MTFCA Forum

I have an opportunity to buy a restored, running, driving 30-31 Model A chassis that a local rodder has "borrowed" the body from. The chassis will even come with nice restored and painted front fenders, running boards, and splash aprons, all for less than the cost of a restored engine and transmission. Its very tempting, but without an original body, I would be forced to make a speedster, huckster, hack, or some homemade body for it, not to mention that I really don't have covered storage for it. Anyone got a suggestion, besides don't bite off more than I can chew??

You might get more information from the "Ford Barn" Model A section.

If you are looking for ballpark value, try Fordbarn.com. They have an active A forum. Unless a title comes with it, do you want the hassle of getting one? If they kept the title, any numbers on frame or engine, might now be in use. How much are they asking?

Thanks, guys, I'll look on Fordbarn. I just thought some T guy might also own a Model A and have some input. BTW, asking price is $3,000, which is negotiable. As I said. I don't think that I could buy the same unrestored chassis and sheetmetal and restore it for that amount.

ModelTWoods wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 05, 2021 1:58 pm

Thanks, guys, I'll look on Fordbarn. I just thought some T guy might also own a Model A and have some input. BTW, asking price is $3,000, which is negotiable. As I said. I don't think that I could buy the same unrestored chassis and sheetmetal and restore it for that amount.

Like any T. What is their interpretation of a restored part X ?

Check Hemming's Motor News. The extensive Ford parts section usually has an ad for Model A bodies out of Colorado.

There are lots of Model A bodies around looking for a chassis, so I wouldn't worry about a body. There are minor diffefrences in chassis, but mostly in body mounts and rear bumper mounts.

Remember most A’s have steel bodies, so a homemade wood huckster, hack or such body, will not fit the vintage.

PDGx wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 05, 2021 5:09 pm

Remember A’s have steel bodies, so a homemade wood huckster, hack or such body, will not fit the vintage.

Not all. Ford sold a lot of commercial cowled model a chassis that needed bodies built. There were a fair amount of model a school bus`s and I
know Ford didn't build them.
Mike

You could always put an all steel Brookville body on it and have a nice car.

PDGx wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 05, 2021 5:09 pm

Remember A’s have steel bodies, so a homemade wood huckster, hack or such body, will not fit the vintage.

The 4 door bodies had wood sub frames along with wood in the body, not just the top. The cabriolet, victoria/A400 had wood sub frames. The slant windshield 4 doors and cabriolets in 1931 switch to the all steel body, only used wood to attach upholstery. The rest of the Ford line-up was all steel bodies.
There were hucksters/station wagons home built or factory installed on the Model A chassis.

ModelTWoods wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 05, 2021 1:30 pm

I have an opportunity to buy a restored, running, driving 30-31 Model A chassis that a local rodder has "borrowed" the body from. The chassis will even come with nice restored and painted front fenders, running boards, and splash aprons, all for less than the cost of a restored engine and transmission. Its very tempting, but without an original body, I would be forced to make a speedster, huckster, hack, or some homemade body for it, not to mention that I really don't have covered storage for it. Anyone got a suggestion, besides don't bite off more than I can chew??

I am still contemplating the possibility of this chassis, but now, I have found another option; a 1941 Ford two door sedan with weathered original paint, nice original interior, a 53 Merc engine installed with dual exhaust, an accessory metal sunvisor, rear fender skirts, and a windshield post mounted Unity spotlight, for $6,500.00. An old school hotrod, Decisions, decisions.

I think I've fallen in love with the 41. Yeah, its a two door sedan and not a coupe or convertible, but it is a licensed, driving car that needs nothing but gas and a driver. Besides, there's nothing like a flathead with dual exhausts and Smithy mufflers, talking back to you when you take your foot off the gas petal!

Terry,

I've no real idea of U.S. prices for these things, but have a lot of other relevant experience in purchasing motors, and/or parts of thereof

My view is that if I had an opportunity to purchase a restored mobile chassis complete with motor/box for $3k here in NZ I'd be very keen. As you say it's negotiable naturally one might try to 'improve' the cost, but if you've the room to store it for a while until a suitable body comes along it would seem quite a useful/reasonable project to me.

As I've found out over the years it's generally the ones I didn't purchase that I most regret... with the possible exception of a Peugeot in later years

Luke.

Here’s a 1931 Tudor body I saw on Minnesota CL.
John

J Sundstrom wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 06, 2021 11:24 am

Here’s a 1931 Tudor body I saw on Minnesota CL.
John

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions on used, as well as new bodies. I know I could also buy a new body from Snyder's. I don't know if Brookville makes their's too, or not, but cost and transportation or freight is a detriment, not to mention the time and labor to finish. I would like to find a home for the A chassis, but the 41 old school rod is a driver and I already have one restoration project in progress and I don't need a second. The 41 will be safer to drive on public streets, highways, and interstates because of its brakes and power. It looks like an old 'moonshiner's' car. It has 'The Gambler' lettered on the rear decklid. I think I'll remove that and replace it with 'White Lightnin' .

Own both T & A
A speedster to me look odd as they have a high radiator
But make fun cars or hucksters
Running driving chassis I seen go for 3500 or less
Not getting the title be hard in some states

A speedster to me look odd as they have a high radiator
That's what I think too, esp when they mount bucket seats a few inches off the floor! Looks like a chopper with monkey handle bars, the ones that are higher than the riders head!