The Official Stock Model A Picture Thread

[andyg]

I wanted to start a thread so everyone can post pictures of original Model A's. This thread is for ORIGINALS ONLY please. If you own it please tell us about it! Thanks

[henry494]

Great idea for a thread! I'll try to post photos on this new FordBarn for the first time. If successful, I'll post more detail photos later.

This is a June 28, 1929 Standard Murray Fordor, 165-A. Andalusite Blue lower body, Black upper, with French Gray pinstripe. The Fordor was bought by Thomas Canty, a New York attorney for use at his summer home in New Rochelle, New York. It currently has about 4,500 miles. We received the original deposit and balance checks written by Mr. Canty, as well as the original tools, appearing to never had been used, owner's manual, etc. The car was licensed for only the summer months from 1929 through 1939, and we received the original New York plates for those years, many never had been mounted. It's a sweet running car. We had to replace one Champion 3X plug core, radiator hoses, fan belt, four tires and tubes, and the only repaint I did was the exhaust manifold and muffler. The undersides of the fenders are still very glossy, and the chassis retains most of its satin black asphalt-base paint finish. It's a real treat to own this one. It drives as nice like a new car, very quiet and tight.

Dave Lopes

[henry494]

OK, the photos posted, but somehow I duplicated one. Sorry. I'll get the hang of it.

Dave

[andyg]

WHAT A TREAT to start things off. That is truely fabulous. I'm in shock! Thanks Dave for sharing.

[andyg]

Originally Posted by Louis

Hi andyg,
Great idea,... please post a pic. of your A model to get us started .

I will take a couple pictures of family projects when I get time. Sadly I sold my 29 roadster but happily it paid for most of my 32 roadster body!

I want to restore my dad's original 1930 Murray fordor body. It was the car that I "pretend drove" all the time when the body sat in the shop when I was a little bitty fella. There's no telling how many times I opened and closed those doors.

That car, although it's still in the same primer and just a body setting on a roll cart, has been a long lasting love affair of mine. It may just get started soon!

[Bick in New Zealand]

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This beauty was found by the present owner when he purchased an automotive repair business. It was in a rear shed covered with other 'stuff' a lovely original 1929 New Zealand Sport Coupe.

[Mitch Bunkin in PA]

Dave Lopes,
Fantastic!!! I'd love to see some interior shots if you have time to post them. Thanks in advance.

[Steve Ciccalone]

My two unrestored cars. Leatherback has 14,500 miles. The coupe is high mileage but is in excellent condition. Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Grimm near Hagerstown, MD owned this car for 45 years, buying it from the original owner in 1963. Unfortunately, I understand they both have recently passed away. I wanted to let them know the outstanding score this car received at French Lick as it is a tribute to the love and care they showed this car. Mrs. Grimm told me that while Bobby was more known for his Model T's, the coupe was his favorite car.

[dlshady]

Spectacular photos guys! Steve, I'd love to hear more about the leatherback and see more photos if you have the time.

Deron

[FL&WVMIKE]

Steve Ciccalone ....................
I thought that I had some photos of your fordor, that I took in 1962. But, it was a three window fordor.
It was unrestored, MINT ! The FORD dealer, Grady Whitlock, of Beckley, WV owned it. Supposedly, he gave two hogs (Not M/Cs) for it. I don't know what ever happened to it.
MIKE

[old1928fordguy]

He are some pictures of a November 28 Special coupe I found in western PA.with 13000 original miles.Drives like a new Model A ! Phil Turner,Denver

[old1928fordguy]

Here are some more pictures of the 13000 mile Special Coupe.

[Ken Ehrenhofer]

If we could develop some video showing details of how nice these cars are we could share all that knowledge and preserve it for future,
Any Ideas on how to do that???
We all want to see more????
Ken

[Steve Ciccalone]

Hey Mike, were they two legged or four legged hogs? I've seen both kinds on my trips through West-by God-VA. The two wheeled hogs are still my favorite although I had some good pork ribs last night.

[henry494]

Now that I found how easy it is to post photos, here are some more of our '29 Murray Fordor.

Dave Lopes

[Tudortomnz]

What a great car! It is probably the closest we will ever see to a 'near new' Model A in 21st cent. Would like to see any more photos of this[ what lurks within toolbag?] also engine bay.
Cheers.
Tom

[Bill Goddard]

henry494, These are great pictures. Better than what I took of my own 29 Leatherback before I tore it apart. I would like to see more of the engine compartment if you get a chance. Thanks Bill G.

[Scott NY]

Here is my 1931 Slant Windshield

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by Scott NY

Here is my 1931 Slant Windshield

Hey Scott, That is interesting. Typically the pocket in the cowl cardboard was only used in the early 160-B with a pouch on the back of the front seat and no pockets in the door. I would have to guess this was built in late April near the transition. Does it have one visor or two?

[Scott NY]

Marco, It has 2 visors engine# A4707725 Murray Body Tag# 6638. It does not have the pouch on the back of the front seat. This also is a non indented firewall.

