The Ford Barn

1953M100 · 01-25-2025, 11:47 AM

Hey all,
Just want to do a quick introduction:
Had a friend give me a ride in his Tudor last summer, what a blast!!
I got the bug! Joined the Twin Cities Model A club here in Minneapolis. Still searching for the "right" car for me. Looking for a 5 window coupe, w/o the rumble seat. Most likely will be throwing down some serious coin for the Burtz block and Mitchell overdrive.

Former Ford dealer auto technician (back in the 90's), 25 year ASE master certified, 10 years field engineer for VW. But I feel like I still have a lot to learn about Model A's. Currently Parts and Service director for 9 dealerships - counting days to retirement (YAY!!) - I'll be 62 in March.

Primary goals for the cars are 1) driving, 2) cruises, 3) with reliability and safety.

Canton_Model_A's · 01-25-2025, 12:12 PM

Welcome to the Barn 1953M100. You have come to the right place. Do not be afraid to ask questions, someone here will either have the answer or point you in the right direction.

If you haven't checked out YouTube check out Paul Shinn, he has a ton of videos on the Model A.

And there are the usual suspects for suppliers:

Snyders
Brattons
Mike's 'A' Fordable
CW Moss

Again, Welcome aboard and just take it slow and easy. You will find that out in the various threads here in the forums!

Dave

Chuck Dempsey · 01-25-2025, 12:35 PM

Indeed, welcome to the 'Barn!

BButturff · 01-25-2025, 12:48 PM

Welcome to the Ford Barn fellow Minnesotan!

BButturff · 01-25-2025, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BButturff

Welcome to the Ford Barn fellow Minnesotan!

BTW, as long as you're shopping you should check out Unique Classic Cars in Mankato. https://www.uniqueclassiccars.com/

I'm not affiliated nor do they pay me to endorse them but they helped me in my search. Very friendly, low pressure folks. They don't have much for A's right now but If you let them know what you're looking for they get quite a few in, mostly in the spring.

Regards,
Bruce

1953M100 · 01-25-2025, 02:12 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canton_Model_A's

...If you haven't checked out YouTube check out Paul Shinn, he has a ton of videos on the Model A....

Agreed! Have recently watched several hours Paul's YouTube channel (it's become addicting).

He actually Zoom called into the last "tech session" meeting of the Twin Cities Model A club.

1953M100 · 01-25-2025, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canton_Model_A's

...And there are the usual suspects for suppliers:

Snyders
Brattons
Mike's 'A' Fordable
CW Moss...

Thanks for the helpful info, I was kinda wondering about this.
Time to start my Christmas shopping early...

Herb Concord Ca · 01-25-2025, 02:52 PM

Add Bert's in Denver CO to you parts supplier list.

1953M100 · 01-25-2025, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BButturff

BTW, as long as you're shopping you should check out Unique Classic Cars in Mankato. https://www.uniqueclassiccars.com/

I'm not affiliated nor do they pay me to endorse them but they helped me in my search. Very friendly, low pressure folks. They don't have much for A's right now but If you let them know what you're looking for they get quite a few in, mostly in the spring.

Regards,
Bruce

Thanks Bruce! I'll make sure to reach out to them...

Ayers1 · 01-25-2025, 04:58 PM

Welcome to the Barn! Good luck with your search! You did the right thing by joining in the local A club. Most of the clubs that I have seen have a huge wealth of experience and knowledge. If you can't find an answer here or from your club, then you definitely have a problem!

47topless · 01-25-2025, 05:02 PM

Good call on finding a coupe with a trunk. Henry should have retired the rumble seat with the Model T.

Chuck Dempsey · 01-25-2025, 05:59 PM

Not to hijack the thread, but I thought Model 'T's didn't come with rumble seats. Did they? They do seem more trouble than they are worth. Look cool, granted. But...

1953M100 · 01-27-2025, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 47topless

Good call on finding a coupe with a trunk. Henry should have retired the rumble seat with the Model T.

I am looking at a coupe tomorrow that was converted from trunk to rumble seat. I'm thinking if I buy it, I'll convert it back to trunk. Rumble seat is useless to me, I would never let anyone ride back there (too dangerous), plus I want the truck space.

