Barn Find In Canada - 1930/31 Model A Coupe

[JohnRAKerr]

I am new to the forums here at Ford Barn and I will be looking for insight for quite a while as I restore a 1930/31 Model A Coupe that I just recently picked up.

First things first, I am no mechanic and I have no experience in restoring a vehicle, I simply love riding around in a Model A. I have been involved with a family that has 5 Model A's, 4 of which have been fully restored by themselves, and I decided that now is the perfect time for myself to get my own and learn as much as I can.

I picked up a 1930 Coupe from a man who has had it sitting in his barn for nearly 40 years. I feel that it is a perfect starting point (see pictures). It is completely original and really is in great shape. The body is very solid and everything is there. The engine has not run since the late 90's.

Luckily I have experienced family and friends, one of which is a regular on these forums, Bogdonj, who are going to help me every step of the way during this restoration, and I will learn a lot from them. But I will still be looking for help on these forums as I will need all the help I can get, so I am all ears.

[JohnRAKerr]

Tonight I managed to get the upholstery out while conserving the springs. The upholstery in this car was actually the original upholstery, and I was extremely excited and surprised to find just how great it looked underneath everything.

Can anyone tell me anything about the Serial number I found on the body (see picture).

I am almost certain that this is 1930 coupe, as there are a few indicators, just want to make sure.

[JohnRAKerr]

The number reads "0F197"

[bogdonj]

Can't wait to begin the restoration on this fine coupe.... Everyone help me welcome John to our forum!

[teejay99]

Looks like a good find ....I'll be watching too ....oh , and welcome John .

T

[Greg Jones]

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Very nice. The dash and moulding look to have remnants of faux woodgraining.

[700rpm]

You are lucky guy, John, for at least three reasons: You found a great little car; you have friends close by who can advise you; and you found this forum. Nice work!

[mot]

how was the door upholstry
i am looking for some original ones in decent shape
years ago I too found one very similar to this one and started to tear it apart to "restore it"
worst mistake ive ever made
i wish i had left it as it was in its original state
they are only original once
so if the door panels are decent email me
i would like them before they are thrown out
tom

[Marco Tahtaras]

Welcome! This is a great place for info and support! It looks like you found a nice toy to start with. I would strongly advise starting with doing just what is needed to make the car usable and DRIVE it. That will provide the time and opportunity to REALLY get to know the car and what it needs. You can plan, acquire needed parts, etc., while enjoying the car instead of extra months staring at a pile of parts.

It may be just the pics you posted (a bit small), but it looks like the rear bumpers or "Fender Guards" are too long and proper for 1931 slant windshield Fordor models only. If I'm correct there many folks trying very hard to find those!

[Marco Tahtaras]

Well, that's what I get for taking a dinner break half way through my message, seven posts!

SLOW DOWN! Tom's response jumps to the heart of one point I was trying to make.

[columbiA]

Nice car you have there.I have a late 30 CDN coupe that I restored about 6 years ago,but mine was not nearly as good as yours to start with.I had to weld in the usual patch panels & sub frame repair etc,but now it runs like new & is totally reliable.My body # is OF361

[Tom Wesenberg]

I agree with Marco. From the pictures, that's a car I'd have left alone and driven it as found, while just lubricating the moving parts and fixing what needs to be fixed mechanically. Someone gave my 28 an amature paint and upholstery job in the mid 50's, but I'm just having fun driving it as is while fixing a piece at at time, with little or no down time. So far everyone tells me how great it is that it's original and that I should leave it as is. I bought the upholstery kit 10 years ago and since the paint isn't the original color, I plan to restore it someday, but am in no hurry. For one thing I don't have the room right now for a body off restoration.

[Tudortomnz]

Nice car & great to see another one ''made in Canada''.
Body # is interesting, as all Canadian coupes sent to NZ had 1F....
''F'' is the letter for Ford City, Ontario, the main Canadian Plant which later was known as Windsor. Just maybe OF is '' Ontario Ford'' to show difference to ''F'' letter also used by Ford Detroit.
Any other OF #'s found on Canadian Model A's.? I sure wish a few guys in Canada would pipe up when Canadian production comes up on FB.

[lance leblanc]

Quote:
Don't start several things at once. Instead start one thing on your list and finish it before moving onto the next. There are many projects like yours that are begun with good intentions. However many of these are dissassembled and never reassembled.

Finishing one thing before moving on is very difficult. Waiting on a part, advise the weather someone else's schedule all can put a task on standby. The temptation to move on to another area that needs attention while maximizing your time management is very frustrating. You look like you've started with the number 1 rule. Take lots of pictures! I've even found that taking short videos of the project proves useful by allowing me to make verbal notes.

[bogdonj]

Originally Posted by mot

how was the door upholstry
i am looking for some original ones in decent shape
years ago I too found one very similar to this one and started to tear it apart to "restore it"
worst mistake ive ever made
i wish i had left it as it was in its original state
they are only original once
so if the door panels are decent email me
i would like them before they are thrown out
tom

Hey Tom,

The door upholstery had to be throwing out. the mice have had there way with it for 40 years and it completely stained with mice urine. For health purposes it could not been saved.

[socalplanedoc]

I like the workshop!

[P.S.]

Wow, that is one of the best looking "barn finds" I have ever seen! How fortunate for you!!

Best of luck.

Oh, and I agree with the above about not doing a total tear-down. Get it running and safe to drive (front end tight, brakes working properly, etc.) and drive it! You'll be thankful later on down the road that you did.

[Dick Deegan]

John; Welcome to Fordbarn and the Model A community. There are lots of people here to help you. BTW, your Coupe looks like a great find. Have you run the engine yet? As others have stated, I would get it roadworthy, safetied, titled and just drive it for a while to see what it really needs.

The link below will lead you to some information about the number you found on the cross member. Generally speaking it tells you where the car was assembled (sometimes), the Model and when it was assembled. Somewhat confusing, but great information which I think took a lot of work to put together.

http://mafca.com/downloads/Technical...y%20Number.pdf

Enjoy

Dick

[juke joint johnny]

Welcome to the Barn!! What a nice car you have found

I agree with many others on the forum . Do all the things ED advices above and get it running and use it for a while. You will find out what needs attention the most and learn the basics about keeping a Model A on the road . You will be surprised how much attention an old Original car attracts !!!!!! Often a lot more than a good restoration. A lot of us have to restore our cars because they are Basket Cases with many pieces missing . Yours looks like it was driven in that Barn and could be Driven out with a little work .

John Cochran

[Don S]

My Canadian 31 Coupe has the number 1F 3594,also from the Windsor plant in Ontario. Was not a complete car when I got it in 1980.