ford barn find

[harvest]

Wanted to share some pics of my new car. 30 roadster. Had a friend call me today and said her father wanted to sell an old car he has in the barn. After digging around the place couple hrs, I was lucky to find all the parts that I thought were missing including the title in the house.

[harvest]

Got it home. Cool camo paint scheme.

[jm29henry]

Congratulations best of luck thanks for saving her

[mhsprecher]

Good for you. I could tell you were in PA because of the barn! ��

[Dodge]

Some assembly required......Good project.

[burner31]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Well that should keep you busy for awhile.
Please keep us posted on how she comes along.
See...they're still out there

[burner31]

Hey, what's the date on the title?
Any idea of when this was on the road last?

[ronn]

starting out with a roadster- good for you!

you will have loads of fun.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

"THINK" you'll live LOOOOONG enough to finish it?
Bill Oldasdirt

[Steve_Mack_CT]

Looks like a deluxe model judging by the top frame assembly, if you have a round speedo it is a later 30. Nice find!

[Chuck Dempsey]

Amazing... Hard to believe there are still 'finds' like that out there, somewhere......

[5851a]

But it was running fine when parked! At least you have most of the parts.

[Railcarmover]

Nice banjo wheel.

[vern hodgson]

Originally Posted by mhsprecher

Good for you. I could tell you were in PA because of the barn! ��

Yeah, I really like the barn. Big stone foundation.

[katy]

Does it run?

[TinCup]

Hard to believe but that will buff out!

[harvest]

Another pic. Thank you members for the compliments on this barn find. Steve, U think it's a deluxe?

[Tom F OHIO]

Were the fenders and hood in the barn? Very nice car.
Tom....

[WHN]

How many are still hidden away?

Do you think cars from the 70’s and 80’s will be found in barns 50 years from now?

Enjoy.

[wingski]

Do us and yourself a big favor and lay everything that you got with the car on the ground or floor around the car and take pictures. That way you’ll have photos of everything you got and really be able to appreciate it when it’s even partially back together. Besides that, it will allow us to share what you have better.

You are so lucky to have such a wonderful project ahead of you,

Mike

[History]

Keep an eye out for ordnance, seeing as it's a military car.

[glenn in camino]

Looks like you might need a few parts.

[holdover]

Best of luck with your project. There is nothing like saving a vehicle from the scrap pile. Every step in its restoration will be a reward for your effort, and when the engine starts for the first time and you put it in gear and ease out the clutch, well it is better than a bunch of candy on Halloween when you were a kid....

[Bob C]

Originally Posted by Steve_Mack_CT

Looks like a deluxe model judging by the top frame assembly, if you have a round speedo it is a later 30. Nice find!

The top bows look like deluxe but I don't see any holes for the cowl lights.

Bob

[wrndln]

It sure looks like a standard roadster to me. The top irons are for a standard roadster.
Rusty Nelson

[Keith True]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

The easy way to tell if it is standard or deluxe is to look at the side curtain snaps on the windshield stanchions.If there are two,it is a deluxe.If three,it is a standard.

[harvest]

more pics.

[harvest]

there is no window cranks, my brother said possibly standard roadster?

[Marshall V. Daut]

"there is no window cranks, my brother said possibly standard roadster?"

Based upon the presence or absence of window cranks, one can distinguish between a standard and a deluxe roadster? On a car that doesn't even have windows to crank up or down? Or are those supposed to be two separate, unconnected thoughts? 'Sorry. What am I missing here?

By the way, congratulations on getting such a great car to start with. We should all be so lucky. The stars were all in alignment for you on this one. PLEASE do not hot rod it! There are enough unfinished hot rod hulks around the country as it is.

Marshall

[Bob C]

Originally Posted by wrndln

It sure looks like a standard roadster to me. The top irons are for a standard roadster.
Rusty Nelson

Looks like deluxe top irons to me, the picture below is standard top irons.

Bob

[Marshall V. Daut]

Without the cowl light holes and with the three side curtain snaps on the taller windshield posts, I'd say it's a standard roadster that someone added deluxe top irons to it. Those are easy to install, as opposed to welding in and grinding down cowl light holes (and to what end?) and changing windshield posts AND the windshield frame to match. The standard roadster bows were hollow and easily bent, broken or rusted. Deluxe irons are beefier solid metal strap iron and probably weren't not all that hard to find decades ago, apparently the last time this car received any attention. I hope the new owner keeps it as standard roadster. You can't swing a dead cat by the tail at car shows anymore without hitting a "deluxe" roadster, real or not. By contrast, when do you see standard roadsters these days? Maybe not as glitzy as the deluxe roadster, but the standard roadster has its own charms. For one, it isn't like all the other '30-31 Model A roadsters out there - it ain't all deluxed up!
Marshall

[Chuck Dempsey]

What is the cutout on the firewall above the steering column? Is that standard, or custom?