[Scott NY]

Here are more pictures of Steve Ciccalone's 1928 4 door take at last years MARC meet, hope you don't mind Steve that I posted these, but your car is beautiful and would great in my garage...Scott

[FL&WVMIKE]

Steve Ciccalone ...................
Love those unrestored beauties !
I have three two-wheeled HOGS. They are semi-antique. One is a 1977 Cafe-Racer, another a 1979 Sportster (my first bike) and a 1991 Sturgis, which I bought new.
My riding got slowed down this year because of knee surgery, but I'll get back.
MIKE

[Steve Ciccalone]

Mike/Scott

Mike, two more years and the AMCA will recognize the cafe racer at 35 years. I'll bug you about joining. There is a lot of interest with Harley racers.

Scott, thanks for posting. Somebody wanted to see interior shots and I don't have any. Just think of how fortunate you are with the slant. One good termite infestation and the '28 will be a bunch of sawdust on the floor.

[Scott NY]

Steve
If you are worried about termites send the 4 door up to me, I do not have any at the house
Scott

[Gary Karr]

Great thread idea. Thanks everyone who has posted these pics. Keep them coming. I hope that we can see some of these great original unrestored cars at the 2011 MARC Meet in San Diego.

[Dusty]

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[QUOTE=Steve Ciccalone;46881]Hey Mike, were they two legged or four legged hogs? I've seen both kinds on my trips through West-by God-VA.

Hey, I resemble that remark

dusty in Almost Heaven West by God Virginia

[Doug in NJ]

Originally Posted by Scott NY

Here is my 1931 Slant Windshield

I'd love to see more pictures of this car!

Doug

[henry494]

Here's another 1929 Standard Fordor, unrestored, in Andalusite Blue, with Black upper body and French Gray pinstripe. This is a Briggs body versus the Murray body that I own and posted photos of yesterday. This Fordor has about 32,000 miles, and it too drives solid and quiet, like a new car, almost. Come to think of it, I recall seeing a 29 Briggs Standard Fordor in the same colors at the 2004 Portland MAFCA meet. If anyone knows who that was, let me know. They're out there! I'm one that advocates cleaning and detailing original cars without destroying the original finishes.

Dave Lopes

[henry494]

Here are a few photos of a 1928 60-A Fordor. While the top was replaced, the rest of the car is original, unrestored. Sorry, no interior photos yet. The owner of this one went through months of hard work removing a paint job that was applied over the original paint. Let me tell you, they have a lot of hours carefully scraping the paint away while preserving the original paint! There's more detailing left to do on this one, and they'll get to it in good time. So far, the owner has done great work in preserving the details and correcting things done to the car by previous owners. This one also runs great, and is very solid and quiet.
I'll look through my files for others that I may have photographed. Wish I had the time to convert my photographs to digital ! Someday.

Dave Lopes

[Scott NY]

The blue 1929 4 door belongs to Dean Drenzek, I took these pictures at last years MARC National Meet

[FL&WVMIKE]

henry494 .........................
I can attest to the fact, that removing paint, down to the previous layer, is a lot of work ! On my '34 (avitar), I carefully removed a layer of lacquer off of the original enamel dipped fenders. They looked like sandpaper. What was interesting, was, that I got down to where the fenders were metal-worked, without filler. That work is now proudly shown, as a tribute to old-style fender repair. Now, I just need to keep them heavily waxed.
MIKE

[OoltewahSpeedShop]

Here's the closest thing to stock model A's we've had around here.

[Chris in WNC]

the HISTORY of THIS CAR as WE KNOW IT:

The engine number was stamped on the block April 21, 1931. Final assembly was at the Cleveland plant. A man whose name is lost in the mists of time purchased this car and drove it less than 15,000 miles in six years. He then gave the car to another nameless Ohioan in payment of a debt. The second owner thought the Model A was too fast to be safe, and preferred to stick with his Model T truck. And so it came to pass that the car was parked and not driven for 40 years. In 1977 Mr. Paul Patterson bought this Coupe from the estate of the second owner. The gas tank leaked, so Paul replaced it with a NOS tank. He then did 2 additional things we truly wish he had not: installed reproduction cowl lights and repainted the car entirely with lacquer. The lacquer did not bond well to the original enamel on fenders & splash aprons. After retirement, Paul moved to Plant City, Florida. In 1984 Dr. Charles Early of Virginia Beach met Mr. Patterson at a Florida swap meet and subsequently purchased the Coupe. The car had no pinstripe but a remnant of the original green was visible on a doorjamb. Dr. Early had the stripe painted by Bobby Nease, who had been a striper at the Norfolk assembly plant in his youth. They also replaced a missing shock absorber and painted the cream-colored wheels green. The car was judged and awarded the MARC of Originality at the 1987 MARC national meet in Norfolk. Dr. Early owned the car for 19 years but only drove it 950 miles before selling it to Steve Ciccalone in 2003. We found the car advertised on FordBarn and purchased in May of 2004. Despite the low miles, the car had not been conscientiously maintained. It required some effort to get it into proper driving condition, including a 2nd replacement of the gas tank. Parts & systems that wear out with mileage are in great condition, but those that suffer from no maintenance needed help. In 2009, we regrettably had to replace the original roof fabric, which had lost any semblance of water repellency. We enjoy driving it (over 5,000 miles so far) but will NOT restore this car.

