1931 Ford Model A Fordor Sedan

The Ford Model A was a car made by the Ford Motor Company.  It had a four-cylinder engine.  It replaced the Ford Model T and was replaced by the Ford Model B and Ford Model 18.  Though it was only made for five years 4,849,340 Model A's were made and sold.

An interesting story, which I'm always on the prowl for, and it's amazing how many of these cars do not have one!  This one does, and it's worth working into this description.  I'll start by saying our consignor purchased this car 33 years ago and has been garage kept since.  It had the engine rebuilt approximately 15 years ago, has new tires and a new battery, and has been driven a lot.  So much so that all the bugs, kinks and issues have been worked out and this car has participated on numerous trips and tours across this great country of ours.  Read on!

Exterior
An older restoration was performed on this car and the finish is starting to show its age on the two-tone paint job with tan in the middle and black for the top and bottom.  The roof is vinyl, and this is due to the fact that back in 1930 the technology did not exist to stamp a panel large enough to fit the entire roof, so it was left to be canvas with lath structure.  Today it is black vinyl and looking great, no fade or tears.  Our example pictured here has well minded thin gaps throughout, is all rust free, and the paint is still looking deep and shiny but does show a few chips, scuffs and flaws.  Some black is seen highlighting the body bump out line and pillars, and the curved fenders and adjoining running boards are black as well.  All glass is clear, chrome trimmings are excellent and not pitted or faded.  This chrome includes the radiator surround, headlight casings and bezels, door handles, hood cowl trimming right before the firewall cowl, rear tail lighting, and dual flat bar split bumpers on back and a solid one in front.  A chrome flying quail radiator cap is now on and still shines leading the way.  Out back we note a period correct black steamer trunk just in front of the spare tire. 19-inch wire wheels in beautiful restored black are on all 4 corners and are wrapped in 4.75/5.00-19 wide whitewall rubber from the 44th week of 2018.

Interior
A swing of any door and we are now in mohair heaven!  Covering each door in a coffee tan color way, with a pocket for storage in the center, shiny actuator handles and window cranks and even the lock flip toggle are beautiful shining examples within this mohair.  The window sills are black painted metal, and the lowers are brown carpeting.  Inside 2 bench seats covered in... mohair! have nice fabric that has large tuck and roll inserts with the bolsters and tubs for seating also covered in coffee tan mohair.  The floors are brown carpeting and have a darker brown edging.  A nicely done metal curved dash swoops across the bottom of the windshield and showing in tan and black with the centrally mounted chromed “mask” style instrument cluster with the old gauges which are all working.  The headliner is more stitched mohair and presents nice and tight with no stains or tears.

Drivetrain
Lifting either side of the cowled hood we are greeted with an inline 4-cylinder, 201ci that appears in very well kept condition.  Nice wiring in the old style, new hoses and a coating of steel green engine paint are all within the restored engine bay.  This engine is fed by a 1-barrel carburetor and has a 3-speed manual transmission attached to the back, which is shifted from the long posted floor shifter.  3.78 gears are noted in the rear axle.  We see the addition of a spin on oil filter, a much appreciated add on for a car that is regularly driven.

Undercarriage
So the key words here are used and enjoyed, but not abused.  Just a hint of road dirt and rust for the X frame,  body hangers, running board, and exterior fendered underside is all pristine with only minor surface rust on the usual suspects.  Transverse leaf springs were the suspension of the era, and these are on all 4 corners.  Mechanical drum brakes are seen all around as well.

Drive-Ability
Starting is a breeze once you figure out the choke and which pedal to push, but it was off to the races with this car and on our test track it certainly did not break any speed record, but what it did do was run smooth as silk, smooth effortless shifting, and even steering was not too bad when not moving all that fast.  Brakes are good, and all was working on this beauty of a build.

A well restored and sorted car showing the final year for the Model A.  A car meant to be driven and enjoyed, and do so by our consignor.  This is a wonderful earlier restoration still holding its own which is a testament to the drive and fortitude went through to have such a beautiful example.  Yours for the taking!

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.  This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.