The Ford Barn

JohnB15632 · 12-03-2015, 09:01 AM

Many of you have told me to keep pictures of the project to know how to put it back together. In my case, I have nothing but a body shell. Little to start with. Here are a few pictures of the body as I start to restore it. Chassis pictures to follow.

1930artdeco · 12-03-2015, 09:15 AM

John you have the makings of a great car. I have seen people start with a lot less and in a lot worse shape.

Mike

Jeff P. / MN · 12-03-2015, 09:29 AM

The only 'body off - ground up' restoration I have done was a 160-B sedan, a very nice and comfortable car to drive. Good Luck and keep us posted!

burner31 · 12-03-2015, 10:01 AM

Seems to be an early '31, non-indent firewall.
Also seems someone cut a hole for a heater at some point in the past.
Since you have the body off check the vehicle stamp on the frame. located on the top of the frame rail, drivers side, near the battery area, there may also be a number stamped on the floor near the the driver's door opening where your left foot would be resting.
Both may be hard to read, use a bright light at different angles.
Running your numbers can help you zero in on what model (A,B,C) you have there.
It had cowl lights at one time, so I'm leaning towards "B"

JohnB15632 · 12-03-2015, 10:08 AM

Thank you. I already have. I have been successful in getting a title for the vehicle from PennDot. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. I luckily found a AAA representative how had done this in the past. She told me the procedures step by step. I went before a judge and was out within 15 minutes. I have a titled vehicle!!!!!!

burner31 · 12-03-2015, 10:08 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Look at your roof wood, the location of the dome light wood block can tell you a lot about the car also.

burner31 · 12-03-2015, 10:10 AM

Titled as a A, B, or C?

JohnB15632 · 12-03-2015, 10:27 AM

It is a "B"

lakeside · 12-03-2015, 01:17 PM

This is not a criticism,in any way, just wondering. Have you thought of restoring a car that was more complete and in better condition, considering the cost of the missing parts and the labor involved? I went through this myself.

JohnB15632 · 12-03-2015, 01:43 PM

Considering that I got the car for free and I never undertaken such a project before, it seems like the perfect retirement project.

I think that I am fairly mechanically inclined. The chassis is nearly 75% completed.

I think that it is a good project.

lakeside · 12-03-2015, 03:07 PM

Sounds reasonable to me. Best of luck.

Tom Wesenberg · 12-03-2015, 03:08 PM

Yep, never turn down free!

Your car is coming along great.
My first Model A started as a $125 1929 engine from a swap meet, then a free chassis and tranny from my cousin's woods, then a $50 1929 Tudor body from a pasture. Nothing got done as I kept locating parts, then I saw a complete running 1929 Tudor for $2000, so I bought that. I wanted something I could drive right away, and that pretty well fit the bill.

mshmodela · 12-03-2015, 03:59 PM

John,

Great effort, I'm sure you're learning and enjoying your project... Thanks for sharing...

12-03-2015, 09:15 AM	#2
1930artdeco Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lynden, Wa Posts: 3,552	Re: 31 Model A SW Town Sedan Project John you have the makings of a great car. I have seen people start with a lot less and in a lot worse shape. Mike __________________ 1930 TownSedan (Briggs) 1957 Country Sedan

12-03-2015, 10:01 AM	#4
burner31 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 3,471	Re: 31 Model A SW Town Sedan Project Seems to be an early '31, non-indent firewall. Also seems someone cut a hole for a heater at some point in the past. Since you have the body off check the vehicle stamp on the frame. located on the top of the frame rail, drivers side, near the battery area, there may also be a number stamped on the floor near the the driver's door opening where your left foot would be resting. Both may be hard to read, use a bright light at different angles. Running your numbers can help you zero in on what model (A,B,C) you have there. It had cowl lights at one time, so I'm leaning towards "B" __________________ Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B Last edited by burner31; 12-03-2015 at 10:06 AM.

12-03-2015, 10:08 AM	#5
JohnB15632 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Export, PA (Outside of Pittsburgh) Posts: 520	Re: 31 Model A SW Town Sedan Project Thank you. I already have. I have been successful in getting a title for the vehicle from PennDot. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. I luckily found a AAA representative how had done this in the past. She told me the procedures step by step. I went before a judge and was out within 15 minutes. I have a titled vehicle!!!!!!

12-03-2015, 10:08 AM	#6
burner31 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 3,471	Re: 31 Model A SW Town Sedan Project Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Look at your roof wood, the location of the dome light wood block can tell you a lot about the car also. __________________ Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B

12-03-2015, 10:10 AM	#7
burner31 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 3,471	Re: 31 Model A SW Town Sedan Project Titled as a A, B, or C? __________________ Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B

12-03-2015, 10:27 AM	#8
JohnB15632 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Export, PA (Outside of Pittsburgh) Posts: 520	Re: 31 Model A SW Town Sedan Project It is a "B"

12-03-2015, 01:17 PM	#9
lakeside Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 134	Re: 31 Model A SW Town Sedan Project This is not a criticism,in any way, just wondering. Have you thought of restoring a car that was more complete and in better condition, considering the cost of the missing parts and the labor involved? I went through this myself.

12-03-2015, 01:43 PM	#10
JohnB15632 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Export, PA (Outside of Pittsburgh) Posts: 520	Re: 31 Model A SW Town Sedan Project Considering that I got the car for free and I never undertaken such a project before, it seems like the perfect retirement project. I think that I am fairly mechanically inclined. The chassis is nearly 75% completed. I think that it is a good project.

12-03-2015, 03:07 PM	#11
lakeside Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 134	Re: 31 Model A SW Town Sedan Project Sounds reasonable to me. Best of luck.

12-03-2015, 03:08 PM	#12
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: 31 Model A SW Town Sedan Project Yep, never turn down free! Your car is coming along great. My first Model A started as a $125 1929 engine from a swap meet, then a free chassis and tranny from my cousin's woods, then a $50 1929 Tudor body from a pasture. Nothing got done as I kept locating parts, then I saw a complete running 1929 Tudor for $2000, so I bought that. I wanted something I could drive right away, and that pretty well fit the bill.

12-03-2015, 03:59 PM	#13
mshmodela Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 2,763	Re: 31 Model A SW Town Sedan Project John, Great effort, I'm sure you're learning and enjoying your project... Thanks for sharing... __________________ -Mike Late 31' Ford Model A Tudor, Miss Daisy I don't work on cars --I'm learning about my Model A. Cleveland, Ohio