ModelA29 · 01-27-2025, 11:01 PM

Go onto the MAFCA and MARC websites. Find all the clubs within a reasonable distance. Take a look at their newsletters and see what's for sale locally. There are enough club people selling cars you don't need to put money into a flipper/dealer pocket.
I finally found my Coupe 200 miles away.

We need to rename the rumble seat for it's new use - grandkids parade seat.

1953M100 · 03-02-2025, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModelA29

Go onto the MAFCA and MARC websites. Find all the clubs within a reasonable distance. Take a look at their newsletters and see what's for sale locally. There are enough club people selling cars you don't need to put money into a flipper/dealer pocket.
I finally found my Coupe 200 miles away....

Great suggestion! That's exactly what I did. After searching nationwide on Marketplace, I actually found the best deal on a really nice '31 Coupe in the local club newsletter ads. Turns out it was just 20 minutes from my house!

The trunk was converted to a rumble which is not ideal, but the car is SOOOO nice (complete body off restoration) and a beautiful dark blue - I can overlook the rumble. Thankfully the seller is also willing to continue storing it until after the roads clear up from Minnesota salt. Hoping to drive it home in April (??).

Super excited...!!

Y-Blockhead · 03-02-2025, 01:03 PM

Add your location so people close can help you.

Clem Clement · 03-02-2025, 01:12 PM

Join a club. Add safety belts and put dem kids in the rumble. (Good luck fitting yer smiles on your face!!!
Clem

henry's 31 · 03-02-2025, 01:35 PM

Welcome to the best hobby in the world and to this wonderful forum. Drive it and enjoy it!

Martin31 · 03-08-2025, 10:44 AM

Just a thought on rumble seat. My '31 Coupe has a rumble seat that my grandkids just love to ride in around their subdivision. I made 2 changes in an attempt to improve safety. 1) I installed seat belts. 2) I used a piece of aluminum angle that I mounted on the side of the metal by the seat that fastened to the side of the lip around the opening that prevents the seat from closing. I figured that if I had to stop suddenly, the heavy seat would not be able to close and trap them, plus the seat belts would keep them on the seat. Since all of my driving with them has been in the subdivision with 25 mph speed limit, I've had no problems and they've been very happy to ride in grandpa's old funny looking car.

rotorwrench · 03-08-2025, 11:35 AM

Most 28/29 standard coupes were trunk types. The 28/29 special coupes can go either way but they are semi soft tops types. In 1930 & 31, the coupes can go either way as well. The soft top sport coupes were all rumble seat types due to the opening back window flap but the similar business coupes were all trunk types in 28/29. The more solid top type coupes are easier to restore since there is less wood and more metal in them.

The sheet metal to convert the tail end metal is available. The change in the deck lid would require relocating the door handle. There can be some differences in the triangle shaped metal braces at the rear of the body but it likely can be a work around on that.

01-25-2025, 11:47 AM	#1
1953M100 Member Join Date: Jan 2025 Location: Stillwater, MN Posts: 37	Another newbie to Model A's Hey all, Just want to do a quick introduction: Had a friend give me a ride in his Tudor last summer, what a blast!! I got the bug! Joined the Twin Cities Model A club here in Minneapolis. Still searching for the "right" car for me. Looking for a 5 window coupe, w/o the rumble seat. Most likely will be throwing down some serious coin for the Burtz block and Mitchell overdrive. Former Ford dealer auto technician (back in the 90's), 25 year ASE master certified, 10 years field engineer for VW. But I feel like I still have a lot to learn about Model A's. Currently Parts and Service director for 9 dealerships - counting days to retirement (YAY!!) - I'll be 62 in March. Primary goals for the cars are 1) driving, 2) cruises, 3) with reliability and safety.

