What is a fair price for my 1931 Roadster?

[RonC]

Originally Posted by Hotrodster

I agree with Peters180A, at least $10,000. Bodies alone will bring $4-6,000. To me the B engine raises the value probably at least $1,000.

To me the B engine is not original and would make me want it less

[DJ S]

Originally Posted by RonC

To me the B engine is not original and would make me want it less

I agree.

[Slotblog]

I have found over the last 50 years that old cars are as pure a supply and demand situation as exists anywhere.

And to be brutally realistic, the supply of Model As is increasing, as collectors of these cars 'head west" and the demand is shrinking as the younger folks seemingly have less interest in old cars, and actually cars in general. Buggy whip socket, slide rule, and typewriter collectors know what I mean, I suspect.

The situation drives prices down IMO... and it's not going to get better any time soon nor perhaps ever.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Slotblog

I have found over the last 50 years that old cars are as pure a supply and demand situation as exists anywhere.

And to be brutally realistic, the supply of Model As is increasing, as collectors of these cars 'head west" and the demand is shrinking as the younger folks seemingly have less interest in old cars, and actually cars in general. Buggy whip socket, slide rule, and typewriter collectors know what I mean, I suspect.

The situation drives prices down IMO... and it's not going to get better any time soon nor perhaps ever.

While your theory sure seems to be valid, look at what a Roadster, a Pick-up, and a Tudor Sedan was worth back in 1967.

Now compare that price to the sales prices we saw in 1977. Surely you would agree they were more $$ than they were 10 years before.

How about 1987? Remember all the chatter in the club about how no one was interested in buying Model-As, and how the market was falling on them??

What about 1997 and then 2007?? All I heard was people want muscle cars and sports cars these days and no one wants an old car.

Yes, I have heard exactly what you have mentioned both in Model-As and even Model-Ts however it surely seems like each decade that passes by finds new interest, and a higher sales price than the average price a decade prior. So if there is truly a perception of less demand and less interest now, the previous 50 years of history with these cars sure does not substantiate that as being the fact in the next decade.

[Jeff/Illinois]

Gregory there was a time I would have probably agreed with you to some extent. However, I feel the opposite today. Let me say why.

I can't tell you how many young people flock around our Roadster with questions, smart phones snapping pictures, and approving nods when we have it out. They walk past Mustangs and Camaros to see the Model T's and Model A's and yes the Early V-8's. I went by a baseball game in session two nites ago and the kids on the field (looked to be around 12 or so) stopped playing and pointed fingers and hollered out 'neat old car'!!

Granted a Model A dollar wise may never see Boss 429 money but who cares? It's not about the money it's about having fun.

Another thing I've found with the Model A's is, they really don't take up much room in your garage. That is kinda handy too.

[mrtexas]

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Consider I just sold a fresh restoration with 0 miles early 28 roadster pickup with everything restored, replaced, lots of unobtanium parts, new urethane painted, powder coated, new lebarron bonney interior and top, $2k of new brakes, chromed, for $17.5k. Had it for sale last year for 6 months $18k and no bites and only one looker who wanted a Tudor. Asking price was $5k less than any other roadster pickup out there anywhere on the internet. Sold a 29 roadster for $18k in like new condition. Similar time with the roadster, one guy looked at it after several months on the market and happily for me he bought it. Advertised fordbarn, craigslist, hemmings, ebay and located in Houston,TX area. http://28fordarpickup.weebly.com/

Market for Model As is soft if you can find a buyer at all.

[SeaSlugs]

Yes as a "millennial" (generation blamed for everything for some reason...) I usually give a quick glance at mustangs, camaros, novas, corvettes, belairs, etc as they are overplayed and not uncommon at all it seems. I love looking at the rare or the weird or origonal/restored prewar (not hod rodded stuff) or what used to be common but not anymore. When I take my unrestored chevette to cruise ins I get all sorts of "oohs and ahs" and stories as its a car everyone had yet noone wanted. My generation right now is buying their first house (not cheap anymore), going for masters degree (bachelors is virtually useless anymore - also not cheap), and or raising a family - (never cheap haha). Throw in a modern car payment, usual bills, and student loans and there is no time or money leftover for old cars till we retire. There will be a large gap in the collector car market due to the generation gaps it seems.

I think everyone young and old even if they dont admit it like looking at old family photos and generally lots were taken in front of the FAMILY car - it wasnt dads car or moms car it was THE car and part of the family. Many people think most of those cars are gone or non existent so when they see one in real life they get kind of awestruck by it. Now how many actually want to own one? Who knows - I always thought they were very expensive untill you do some research. Theres an old family photo taken 1928 of my great grandfather standing in front of thier flat in Chicago righ tin front of what i assume to be Dodge 4 door. I toyed with the idea of finding a dodge of that era but then realized I couldn't find beans for parts...

Maybe what you guys should do is bring all your old snyders, brattons, berts etc parts catalogs and if you get someone who wants to talk or seems interested in model A's give them your old catalogs to take home and thumb through. I get asked that quite alot "are parts hard to find?" and my reply is if you get a frame and a gastank you can buy the rest new. They always seem very surprised about that.

[ChicagoBob]

Well, In 2011, I sold a Tudor I'd owned for 20 years, and got more than I paid for it, even with the additional wear and tear.

[WHN]

There is a lot of junk on the market. A really sound car that is priced right will sell.

There like houses, you have to be realistic. There's an ass for every seat. I don't mean that to be negative.

Price and condition. You get what your willing to pay for.

[Dick Steinkamp]

IMHO, Model A prices have essentially stayed with inflation since 1967 or so. My example would be a nicely restored, relatively common model (Tudor, coupe, etc). By nicely restored, I mean a stock A, one with all mechanicals rebuilt, body and paint and interior quite presentable. One that could bring a trophy at a local car show and maybe even score acceptably in a MAFCA touring class.

Using an inflation calculator I come up with this...

1967 $2,000 2017 $14,811
1977 $3,500 2017 $14,780
1987 $6,500 2017 $14,244
1997 $8,500 2017 $14,545
2007 $12,500 2017 $14,886

Just staying with inflation is actually pretty good for our cars and I'd probably expect the same over the next couple of decades.