1931 Ford Model A

Description

Why is the Model A the perfect starter hobby car? They're easy to drive, affordable, parts are plentiful, they teach you about driving and servicing an old car, they really are stylish, and shall I go on? This 1931 Ford Model A "slant windshield" sedan is a wonderful introduction to the world of old cars and offers a bunch of upgrades designed to make touring a pleasure.

The slant windshield sedan is a 1931-only body style, easily identified by its slanted windshield (no kidding) and lack of an exterior visor like the earlier models. The effect is that this one looks bigger and more upscale than its older siblings, and with the two tone paint combination, the difference is striking. The colors are factory correct Brewster Green and Kewanee Green, which give it an understated and elegant look, particularly with the black fenders which were standard across the board. The restoration is several years old and has plenty of tour miles on it, so it's no longer a show car, but it's still the kind of car that attracts appreciative glances from bystanders and you'll never hesitate to take it to a local cruise night or casual show. Ford's use of stainless steel means the bright work remains in great condition, and this one carries an optional side mount, wind wings, and a grille guard, plus a jaunty luggage rack. And for safety, auxiliary stop lights have been added to improve visibility on the road.

The burgundy fabric upholstery is typical of an older restoration and is showing its age, but for a car that cost less than $700 when it was new, the surroundings are pretty luxurious. The town sedan offers room for five and these sedans make for wonderful tour cars with their all-weather capabilities and comfort. The seats are still comfortable so you can get in and start driving right away and maybe plan on an upgrade some other time. Matching door panels offer a cohesive look and the bright door hardware is in good shape with no broken handles. The controls will be familiar to any Model A owner, with a big hard rubber steering wheel and 3-speed manual transmission that feels natural in your hands. The '31s are easy to recognize with their round speedometers and more ornate instrument panels, and as a car built for touring, this one includes both an accessory temperature gauge and a turn signal setup attached to the steering column.

Ford's 200 cubic inch four cylinder engine is all about torque, and the over-achieving little machine makes a distinctive sound that's been beloved for generations. It happily pulls the sedan around without working too hard and cruises at 45 MPH, so it's not a problem on modern surface streets. This one has years of reliable service behind it, so it runs like a Model A should, and there's plenty of evidence of recent maintenance. The engine is correctly dressed in green engine enamel and with cloth wiring, a Zenith carburetor, and those copper leads for the spark plugs, it looks quite authentic. For touring, it's been upgraded with a 6-volt alternator, oil filter, oversized cooling fan, and a log-style manifold heater that's pretty good on those cool evenings. The 3-speed manual transmission shifts cleanly with a quick double-clutch and the brakes are effective for a vehicle with modest performance and light weight. 19-inch wheels were finished in correct Apple Green and carry period-perfect wide whites.

You know we love Model As (who doesn't?) and this handsome sedan is ready to teach you all about the joys of a bygone era. Call today!