Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.

[Kalstar]

I have been wanting a Model A for several years (one of my friend's Dad has a 29 and I just love it). I am somewhat young (early 40's) and want a cruiser. I have read 100's of pages on the Model A but now I was offered a 31 basket case pick-up yesterday and I am thinking hard about grabing it. I would want to restore it, not hot rod it. The body was removed about 10 years ago, it was running and driving a few years ago when his son moved the rest of the car to a lower garage. He said it was a runing/driving truck when he bought it 10 years ago but the project stalled and he has not touched it in years. I live on Cape Cod and I see there are a few members on here that are local to me. I own several Factory Five cars I built so I can turn a wrench.

What should I look for and what should I pay. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Jim

[Steve Plucker]

I would beging by looking for a local Model A Ford Club in your area. That way you and some of the members who have been down that road can actually look at the basket case and tell you just what to expect in a restoration.

Pluck

[frank mcdaniels]

Jim,First of all look at the cab ,box and fenders and see how much work they need. I have restored a few pickups and I like them because you don't have big body panels like a sedan so it's eaisier to paint and the repair areas don't seem so daunting. Also you don't have alot of interior to redo. Remember it's easy to spend a grand doing breaks and it's easy to spend that much on rebuilding the front end.You can also spend alot on an engine. Check these things out. But I always feel if the body parts are decent that is the most important.I would think for a decent basket case pickup, you would be looking a three to five grand. Remember when all is said and done your probably going to have more invested than what it's actually worth. But pickups are fun projects and fun to own when completed. I have a 40 ford pickup I've owned since 1970.Also I feel the later 30-31 pickups are worth a little more than the earlier ones. Just my opinion.I say go for it,if you can buy it right. Good luck, Frank

[Mike V. Florida]

If you have not been around model A's. If you have not worked on them or helped others work on them, I would not suggest a "basket case". What you describe though is not a basket case in my opinion as only the body needs work.

Keep in mind that the work needed restoration, sheet metal work, welding, ect is not the same as building a kit. I'm not saying one is easier then the other, it's just a different skill set.

[JohnLaVoy]

They make most of the sheet metal for a pick up so if you are missing anything it would be an easy find. Regarding cost that is tough but I think a running version would be in the $5000-$8000 range so less than half that would be a starting point. If the parts are damaged or rusted out less would be appropriate. But like they said above find a local Model A club and get with them they can help you look it over.

[Rowdy]

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A running engine can still be quite worn out. So to me running is a vague term. The engine that was with the chassis for my delivery ran fine. It had a very slight rod knock. When I pulled the pan to inspect I found no shims left anywhere in the engine. Further inspection upon dissassembly I found the cyls were worn and .009 taper. It needs a complete rebuild. I only paid $500 for the chassis so it was a good buy even though everything needs rebuild. I would value what you discribe around $3500-$5000. Rod

[Kalstar]

Thank you for the advise. I try to find a local club. The nearest I know of is a few hrs away. I will take pictures today and post. Thank you so far for the advise. Looking forward to thoughts after the pictures are posted

[Charlie Stephens]

Take a large number of pictures and post them here for comments. You need to set the camera to the lowest resolution (or reduce the resolution after you take them). Without pictures I am not even going to guess at what the truck is worth.

Charlie Stephens

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens

Take a large number of pictures and post them here for comments. You need to set the camera to the lowest resolution (or reduce the resolution after you take them). Without pictures I am not even going to guess at what the truck is worth.

Charlie Stephens

X2 lots of pics

[Kalstar]

Pictures.

[Kalstar]

Next set

[Cape Codder]

As far as joining a club the Model A Ford Club of Cape Cod is available and meet the forth Tuesday of the month. Usually meet in Hyannis. Send a P.M. for any other info.

[Kalstar]

More pics.

[Kalstar]

Some more....

[Vin-tin]

In my opinion, that's not a basket case. What I see pictured looks good. I've seen, (and bought) much worse already.

[Rusty Homestead Fl]

Buy it!!

[Kalstar]

Last set of pics. Not pictured but included is..... all fenders, cowl, hood, rad surround, headlights/tail-lights, new gauges, front and rear glass (including windshield frame), horn and running boards. All non pictured body parts are primed. He does not feel he is missing any parts except for the door glass. Brakes were just rebuilt including all new rods, drums, rollers and hubs. Radiator looks tired but hold water. Also comes with an extra windshield and 2 extra doors.

So what is it worth?

[Mitch//pa]

very nice

[Kalstar]

Originally Posted by Cape Codder

As far as joining a club the Model A Ford Club of Cape Cod is available and meet the forth Tuesday of the month. Usually meet in Hyannis. Send a P.M. for any other info.

Thank you, the closest club I had found online was in Sudbury MA. I will PM you now.

[flatford39]

$3500 to $4500 is what I think it's worth if it has a clear title and decent doors. Looks like someone put a metal roof on it. I don't think it is a late 31 that came from the factory that way as I still see the holes for the tack strip which the factory steel top didn't have.