Thanks

[Marshall V. Daut]

I'll bet it was for some kind of custom heater duct to reach the driver. 'Never could understand why all those heating devices were on the passenger's side. Isn't it more important that the driver doesn't freeze to death and go off the road - with the warm passenger unable to do anything to stop it?
Marshall

[Tom Wesenberg]

In the pile I see the headlights aren't Model A, and the exhaust manifold is the later style for the Model B. I'd also keep it original and restore it as a standard, which also has more headroom.

[Keith True]

I was given a couple of sets of standard top irons in the 70's by old fellows fixing up their A's.Their attitude was,who in their right mind wants a standard roadster?.They both had oval speedometer cars,and the round speedos came out months before the deluxe was introduced.That is something I do see a lot of at shows,deluxe cars with oval speedos.A combination that didn't exist.At a show years ago we counted seven virtually identical cars,washington blue,tacoma cream wheels,LB top and interior,wide whitewall tires,and dual sidemounts.Four had oval speedometers.

[JDupuis]

Congrats.....it is "Harvest" season. . Jeff

[Tom Wesenberg]

In the old days, before they had television, they needed something to do after the cows were milked, so they took their old cars apart, and left the parts scattered about the barn.

[aford193031]

Congrats, we all need friends like you have.

[Bleedblue4life]

Split rear bumper and no cowl lights...probably a standard and someone changed the top at some point.

[Bleedblue4life]

Originally Posted by Marshall V. Daut

Without the cowl light holes and with the three side curtain snaps on the taller windshield posts, I'd say it's a standard roadster that someone added deluxe top irons to it. Those are easy to install, as opposed to welding in and grinding down cowl light holes (and to what end?) and changing windshield posts AND the windshield frame to match. The standard roadster bows were hollow and easily bent, broken or rusted. Deluxe irons are beefier solid metal strap iron and probably weren't not all that hard to find decades ago, apparently the last time this car received any attention. I hope the new owner keeps it as standard roadster. You can't swing a dead cat by the tail at car shows anymore without hitting a "deluxe" roadster, real or not. By contrast, when do you see standard roadsters these days? Maybe not as glitzy as the deluxe roadster, but the standard roadster has its own charms. For one, it isn't like all the other '30-31 Model A roadsters out there - it ain't all deluxed up!
Marshall

That's why our second Roadster is staying a standard. Plus it's an early 30 and the deluxes wasn't out yet. Black tires, black wheels, thinking about andalusite blue.

[DougVieyra]

This is obviously one of the rarely seen Roadsters* (one of four made) that were made in 1940. You can tell by the steering wheel and the 4 tire wheels.
Even many Model A experts/historians have only seen two of these. The fourth 1940 A was lost during the scrap drives of WW2.

My observation mirrors Marshall Daut's - without a much closer look, I would say it is a Standard Roadster. However, considering all of the other obvious later parts, etc., it may (like so many others) been spliced together from various other cars - so, as they say - the devil is in the details.

[harvest]

I appriciate all the info and curiosity I'm getting on this old car thru the barn group. Intentions for now are to get it running and driving as it sits. I don't have any plans on sanding or painting anything. Go over the electrical, fuel and break system. Got some burlap bags for seat covers and get a windshield. Get 4 non matching tires and I'm ready for the states. I have an old army tent I'm thinking on stitching over for the convertible bows. And hopefully the engine does smoke some. Lol. I posted earlier a pic of the engine number. Can someone date that for me? My PA title states 1930 ford "RD". I assume roadster for RD?

[3.6rs]

Originally Posted by WHN

How many are still hidden away?

Do you think cars from the 70’s and 80’s will be found in barns 50 years from now?

Enjoy.

There will be no barns anymore 50 yrs from now...

[Dollar Bill]

Originally Posted by harvest

Can someone date that for me? My PA title states 1930 ford "RD"

Engine serial number 3183084 was assigned in April 1930.

Fender mounted spares were an option on 31 Deluxe roadsters and standard on the 30 Deluxe.

The Standard roadster windshield is 15" tall where the Deluxe is 13".

Standards had no cowl lights, most likely a rear spare, a rubber floor mat and black wheels.

The top covering on a Standard is black grained top vinyl where the Deluxe was canvas. The seat covers on a Standard were wide pleats where the Deluxe are narrower.

The Deluxe came with genuine leather front seat covers, chrome luggage rack, chrome windshield wiper motor, chrome windshield frame and a full length rear bumper. The wheels were painted to match body color pin striping.

[harvest]

Thank you

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Chief, my Dad, would probably say, "SOAK the WHOLE car in a DEEP vat of ATF/ACETONE, for a MONTH, before you try to disassemble it"!!!
Bill W.

[Domino]

Great find!

[harvest]

Domino, thanks! Also wanted to say if u look in the very 1st pic I posted with the car in the barn, to the left side under the standing boards, you'll see a flathead near the foundation that the older gent gave me. I couldn't let it there in the empty barn. I believe it's a 60hp. It's small. I never owned a flathead that small. Here's a pic.

[Bob C]

Yep that's a 60hp.

Bob

[Fred S]

I'd take the radiator shell out of the pile and put it some place safe, so it doesn't get scratched.

