The Ford Barn

pgerhardt · 02-09-2015, 01:34 PM

I finished stripping the underside of the second rear fender. When I flipped it over to start on the other side I thought, "I don't remember it being that bad."

When you look at pictures taken of the car (see picture 1) you would think, "Why the hell is he refinishing that car? He must be suffering from OCD!" Well, when it comes to restorations that may be true. But the fact is that in photographs this model A is a great "10 foot car". The problem is that I want it to be a great 6 inch car! Picture 2 is a 6 inch shot of the fender I refinished. Picture 3 is a 6 inch shot of the other rear fender which clearly shows why I am refinishing a "great looking" model A.

So be careful of model A Fords that take pretty pictures. Those pictures can hide a multitude of sins.

J Franklin · 02-09-2015, 01:50 PM

That is why everybody should take a careful look at any prospect they intend to buy.

Joe K · 02-09-2015, 02:19 PM

Caviet said it well.

Joe K

Big hammer · 02-09-2015, 02:27 PM

OMG was it painted with a dirty roller

BlueSunoco · 02-09-2015, 04:21 PM

Picture three is the one you repainted

Naw just kidding nice work looks good after you re-did it!

pooch · 02-09-2015, 04:55 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Rule one.

Never buy a car that has been recently re painted, unless the 'paint job ' comes with a guarantee .

Or the price reflects an overlook of rule one.

JonC · 02-09-2015, 09:46 PM

Oh no I just bought one like that only a deluxe coupe, That's the trouble with the internet and pictures. I'll still be happy finally got an original A.

TerryH · 02-10-2015, 01:22 AM

I am definitely the exception to this rule, and would be fhe first one to admit it. But I bought my 1930 Town Sedan from a gentleman in New York, who spent 10 years restoring it. The amazing thing is that (1). He had never restored a car before, (2). He had never owned a Model A before, did not even join a local club, and most importantly (3). He did a wonderful job, as I have had the car for 8 years now, drive it regularly, and it not only looks absolutely great, but also runs extremely well, with hardly anything needed other than normal maintenance. I took a huge chance and bought the car sight unseen, but with lots of pictures, and got very lucky.....it does happen, though rarely, and one should not count on it!

Not George · 02-10-2015, 07:06 AM

I think some of us are missing the point of this thread.

Joe K · 02-10-2015, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not George

I think some of us are missing the point of this thread.

Possibly, but it makes for interesting reading.

There is an expression in buying collectables: one didn't pay too much - one simply bought too early.

This just another case of having bought too early.

Joe K

eagle · 02-10-2015, 09:12 AM

My A has a homemade paint job from 1950. I love it!

C26Pinelake · 02-10-2015, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Franklin

That is why everybody should take a careful look at any prospect they intend to buy.

That is exactly why I am hesitant to buy off ebay. Unless it is néw, a camera can be a sellers friend and a buyers foe ! Not just Model A I might add ! I have been scammed twice.
Wayne

Royce P · 02-10-2015, 12:35 PM

Hopefully you knew what you were buying and paid accordingly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgerhardt

I finished stripping the underside of the second rear fender. When I flipped it over to start on the other side I thought, "I don't remember it being that bad."

When you look at pictures taken of the car (see picture 1) you would think, "Why the hell is he refinishing that car? He must be suffering from OCD!" Well, when it comes to restorations that may be true. But the fact is that in photographs this model A is a great "10 foot car". The problem is that I want it to be a great 6 inch car! Picture 2 is a 6 inch shot of the fender I refinished. Picture 3 is a 6 inch shot of the other rear fender which clearly shows why I am refinishing a "great looking" model A.

So be careful of model A Fords that take pretty pictures. Those pictures can hide a multitude of sins.

pgerhardt · 02-10-2015, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerryH

I am definitely the exception to this rule, and would be fhe first one to admit it. But I bought my 1930 Town Sedan from a gentleman in New York, who spent 10 years restoring it. The amazing thing is that (1). He had never restored a car before, (2). He had never owned a Model A before, did not even join a local club, and most importantly (3). He did a wonderful job, as I have had the car for 8 years now, drive it regularly, and it not only looks absolutely great, but also runs extremely well, with hardly anything needed other than normal maintenance. I took a huge chance and bought the car sight unseen, but with lots of pictures, and got very lucky.....it does happen, though rarely, and one should not count on it!

Whoever gets my car next will get one GOOD model A!

Fred K-OR · 02-10-2015, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not George

I think some of us are missing the point of this thread.

Right coast people need to get out and run in the snow to have something to do!

