value of various body styles

[oldforder]

Does anybody have opinions on the values of Model A's in the NADA guide. Somewhere here someone said that tudor's are cheaper than fordors. (unless I misunderstood) NADA shows the 2 drs to be worth more than the 4drs. I have a nice older restored 30 tudor spotted, also a 29 coupe with a 60 hp v/8 restored a while back, and a 29 roadster that needs a top (bows ok) and paint. but the mechanicals have been all rebuilt. Roadster is the cheapest, coupe and 2dr. aprox. the same price. Any body got any suggestions. I like them all!

[Dick Carne]

There is a broad range of values, and not necessarily determined by body style, but rather by condition. As far as values go, perhaps the best barometer of intrinsic value should be more determined by what are you looking for in a Model A? Will it driven regularly or seldom shown, but shown noetheless? If you intend to drive the car, how many passengers do you anticipate will reoutinely ride with you? And in that event, do you intend to drive the car regularly during the winter months? We have three Model A's in our garage: a roadster when only my wife and I are going somewhere during the warmer months; a phaeton if we intend to have guests accompany us, and a fordor for use in the colder months of the year. Regardless, they are all enjoyable and if you are looking to ownership as only an investment, perhaps you may want to reconsider something that may provide a more attractive return. But if enjoyment is your ultimate goal, then I would not be persuaded by the "value" of one body style over another, but rather the condition of the vehicle. Good luck whatever your choice.

Dick

[Tom Wesenberg]

Rob your piggy bank and buy all 3.

It is tough when you have to make a choice and can only afford one. Think about which one you can use the most, or most enjoy. I like my Phaeton, but it's definately a fair weather car. Wish I had my Tudor on the road.

[Patrick L.]

I always thought if the top went down the price went up. Maybe not with Model As.

[Hicktick]

If I were you I would buy what fits your needs .

How big you are will determine what you will be comfortable driving .

If you have a family you cant go wrong with a 4 door .

Coupes and roadsters are small .

Drive it before you buy or sit in it for a while will make up your mind .

Its as important as price to be comfortable .

[700rpm]

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A Model A with a V8 60 in it cannot be classified as restored. But it may be the right car for you, depending on your needs and interests. Hicktick has good suggestions.

[Rowdy]

Value between a tudor and a fordor likely depends on your preference and the condition. A nicely resored fordor is likely more valuable than an older restoration in marginal conditon. However I would still likely purchase the tudor based on my preference. There are exceptions like the Towncar that would tip the scales the other way because of rarity. I chose to keep my delivery over my open cab pickup because of rarity of the body style even though the open cab had more curb apeal. Rod

[Mike V. Florida]

I guess the real question becomes who/how are the prices in the book decided?

Like some of you I have seen in real life, roadsters going for more money that closed cars (at least in Florida) and Fordors (much less made) going for more than tudors in the same condition.

[CarlG]

The price of the vehicle I bought had mostly to do with how much was in my "Model A Fund" when the vehicle became available.

[Vin-tin]

Hey oldforder,
just tell us where they're at and we'll check'um out for you

[1931 flamingo]

Values in a book don't really mean much, in my opinion. Is it something you want?? Can you afford it?? How much work and more money will it need?? Can you do any of the work?? Can you and the seller come to an agreement.
Values in a book are a guideline, nothing is written in stone. Look in Hemmings or ebay, or MAFCA online and prices WANTED are all over the place. What (if they do sell) are they selling for?? With Hemmings I think a lot of the ads are ego trips for bragging rights at the next club meeting. JMO
Paul in CT

[oldforder]

Ok, thanks to all who responded!

[Ross/Kzoo]

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

Values in a book don't really mean much, in my opinion. Is it something you want?? Can you afford it?? How much work and more money will it need?? Can you do any of the work?? Can you and the seller come to an agreement.
Values in a book are a guideline, nothing is written in stone. Look in Hemmings or ebay, or MAFCA online and prices WANTED are all over the place. What (if they do sell) are they selling for?? With Hemmings I think a lot of the ads are ego trips for bragging rights at the next club meeting. JMO
Paul in CT

Good points. Not everyone wants their A in the same condition. You have to figure what it will cost you to get it in the condition that you want. Like they used to say."different strokes for different folks". That applies to Model A's also.

[Hugh in NC]

Having just purchased a '30 closed cab pick up in the last 2 months, I will give you the results of my Model A hunt.

1. I had no desire for any type of open cab, so I did not even look at those.

2. Coupes were by far the most plentiful, they seemed to be everywhere.

3. Tudor sedans were harder to find. Prices were about the same, but less of them for sale.

4. Four door sedans were harder to find than Tudor sedans. Prices were about the same, but less of them for sale.

5. The closed cab pickups were very rare. I bought the first and only one that was for sale within 400 miles of my home. The price I paid was more than I wanted to spend, but was in line with coupes, tudors, and four doors in the same general condition. Even though the ccpu's were harder to find, demand did not drive up the price any higher that the other models.

6. All that said, I bought the body style that I wanted at a price that was reasonable. I had no desire to purchased any of the other body styles. I was just looking for a truck to putt around town in.

