Early 1930 Roadster Pictures

[Kavik13]

Hello everyone. I am the proud owner of my grandfathers 1930 (early) roadster with rumble. Its in rough shape and my hope is to bring it back to the vision my grandfather had before he passed away. I'm really new to the whole Model A thing and I'm trying to get as much info as I possibly get from books, pictures, and club members (I joined the Puyallup WA Model A club recently). I'm currently trying to find pictures of what my car is supposed to look like when finished. I believe it is a standard roadster that was in the process of being converted to a deluxe. I'm just wondering if there is anyone out there with a similar vehicle that could post some pictures of it to help me out (interior, dash rail, instrument panel, etc.) Thank you in advance. I've also attached a few pictures of what I'm working with.

-Chris

[1930artdeco]

Welcome Chris,

You have a great project on your hands. And congrats in keeping it in the family, that is the way it should be. Here are some basic rules that I have learn (some the hard way):

1-Join a local club (done) Make sure you visit the National next month in Puyallup.
2-NEVER throw anything away.
3-Get Les Andrews book as there are no manuals out there except the Ford service bulletins.
4-Talk to people here and in the clubs
5-Since you are starting with a project take you time, take LOTS and LOTS of pictures. Figure out what you are going to do with it (standard or deluxe).
6-Enjoy the process and then when you are done drive her wheels off.

Hope these help.

Mike

[juke joint johnny]

Hi Chris

Welcome to the Barn .

Lots of help available here Can I reccomend the Judging Standards put out by Marc & Mafca Also " The Model A Ford as Henry Built It "by George DeAngeles Plenty of original photo's in that one .

Good Luck
John Cochran

[Bob C]

Looks like a good start. I would leave it as a standard roadster, they are
much harder to come by. Try to find some pictures of restored standard roadster
they are truly beautiful.

Bob

[montanafordman]

Hey Chris, Welcome to the fordbarn! Since I have a coupe I can't really answer your questions regarding the roadster but I know you have already started in the right direction and met some people who are invaluable assets of knowledge and skill. Its been great to get to know another fellow young guy at some of our breakfasts and meetings. See you around!


-Aaron

By the way, I found evidence my coupe was converted to a deluxe yet was originally a standard coupe and I'm going back to Standard. There were far more Standard coupes and roadsters made in the model A era than deluxe yet MANY get converted in the restoration process along the way. Sometimes its fun (for me anyway) and almost unique to see a standard car anymore.

[flatford39]

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You say it is an early 30 roadster. I would like to know how many bolts are holding the lower door hinge into the cowl section. My roadster has two and I suspect it is an early 30 as most 30 31 roadsters I see all have the 3 bolt bottom hinge.

That two bolt bottom hinge (an original not a repo) can be a little difficult to find.

[JBill]

Just go to Google "Images." Lots of pictures there.

[Great Lakes Greg]

I too, vote for the Standard configuration. I have a hunch that a lot of standards have been converted to the Deluxe over the years. Kind of like the joke that there are more Model A's with side mount spares and rumble seats than were originally produced.

[Roadster62]

Welcome to the Ford Barn, glad the car is staying in the family. First thing you have to deside is the degree of restoration you plan to attain, not everyone has the funds or years on Earth to do a "Fine Point" a good driver is fine in most cases. I'd stay with the Standard features, they really look nice. Best wishes, Bob

[Tom Wesenberg]

All good advice above, and I will second what John and Bob say in #3 and #4.

There is also a booklet called "Restoring the Open A's", which should have some helpful pictures for you. Most all the Model A parts houses should have it for sale.

[brito36]

Too early for a deluxe model in 1930.

[Purdy Swoft]

I didn't see cowl light holes in the cowl . That is a sure sign that it would have been a standard model.

[Ron in Quincy]

I would suggest, if you have the top bows, windshield and windshield stanchions, to determine if they deluxe or standard ? If you are lucky, and these items are standard it will save quite a bit of money during the restoration.

Ron

[Roadster Rich]

I have a 1930 made in May of that year. This is a car that my grandfather bought from the dealer and has been in our family ever since. Here are some outside shots. If you need anything else I can try to get pictures for you. This was repainted by Paige Model A in New Hampshire in 1974 and I did the mechanical restoration starting in 1966 at 14 years old.

Model A 3 small.jpg
Model A Tag.jpg
Model A 4 small.jpg
Model A 1 Small.jpg
Model A 5 small.jpg

[Kavik13]

Thanks again for all the advice. I've had one of the senior members of my model a club look at it and he said it was a standard. To quote him it's early 30 on a late 29 frame set up. (not sure if that was original or a miss match of parts) The kicker is I already have a majority of deluxe parts (fenders, windshield stanchions, windshield, top irons and the like.) It doesn't have any holes for cowel lights.

[1930artdeco]

I don't know about the rest but the fenders will still work.

Mike

[Dave Mellor NJ]

If your frame is indeed a 29 you will have trouble lining up the hood, body and radiator as the radiator sits up too high. The radiator bases on the cross member are about 1/2" higher to allow for the smaller 29 unit. If that's the case you'll have to look for a 30 frame.

[Kavik13]

Originally Posted by flatford39

You say it is an early 30 roadster. I would like to know how many bolts are holding the lower door hinge into the cowl section. My roadster has two and I suspect it is an early 30 as most 30 31 roadsters I see all have the 3 bolt bottom hinge.

That two bolt bottom hinge (an original not a repo) can be a little difficult to find.

flatford39. Mine has two. Hope you can see the picture my flash wasn't working for some reason.

-Chris

[Bob C]

Since the car is pretty well stripped down have you found the
frame number yet? That would help date the car.

Bob

[Kavik13]

Originally Posted by Bob C

Since the car is pretty well stripped down have you found the
frame number yet? That would help date the car.

Bob

Bob. I have not found the frame number yet. I suspect its under the body still. I have it unbolted ready to remove just waiting for a clear spot in my garage to put it and a few friends bribed with a beer after its off the frame.