[harvest]

Bob, thanks. Fred, rad shell is in the shop hangin.

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by Bob C

The top bows look like deluxe but I don't see any holes for the cowl lights.

Bob

IMO, you are correct...deluxe top irons. Also , has the correct stainless stanchions for windshield.

As for cowl light holes or not, well this is just another example of the many shades of Ford built cars , like so many other such things/combinations seen.

This is nicer than my '30 roadster find to start with. Although too long in tooth, that is left, to start over with such basket case... Good luck to new owner.

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by harvest

Domino, thanks! Also wanted to say if u look in the very 1st pic I posted with the car in the barn, to the left side under the standing boards, you'll see a flathead near the foundation that the older gent gave me. I couldn't let it there in the empty barn. I believe it's a 60hp. It's small. I never owned a flathead that small. Here's a pic.

Lot of guys have said that Ford/others placed blocks on the ground to 'season' them. Maybe this is a valuable seasoned block
It is a V8-60 block. If not broken and/or 'tin sided' may be rebuildable ?

[Terry, NJ]

Great Find! Lehigh Valley huh? I'm in the Quakertown area, I'd love to drive over and see it some time. Good Luck with it! Terry

[Terry, NJ]

I just found the pic of the V8-60. Find out if the engine WAS in the car or was GOING To be placed in the car. I've read where those things are more trouble than they're worth to install and it's still only 60 HP. Also Ora Landis told me that those blocks are very prone to cracking in the Valve valley. Getting 60 HP is no great trick from a 4 banger.
Terry

[Terry, NJ]

I just found the pic of the V8-60. Find out if the engine WAS in the car or was GOING To be placed in the car. I've read where those things are more trouble than they're worth to install and it's still only 60 HP. Also Ora Landis told me that those blocks are very prone to cracking in the Valve valley. Getting 60 HP is no great trick from a 4 banger.
Terry

[Keith True]

Your stanchions are for the standard top,not for the deluxe top assembly you have.They have three snaps for the side curtains,and the stanchions for the deluxe only have two.All the stanchions for the open 30-31 passenger car were stainless,just the height was different.Open pickups were plain painted steel.Whatever way you want to go,there is somebody out there that would have what you need and would be willing to trade for what you have.

[harvest]

had the time last evening to remove the head from the 30 roadster. after removing the head, I see these 60 over pistons!

[SeaSlugs]

Wow looks much better than id imagined on the inside. Surprised mice didnt find the pistons. The enigne in my AA was bored .125 over when i pulled the head lol..060 is doing good!

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by WHN

How many are still hidden away?

Do you think cars from the 70’s and 80’s will be found in barns 50 years from now?

Enjoy.

Oh for sure - how many 80's cars and 90's cars do you see just sitting around your town overgrown by weeds? I know of several 80's cars and trucks just sitting in shops and barns as someday projects or they were going to fix up and had too good of a deal to not buy it but that was 5+ years ago.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by harvest

had the time last evening to remove the head from the 30 roadster. after removing the head, I see these 60 over pistons!

Originally Posted by harvest

had the time last evening to remove the head from the 30 roadster. after removing the head, I see these 60 over pistons!

Looking at your first picture, what's going on with the intake manifold? Is that some kind of dual carb setup?

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

Looking at your first picture, what's going on with the intake manifold? Is that some kind of duel carb setup?

I scratched my head about the same thing.
At "only" 0.060 over, you've done well with the engine.

[Ray in La Mesa]

Think it's a standard as the windshield is taller and no cowl light mounting holes.

[big job]

[QUOTE=SeaSlugs;1618731]Oh for sure - how many 80's cars and 90's cars do you see just sitting around your town overgrown by weeds? I know of several 80's cars and trucks just sitting in shops and barns as someday projects or they were going to fix up and had too good of a deal to not buy it but that was 5+ years ago.[/QUOTE

70s 80s I am retired Sgt. every year a new Crown Victoria Are we so rich to
trash these to me new cars. they don't go by no more. Worse yet a new
Lincoln or Cadillac both look like some Hunda to me WE Have LOST it

[Gumpy]

very nice find,,id keep digging in the barn!!lol

[30 Mike]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Great find! Good luck with Her!

[Tacoma Bob]

Looks like v-8 shocks.

[Barry B./ Ma.]

Nice find but please keep it as a Standard roadster, there aren't many left. i say Standaed because I see no evidence of cowl light holes and it's not likely they would have been plugged and the rust blended in.

[BillLee/Chandler, TX]

Wrong thread

[IronTrap]

Dang cool find, and right in my "back yard". Old PA barns usually still have stuff hiding in them! Good luck with it.

[mightynova63]

I just picked this up yesterday. car was found in the original ledger at the dealership it was sold. I'm so excited to get it back on the road.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[SeaSlugs]

Looks like a very nice start! FYI dont throw anything rusty away under that seat (or what was a seat) you never know when you need one of those special brackets (also i spy end of spedometer cable, and a landau bar) Whats the odometer read?