1929 · 02-10-2015, 08:22 PM

Agree, very true about ebay, many cars I saw did not match the picture in person, even if you see the car in person there are some things hard to see behind all the grease, that's why Iam gonna restore the front end, new perch, axle tie rod, wishbone and brakes etc.

Skibb · 02-10-2015, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1929

Agree, very true about ebay, many cars I saw did not match the picture in person, even if you see the car in person there are some things hard to see behind all the grease, that's why Iam gonna restore the front end, new perch, axle tie rod, wishbone and brakes etc.

Amen, amen to eBay Model A's ..... I learned....

pooch · 02-10-2015, 09:21 PM

I bought all of mine from ebay.

No problems.

Joe K · 02-10-2015, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pooch

I bought all of mine from ebay.

No problems.

Emptor smiled on you those days I think.

Can you put in a good word with her for me?

Joe K

pooch · 02-10-2015, 09:41 PM

Well, if people are lazy and buy from their arm chair and get it delivered, then they deserve what turns up, good or bad.

Last going model A I sold, the guy traveled over 1200 kms each way by bus to inspect.

I always pick up my own cars, so if I get there and have clicked buy it now or won the auction, if it is not as described, I would just walk away, and put it down to experience .

But it has not happened yet .

I suppose I am lucky, because I can go pick up in a nice winnebago and make a holiday /adventure of it.

02-09-2015, 01:50 PM	#2
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,961	Re: Be careful buying a model A that photographs well That is why everybody should take a careful look at any prospect they intend to buy.

02-09-2015, 02:19 PM	#3
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,188	Re: Be careful buying a model A that photographs well Caviet said it well. Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.

02-09-2015, 02:27 PM	#4
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,129	Re: Be careful buying a model A that photographs well OMG was it painted with a dirty roller

02-09-2015, 04:21 PM	#5
BlueSunoco Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Windy City Posts: 937	Re: Be careful buying a model A that photographs well Picture three is the one you repainted Naw just kidding nice work looks good after you re-did it!

02-09-2015, 04:55 PM	#6
pooch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South Coast NSW Australia Posts: 2,596	Re: Be careful buying a model A that photographs well Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Rule one. Never buy a car that has been recently re painted, unless the 'paint job ' comes with a guarantee . Or the price reflects an overlook of rule one.

02-09-2015, 09:46 PM	#7
JonC Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Central NY Posts: 629	Re: Be careful buying a model A that photographs well Oh no I just bought one like that only a deluxe coupe, That's the trouble with the internet and pictures. I'll still be happy finally got an original A.

02-10-2015, 01:22 AM	#8
TerryH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fountain Valley, Calif. Posts: 937	Re: Be careful buying a model A that photographs well I am definitely the exception to this rule, and would be fhe first one to admit it. But I bought my 1930 Town Sedan from a gentleman in New York, who spent 10 years restoring it. The amazing thing is that (1). He had never restored a car before, (2). He had never owned a Model A before, did not even join a local club, and most importantly (3). He did a wonderful job, as I have had the car for 8 years now, drive it regularly, and it not only looks absolutely great, but also runs extremely well, with hardly anything needed other than normal maintenance. I took a huge chance and bought the car sight unseen, but with lots of pictures, and got very lucky.....it does happen, though rarely, and one should not count on it!

02-10-2015, 07:06 AM	#9
Not George Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Yep Posts: 202	Re: Be careful buying a model A that photographs well I think some of us are missing the point of this thread.

02-10-2015, 09:12 AM	#11
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,025	Re: Be careful buying a model A that photographs well My A has a homemade paint job from 1950. I love it!

02-10-2015, 08:22 PM	#16
1929 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New York Posts: 943	Re: Be careful buying a model A that photographs well Agree, very true about ebay, many cars I saw did not match the picture in person, even if you see the car in person there are some things hard to see behind all the grease, that's why Iam gonna restore the front end, new perch, axle tie rod, wishbone and brakes etc.

02-10-2015, 09:21 PM	#18
pooch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South Coast NSW Australia Posts: 2,596	Re: Be careful buying a model A that photographs well I bought all of mine from ebay. No problems.

02-10-2015, 09:41 PM	#20
pooch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South Coast NSW Australia Posts: 2,596	Re: Be careful buying a model A that photographs well Well, if people are lazy and buy from their arm chair and get it delivered, then they deserve what turns up, good or bad. Last going model A I sold, the guy traveled over 1200 kms each way by bus to inspect. I always pick up my own cars, so if I get there and have clicked buy it now or won the auction, if it is not as described, I would just walk away, and put it down to experience . But it has not happened yet . I suppose I am lucky, because I can go pick up in a nice winnebago and make a holiday /adventure of it.