finishing! That's why I bought another well restored car this past spring! My answer is NO even if I had the time. It takes somebody like Bill with years of experience to identify a nice car with original parts and very well restored. I know, my hunt lasted nearly two years. Cars are now turning up with really high restorations done 30-40 years ago that need either freshened or a full restoration again. Model "A's" - nothing like them, have fun with your car!

[marc silva]

I like mine old....you can touch'em. I have a few cars I have restored that I never drive because they are too pretty and don't want to uncover or get them dirty. My old 28 is the best, most fun car I own! I drive the heck out of it.

[SSsssteamer]

At 70 years old, I do not want to restore a pile of rusty parts into a running model A again. I have spent over two weeks so far on just straightening and welding up some tough 1930 Ford front fenders. That is no longer fun. I would restore a complete but tired model A Ford again though. Fifty years ago, I restored a 1930 Model A Ford pick up using JC Whitney parts and Sears tires. The pick up was a rolling project. Total restoration cost was about $400. The 1930 pick up that I am restoring now from a pile of parts, I now have over $10,000 in parts and paint into it and the clock is still running. It does not pencil out.

[180 a]

I am restoring my 180 A as we speek. This project has been on the back burner for over 20 years, but with a cancer problem it is time to get it done.

[jim1932]

To my way of thinking there are two ways to enjoy the hobby and they are not mutually exclusive. Many of us enjoy the process of restoring a car. Once the car is done, the joy may go out for these people.

Another group enjoys owning and driving the cars.

There is a hybrid that only enjoys owning and driving a car they restored (but not likely to do it again).

I look at the money spend as a recreational/entertainment cost. If I get something out of it on the other end it goes back into the next one anyway.

[ian Simpson]

Originally Posted by BlueSunoco

Good question. For a simple 'yes' or 'no' as you indicated I would have to lean towards 'no'. Not that I like the cars any less that's not it. It's a matter of money.

Hard to justify putting $65K into a car that will MAYBE, maybe, with the right buyer fetch $20,000 at sale time. That's a lot of coin to eat.

Besides, THAT'S just what the next guy did. Bought a beautifully restored car for less than a third of what you put in it I'd say wait and buy one correctly done already. That way you can buy three nice Model A's for the price of one. And when you sell, you won't get bit as hard. Maybe break even.

I would like to say yes but I must say no to a full restore due to advancing years. However, another refresh would be interesting. I am looking at a nice Phaeton right now.

As for the $65k investment for a $20k return: I do not mess with old vehicles for money, I mess with them for pleasure. If I get 10+ years of pleasure for $45k, that is cheap entertainment.

Just my opinion, take it or leave it as you please.

[Henry's Lady's Man]

Unequivocably YES: It's History, man! A Great Piece of History.

[Mike V. Florida]

A yes or no answer is hard to do because of ones definition of restoration as other have already said. Ground up off frame, freshen up, get it to run and stop reliably?

[Larry Jenkins]

I think it's really not a "manner of money." Sure it's important, but for me, and probably a lot of other Model Ayers, it's a matter od downright "pleasure."

Being able to work on something that's 85 years old; knowing that when you are done, you can say, "I did that!" Not to mention the PURE pleasure of accomplishing something that few get a chance to do..

In a heartbeat. On Number three right now. I'm 84.

Larry

[larrys40]

Originally Posted by Aerocraft

I'm doin' it as we speak. 1929 68A Cabriolet. It's only money. Love it, keeps me young!

Gar Williams

Gar, glad to see you're on it and glad you didn't sell it! Best of luck and hope you are well. The 68C will hopefully get it's turn this coming year. Too busy right now on everyone else's!
Here's a few quick photos after I first got it home from PA in june of 2012.. of course wrong headlights, etc.. the smokey one is from our 2013 annual start up party after we got it running in about an hour or so. It hadn't run since 1955. You bet... many more to do! Gar...I'm sure you recognize the house!


Larry Shepard