Hugh in NC

[50Frank]

I don't own an A, yet. Just started shopping really. But I also have seen that CCPUs command a higher price than other body styles in similar condition. A man in my town is a T and A collector and buys and sells cars continually. Probably has 30 or so cars at any one time. Right now he has a 31 "wide-bed" pickup that is far from perfect for 12K. Is that about right or can a good one be bought for less? (I know, its all about condition...) Thanks

[Joe K]

I always considered that a restored Model A could be bought for about the price of a new "cheap" car. Yunno, a Honda Civic or a Toyota Corolla, or a Ford Escort. Perhaps $15-$20K.

It's been that way for a while.

Certain body styles seem to command more based on interest. I would consider that roadsters, phaetons and rpus probably add about $2K for the attraction factor. Maybe a little more for the Phaeton since getting to a completed Phaeton involves a fair cost in top canvas.

Region seems to affect also with coastal cars commanding more. You can still find an operable Model A tudor mid country for about $6K. But that car will need work/updating.

I like my CC pickup though. I wouldn't necessarily say pickups command a premium. But it's always fun to pull into the dump with a load of stuff for the pile and the Dump Nazi says "you want to leave that piece of junk over here?" (Pointing to his parking spot.) But you can see the envy in his eyes and the smirk on his lips.

Small towns are nice. Everyone knows each other. For good or for bad.

Joe K

[ronn]

I have made the statement that nowadays, fordors are going for more money then tudors. I have only seen this trend in the last few years, as many fordors were scrapped as the least valuable cars out there. Ironically, they were originally one of the most expensive. What is occurring, I think, is that many young families like the room in the fordor and also, everyone is growing larger today then they were 80 years ago.
Have seen numerous tudors coming in lower in price and the fordors rising. Also, the fordors are more expensive to restore regarding woodwork. As some have mentioned,
try getting in and out of a roadster vs a sedan and you will see a big difference if you are not a small guy. Bottom line, buy what you like and what you can afford.

[columbiA]

I used to have a CCPU and they are great for putting around town,but they are terribly uncomfortable on long trips if you are 6'2" like me.I am very comfortable in either my 30 coupe or 31 S/W 4-door.If you get a 4-door,get the S/W model as there is very little wood in the body.Of the 16 A,s Ive had over the past 60 years,not one has been a Tudor as I always felt that they were too common and would use them as parts cars. Not to belittle the Tudor as they are practical cars especially with young families as the kids cant open back doors & fall out.

[P.S.]

Originally Posted by columbiA

...not one has been a Tudor as I always felt that they were too common and would use them as parts cars.

That's exactly what makes them a good "first A". Plenty of them around, and plenty of parts, etc. Also, they are the easiest cars to get in/out due to the wider doors and seats set back farther from the steering wheel.

The slant window fordors are the best of the fordors, agree with that. But still not as easy to enter or exit as a tudor.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

Values in a book don't really mean much, in my opinion. Is it something you want?? Can you afford it?? How much work and more money will it need?? Can you do any of the work?? Can you and the seller come to an agreement.
Values in a book are a guideline, nothing is written in stone. Look in Hemmings or ebay, or MAFCA online and prices WANTED are all over the place. What (if they do sell) are they selling for?? With Hemmings I think a lot of the ads are ego trips for bragging rights at the next club meeting. JMO
Paul in CT

Bob Johnson has a link to Model A values based on what they sold for but I think he stopped updating it in 2007.

http://www.modelahouse.com/cgi-bin/prices

[Purdy Swoft]

If NADA says the tudor is worth more than a fordor and the roadster is the least valuable, its hard to believe that they could be that WRONG. The tudor was the most common with the most produced. The tudor front seats are very uncomfortable for long trips. The fordor was one of the more expensive models when new and bring higher prices in good or restored condition. The bench front seat is very comfortable in the fordor. The straight windshield fordor has more wood and is one of the most expensive models to restore. The coupe is about as common as the tudor but has a bench seat, is sportier and will usually demand a higher price .The 30-31 standard roadster has a taller windshield and top and is very comfortable for me and I'm 6.2 tall. The bench seat is comfortable in the roadster. My wife doesn't even want to drive our 31 tudor because she doesn't like the seats. The deluxe roadster , For some reason is the most popular model. If you are tall it will be difficult to enter and exit. The deluxe model has a lower windshield and top and has the least head room. The roadsters were the lowest priced models when new but usually bring the highest price for the common models today. Roadsters can be the least expensive model to restore, depending on condition when found. All model A's are hard to get in and out if you have big feet like me. My favorites are the roadster, phaeton and closed cab pickups My favorite sedan would be any of the fordor models. I've got a nice late 31 tudor that I would trade in a heartbeat for a 30 Briggs town sedan in like or near condition. Till this day I still regret the one that I ruined as a teenager by putting in a sixty horse flathead.

