Update on the 29 Special Coupe

[smittykid]

Went to Elmira, NY. this AM for the second look at that 29 Special Coupe. He had it up on those dollies for moving it so I was able to get underneath for a peek. Everything looked pretty good, but you could tell the restoration was showing its age. Two of the tires were weather checked pretty bad. No key for the door lock. Tried to start the car and it would't even fire. Gas started leaking out of carb-really bad. Neither the horn or the lights would work. I'm guessing when I drove it last Sunday, something jarred loose-possibly a battery cable. After finding a few new issues-I decided to pass and hit the 3 1/2 hr road trip home. So the search continues. The guy with the 29 Special coupe with a trunk said he had an offer, but the fellow won't know until Monday if he can come up with the money. I'll keep everyone posted. Smitty

[Barry B./ Ma.]

Smittykid, probably needs the points touched up and regapped, also the carb. valve and seat need to be replaced. If he doesn't sell in a few days call him back and ask if you can see it running.

[Al 29Tudor]

Smittykid,
"Neither the horn or the lights would work"
Did you check for a fuse on the side of the starter? If you found it was it open?
If that is open nothing electrical will work including the ignition. But it will crank.
Al

[Barry B./ Ma.]

There's a good looking one on ebay now, a little further away.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Model-A...-/161365863028

[Marshall V. Daut]

For the kind of money the owner was asking for the car, EVERYTHING should have been in top notch operating order. You discovered too many things wrong with the car for it to be even close to this price category. And these were just the obvious problems that surfaced when trying to start the darned thing! If the car were in the $8500 range, it might be worth buying and fixing such problems. But from the pictures you posted and the problems you encountered just trying to start the engine, I'd say you did the right thing by thanking the man and walking away from the car. There are a LOT better cars for less money than this out there. Keep looking. You'll find the right car for the right money. Model A's are about the only thing this country isn't short of - and there'll be more becoming available soon as the older guys in the hobby continue to die off at an alarming rate. Their heirs will be selling the cars and there will be a glut on the market of good Model A's in the next couple years. But if you gotta have one sooner than that, take an experienced Model A guy with you whenever you look over a potential purchase. He'll spot instantly what's good and bad that you will miss as a beginner in the hobby.
Marshall
By the way, the presence of cowl lights on that '29 Special Coupe was a BIG turn off for me. They don't belong on that body style and look way out of place 'Glad you passed on this one.

[Purdy Swoft]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

You did the right thing!!!!!!! The car was way over priced in my opinion anyway, even if it had been in perfect condition.

[insomniacshotrods]

Originally Posted by Barry B./ Ma.

There's a good looking one on ebay now, a little further away.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Model-A...-/161365863028

That is a good looking car. Love that color.

[smittykid]

Thanks guys! I did not check to see if the fuse was blown. Also, I didn't realize that cowl lights were not available for that model. I did notice that the 29 Coupe with the trunk did not have cowl lights. The guy told me that he would call me after his "mechanic" works on the car. I'm sure I left him with the impression that I am no longer intererested in the car-no matter what. It's a 7 hour round trip for me to go look at it.
Smitty