Chris & Judy Brown

Jacksonville, Florida

[henry494]

Beautiful Coupe. I'd love to see a photo of that riser pan in the trunk if you have one. Thanks for taking the time to share your car with everyone!

Dave Lopes

[msmaron]

Magnificent Cars, Thanks to ALL!@

[jaguar6165]

Originally Posted by Scott NY

Here are more pictures of Steve Ciccalone's 1928 4 door take at last years MARC meet, hope you don't mind Steve that I posted these, but your car is beautiful and would great in my garage...Scott

Great looking car. I have one just like it but mine has a ways to go till it looks as good as this one. I love seeing what mine could be one day and hopefully it will look this good.

[Jim Parker Toronto]

Her's a good chance to see if I can post a picture on this new forum. Hope it works.... Well it seems to. Thats my 28 Roadster and my 10 year old grandson on a recent Club Get-a-way to Peterborough Ontario. A great time was had by all. About 40 cars and 45 couples showed up to enjoy the week-end festivities.

[henry494]

Jaguar6165,
I am not being sarcastic or condescending. But, I'm not sure by your post whether or not you realize the cars in these photographs are unrestored, with original paint and upholstery. These are truly rare, and in such great condition,that they often fool or confuse people, especially in photographs. The original Henry Ford applied paint on Steve C's Fordor is stunning. When you consider the age, all of the cars from that era that retain their original paint and upholstery are "stunning" in my book. I've always marveled at cars that have been maintained so well over the years.
And, if you are in the process of restoring an A like Steve's in the photo above, I hope you can get it to look that nice. It's a geat inspiration to keep you going on your own restoration, isn't it?

Dave Lopes

[old1928fordguy]

Here is another unrestored original belonging to a friend of mine here in Denver. Enjoy! Phil Turner , Denver

[old1928fordguy]

Here are a couple more of the original,low milage, Nov 28 Special Coupe I bought in Wesern Pa. a whle back. Phil in Denver Enjoy!

[old1928fordguy]

Not meaning to bore you but here is a nice original unrestored 2 door for sale a while back and another shot of the coupe, Phil Turner, Denver

[henry494]

Phil,
How the heck could beautiful unrestored A's be "boring?"

Can you tell us more about that Tudor? Do you have a few more photos you can post or forward?
It really looks like a nice one.
Another shot of your Special Coupe. Having restored a 49-A, I gusee I'm partial to them.
I just can't get enough of these photos of unrestored cars. If any of you have photos, please post them? Ryan has made attaching photos so darn easy, compared to the old FrodBarn, it's a snap. I don't even have to refer to my old cheat sheet instructions.

Dave Lopes

[HoarseWhisperer]

I can't get enough of these original cars, either.

When I acquired my original, I kept asking how to get the yellow over-paint off and down to the original Brewster Green without harming it. They thought I was crazy and I was told that it couldn't done.

Now I hear different?

[old1928fordguy]

Dave, That single shot of my Special Coupe you posted was just after I got it.Before I spent hours cleaning and preserving all I could. The later photos I posted show it with a nice old patina shine and all cleaned up. Phil

[old1928fordguy]

A couple more pictures of the tudor as requested . Enjoy Phil

[Marco Tahtaras]

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Originally Posted by old1928fordguy

A couple more pictures of the tudor as requested . Enjoy Phil

Phil, I'm not really a Tudor fan but this is a gem! I have good pics of almost all the other cars posted hear so I've avoided using up space with comments.

[Tudortomnz]

Here is an original 165A Standard Fordor in New Zealand.
It was purchased new at Callanders Ltd (closed in 1931), Waimate, East Coast,. South Island.
Engine no. CA 144161, Murray body, tank date of 6.7.'29.
The car was well known in the small rural town as it was always one family owned.
The original owner was known to bring sheepskins into town on the back seat & sell them for his 'sly grog' supply. The bottles were quickly slipped behind the back seat before the wife saw them. Last used by his daughter who literally only 'drove it to church on Sunday'. She was a devout supporter of the imposing local Catholic Church there.
It was always black, having had another top coat in later years. The interior is well worn but original cloth. Has original Sparton horn which is not the usual one on Canadian cars.
When she died, the Model A was left partly to the church and had to be sold 'by tender' by the family lawyer.
I saw it at the church at sale time about 2005 & was tempted but one good Model A is enough I think. It has a new owner in Dunedin who has kept it gleaming & original.
I learnt of this car as my own Model A was also new at Waimate [until 1960], having been a one family owned car also.
Tom

[Tudortomnz]

Forgot to mention, this lovely Fordor had 86,365 miles 'on the clock' when I saw it 2005.
Interesting to see how many Fordors have remained cherished unrestored originals. Maybe they had useful value as family vehicles & withstood the elements better?