[Hitchhiker]

I just bought my CCPU in Feb. I've kept an eye out for various ones for sale since I bought mine just to have an idea. I've seen 3 in worse shape than mine go for $8200, $7800, and one on ebay right now ending in half an hour for $6900 so far. All three are in worse shape than mine the lowest priced being close to what I paid. I feel I got a great deal, and I am really happy I got a closed cab. It is a little cramped, but I am only 5'8....I am made for model A's

[luckyal]

The main factor in determining price is condition and cost of repairs required. I personally try to buy totally restored so I can enjoy immediately. Also I find that in the restoration process you rarely get your money back. So I prefer someone else have the restoration done or do it and I buy when they are ready to sell at less than they have invested. In my opinion the difference between a Tudor and a Fordor in identical condition is insignificant. The value books like Old Car Report Price guide agree with me on this point.
Al

[Richard Lorenz]

Mike V. Florida referenced bob Johnson's price guide (which is excellent). Does anyone have an idea about Model A prices since 2007? Have they gone up or down? I have a '28 Phaeton that I am thinking about selling this summer.

[Chris in WNC]

Originally Posted by Richard Lorenz

Mike V. Florida referenced bob Johnson's price guide (which is excellent). Does anyone have an idea about Model A prices since 2007? Have they gone up or down? I have a '28 Phaeton that I am thinking about selling this summer.

prices seem to be strong. we sold our T/S in the MAFCA classifieds in less than a week and were pleased with the price we received.......

[luckyal]

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My experience is directly opposite. I belive the market is very weak and anything but strong. I have bought cars recently that were priced as if it was the late 90's.
Al

[bart78]

Cars are cheap right now. I see the same cars on Craigslist and eBay all the time. I have really noticed a drop in price on bodies. A few years ago I would see rusty coupe bodies selling for 4,000 dollars. It seems now they are not bringing half that now.

[rons49]

Interesting point. I bought my 31 Tudor Dlx 24 years ago. Ok! IMO, If you have young children riding with you, be it yours, or grandchildren, do not get any thing but a Tudor. The kids will love riding in the rumble seat but your passenger , wife ,husband or friend won't. They will only be looking back to see if anyone is missing. Worse if there is no roll down backlight window to yell at them to behave. No 4 doors either, as kids love to fiddle with knobs & handles as they have great fun running around on the big floor in the rear. Also, figure on a day off from work to stay home with a sick child, who got that way from getting caught in a downpour in a Phaeton or rumble seat. And , do not forget to keep a spare right side tail light in your parts pile. That is to replace the one the kids broke using it to step down from the rumble seat. The worst thing about the Tudor is kids love to pull & release the backlight shade ... over & over. But, they will be close enough to grab 'em by the neck. Ron

[goodoldvic]

rons49 I was reading your post and lmao at the end!

[Barry B./ Ma.]

Our state goes by the nada.com website in determining value for sales tax purposes, in other words if you get a good deal from a private party for $6000 and the site says your model is worth a minimum of $23000 you will be paying 6.25% on the 23000 stated value so that's the guideline I like to use if I sell.

[glenn in camino]

My first restoration was a tudor. Partly because I liked tudors and partly because I had 3 small kids, a 3 year old and 1 year old twins and the tudor is safer. With 5 seatbelts and 2 booster seats in the tudor we went everywhere on Model A tours.

[5window]

While coupes are plentiful, hotrodders want them over other body styles, which may keep the price up. Over on the HAMB, "four doors" will get you almost as much derision as "rat rod". If you are looking at antique automobiles, the advice here is correct: buy the best conditioned car you can in a body style you like.

[TerryH]

Even with 3 young granddaughter's, I love my 1930 Town Sedan. I only had to tell them one time to let me open the doors for them, either getting in or out. They are safely seatbelted in and love the back seat. Since I drive mine alone most of the time, I sure appreciate that wonderful bench seat in front, as does my wife when we go on all day tours. After having a coupe years ago, I really appreciate the extra room and accessibility of a four door.

[Paul in Colorado]

Originally Posted by TerryH

Even with 3 young granddaughter's, I love my 1930 Town Sedan. I only had to tell them one time to let me open the doors for them, either getting in or out. They are safely seatbelted in and love the back seat. Since I drive mine alone most of the time, I sure appreciate that wonderful bench seat in front, as does my wife when we go on all day tours. After having a coupe years ago, I really appreciate the extra room and accessibility of a four door.

With a four door, you can always remove the inside door handles for safety. I did this with my 1948 Plymouth four door when our kids were small.

Paul

[oliverguy]

Most of the guys in my club who haul people have tudors or four doors. I was given the advice to get a 4 door because I have children, but a tudor is great too. My wife and I have long legs and with the seat all the way back it's got plenty of leg room. We love it.

It's been said time and time again, decide what you want this car for, and when you want to use it and buy the best one you can afford.

[Forker]

As HickTick pointed out;

"Drive it before you buy or sit in it for a while will make up your mind .
Its as important as price to be comfortable."

I would definitely agree and along those lines, I'd like to ask which Model A's offer the most front seat room?

george

[1931 flamingo]

Probably a 4 dr slant BUT the front seat can be moved back in any fordor or tudor (won't be original anymore but you'll be comfortable). There are tricks that can be done with the back of a front seat on a pick-up and the pkg tray can be removed in a coupe.
Paul in CT