01-25-2025, 12:12 PM	#2
Canton_Model_A's Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Canton, Michigan Posts: 321	Re: Another newbie to Model A's Welcome to the Barn 1953M100. You have come to the right place. Do not be afraid to ask questions, someone here will either have the answer or point you in the right direction. If you haven't checked out YouTube check out Paul Shinn, he has a ton of videos on the Model A. And there are the usual suspects for suppliers: Snyders Brattons Mike's 'A' Fordable CW Moss Again, Welcome aboard and just take it slow and easy. You will find that out in the various threads here in the forums! Dave __________________ --------------------------------------- 1929 Model A Tudor - "Darla" '29 Model A: Old enough to start with a crank, young enough to steal the show! "Stay away from negative people, they have a problem for every solution" Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Motor City A's Club

01-25-2025, 12:35 PM	#3
Chuck Dempsey Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waynesville, NC Posts: 963	Re: Another newbie to Model A's Indeed, welcome to the 'Barn!

01-25-2025, 12:48 PM	#4
BButturff Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2024 Location: The driftless area of SE Minnesota Posts: 116	Re: Another newbie to Model A's Welcome to the Ford Barn fellow Minnesotan!

01-25-2025, 02:52 PM	#8
Herb Concord Ca Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Concord CA Posts: 755	Re: Another newbie to Model A's Add Bert's in Denver CO to you parts supplier list.

01-25-2025, 04:58 PM	#10
Ayers1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Waynesboro Va. Posts: 504	Re: Another newbie to Model A's Welcome to the Barn! Good luck with your search! You did the right thing by joining in the local A club. Most of the clubs that I have seen have a huge wealth of experience and knowledge. If you can't find an answer here or from your club, then you definitely have a problem!

01-25-2025, 05:02 PM	#11
47topless Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 463	Re: Another newbie to Model A's Good call on finding a coupe with a trunk. Henry should have retired the rumble seat with the Model T.

01-25-2025, 05:59 PM	#12
Chuck Dempsey Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waynesville, NC Posts: 963	Re: Another newbie to Model A's Not to hijack the thread, but I thought Model 'T's didn't come with rumble seats. Did they? They do seem more trouble than they are worth. Look cool, granted. But...

01-27-2025, 11:01 PM	#14
ModelA29 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,152	Re: Another newbie to Model A's Go onto the MAFCA and MARC websites. Find all the clubs within a reasonable distance. Take a look at their newsletters and see what's for sale locally. There are enough club people selling cars you don't need to put money into a flipper/dealer pocket. I finally found my Coupe 200 miles away. We need to rename the rumble seat for it's new use - grandkids parade seat.

03-02-2025, 01:03 PM	#16
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 6,642	Re: Another newbie to Model A's Add your location so people close can help you.

03-02-2025, 01:12 PM	#17
Clem Clement Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 3,532	Re: Another newbie to Model A's Join a club. Add safety belts and put dem kids in the rumble. (Good luck fitting yer smiles on your face!!! Clem

03-02-2025, 01:35 PM	#18
henry's 31 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Columbus(Cataula) Georgia Posts: 916	Re: Another newbie to Model A's Welcome to the best hobby in the world and to this wonderful forum. Drive it and enjoy it! __________________ Henry' s 31

03-08-2025, 10:44 AM	#19
Martin31 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2024 Posts: 4	Re: Another newbie to Model A's Just a thought on rumble seat. My '31 Coupe has a rumble seat that my grandkids just love to ride in around their subdivision. I made 2 changes in an attempt to improve safety. 1) I installed seat belts. 2) I used a piece of aluminum angle that I mounted on the side of the metal by the seat that fastened to the side of the lip around the opening that prevents the seat from closing. I figured that if I had to stop suddenly, the heavy seat would not be able to close and trap them, plus the seat belts would keep them on the seat. Since all of my driving with them has been in the subdivision with 25 mph speed limit, I've had no problems and they've been very happy to ride in grandpa's old funny looking car.

03-08-2025, 11:35 AM	#20
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 17,410	Re: Another newbie to Model A's Most 28/29 standard coupes were trunk types. The 28/29 special coupes can go either way but they are semi soft tops types. In 1930 & 31, the coupes can go either way as well. The soft top sport coupes were all rumble seat types due to the opening back window flap but the similar business coupes were all trunk types in 28/29. The more solid top type coupes are easier to restore since there is less wood and more metal in them. The sheet metal to convert the tail end metal is available. The change in the deck lid would require relocating the door handle. There can be some differences in the triangle shaped metal braces at the rear of the body but it likely can be a work around on that.